Common Sense Media Review
By Karen Wirsing
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Enchanting fantasy turns teen into sweet, selfless princess.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Secret of Moonacre
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie is a beloved and enchanting family film, offering positive messages about bravery and kindness, although it contains some unsettling moments and language that may not be suitable for younger children. While many viewers appreciate the film's charm and character development, some believe it falls short in comparison to the book it is based on due to significant plot changes.
- family friendly
- positive messages
- character development
- book adaptation issues
- scary moments
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Maria Merryweather (Dakota Blue Richards), agirl ofgreat fortune and wealth, finds herself homeless and orphaned at the age of 13. The only inheritance Maria receives from her deceased father is a bookthat tellsthe legend ofMoonacre's famousMoon Princess. Forced to leave her home in London, Maria moves to the countryside of Moonacre Manorto live with an uncle she has never met. Maria's uncle, Sir Benjamin (Ioan Gruffudd), is unfriendly and aloof until he notices Maria'suncanny relationship with the animals surrounding the castle. The horses flock to her, and the dog becomes her immediate companion. When the walls surrounding her mysteriously come to life, Maria quickly learns that she is the last Moon Princess and must save Moonacre from an ancient curse. It's upto her to uniteher family with its rivals, theDe Noirs, before the 5,000th moon rises.
Is It Any Good?
This is a beautiful and enchanting tale about a little princess whose selfless actions save an entire kingdom. When Maria takes it upon herself to unite her family with their centuries-old adversaries, the De Noir family, she's pleasantly surprised to find some unlikely characters coming to her aid. With the many magical creatures lurking throughout the castle, you start to wonder whether the castle itself might be magical: walls change form, trap doors appear, and white horses turn into unicorns.
The delightful film, directed by Gábor Csupó (Bridge to Terabithia), will appeal to tweens with an appreciation for magic and fantasy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the battle between the Merryweathers and the De Noirs. Is their disagreement only about a string of pearls? What do you think the pearls represent? How does your family handle disagreements?
When looking at the role that men and women play in this film, what differences do you notice? Do males or females seem to be more villainous than the others? Does the film perpetuate any stereotypes?
Do you think that father De Noir lacks sincerity in the end, or does he truly learn a lesson? And who do you think is most responsible for Maria's kind-hearted nature?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 12, 2010
- On DVD or streaming : September 21, 2010
- Cast : Dakota Blue Richards , Ioan Gruffudd , Natascha McElhone , Tim Curry
- Director : Gabor Csupo
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Entertainment One
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters
- Run time : 103 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild peril and language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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