The Mighty Ducks
By Elliot Panek,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Classic kids' sports movie has some iffy humor, language.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Mighty Ducks
Community Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Great movie, although bad language spoils it.
Report this review
Surprised by the rating! But shows it's age
Report this review
What's the Story?
THE MIGHTY DUCKS tells the familiar story of an underdog sports team's rise from the bottom. Gordon Bombay's (Emilio Estevez) fast-lane life as a cutthroat attorney takes a turn for the worse when he's arrested for drunk driving. As part of his community service sentence, Gordon must coach a hockey team comprising ragtag neighborhood kids. Though he carries the guilt of a hockey failure and his father's death with him, Gordon, with the help of his team, is able to face his demons -- and his old overbearing coach. In the process, the Mighty Ducks, as they come to be called, learn to work together and accept those different from them.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun and frothy family film and a good way to breach the topic of the ever-present pressure to excel in sports with kids. There is a brief foray into single-parent romance, as Gordon courts the mother of one of the players.
Overall, things never get serious for very long, as The Mighty Ducks highlights the camaraderie and laughs of being part of a team. It never really feels like a lecture to kids, so they're likely to enjoy it and hopefully will take from it some lessons concerning competition.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about ways children might deal with high-pressure situations, such as the ones faced by the hockey players in The Mighty Ducks. If Charlie had missed his shot at the end of the movie, what could the team and the coach have done to let him know they still supported him?
What similarities and differences do you see between this film and other sports-themed movies in which a group of ragtag misfit kids learn to play together and start to improve over time?
Why do you think sports-themed movies involving kids are so popular?
How do the characters in The Mighty Ducks demonstrate teamwork? Why is this an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 2, 1992
- On DVD or streaming: April 11, 2000
- Cast: Emilio Estevez, Joshua Jackson, Joss Ackland
- Director: Stephen Herek
- Inclusion Information: Latinx actors
- Studio: Buena Vista
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts, Great Boy Role Models
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: mild profanity and hockey violence
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate