The Sandlot

Movie review by Randy White, Common Sense Media
The Sandlot Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 9+

Lighthearted tween baseball comedy has language, sexism.

PG 1993 101 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 8+

Based on 40 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 91 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

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.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Sandlot is a lighthearted baseball comedy written and directed by David Mickey Evans. Set during the early 1960s, it follows a new kid in town (Tom Guiry) who makes friends by joining a local pick-up team. The main threat to the gang's happiness is The Beast -- a giant, slobbering dog on the other side of the sandlot fence (he might briefly scare younger viewers). Slapstick humor includes pratfalls, but no one gets hurt. Strong language includes "s--t," "a--hole," and lots of colorful insults, and there are some scuffles between the boys. Adults may also raise an eyebrow at the way the movie treats a much sought-after, slightly older lifeguard "babe." Boys ogle her (and one tricks her into kissing him), but it's the camera that unnecessarily lingers on her various body parts. Girls are portrayed as stereotypical love interests who have no desire to play sports. Family relationships are also somewhat strained (particularly between one of the boys and his indifferent stepdad), but friendship plays a strong role and comes off in a very positive light. There are some characters of color, including Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones) who is Black and blind, initially portrayed as a villain but becomes one of the most complex characters in the film. Overall, the movie has a sun-kissed tone that both kids and adults will appreciate.

Community Reviews

LawDe
LawDe Adult
August 9, 2021
age 10+

Dated & sketchy but charming

There are a lot of things to enjoy about this film, but also much to question and have open and honest discussions with your children. The characters and story are cute and engaging. However, one of the boys deliberately causes a lifeguard to give him CPR so he can take advantage and kiss her with some force. The lifeguard is depicted very sexually and objectified by the filmmaker including shots of her slowly rubbing her skin with sunscreen, wearing a very revealing low cut swimsuit and lots of red lipstick. There are also some very close ups of her that made my daughters and I very uncomfortable. There are practically no consequences for this kid in his inappropriate behavior with the young woman - in fact though he is thrown out of the community pool, he is given approving pats on back and even a wink by the lifeguard. There are also several instances of cursing that seem superfluous. As far as racial diversity, there is very little representation. Of nine boys in the ensemble, there is only one actor of color and one Latino boy. The remaining seven are white. The story though is charming, funny and engaging. It depicts realities of the 1960s American white working class suburb and examines themes of friendship, bravery, parent/family issues and coming of age/puberty as well as perception/neglect of a dog. The child actors do a terrific job with their characters and the music, set decoration is very well detailed and eye-catching.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
5 people found this helpful.
Mel S.
Mel S. Adult
October 4, 2016
age 10+

My son loves this movie, but I'm not comfortable with the sexy stuff, chewing tobacco use and various cuss words thrown about

I love that this movie celebrates the joy of being a kid, long summer days of kids just playing together in the neighborhood, not having to be under the watch of adults 24/7, having camp outs and BBQs and riding bikes all over town. I miss those days terribly. Plus, my 4 year old is a baseball fanatic and it really is the best game in the world and he just wants to play even harder and better every time he watches this movie. But certain parts always make me cringe, with the close up of Wendy's rear and slow pans over her in a bathing suit, I'm like REALLY!? So I just have to fast forward through those parts. And this site needs to update the drug reference part because the movie has a scene where the young boys all try chewing tobacco and think it's cool...at first...but I didn't want my son to get the wrong message that that's a good idea or legal or anything.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 40 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After getting onto the local sandlot team purely by luck, new kid in town Scotty Smalls (Tom Guiry) spends a blissful summer developing his baseball skills with help from his teammates Benny (Mike Vitar), Yeah-Yeah (Marty York), Ham (Patrick Renna), Squints (Chauncey Leopardi), and the rest of the boys. But things take a serious turn at THE SANDLOT when the gang experiences what they believe is an omen that will give them bad luck. To infuse the team with good luck, Scotty runs home and grabs his stepfather's (Denis Leary) baseball. When Scotty hits the ball into the junkyard, the boys discover just how valuable it is and devise an elaborate scheme to retrieve it, a mission that requires getting past "The Beast," a terrifying guard dog owned by Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones).

Is It Any Good?

This charming film is like Field of Dreams for the tween set. Like Dreams, The Sandlot features the winning presence of James Earl Jones and a look at times gone by. Both also attempt to leave viewers with a life-affirming message. At the same time, The Sandlot doesn't take itself too seriously. The kids are charming and can really play the game; there's also a refreshing lack of precocious, cynical types. While it trades in some of the stock cliches of baseball films, it does so with utter conviction and earnestness. And, for once, here's a sports film for kids that isn't about winning.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the appeal of sports movies like The Sandlot. What other similar films do you like?

  • Do you have to have been a kid in the 1960s to appreciate this movie? Why, or why not? What about it might appeal to kids of different generations?

  • How do the characters in The Sandlot demonstrate integrity, courage, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

  • How did the kids misjudge Mr. Mertle and The Beast? What can you learn from people by talking to them and listening to their stories?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Character Strengths

Find more movies that help kids build character.

  • Young girl playing
    Courage
    See all
  • Kids in class
    Integrity
    See all
  • Hands together
    Teamwork
    See all

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon picture of basketball, football, and medal
    Sports and Martial Arts
    See all
  • Cartoon hands high fiving
    Friendship
    See all

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