Common Sense Media Review
Outer-space pirate treasure hunt has fun, intense battles.
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Treasure Planet
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is an amazing and imaginative adventure that blends action, humor, and heartfelt connections, making it a favorite among both children and adults. Many reviews highlight the stunning animation and positive messages about friendship and perseverance, while also noting some mild suspenseful scenes, making it suitable for older kids and families.
- imaginative animation
- positive messages
- adventurous story
- relatable characters
- underrated classic
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In TREASURE PLANET, rebellious teen Jim Hawkins (voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) stumbles upon a mysterious map that points to a legendary treasure. Hoping for redemption and adventure, Jim joins a space expedition led by the sharp-witted Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson) and funded by his family friend, Dr. Doppler (David Hyde Pierce). Aboard the ship, Jim gets mentored by the charismatic cyborg cook, John Silver (Brian Murray), who becomes a father figure—until Jim discovers Silver's secret agenda. As the crew reaches the planet, Jim must outsmart deadly traps, unearth hidden truths, and decide who he can really trust.
Is It Any Good?
This animated sci-fi adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story is a dazzling vision, with masted schooners sailing past stars and planets. If Treasure Planet is not Disney at its best, it's Disney at its still-pretty-much-better-than-anyone-else. Computer and hand animation are brilliantly combined, using the best of both worlds so that the characters have a full range of expressions while the vistas are magnificently three-dimensional. This is exactly what animation should be about, presenting us with an imaginative adventure that's liberated from trivialities like the laws of physics and possibility.
Treasure Planet is visually inventive, with dozens of witty details. John Silver is a marvel of animation integration and form tied to content, his mechanical parts created by computer and his human parts created by hand. The voice talent is marvelous, especially Thompson, playing the captain as a sort of starchy governess who happens to be extremely brave and have a wicked sense of humor, and Martin Short—who was born to be animated—playing the eccentric robot B.E.N.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why it was hard for Jim to behave well at the start of Treasure Planet. How does he become more mature and responsible? Do you relate to him? What are some experiences that have made you grow?
How does Treasure Planet compare with pirate stories you've seen or read? What aspects are different? What are some pirate stereotypes? How do the characters in Treasure Planet compare to those clichés?
If you had a lot of treasure, what would you do with it?
How do the characters demonstrate courage and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 27, 2002
- On DVD or streaming : April 29, 2003
- Cast : Joseph Gordon-Levitt , Laurie Metcalf , Martin Short
- Directors : John Musker , Ron Clements
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s) , African American Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Book Characters , Pirates , Robots
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : scenes of peril, character death
- Award : Academy Award - Animated Feature Nominee
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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