Babar: The 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.
Suggest an 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 Babar: The Movie is a highly entertaining animated adventure with positive messages and fun musical numbers, but with one major scene of troubling violence and peril up front. An elephant village is raided and torched, with multiple instances of elephant mothers and children forcibly separated and in distress, and some elephant/rhino fighting. That issue aside, the movie is a funny and sweet tale of friendship and adventure suitable for any age.
Community Reviews
A kids' film has intense peril moments
Report this review
Violent, Gloom and Doom
Report this review
What's the Story?
Babar (voiced by Gavin Magrath), the boy elephant king, must save his cousin Celeste's village, Elephantland, from the ruinous designs of Rataxes and his rhino army, who are set on enslaving the elephants and taking over the village. Along the way, Babar meets a talented monkey, Zephir, with a knack for impersonations and subterfuge, and learns a few important lessons about conflict resolution and the laws of the jungle.
Is It Any Good?
Based on the 1931 French children's book series, Babar: The Movie is a spirited continuation of the televised HBO series. It's a surehanded blend of action, musical, and frolic that keeps the pace and doesn't overstay its welcome.
Kids will enjoy the elephants and nonstop action, parents will enjoy the clever resolution, and both parents and kids will find themselves humming to the fun sing-alongs, from the song that manages to make bureaucracy sound catchy, "Send It to Committee for Review" to the funny boast "Monkey Business."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
How did Babar outsmart the rhinos without using violence?
What other adventures have you seen set in the jungle? Did the animals play by the same rules that Babar and his friends followed?
Learn about how animals get along in the jungle by visiting the library and checking out books about the habitat.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: July 28, 1989
- Cast: Elizabeth Hanna, Gavin MacGrath, Gordon Pinsent
- Director: Alan Bunce
- Studio: Lionsgate
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Adventures, Friendship, Music and Sing-Along, Wild Animals
- Run time: 70 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love animals
Themes & Topics
Browse titles with similar subject matter.
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