Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated elephant adventure has some peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Babar: The Movie
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 ...
Families can talk about how Babar outsmarted 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 , Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , Friendship
- Run time : 70 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : December 4, 2025
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