Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Borget
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny animated animal tale has potty humor, innuendo.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Back to the Outback
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 21 parent reviews
Based on 21 kid reviews
Kids say the film features a group of misfit animals embarking on an adventurous journey to find their true home, delivering moments of humor and heartwarming messages about friendship and individuality. However, many reviewers express discomfort with the inclusion of inappropriate themes for a children's movie, citing sexual innuendos and crude humor, leading to mixed opinions on its overall quality.
- wild adventure
- inappropriate themes
- mixed reviews
- humor and heart
- moral lessons
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In BACK TO THE OUTBACK, an assorted group of Australia's deadliest animals get fed up with humans shrieking at them at a zoo and decide to make a break for it to travel to the Outback, where they can be themselves and not be judged for their venom or spikes. Taking the lead in their quest is kindhearted Maddie (Isla Fisher), a venomous snake who teams up with a lovestruck spider named Frank (Guy Pearce), Nigel, the cautious scorpion (Angus Imrie), and a Thorny Devil Lizard. But when a conceited koala named Pretty Boy (Tim Minchin) accidentally joins the escape, he reluctantly becomes a companion. The trip suddenly gets more challenging as they're pursued by a vengeful zookeeper named Chaz (Eric Bana) and his eager son, who is trying to follow in his dad's footsteps. The adventure introduces many characters along the way who pride themselves on being a part of a secret society for "ugly" animals who are misunderstood and look out for each other. Throughout their journey many characters experience growth in learning there's more to who you are beyond your looks and how others judge you at first glance.
Is It Any Good?
Back to the Outback is a funny film jam-packed with adventure and jokes that will likely get chuckles from the whole family. Parents will root for the lovesick spider anxious for mating season and kids will cheer for the dangerous animals on a dangerous journey to their motherland. It's a familiar tale of animals escaping a zoo to head back to their natural habitat, but the story stands out because of its positive message: Don't judge a book by its cover. Or in this case, a creature by the way they look. Young animal-lovers will be delighted by the vast array of predators on display here, from venomous snakes and saltwater crocodiles to sharks and toxic toads.
The seemingly-villainous Chad has a personal journey of his own involving growing up idolizing a familiar Australian zookeeper and conservationist. The audience may wonder why a character who loves animals is on a mission to catch and captivate the escapees. After coming clean to his son who idolizes him, and some close calls with death, he's also able to discover that looks can be deceiving.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how zoo visitors perceived the cute and cuddly koala versus the other "dangerous" zoo animals. How did you perceive them at first? Did getting to know the characters and their personalities change the way you saw them? What can we learn from this when meeting new people?
Different characters use the word "ugly" to describe other animals and even themselves. Sometimes it was used in a positive way to bring animals together. What do you think of the way the different characters used the word? Do you think it's ever okay to call something "ugly"? Why or why not?
Sometimes villains in stories are acting out because of their own insecurities. In this movie, how do you think Chaz's backstory influenced how he acted toward the animals? Have you ever had an experience where you witnessed someone using bullying behavior? How do you think their past experiences could play a part in this behavior?
Pretty Boy starts out very selfish and concerned with his looks and judges other animals based on theirs. What do you think gives him a change of heart in how he perceives his peers?
How do the characters demonstrate courage and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 10, 2021
- Cast : Jacki Weaver , Rachel House , Isla Fisher
- Directors : Harry Cripps , Clare Knight
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Indigenous Movie Actor(s) , Polynesian/Pacific Islander Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : rude/suggestive material and action.
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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