Common Sense Media Review
A re-hash of tired cliches and CGI effects.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Barnyard: The Original Party Animals
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Based on 25 kid reviews
Kids say that while the movie has its share of bizarre and questionable elements, such as male cows with udders and scenes that mix humor with potential scares, it ultimately delivers a lighthearted experience that can entertain a wide range of viewers. The humor can be juvenile, with references to alcohol and violence, yet many find it funny and enjoyable, making it a potentially good pick for older children despite concerns about some of its themes.
- humor elements
- strange animation
- not for young kids
- mixed reviews
- recommend for older kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
The animals in the BANYARD take a Vegas approach to life, i.e. what happens in the barnyard, stays in the barnyard...or...does it? When the lights go out in the farmer's house, that's the animals' cue to party down. The barn transforms into a nightclub, complete with gambling, a bar, music, dancing, and mechanical "man-ride". Enjoying every minute of fun is carefree bull Otis (Kevin James). But Otis' dad, Ben (Sam Elliott), and an old mule, Miles (Danny Glover), think he needs to be more discreet about the fact that animals are smarter than humans. Ben goes over the rules once again (all of which Otis breaks): 1) No swimming in the pool; 2) No watching TV through the farmhouse window; and 3) Standing on two legs is only permitted when humans are nowhere in sight. When Ben suddenly goes the way of all loving parents in family movies (he dies!), Otis finds himself in charge of the barnyard. Will he grow up and be a leader? Or will he use his newfound power for more tricks and cowfoolery?
Is It Any Good?
Compared to other CGI movies, the animation seems flat and the humor dated. Most of the jokes about humans' ill-conceived notions of the animal world seem lifted from Toy Story. And the "father dies leaving the kid in charge" storyline is straight out of The Lion King. Although Barnyard has a few funny moments (you can see them in the trailers), a little originality would have gone a long way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Otis and his pals should have acted. Were they right to go out partying when their elders told them not to? How soon can kids start taking responsibility for their actions? Why is it important for kids to listen to their parents? And would Barnyard have had a different outcome if Otis had acted responsibly right from the beginning?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 4, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : December 12, 2006
- Cast : Andie MacDowell , Courteney Cox , Danny Glover , Kevin James , Sam Elliott
- Director : Steve Oedekerk
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals
- Run time : 90 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild peril and rude humor.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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