Parents' Guide to Bird Boy

Movie NR 2025 78 minutes
Bird Boy movie poster: Two adults stand beside each other with a young boy between them the boy holds an ostrich egg with a hatchling

Common Sense Media Review

Jennifer Borget By Jennifer Borget , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 7+

Emotional adventure about love, loss, and finding home.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 7+?

Any Positive Content?

  • Bird Boy movie: An African boy stands outside with a deflated look on his face
  • Bird Boy movie: Three people stand over a box with a hatching egg inside
  • Bird Boy movie: Two large ostriches stand in the road with a security guard in front of them

Parent and Kid Reviews

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What's the Story?

In BIRD BOY, August (Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane) is a city kid who's sent to live on a quiet farm in South Africa after losing his mother. Struggling to adjust to his new life with kind but unfamiliar caretakers, Emmie (Téa Leoni) and Thabo (Tony Kgoroge), August finds comfort in caring for a mysterious ostrich egg he discovers near the farm. When the egg hatches, the baby bird quickly grows into a giant, loyal companion. As August bonds with the ostrich he names Koobus, he begins to heal and find his place in his new family. But when the ostrich causes chaos at school and lands them in trouble, August must make a brave choice to protect his friend and do what he believes is right.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

This is a heartfelt, beautifully-shot story that balances gentle humor with emotional depth. The South African setting gives the film a unique look and feel, filled with bright landscapes, curious animals, and cultural warmth. At its core, it's a story about healing, belonging, and how love can take unexpected forms—even in the shape of a giant ostrich.

The performances come across as genuine and tender, especially from Litlhonolofatso Litlhakanyane as August, as well as Téa Leoni and Tony Kgoroge as his loving caretakers. While the pacing starts out slow, the funny moments between characters are what make it memorable. Some scenes of animal capture and conflict may be intense for younger kids, but they're handled with sensitivity and purpose. Families looking for something slower-paced and thoughtful will find Bird Boy a moving, meaningful story about courage, connection, and finding where you belong.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the use of animal cruelty in the story. What lesson do you think the movie is trying to teach about caring for animals and protecting nature?

  • Why do you think August felt so connected to the ostrich? What does Koobus represent to him?

  • The film takes place in South Africa. How does the setting add to the story and make it feel different from other family movies you've seen?

  • What do you think Thabo means when he says, "The most important days of your life are the day you were born and the day you figure out why"?

Movie Details

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Bird Boy movie poster: Two adults stand beside each other with a young boy between them the boy holds an ostrich egg with a hatchling

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