Common Sense Media Review
By Yvonne Condes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Nature docu has gorgeous vistas, moments of peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Born in China
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Parents say this film is beautifully crafted with stunning visuals and important narratives about nature, but it contains distressing scenes that may be too intense for younger and sensitive children. Many reviewers caution that while the film conveys heartwarming aspects of animal life, it also includes graphic moments of animal death that can be traumatic for kids, suggesting that parental discretion is advised before viewing with younger audiences.
- graphic scenes
- sensitive content
- beautiful visuals
- parental discretion
- emotional impact
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 10 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In BORN IN CHINA, director Chuan Lu takes viewers on an epic journey through some of the country's most remote areas. Viewers meet three animal families: snow leopards, golden monkeys, and giant pandas. On the wings of the red-crowned crane -- and accompanied by narration supplied by John Krasinski -- this beautiful Disneynature documentary captures moments and places not seen before on film.
Is It Any Good?
This documentary is a visually stunning look at areas of China that most of us will never see. That includes the Qinghai Province on the northeast rim of the Tibetan plateau at 5,000 meters above sea level, where a snow leopard struggles to stay alive and feed her young. This stark, dangerous place is juxtaposed with the Wolong Nature Reserve in the Si Chuan province in Central China, where endangered giant pandas live. The dynamics of the animal families are played out for dramatic effect and will definitely tug at a few heartstrings, while keeping you enthralled by the animals' daily struggle.
Some of Krasinski's narration applies mild stereotypes to the animals' behavior -- including calling a panda a "helicopter mom" and a monkey a "kung fu master." But families interested in wildlife and animals will enjoy this fascinating look at what it takes to survive. That said, there's no mention of the devastating environmental impact that pollution has had in other parts of China, or anything at all about the country's relationship to the natural world. Still, taken as a glimpse of these particular areas of the country, Born in China will entertain the entire family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why wildlife documentaries are so popular. What attracts families to nature films? Are they more appropriate for kids than other live-action movies? Why or why not?
Does humanizing animals in movies like Born in China make them more or less relatable? How are some of the animals depicted as "good" or "bad"?
How does the movie show the importance of courage? Why is that a key character strength?
Kids: Did you find any of the movie scary or upsetting? Why or why not? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
Why do you think TaoTao's father forced him away from his family? Can you understand choices like that when they happen in nature?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 21, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : August 29, 2017
- Cast : John Krasinski
- Director : Chuan Lu
- Studio : Disneynature
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : STEM , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Courage
- Run time : 76 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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