Parents' Guide to

Born in China

By Yvonne Condes, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Nature docu has gorgeous vistas, moments of peril.

Movie G 2017 76 minutes
Born in China Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 16 parent reviews

Jennykschmidt
Jennykschmidt Adult
August 25, 2020
age 18+

seems like a sweet portrayal but gets into horrible detail

I'm so mad. The first part of the show was so cheery and at the end there is a terrible desperate scene involving mothers and death. I'm 52 and I can't handle it. Supposed to kid-friendly? Hah.

This title has:

Too much violence
Amanda J.
Amanda J. Parent
March 15, 2019
age 3+
See all 16 parent 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?

Our review:
Parents say (16):
Kids say (9):

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

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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