Common Sense Media Review
Brief violence and lots of tension in top-notch classic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Casablanca
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 18 parent reviews
Parents say the film is a classic love story set against the backdrop of World War II, presenting themes of sacrifice and moral dilemmas, with strong character development and notable performances. However, some reviews highlight the film's casual racism reflective of its time, which may detract from its overall appeal to modern audiences, particularly for younger viewers who might find it slow and not fully understand the historical context.
- classic love story
- character development
- casual racism
- suitable for families
- slower for younger viewers
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 51 kid reviews
Kids say that this film is a classic that showcases a complicated love story set during World War II, but some find it slow-paced and hard to follow, leading to mixed feelings about its appeal. While praised for its strong acting and emotional depth, younger viewers might struggle with its themes and lengthy plot, making it better suited for older audiences who can appreciate the historical context.
- classic storytelling
- emotional depth
- hard to follow
- mixed age appeal
- strong acting
- historical context
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Set in French-controlled Casablanca, Morocco, in the early part of World War II, CASABLANCA follows hardboiled American nightclub owner Rick (Humphrey Bogart), who agrees to hide some stolen (and highly coveted) transit letters, which are used by refugees to leave the country and escape from the Nazis. Police Captain Renault (Claude Rains) and Nazi Major Strasser (Conrad Veidt) are tipped off that Rick might have the letters, and they put pressure on him to return them. Strasser is also hunting escaped Czech resistance leader Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), who arrives at Rick's with Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman). Rick and Ilsa have a history, and Rick is still deeply angry at the woman who disappeared from his life years before. What ensues is a story of love, betrayal, sacrifice, narrow escapes, and the most memorable airport tarmac scene in film history.
Is It Any Good?
This is probably the most famous Hollywood classic of all time, and for good reason. Certainly the most quoted and the most frequently cited as an all-time favorite, Casablanca won Best Picture, Director, and Writer awards at the 1943 Oscar ceremony. The definitive rebuttal to notions of the "auteur" (one author) in film, the romantic drama was put together in pieces by many different sources, with some script pages completed just moments before the cameras rolled. The performances by Bogart and Bergman are so subtle and complex because the actors themselves had no idea how it was going to end. Almost every frame of the movie is iconic, and it has been endlessly copied and parodied.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes a movie like Casablanca stand the test of time. Is it the characters? The themes of good and evil? The unforgettable dialogue? Which contemporary movies do you think will last?
How does the historical context affect the film? In what ways does the backdrop of WWII influence the characters and their actions?
How do the characters in Casablanca demonstrate integrity and courage? Why are these important character traits?
How does Sam, the pianist, help move the plot forward? Why is it important to see an empowered Black character in a 1940s film?
How are the film's themes relevant to today? What are some parallels between the refugees in the film and refugees escaping violent countries in the modern age?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 26, 1942
- On DVD or streaming : November 17, 1998
- Cast : Humphrey Bogart , Ingrid Bergman , Paul Henreid
- Director : Michael Curtiz
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Classic
- Topics : History
- Character Strengths : Courage , Integrity
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : February 13, 2026
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