Parents' Guide to

Dragonheart

By Tony Nigro, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

A kid-friendly fantasy adventure.

Movie PG-13 1996 103 minutes
Dragonheart Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 12+

Based on 8 parent reviews

Ugzilla
Ugzilla Adult
September 21, 2018
age 12+

Decent show, clean by modern standards, who doesn't love Sean Connery?

Overall good show. Violent, but very little blood, compared to current (2018) movies. A bit dated, my kid will probably mock some of it. Obnoxious acting in some spots, not the best movie you'll see, but I have a pre-teen boy who is desperate to find new movies, so I'm recycling some of the older ones, and I want him to have less time with superheroes flying around and more time with dragons and swords. Here's hoping this will inspire more D&D in our lives =) Some thoughts [SPOILER ALERT - mild spoilers here, sorry if I ruin a 1996 film for you 22 years later] One scene the king is fighting with a young woman, and ends up on top of her in a suggestive position, fully clothed. Not bad, but I wish it wasn't included. (45 minutes into the film) One scene where a man kills his own mother off-screen. Not overly dramatic, the movie makes it seem like no big deal… but be aware, it's pretty dark if kids figure out what is implied. Men depicted dying in hand-to-hand combat, not overly graphic, but some up close and personal. Worth being aware. For context, I'm VERY conservative when it comes to movies for my kids (currently 12 and under), so take that into account if you're using my review to make a decision. I allow very little suggestive content, I believe modern entertainment does young men a huge disservice. Most parents would probably roll their eyes at my opinions on movies… and I'm cool with that. Now you know so you can make an informed decision for your youngsters. Take good care, the information you allow into their brain at a young age will shape their thinking for decades to come.
3 people found this helpful.
swampfoxsouth
swampfoxsouth Parent of 11-year-old
February 8, 2023
age 10+

Great, one swear word

Great. Some violence and stabbing and one use of the word, “pr--k.”

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

DRAGONHEART is a heartwarming tale that follows the story of Bowen (Dennis Quaid), a once-chivalrous knight who has since strayed from his path to become a for-profit dragon slayer. His greedy nature compels him to slay enough dragons to threaten the existence of the species. Bowen must face the death and destruction he has caused when he meets Draco (voiced by Sean Connery), the last of the dragons. To extend the career of Bowen (now the last of the dragon slayers), the two strike up a shrewd deal to \"act out\" slayings. Eventually their traveling show leads them to a kingdom where Bowen and Draco must face the tyrant King Einon (David Thewlis), with whom they share a history.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8):
Kids say (6):

The fantasy world of Dragonheart has less depth than those of Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, but it still remains an enchanting place where dragons roam and knights follow codes of chivalry. The movie addresses issues of social responsibility and as in all good fairy tales, characters must come to terms with their decisions -- for better or for worse.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about myths and legends, such as the Arthurian legends. They might also discuss the idea of tyranny and a ruler's responsibility to those he rules. Concepts of sacrifice, duty, chivalry, and the threat of endangered species may also be good talking points.

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.

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