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Parents' Guide to

Earth: One Amazing Day

By Michael Ordona, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Some animal peril in beautifully filmed nature documentary.

Movie G 2017 95 minutes
Earth: One Amazing Day 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 1 parent review

Kate J.
Kate J. Parent
October 20, 2017
age 8+

Very violent

We took our 2 and 4 year olds to see this as their first theater experience. The G Rating was very misleading. Sure it was nature, but they seemed to focus the movie on natural violence. We stayed for half of it and it was terrifying. It had scary, intense music playing as baby iguanas tried to escape giant snakes, watching the life being squeezed out of them. Magnified bees attacking humming birds. Giraffes battling it out with loud thumps as they slammed heads and necks. The baby zebra who almost drowned and washed downstream in a raging river, while it's mom yelled for it. I'm sure it is fine for older kids but mine had nightmares after this.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Narrated by Robert Redford (or by Jackie Chan in Chinese-speaking territories), Earth: One Amazing Day is a follow up to 2009's Earth. It provides intimate looks at the lives of animals all over the world, including pandas, sloths, giraffes, glow worms, sperm whales, and many others. Many of the images are unusual and will surprise viewers, while some -- like those of animals fighting, in peril, or being hunted -- may leave young/sensitive viewers at least temporarily hiding their eyes.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The art and technology of nature documentaries keep moving forward, as this beautifully filmed family-friendly entry proves. Though its unifying concept is thin (essentially, a glimpse at the lives of many animals around the world during one day), the incredible cinematography and rare captured moments should make it a rewarding experience for most. Earth: One Amazing Day offers many surprises, such as giraffes fighting and a sloth swimming. There are sperm whales sleeping vertically and hummingbirds warring with bees. Bioluminescent worms fashion nocturnal traps in caves. There are also moments of peril that might disturb the youngest and most sensitive of viewers, such as when just-hatched iguanas are pursued by hungry snakes, or when a baby zebra is in danger of being washed away by a current. But generally, it's family friendly, with plenty of views of cute beasts that might have kids looking googly-eyed at stuffed animals for a while.

Redford's English-language narration is generally functional, with a fair amount of repetition -- especially about how danger lurks here and there. The concept isn't that deep, but it's easy to see that the movie has its heart in the right place, occasionally reminding us of the preciousness and uniqueness of these creatures and their habitats. And you forgive the clichéd use of music in exchange for the rarity and intimacy of the images. Earth: One Amazing Day, at its best moments, does actually amaze.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the intended message of Earth: One Amazing Day. When it talks about Earth's possible uniqueness and brings you up close to the animals, do you think it's trying to tell you something about the importance of conservation? What do you think "conservation" means in this context?

  • Were there images or facts that surprised you? How did the depictions of animals differ from what you were used to -- or what you expected?

  • Some of the animal death scenes may be upsetting, but they're also part of nature. How do kids feel about seeing some animals attack others? Does it make them feel differently about the predators?

  • Which were your favorite animals in the movie? Why?

Movie Details

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