Parents' Guide to

Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Animated reindeer tale has nice messages but nasty bite.

Movie PG 2018 89 minutes
Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 8+

Based on 8 parent reviews

Jennifer R.
Jennifer R. Parent
December 26, 2021
age 10+

Disappointed

My friend recommended this, but I turned it off with 20 min to go bc it was too negative. The characters talked to each other with constant put downs, name calling like loser and all around selfishness and negativity. I know the psychedelic cookies and doping were over my 7 yr olds head, but still I had enough. She didn’t complain when I turned it off so obviously she wasn’t that into it. I feel there are plenty other movies with more positive and kind messages.
Mark M.
Mark M. Parent
December 18, 2020
age 10+

Just bad.

Last 10 minutes are ok. Rest is just BAD. Steal characters from other movies. Just skip it.

This title has:

Too much swearing
See all 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

ELLIOT: THE LITTLEST REINDEER is about a miniature horse named Elliot (voiced by Josh Hutcherson) who lives in a petting zoo that's being sold off while the farm changes its focus to be a reindeer training camp for the North Pole. Elliot is dedicated to achieving his dream of becoming one of Santa's reindeer, despite the fact that he's not big ... and not a reindeer. While Elliot hides his true identity to enter the reindeer tryouts, his best friend -- a goat named Hazel (Samantha Bee) -- realizes something is amiss, both at the North Pole and back home.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8):
Kids say (4):

Children aren't likely to mind or even realize that this holiday-themed story is derivative of several other kids' animated films, but it may bug older viewers. Whether writer-director Jennifer Westcott was inspired by others' ideas or just ripped them off is unclear, but it's hard to ignore the elements of Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer that feel borrowed from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Olive the Other Reindeer, Charlotte's Web, Ferdinand, Arthur Christmas, and even The Lemon Drop Kid. That said, the film's (few) original ideas are great, including the fun idea of a reindeer-training academy and Canadian performer Kolton Stewart's toe-tapping, inspirational song "Off to the Races," which plays over the credits.

Westcott picks up what Gene Autry's jovial delivery of the Rudolph song masks: Comet, Donder, Blitzen, et al. aren't necessarily good guys. Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer runs with that notion, painting the veteran reindeer as mean, self-centered, and "stupid." As Santa's stars retire to get married, raise families, and open their own businesses, Santa sees them as disloyal. Westcott is clever to realize and exploit this idea, but it's not exactly the kind of ho-ho-wholesome content that makes the holiday spirit soar. Hutcherson's sweet, earnest, innocent delivery as Elliot fits the film's positive messages, but the tone is overpowered by Bee's hallmark snark and Morena Baccarin's Deadpool cynicism. Thanks to that, plus its barrage of put-downs, Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer brings little joy to the season.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Elliot handles the teasing and dismissiveness about his dream to be part of Santa's team in Elliot: The Littlest Reindeer. Why do you think he perseveres? How does he keep a positive, upbeat attitude?

  • The reindeer training camp slogan is "big dreamers dream big." What do you think that means?

  • D.J. feels pressure to live up to his father, Donder's, fame and reputation. How does this affect him? Put yourself in his place: What would it be like to have a parent who's known for a big talent/accomplishment?

  • The story looks at tradition vs. advances in technology. Can you think of examples of when choosing traditional options is better? What about when technology made life better? Can innovation have a negative effect? Was that the case here?

  • Characters are motivated by the motto "If it's important, you'll find a way. If it's not, you'll find an excuse." What does that mean?

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