Jungle Cruise
Parents say
Based on 31 reviews
Kids say
Based on 66 reviews
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Jungle Cruise
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Jungle Cruise is an action-fantasy adventure inspired by the classic Disneyland ride. Set in 1916, it follows intrepid Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt), who hires skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) to guide her and her brother down the Amazon River in search of a mythical healing tree. Violence and peril are the biggest issues: Expect frequent danger, creepy cursed villains (as well as a cartoonishly evil German baddie), weapons (guns, torpedoes, swords, knives), an implied significant death (and some actual less significant ones), threatening snakes, and a jaguar that looks more vicious than she actually is. Adult characters drink from flasks and bottles, and an animal gets tipsy. One conversation about removing a knife from someone's body could be perceived as suggestive (though the double meaning will likely go over kids' heads), and there's some flirty banter and a couple of kisses. Without saying it outright, one character comes out to another, who's supportive. While main characters demonstrate impressive courage, perseverance, and teamwork, the movie's initial depiction of Native Amazonians as a tribe of angry cannibals is concerning, even though (spoiler alert) it turns out it's largely for show.
Community Reviews
Action and adventure
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What's the Story?
Set in 1916, JUNGLE CRUISE opens with bold botanist Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) stealing an Amazonian arrowhead from an elite -- and anti-woman -- British explorers' club. The artifact is supposed to lead Houghton to a mysterious location on the Amazon River where legendary healing flowers bloom on an ancient tree. Lily and her brother, MacGregor (Jack Whitehall), head to the Amazon and hire brash skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) to guide them on the perilous river trip. Along the way, Lily and Frank must avoid not only the natural dangers of the Amazon but also a villainous German prince (Jesse Plemons) who's also searching for the tree, as well as a group of Spanish conquistadores who need the flower's petals to reverse their immortal curse.
Is It Any Good?
The irresistibly charming stars help make this adventurous, occasionally swashbuckling ride adaptation amusing, if not as memorable as The Mummy or Pirates of the Caribbean. Johnson can make nearly any character likable; here, Frank's silly, punny jokes are also a fun nod to the Disney ride's vibe. Blunt, likewise, is ideally cast as the pioneering Dr. Houghton. Lily bucks social mores of the time by having a job and a Ph.D., knowing how to defend herself, and even wearing trousers (Frank calls her "Pants"). She also has a refreshingly close relationship with her brother, who's posh and fussy but is still willing to follow her into murky, life-threatening situations. Other members of the cast are underused -- like Paul Giamatti as a local riverboat mogul and Edgar Ramirez as head conquistador Aguirre -- or they overact, like Plemons' caricature of a sociopathic German villain, Prince Joachim.
The movie's landscaping and production art are vibrant and immersive, and director Jaume Collet-Serra should be applauded for making sure to organically include themes of gender, class, and discrimination against the Amazonian natives -- without being preachy. Still, the movie's portrayal of those natives is a bit cringey, even if the movie course-corrects to subvert the same stereotypes it initially seems to be perpetuating. Luckily, Blunt and Johnson cheerfully elevate the story enough to make audiences gloss over some of the screenplay's missteps and enjoy the ride.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the level of violence in Jungle Cruise. Does stylized or fantasy violence impact viewers differently than more realistic violence?
How do Lily's actions convey that she is both brave and smart? Do you consider her a role model? What character strengths does she demonstrate?
How is drinking depicted in the movie? Are there consequences for any character's drinking? Why does that matter?
Did you notice any stereotypes in the film? Why is the initial depiction of the Native Amazonians problematic? Is it excused by the fact that the tribe is in on the joke/plan?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 30, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: November 12, 2021
- Cast: Emily Blunt, Dwayne Johnson, Edgar Ramirez, Jack Whitehall
- Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
- Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Run time: 127 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: sequences of adventure violence
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Rip-roaring fun for kids who don't mind skeletons.
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The Mummy (1999)
Above-average action-adventure with lots of violence.
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Jumanji
Some thrills, but may be too much for little ones.
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Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Star-studded reboot is charming; some iffy stuff.
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Romancing the Stone
Romantic adventure has thrills, racist stereotypes.
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Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indy's first raucous adventure has peril, stereotypes.
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Tomorrowland
Visually exciting sci-fi adventure has unexpected violence.
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The African Queen
Hepburn and Bogart shine in odd-couple adventure.
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Maverick
'90s Western offers a few laughs and so-so adventure.
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The Goonies
Classic '80s adventure has lots of swearing, some scares.
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