Common Sense Media Review
By Brian Costello
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Short animated feature filled with cooperation, teamwork.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Koala Brothers: Outback Christmas
What's the Story?
In KOALA BROTHERS: OUTBACK CHRISTMAS, Frank and Buster have invited everyone to come to their homestead to celebrate Christmas. But there's one problem: Penny the Penguin cannot make it because she's stuck in the South Pole with an injured wing. Nothing will do but for Frank and Buster to get into their propeller plane and fly to the South Pole, rescue Penny, and bring her back to the outback so everyone can be together.
Is It Any Good?
This is a sweet animated feature that shows the importance of teamwork, what good friends will do for friends in need, and the meaning of togetherness during the holiday season. While it's way too simplistic for older kids, younger children will find much to enjoy, and parents will find entertainment in the quirky characters and take heart from their positive messages.
It isn't a very complicated story -- parents and kids looking for something with more weight and depth should look elsewhere -- but for entertainment geared toward younger audiences, Koala Brothers: Outback Christmas manages to convey positive messages without being preachy and shows eternal Christmastime values without being corny. It's quirky, gentle, and enjoyable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about teamwork and compassion in Koala Brothers: Outback Christmas. How do the characters use teamwork and compassion to help each other?
Why do Frank and Buster go far out of their way to find Penny and bring her back home?
The outback is a warm desert-like region of Australia. Based on how it looks during the holidays in the movie, how do you think celebrating the holidays there would be different from celebrating in colder places?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : November 7, 2006
- Cast : Jonathan Coleman , Keith Wickham , Janet James
- Director : Tobias Fouracre
- Studio : Lions Gate
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship , Holidays , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Teamwork
- Run time : 48 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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