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Parents' Guide to

Little Giants

By Randy White, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Underdog comedy with potty humor and positive messages.

Movie PG 1999 106 minutes
Little Giants Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Spencer H.
Spencer H. Adult
June 30, 2023
age 9+

Funny movie for kids but a bit more language than I remembered

This is a pretty funny movie that I think even adults can enjoy. Yes kids are the main audience but I was never bored for a second and Rick Moranis and Ed O’Neill have great chemistry together as they do with the kids. Yes there is some typical crude humor for a family movie but it’s not overbearing, there is some discussion of pre-teen romances but it actually has a positive message, and although O’Neill is seen as an arrogant jock type he eventually shows love to his niece when he didn’t at the beginning of the movie. Moranis character is also a good role model supporting his daughter, learning from his mistakes and proves to be a good coach. Still for a PG rated kids movie this had quite a bit of language that I wouldn’t have expected. I counted about 8 or so uses of hell, 4 or 5 damns, pissed, turd, and one use of “For Christs sake”, and although that was supposed to be funny I found that way over the top for a family movie. This wouldn’t be overwhelming or pushy for an adult themed PG movie but as one for children the language I felt was a bit much and should have been toned down a bit. Granted it doesn’t offend me as an adult horribly but this should be a fun nostalgic movie for kids but it’s peppered with its share of profanity. Still it is a fun little movie that I even enjoyed rewatching as an adult and Moranis is a good role model while O’Neill does have a few moments of showing he also can be one. Like many sports movies there is the standard positive message of teamwork. So if you can get past the language I would say it should be fine for 9 and up. If you want to show older kids a fun movie you watched from childhood and they are in the 9-11 age group this should be a good choice.
Hester A.
Hester A. Adult
March 1, 2018
age 10+

I really enjoyed the movie

It shows what it is like growing up and bring a kid, especially in the 90s. I was a kid in the 90s. I thought it was cool that a girl got to play in football and that she was pretty tough, kinda like how I was as a kid. Also I would have loved to have a dad like Rick Moranis he is an amazing person.
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What's the Story?

In LITTLE GIANTS, two adult brothers living in a small town -- returning football star Kevin (Ed O'Neill) and diminutive nerd Danny (Rick Moranis) -- coach opposing Pee Wee football teams. Danny's team may be filled with outcasts, but they still give Kevin's team a run for their money and teach the brothers a thing or two about family and sportsmanship.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (7 ):

This is a formulaic yet good-natured football yarn for those who haven't seen the story of nerds triumphing over jocks many times before. The predictable big-game showdown, the bumbling practice antics, the coach falling for one of the team moms -- these are just some of the elements lifted directly from The Mighty Ducks franchise. Inconceivably, this project required the efforts of four writers. What could they have been doing? Watching and stealing from every movie in the genre? Of course, the reason we see this formula over and over again is it seems to work -- audiences eat it up.

To be fair, there are some humorous bits in Little Giants. The no-neck Neanderthal Spike, who only refers to himself in the third person, is fun to watch, saying things such as, "Spike is going to tear you apart!" The go-cart scene one-ups the rollerblading chase from D2. And Ed O'Neill's Kevin is just nasty enough to make you really dislike him. The movie's message, even if recited by rote, is a good one: Teamwork and inclusion are important.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the outcome of the big game in Little Giants. What character traits did the players develop as a result of working together?

  • What are some other examples of sports movies in which "scrappy underdogs" improve at a sport, learn teamwork and good sportsmanship, and find a way to beat the team everyone thinks is going to win? What do you think is the appeal of these movies?

  • How are the movie's messages of good sportsmanship, doing your best, and having fun no matter what happens conveyed?

  • How do the characters in Little Giants demonstrate integrity and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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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.

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