Parents' Guide to

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

By Carrie R. Wheadon, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Lots of fantasy fun, but watch out for nightmarish scares.

Movie G 1992 95 minutes
Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland 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 2 parent reviews

Holly R.
Holly R. Parent of 0-year-old
June 11, 2018
age 8+

Scared the crap out of me as a kindergartener but...

I first seen this film as a 5 year old way back in 1993 when it was shown to the class in kindergarten. I remember being terrified of this. I didn't see it again until recently and it is a really beautiful looking film and I plan on rewatching the entire film from beginning to end (I didn't get to finish watching it after I found it again). I will say that I can't recommend this for small or sensitive kids because it scared me as a child and I wasn't a sensitive kid but I guess it was the first time I ever encountered some creatively disturbing things with the capturing and freezing of the characters. I actually had the same problem with Star Wars as a kid for a similar scene with Han Solo so I wouldn't recommend it if you have kids that scare at freaky type things like that. That's why I increased the age range to 8 years old. I will give a more in depth review when I can find time to finish the ending.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
1 person found this helpful.
Happy2seeandbe
Happy2seeandbe Parent
April 2, 2016
age 7+

An adventure

This movie is great. It's not a Disney movie so it didn't receive the credit it truly deserved. I'm really happy I stumbled upon this movie and can't wait to share this with my daughter when she's old enough to watch it.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Nemo (Gabriel Damon) is excited the circus is in town, begs his busy father to take him, and gets a "maybe tomorrow" that sounds much like "probably not." Rather than get disappointed, he sleeps on it and visits a place even more spectacular than the big top: Slumberland. King Morpheus (Bernard Erhard) invites him personally and sends a grand airship to carry him through the clouds and to the palace where he's to not only be the playmate of Princess Camille (Laura Mooney) but also the heir to Slumberland. King Morpheus gives Nemo a special key to the kingdom and tells him he can unlock all doors but one. Nemo gives his promise before running off with his mischief-making friend Flip (Mickey Rooney). Of course they land right in front of the forbidden door and Flip convinces Nemo to take a peek, then shut it again. But this dangerous door is a way to Nightmareland and once it's opened its power is unleashed. Dark forces run off with King Morpheus and it's up to Nemo to brave Nightmareland and save him.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This is a little animated gem. If you read up on the making of LITTLE NEMO: ADVENTURES IN SLUMBERLAND -- a rocky collaboration between Japanese and American studios that blew through scores of big-name talent and then barely got a U.S. release -- then you'll get why you never heard more about it. It's a shame, because, though it's pretty obvious in its uneven storytelling that too many cooks were in the kitchen, there's so much for fans of fantasy and animation to enjoy here.

Almost all the animation stands out, but especially when Nemo boards the elaborate airship and when his bed grows long legs and walks through the sleeping city (taken straight from the original comic strip). The characters are all appropriately curious for a dream state: the not-scary-enough goblins make especially good sidekicks in Nightmareland. Santa-like King Morpheus and scampish Flip are also a treat and Princess Camille is refreshingly strong-willed. Viewers will be pulling for them all to return safely from Nightmareland before the dream has to end.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about dreamlands. Did you like Nemo's? What would your ideal dreamland look like? Would you like to travel there by bed, airship, or some other means? Who would you invite there?

  • How loudly were you yelling at the TV for Nemo not to open the forbidden door? Would you have been tempted to take a quick peek, or did you know the whole time it wouldn't end well?

  • Nemo lets Flip take the blame for opening the door at first. Why do you think he decides to eventually own up to his mistake?

Movie Details

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