Parents' Guide to

Mary Poppins

By Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

World's coolest nanny celebrates family and fun.

Movie G 1964 140 minutes
Mary Poppins Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 4+

Based on 60 parent reviews

sofialevans
sofialevans Parent of 3-year-old
March 12, 2021
age 3+

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
moniwells
moniwells Adult
January 12, 2009
age 6+

Intense Scenes for Little One

Two scenes to be aware about: the kids get lost and then run into a "witch" and a dog baring its teeth and barking before they find Burt who doesn't look like Burt because he is covered in soot 2)The admiral and his man shoot at the chimney sweeps with his canon. Though they look like fireworks and no one gets hurt, they are still shooting at people. That's as far in the movie that we got because my 4 year old didn't "like that when they were shooting" and so we didn't watch the rest.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 60 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In 1910 Britain, a British family seeks a new nanny for young Jane and Michael, and in flies magical MARY POPPINS (Julie Andrews, in an Oscar-winning performance). She's not at all what proper Mr. Banks was looking for, but precisely what the children ordered! Mary takes control and takes the children on glorious adventures. The kids also frolic with Bert (Dick Van Dyke), a one-man-band, sidewalk artist, and chimney sweep. Wonderful singing, dancing, and animation bring the story to life as somehow this unusual nanny helps Mr. Banks show love to his children, and the whole family appreciate each other all the more.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (60):
Kids say (65):

Rarely does a movie manage to be so much fun while delivering a simple, heartwarming story. While songs in today's Disney's musicals, though sometimes good, only serve to explain the characters' emotions or intentions, the best songs in Mary Poppins use the feelings of the characters as starting points from which to take off and explore, often in wildly whimsical directions.

The story follows suit, using small plot events to take viewers to many unexpected places. The end result is one of the all-time great family movies.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Mary Poppins gets her messages across. What's easier to hear, a command or a song? How does Poppins get respect from others?

  • Why is it important to spend time together? What happens if people get too busy sometimes to "go fly a kite"?

  • How does Mary Poppins teach and demonstrate communication, compassion, and integrity? What about gratitude and empathy? 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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