Parents' Guide to

Millions

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

A beautiful, rare family film that everyone can enjoy.

Movie PG 2005 98 minutes
Millions Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 26 parent reviews

Jlyndvorak
Jlyndvorak Parent of 9 and 11-year-old
October 16, 2020
age 11+

A sweet, imaginative movie... when you skip 2 scenes

I’m glad I was watching the movie with my boys, ages 9 and 11... I was able to skip over the brief internet bra scene (which wasn’t that horrible, but still), and provide some explanation for why the adults were waking up in bed together. These are true things that happen in the world, so I use them as teaching moments. But still, wish the director had skipped that. For me, the positive messages in this movie were worth it. Consumerism is at large in our society, and I’m glad to see a movie that explores what giving and abundance looks like from a fresh perspective. I also found the saintly visions quite hilarious, and so did my kids. Hint: I turned on English subtitles so my kids could follow the dialogue a little more closely.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
1 person found this helpful.
Drubex
Drubex Parent of 12 and 13-year-old
May 29, 2020
age 16+

Extremely offensive movie, if you are Christian.

A little boy sees apparitions of saints all through the movie. One is smoking, and basically tells him that you have to be good on earth and then you can do whatever you want in heaven. Another dismisses the miracle of the loaves and fishes as a slight of hand trick. Preteens look at inappropriate content online. There is a completely random scene of a playboyesque clad woman with an older gentleman In a sleigh that keeps reappearing and has no relation or bearing to the movie. And to boot, the movie itself is boring, with a puzzling storyline and mediocre ending.
1 person found this helpful.
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What's the Story?

In MILLIONS, British brothers Damian and Anthony have recently lost their mother and moved with their father to a new home to start over. Younger brother Damian (Alex Etel) has become obsessed with the lives of the saints, memorizing their stats like baseball cards and seeing and conversing with them in visions that he (and the audience) can't tell from reality. He constructs a hermitage for himself down by the railroad tracks out of leftover moving boxes. And one day a bag full of money falls out of the sky and crashes into the hermitage. Damian is sure it's from God and wants to use the money to help the poor. Anthony just wants to spend it as fast as he can. But there are two problems: England is converting to the euro in one week, after which the money will be worthless, and the money may have been sent by God, but it was delivered by a burglar -- who wants it back.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (26):
Kids say (19):

Based on screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce's children's book of the same name (Millions), this is a rare movie that has equal appeal for kids and adults. Millions is not a kids' movie that has a few arch jokes to keep the adults happy but a genuine cross-generational gem. Children will appreciate the funny and suspenseful story and the respect Boyle and Boyce have both for their young characters and their audience. Adults will like the literate script, which doesn't pander or condescend, and the stylish and original direction.

Newcomer Etel's luminous performance anchors the film and provides its heart and soul. For ultimately, after you cut through all the intellectual and emotional layers, the brilliant cinematography, and the humor and excitement, this is the story of a lonely, loving child trying as hard as he can to be good, to do what's right, and to connect with the world of spirit, but in a way that is never less than believably childlike and real. It's not often a movie like this comes along for the family to share and talk about.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Damian's dilemma in Millions. What would you do if you found a bag full of money?

  • Talk about the movie's messages. What do you think the moviemakers want us to take away from this film?

  • Whom would you help if you had the resources to spend? How would you decide who is worthy of the money when so many are in need?

  • How do the characters in Millions demonstrate integrity and compassion? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

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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