Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspirational teens compete in robotics competition.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
More than Robots
What's the Story?
MORE THAN ROBOTS follows teen robotics teams from the United States, Mexico, and Japan as they prepare for the annual FIRST competition in 2020. The competition, started by Segway founded Dean Kamen, attracts thousands of young people from around the world. The documentary interviews Kamen as well as teens and mentors about the growth of FIRST and how participation changes lives and benefits communities.
Is It Any Good?
This well-meaning documentary offers an inspiring glimpse into the world of teen robotics teams and will certainly have its niche, but general audiences may find it slightly long. It's a shame too, because the last 15 minutes of More Than Robots are worth the wait. An hour run-time would have been perfect.
When the pandemic shut down their competition, teams from around the world pivoted to serve others instead. The growth, spirit, and values on display here are truly inspirational. This film suggests there's hope for the future in the hands of these young people.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why there aren't more females in STEM fields, a topic of frequent discussion in More than Robots. Why is it important for young girls to be given these opportunities and to see other women involved?
How would you describe the concept of "coopertition"? Why is teamwork so valuable for these teenagers?
How do the young people depicted here give back to their communities? How can individuals and families give back to their own communities?
What character strengths do the teens here display?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 18, 2022
- Director : Gillian Jacobs
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Disney+
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Activism , STEM , Friendship , School ( High School ) , Robots
- Character Strengths : Communication , Teamwork
- Run time : 69 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate