Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Conservation-themed animal tale has lots of potty humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Norm of the North
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 22 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is a confusing blend of inappropriate humor and poorly crafted animation, with some viewers describing it as a "total chick flick" unsuitable for children. While some appreciate its environmental message and find it entertaining, the overwhelming sentiment is that it fails to engage audiences, with many considering it one of the worst animated films ever made.
- inappropriate content
- poor animation
- unengaging plot
- mixed reviews
- environmental message
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 40 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a chaotic and poorly executed attempt at a conservation message, full of low-quality animation, and inappropriate humor that lacks substance. Many reviewers found it to be a confusing mashup of various themes that fails to entertain either children or adults, criticizing its portrayal of polar bears and overall narrative while a few labeled it as underrated or mildly enjoyable for very young audiences.
- bad animation
- weak plot
- inappropriate humor
- not for kids
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
NORM OF THE NORTH opens with the titular polar bear's failed attempt at a seal hunt. When he captures the seal instead of eating it, he reveals why he's not a killer: Norm (Rob Schneider) explains that he, like his wise grandpa, the "King of the Arctic" (Colm Meaney), is the rare polar bear gifted with the ability to speak "human." But his grandpa has been missing, and no one knows where he's gone. One day, while lurking on his grandfather's lands, Norm spots a home, which he discovers is a prototype for New York City real estate developer Mr. Greene's (Ken Jeong) proposed luxury-home project. When Norm's family and friends call him crazy for thinking humans would want to move to the Arctic, he and his three lemmings sidekicks sneak on a cargo ship headed back to New York. In Manhattan, the developer's assistant, Vera (Heather Graham), hires Norm (believing him to be an actor in genuine-fur costume) to play the proposed development's spokesperson to help it win public approval. As Norm gains popularity, he struggles with when to reveal his true identity and tell the world not to allow Greene's plan to hurt the Arctic.
Is It Any Good?
Families are better off skipping this underwhelming, potty-humor-filled mess and re-watching better eco-friendly themed films like Happy Feet and Hoot. Norm means well, of course, and there's nothing truly awful about it, but it's definitely one to stream or rent at home rather than pay full fare to see. Sadly, no amount of conservation messaging can outweigh the forgettable and dated animation, sub-par writing, and lowbrow humor (really, does anyone need to see lemmings peeing into a fish tank for that many seconds?).
One of the movie's most egregious problems is its generic use of New York. Although there's a shot of the Brooklyn Bridge and a couple of Times Square, it otherwise might as well have been set basically anywhere. Unlike Madagascar or Bee Movie, Norm doesn't mention real places or highlight well-known landmarks, giving no sense of setting other than a generic "insert skyscrapers and outdated yellow taxis" urban landscape. All of that said, the voice talent is decent, especially Jeong, who makes Greene sound appropriately smarmy as a faux zen developer (fake ponytail and all) capitalizing on the "green" trend -- when all he wants is the green in his pocket.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the popularity of talking-animal movies. How is Norm of the North different? Why do you think this one has only two animal characters that can speak to humans?
Why do you think so many kids' movies include potty humor? Is that the only way to make children laugh? What's the appeal?
Kids: Did any parts of the movie scare you? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
How does Norm compare to the similar film Happy Feet, which is also about an outsider who ends up saving his community's habitat?
Does the comedy muddle the movie's message, or is it still obvious?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 15, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : April 19, 2016
- Cast : Heather Graham , Bill Nighy , Rob Schneider
- Director : Trevor Wall
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild rude humor and action
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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