Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tense moments in exciting rescue mission tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Octonauts & the Caves of Sac Actun
What's the Story?
In OCTONAUTS & THE CAVES OF SAC ACTUN, Captain Barnacles (voiced by Simon Greenall) and Peso (Paul Panting) chart a course across Mexico to return an octopus named Coba (Jo Wyatt) to his home in the Caribbean Sea. But when trouble strikes and they find themselves in the middle of the Yucatán jungle instead, they embark on a perilous journey through underwater caves and tunnels to get Coba back home. As their Octonaut friends launch a rescue mission to locate the missing travelers, it's a race against time to get everyone back safely.
Is It Any Good?
This intrepid rescue team saves the day again in an exciting story that introduces viewers to geological formations like underwater caverns and cenotes local to the Yucatán region of Mexico. Octonauts & the Caves of Sac Actun has several perilous moments as the characters evade predators, avoid disasters, and deplete their resources too quickly, but predictably, everything works out in the end. As the Octonauts face one sticking point after another, they show viewers the value of determination and courage in facing their fears.
Octonauts & the Caves of Sac Actun immerses viewers in the unique scientific qualities of the Yucatán and Caribbean regions. The Octonauts use navigational tools and maps to guide their explorations and demonstrate quick thinking to solve problems in sticky situations. These kinds of educational factors are secondary to the exciting storyline, but, even so, they let young viewers glimpse some aspects of the geological diversity of the planet. As the characters make their way through the jungle and follow the caverns, they encounter Indigenous inhabitants like remipedes and limpets, see stalactite formations, and learn about cenotes and how they create water reservoirs in the jungle. But it's unfortunate that the series makes its Indigenous characters the butt of its jokes, making the film's approach to the region insensitive when it could've been inclusive.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Octonauts & the Caves of Sac Actun's messages about perseverance, courage, and teamwork. Why are these valuable character strengths? Who demonstrates them in this story? How does it feel to overcome a difficult challenge by using these traits?
Was Captain Barnacles' admission of a personal fear a surprise to you? Why do we often forget that even leaders and mentors in our lives have fears of some kind? How does having a friend help you face a fear make it easier to do so?
What does this story teach you about life in the underwater caverns of the Yucatán? How are the life forms different from the ocean creatures you are used to seeing and hearing about? How do they demonstrate adaptations to their habitats?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 14, 2020
- Cast : Teresa Gallagher , Simon Greenall , Paul Panting
- Director : Blair Simmons
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Disney
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 30, 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