One Big Ocean
Biodiversity, environmental concerns in marine adventures.
Parents say
Based on 2 reviews
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One Big Ocean
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that One Big Ocean stars the characters from the preschool series Splash and Bubbles in an adventure that takes them beyond their home and into the open ocean. The story excels at teaching kids about marine life, biodiversity, habitats, and scientific concepts such as migration and instinct as it entertains with the characters' experiences. As Splash and his pals make new friends along the way, they come to realize that there's more that unites them with their far-off ocean neighbors than separates them. This creates a sense of unity and inspires them to action to care for their shared underwater home. Strong environmental messages translate to the human world, and kids see the harmful effects of litter on the marine creatures and hear about how fluctuations in ocean temperatures threaten delicate ecosystems. This musical adventure is a lot of fun for youngsters and can inspire some good conversations afterward.
Community Reviews
Decent environmental messages, non-scary content
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What's the Story?
In ONE BIG OCEAN, Splash (voiced by John Tartaglia) is yearning for an epic adventure somewhere far from home, but his pals Bubbles (Leslie Carrara), Ripple (Aymee Garcia), and Dunk (Raymond Carr) fear that visiting new places will tempt their best friend to leave Reeftown in search of bluer waters. They set out with Splash to follow a friendly sea turtle, but they're mindful not to let Splash get too excited about the new places he sees. Even so, their journey teaches them all kinds of interesting things about the ocean home they share with many other creatures and how even the smallest of gestures can affect their sea community as a whole.
Is It Any Good?
This musical underwater venture teaches kids important lessons about marine life, ecosystems, and the responsibilities everyone has to their respective larger communities. As Splash and his friends ride ocean currents to new places and new friends, they discover that even though they're far from home, they have much in common with all kinds of sea dwellers. A shared sense of purpose emerges, inspiring the characters to look for ways to make small changes that will have a big impact on the ocean -- and its residents -- on the whole.
Of course, educational content is only as good as its presentation, and getting kids to tune in for something for learning purposes can be a trick. Luckily One Big Ocean is more of the same kid-friendly, engaging action that viewers have come to expect from the Splash and Bubbles crew, with similar threads of friendship and diversity throughout. Fun music, unique characters, and vibrant animation make this an excellent choice for preschoolers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about conservation and taking care of the planet. How does One Big Ocean promote taking care of the environment? What steps do you take in your home and school to use resources wisely and not wastefully? Can you think of how these small ripples have a larger effect on the environment?
Splash and his friends learn about how different ocean species coexist in a way that benefits all of them. In what ways is the same true of your family? What happens when someone doesn't do his or her part? How are others negatively affected?
What defines a community? What communities do you belong to? How does a community act as a support system when people need one? Do you see this happening among the characters in this story?
Families can talk about curiosity. Do you like to learn about the world around you? What other character strengths are important?
Movie Details
- In theaters: January 16, 2017
- On DVD or streaming: June 12, 2018
- Cast: John Tartaglia, Leslie Carrara, Raymond Carr
- Studio: The Jim Henson Company
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: STEM, Adventures, Friendship, Ocean Creatures, Science and Nature
- Character Strengths: Curiosity
- Run time: 60 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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Splash and Bubbles
Friendly fish introduce preschoolers to ocean science.
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Finding Nemo
Sweet father-son tale has some very scary moments.
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Puffin Rock
Young bird's adventures celebrate curiosity, relationships.
For kids who love nature
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