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Parents' Guide to

Over the Moon

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Dreamy, China-set musical fairy tale has positive lessons.

Movie PG 2020 95 minutes
Over the Moon Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 27 parent reviews

Corrina-Roche
Corrina-Roche Adult
April 18, 2021
age 12+

Not for literal kids

Lovely film. However, my 6 year old daughter cried for hours after watching this. She then cried randomly for weeks after to the point, even school spoke to me about it. They explained she would break down into tears saying "mum is dead and she's not coming back" the school thought she was talking about me. This wasn't one we would have let our little one watch. However, nan (who lives with us) didn't know anything about the.movie and just decided on that one when having a movie day with my daughter.
Nilus
Nilus Parent of 7 and 14-year-old
August 12, 2022
age 12+

Death & grief are the pervasive themes.

Short answer: It’s about grief. There’s a lot of death. Be prepared to cry. Be prepared for your kids to cry. And have trouble sleeping being afraid of death. Full review: Lots of death, a chamber of sadness. The whole thing was about how to deal with grief. It was just too heavy for a Friday night and definitely not good before bed. Kids ages 7 and 14 and we let my 14 Year old finish it without the 7 year old because it was just too much.
See all 27 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Fei Fei (voiced by Cathy Ang) and her mom (Ruthie Ann Miles) and dad (John Cho) sell mooncakes from their bakery and form a happy threesome, until the mother passes away, in OVER THE MOON. Four years later, when her dad brings home a new girlfriend (Sandra Oh), complete with annoying 8-year-old son Chin (Robert G. Chiu), Fei Fei decides she must take extreme measures to stop the budding relationship. She uses her gift for science to concoct a rocket ship to fly her to the moon, where the immortal moon goddess of myth, Chang'e (Phillipa Soo), is said to live, awaiting her long-lost love Houyi (Conrad Ricamora). Fei Fei believes that if she can prove Chang'e's existence to her dad, he'll be reminded that one true love can last for eternity. But, things don't go exactly as planned on the moon, and Fei Fei learns a few lessons herself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (27 ):
Kids say (50 ):

This charming film combines magical locations, impressive animation, memorable musical numbers, sweet characters, and positive life lessons in a fairy tale about the boundless love of family. There are some flaws in Over the Moon, including not enough screen time for the adorable Gobi, played by comedian Ken Jeong, and especially the abrupt change in tone and pace when Fei Fei leaves her immaculate, golden-hued Chinese village and rockets to the moon. Here she enters an imaginary space kingdom made up of candy-colored "lunarian" creatures and a goddess (voiced by Hamilton's Soo) who appears unexpectedly as a kind of pop artist. It's all a bit disconcerting, and can feel at first like you've stumbled into an entirely different movie.

Things eventually even out as Fei Fei's adventures in the lunar wonderland begin to make sense. Secondary characters are also entertaining, especially humorous, defenseless sidekick Gobi (think Sven in Frozen) and incorrigible tag-along little brother Chin. The title of Over the Moon may have multiple meanings for this film: It can be an expression of love or excitement, and it's also the place where Fei Fei travels to open up her heart again (production design was partially inspired by Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album cover). The title also hints at Georges Melies' early film adventure, A Trip to the Moon, an image alluded to in the movie. Lastly, it makes reference to the Chinese festival known as the Autumn Moon Festival. All of these aspects and inspiration combine in a layered production that feels in more ways than one like a labor of love.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether any of the settings or characters in Over the Moon felt familiar. If so, which ones?

  • The director of this film is the renowned Disney character developer behind such classics as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Tarzan, and Tangled. Did you notice any Disney references or resemblances in this film?

  • What customs and myths from China might you be inspired to learn more about after watching this movie?

  • What did you think of the "lunarians" and their candy-colored world and castle in the sky?

  • What character strengths were on display here?

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