Peter Pan
Parents say
Based on 54 reviews
Kids say
Based on 53 reviews
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Peter Pan
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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 Peter Pan is Disney's classic take on J.M. Barrie's story of the Boy Who Won't Grow Up. It's a tale of courage, magic, and imagination -- and a reminder that growing up means taking responsibility -- but also occasionally a disturbing, violent story of what happens when kids must fend for themselves. There are some very dated racist and sexist stereotypes and themes -- from the "What Makes the Red Man Red" song and the depiction of Chief and his tribe to the way all the girls are jealous of each other and Peter's affections. Peter even says "Girls talk too much," and Captain Hook alludes to how "jealous girls" are easy to trick. These cultural relics have aged poorly; make sure to talk about why they're problematic with your kids.
Community Reviews
Enjoyable but is a bit dated.
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What's the Story?
PETER PAN is the Disney version of J.M. Barrie's classic book about the boy who would never grow up. Wendy, Michael, and John Darling, three London children, meet Peter Pan, a boy who can fly. He's been drawn to their warm, comfortable home -- and to Wendy's stories. He sprinkles them with fairy dust, and they fly off past the "second star to the right," where he and his friends the Lost Boys live in a magical place called Neverland. There the Darling children help rescue a Native American princess and fight pirates led by Captain Hook, before returning home to wave good-bye as Peter returns to Neverland without them.
Is It Any Good?
The animation in Peter Pan is as lively as its energetic hero. The scenes set in Victorian London are beautiful, and the shift in perspective as the children round Big Ben and fly off to Neverland is sublimely vertiginous. Most children see Peter as that wonderful ideal, a child with the power to do whatever he pleases for as long as he pleases.
The story does have moments that are whimsical but also very odd: The nanny is a dog; the crocodile that ate Captain Hook's hand keeps following him for another taste; Peter loses his shadow; the Lost Boys have no parents (and, unlike Peter, no special powers, fairy guardian, or unquenchable spirit). Some children may find this engaging, but some may find it troublesome or worry about what happened to Peter's parents and whether he'll be all right without them. They may also be sad that the story ends with Peter bringing the Darling children home and then going back to Neverland without them.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the idea of never growing up. Have you ever thought that you didn't want to grow up? Have you ever thought that you'd like to be a grown-up right now? What would you do if you were an adult?
What kinds of stereotypes do you recognize in the movie's depictions of girls (and Native Americans)? How do they make you feel? How do they affect your enjoyment of the movie?
If you are Native American, do you feel the movie's depictions accurately reflect your culture and heritage? How do they make you feel? Why are accurate depictions of people in media important?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 5, 1953
- On DVD or streaming: March 6, 2007
- Cast: Bobby Driscoll, Hans Conried, Kathryn Beaumont
- Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wilfred Jackson
- Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Book Characters, Music and Sing-Along, Pirates
- Character Strengths: Courage
- Run time: 76 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: March 31, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Hook
Clumsy mishmash of a comedy has violence, profanity.
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Finding Neverland
Emotional J.M. Barrie biopic has some mature themes.
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Tinker Bell
Sweet, simple story is best for young Tink fans.
For kids who love adventure
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