Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action-heavy take on classic books has peril, edgy jokes.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
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Peter Rabbit
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 148 parent reviews
Based on 73 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a hilarious and entertaining option for family viewing, despite some criticism regarding its violence and edgy humor. Many appreciate the humor and fun, while others express disappointment over its departure from the original story and some suggestive content, highlighting that it may not be suitable for very young or sensitive children.
- funny moments
- family friendly
- edgy humor
- inappropriate for kids
- departure from original
- violence concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In PETER RABBIT, Peter (voiced by James Corden) and his family -- sisters Flopsy (Margot Robbie), Mopsy (Elizabeth Debicki), and Cotton-Tail (Daisy Ridley) and cousin Benjamin (Colin Moody) -- are without parents thanks to mean Old Mr. McGregor (Sam Neill). So the young rabbits regularly break into his garden to steal vegetables. Then one day, Mr. McGregor dies suddenly, so all the local animals take over his house. But a distant nephew, Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson), gets word of his inheritance and, hoping to sell the farm and open a toy store in London, decides to check it out. He meets pretty, bunny-loving neighbor/artist, Bea (Rose Byrne), and is smitten. Determined not to let her know about his deep-seated anger issues, he puts on an easygoing facade -- all the while trying to get rid of the rabbits (permanently) without her knowing. Peter, in turn, wants Thomas to go away, so he plays all manner of vicious tricks on him. Eventually, the situation literally becomes explosive.
Is It Any Good?
Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit books were simple and charming, but this adaptation just tries too hard. It's frantically paced, but it still feels padded/stretched out with too many pop songs and too many dumb jokes. Peter Rabbit also has a surprising amount of death in it, and it gets tricky to figure out whom to root for, since almost everyone in the movie behaves pretty poorly. But Thomas gets the edge, since he's human, and Gleeson is able to bring a hint of sadness and loneliness to his role. Peter, on the other hand, has too much in common with the arrogant, yappy, hyperactive "E.B." in 2011's Hop. The filmmakers couldn't even seem to decide on one simple rule: whether humans could hear and understand the rabbits.
Peter Rabbit also attempts a kind of "meta-ness" (i.e., having characters occasionally address the camera and making wink-wink references to anthropomorphic animals, etc.) that isn't much funnier than the regular jokes. Overall, the humor isn't exactly vulgar, but it also isn't smart. And whenever the movie gets stuck, which is often, it throws in another pop song. The only time it comes close to evoking Potter's books is when it briefly digresses into what look like hand-drawn animated sequences inspired by Potter's original artwork. If only the filmmakers had realized what they were missing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the action/violence in Peter Rabbit. Were you expecting all of the chases and explosions? Did they bother you? Was it upsetting to see or hear about characters dying?
Which characters are role models? Why? Do they learn any lessons or display any character strengths?
How does this take on Peter compare with the character in the books? Which do you prefer, and why?
Did you notice any stereotypes in the movie? If so, is that OK?
What audience do you think the movie is most intended to appeal to? How can you tell?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 9, 2018
- On DVD or streaming : May 1, 2018
- Cast : James Corden , Domhnall Gleeson , Rose Byrne
- Director : Will Gluck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some rude humor and action
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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