Parents' Guide to

Puff the Magic Dragon

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Classic cartoon special is a sweet, positive adventure.

Movie NR 1978 71 minutes
Puff the Magic Dragon Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 3+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 3+

Throwback, but relatively good for an old “movie”

It makes me cry more than my kid. The whole metaphor of kids growing up and leaving their childhood fantasies behind makes me realize how quickly the years go by. All that said, my 4 year old enjoys this now, and has since he was 3. One scene with a pirate is a little frightening, but Puff tells Jackie to use his wits to save them and he does.

This title has:

Great messages
age 4+

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (2):

Parents who grew up in the '70s or '80s will find this trip down memory lane surprisingly touching. It's easy to forget just how compassionate and sage-like Puff is, especially after you grown up and hear about the song's alleged references to marijuana use. But in the animated movie, the allegory is purely tied to childhood, and the wonder that the imagination of childhood can bring. Meredith's wise, comforting voice infuses Puff with a grandfatherly gravitas that guides young Jackie -- and the viewer -- to show a pirate's true and gentle colors and teaches him that as long as you believe, you can defeat your own fears.

Even after more than 30 years, this tale is timelessly sweet and even tearful in parts. When Puff starts to mourn the loss of Jackie's visits to Honalee, it's impossible not to grieve for what all children lose when they transition from youth to adulthood -- an innocence and a willingness to make imaginary friends who can show them new worlds.

Movie Details

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 suggesting a diversity 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