Common Sense Media Review
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet Irish animation has teamwork, empathy, migrant theme.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Puffin Rock and the New Friends
What's the Story?
In PUFFIN ROCK AND THE NEW FRIENDS, the population of Puffin Rock grows when puffins from elsewhere need to find a new place to live. The puffins are welcomed, but a misunderstanding occurs when new arrival Isabelle (voiced by Eva Whittaker) tries to help protect an egg but makes a mistake, and the young otter Marvin (Aaron MacGregor) gets the blame.
Is It Any Good?
This movie version of the popular preschool Irish animated TV show is charming, educational, fun, and bursting with positivity. From enthusiastically announcing at the start of Puffin Rock and the New Friends that it's "Another glorious day in Puffin Rock" to encouraging characters to make good choices and sharing facts with the viewer, actor Chris O'Dowd brings the story and its world to life with his lively narration. It looks great, too. The animation has a picture book quality that makes it calm and engrossing. Add to this the huge list of positive messages and gentle treatment of big subjects, and Puffin Rock and the New Friends delivers a thoughtful, wholesome, and exciting movie with universal appeal.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what they learned from Puffin Rock and the New Friends. What was your biggest takeaway from the movie? Has it inspired you to learn more about it?
Could this trouble have been avoided if Isabelle had told the truth about the egg? What do you think she should have done differently?
A lot of the characters show great teamwork, empathy, compassion, and courage. Why are these important character strengths? Can you think of a time in your own life when you've shown these traits?
Have you seen the TV show Puffin Rock? How did this movie compare? What was different? What was the same?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : April 16, 2024
- Cast : Chris O'Dowd , Eva Whittaker , Aaron MacGregor
- Directors : Jeremy Purcell , Lorraine Lordan
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Shout Studios
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Animals ( Ocean Creatures , Wild Animals ) , STEM
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 79 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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