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Parents' Guide to

Return to Never Land

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Pleasant but forgettable sequel to Disney classic.

Movie G 2002 73 minutes
Return to Never Land Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 4+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Brett M.
Brett M. Adult
November 13, 2023
age 5+
Betheniek5
Betheniek5 Adult
April 23, 2021
age 3+

Terrible

Got rid if the crocodile and added an octopus...hook mentions he "got rid of it". The octopus even uses its suckers to make the tic tok rythem. Make that make sense. Peterpan has lost any dignity he had in the first one. Him and the lost boys became so disgusting I know it's because "stupid, gross male" agenda disney pushes. This was a movie grandma got the kids because they liked the first one so much and albeit the boys do enjoy this movie a lot, they are also 3 and 4. They just like captain hook. Jane is a grew up too fast character whom has no time for silly games. Understandably her home situation is the reason. They even gave her the speak to your manager hair cut. The beginning tells us London is in the middle if a war where children are separated from their families. It's dark. But why does Jane and her brother stay? Meeting jane for the first time has her rushing home as bombs are dropping meanwhile wendy and her brother are in the bunker. And why is their dog "nana 2"? Come on... the only decent role model or anything of value would be Jane's personality of discipline.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In this sequel to Disney's Peter Pan, Wendy has grown up, and is married with two children, Jane and Daniel. She loves to tell them stories about Peter Pan and Captain Hook. But World War II is underway, and London is blasted by bombs. Wendy's husband leaves for the war, telling Jane to take care of her mother and brother. Jane is strong and brave in the face of war and she doesn't allow herself to believe in Peter Pan or fairies. Just before Jane and Daniel are going to be sent away to the countryside, where it is safer, Jane is kidnapped by Captain Hook. He thinks that if he captures Wendy, Peter Pan will come to save her. Because he lives in Never Land, he does not realize that Wendy has grown up. But then, neither does Peter, who does come to rescue her, and is just as happy when it turns out to be Jane. But she does not want to stay with the Lost Boys, even when they make her a Lost Girl. Before Jane can go home, though, she will have to learn to believe in "faith, trust, and pixie dust."

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (7 ):

This pleasant but forgettable sequel can't compare to the original. While it manages a couple of magical moments (especially the opening credit sequence and Captain Hook's pirate ship flying through London), the music, performances, animation, and story are strictly at the straight-to-video level.

For a story about the power of imagination, RETURN TO NEVER LAND is especially lackluster. The original story's crocodile has been replaced by an octopus for no particular reason, and the action sequences are replays of the first version. The sexism and racism of the original are excised (Jane rescues Peter in this one). But that is not enough to make up for a script that even at under 90 minutes, is just too long.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about "faith, trust, and pixie dust," and how even children have to be brave and helpful during difficult times. Some children may make a connection between the Blitz and the terrorist attacks.

Movie Details

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