Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mostly lighthearted animated adventure has star-filled cast.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sneaks
What's the Story?
SNEAKS follows Ty (voiced by Anthony Mackie), a designer sneaker who, along with his sister, Maxine (Chlöe Bailey), is won in an auction by teen basketball player Edson (Swae Lee). But Ty wants to live in the lap of luxury with The Collector (Laurence Fishburne), not be an actual working basketball shoe. Through a series of events, Ty gets lost and is separated from Maxine, who's trapped in The Collector's lair. Ty must travel throughout New York City to save Maxine with the help of a streetwise sneaker named J.B. (Martin Lawrence).
Is It Any Good?
This animated adventure isn't likely to win any artistry awards for its aesthetics, but it's mostly lighthearted fun for families and kids. That said, Sneaks does take an unexpectedly dark, potentially upsetting turn in one scene toward the end that involves (spoiler alert) a sneaker getting cut in half, with discussion about how he met this grisly fate. But the star-studded voice cast brings some necessary pizzazz to the tried-and-true storyline, and the movie does offer young viewers clear lessons about courage, teamwork, and, to a lesser extent, empathy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Sneaks conveys its theme of courage. How does Ty find the courage to look for his sister?
What did Ty initially want at the beginning of the film? How does that change over the course of the story? What about The Collector? How does he change?
What does J.B. learn from Ty? What do other characters learn throughout the movie?
How do the sneakers demonstrate teamwork?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 18, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : May 6, 2025
- Cast : Anthony Mackie , Chlöe Bailey , Martin Lawrence , Laurence Fishburne
- Directors : Christopher Jenkins , Rob Edwards
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , African American Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Writer(s) , African American Movie Writer(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Briarcliff Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some action, scary images and rude humor
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Nominee
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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