Parents' Guide to

Storks

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Family comedy mixes moments of peril, sweet messages.

Movie PG 2016 100 minutes
Storks Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 6+

Based on 28 parent reviews

Ajboehner
Ajboehner Parent of 4-year-old
February 5, 2021
age 5+

Great movie

Our daughter is 5 and sensitive to things that are “scary”. I think they did a good job of adding humor to the more intense parts, which helped her enjoy the movie without fear. I always recommend watching trailers of more intense parts first before attempting the whole thing. This has helped us determine whether our child can handle a particular movie.
1 person found this helpful.
Katie R.
Katie R. Adult
July 28, 2017
age 12+

Too much violence, destruction and too fast moving for young children.

I watched this movie at local library with my almost 2 year old and 5 year old grand children, trusting the library would pick movies tastefully, a few days ago and for me it was hard to endure - this movie is way too intense and fast moving, violent and full of things, giant buildings etc. being destroyed, way over amped, hard to follow the story line, dragged and I was just waiting for it to be over. I know that kids do not need this kind of sensory bombardment in their lives and it is not healthy. I could barely stand it as an adult. Yes I am sensitive but this really was too much. The gender roles were stereotypical, violent mean men and main character woman was trying to solve relationship problems, nice girl, all the main characters were white, until very end, a few token babies of color and gay parents receiving their babies, but very little diversity in most of the movie. The movie had an inappropriate corporate feel that young children cannot be expected to understand nor should they be subjected to. I regret that I sat through it and allowed my grands to watch this. Nothing good for the environment in this movie, or a message of taking care of things around us, being attentive and respectful.
1 person found this helpful.
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What's the Story?

According to STORKS, the big birds used to deliver babies back in the old days at the written request of would-be parents. Not only did they offer door-to-door service, but they actually made the babies in their elaborate factory. Although there were "other" ways of getting babies, business was great. But there were hitches: The babies were unpredictable, and some storks became too attached to their "packages." As a result, the birds transitioned their business model into a more profitable, less emotionally draining one: The storks now deliver packages for the Amazon-like Corner Store. The enterprise is run by head stork Hunter (voiced by Kelsey Grammer), a bombastic bottom liner. But he's ready to turn over the works to Junior (Andy Samberg), a veteran flyer old enough to remember the baby days. One reminder of the hazards of those days is Tulip (Katie Crown), now turning 18, whose stork became too fond of her and lost her address, leaving the birds to raise her. About to be shipped (against her will) into the human world, Tulip mistakenly responds to a lonely boy's request for a little brother and triggers the old workings to spit out a new baby. As Tulip and Junior struggle to secretly deliver the baby, the boy trains his workaholic parents (Jennifer Aniston and Ty Burrell) to spend more time with him.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (28):
Kids say (36):

This sweet family comedy was written and conceived by smart people who clearly know something about the project of raising children, in all its combined sweetness and bitterness. Storks is a hurricane of nonstop cartoon action, gags, and goofiness mixed with emotional sophistication that will appeal to both the young target audience and the adult sherpas who guide them safely to the theaters. That sense of protectiveness of our young is exactly the bell this movie sets out to ring, and it does so with intelligence, wit, and the right dose of silliness. Glaringly absent is any pretentiousness or condescension, and that's good news for both kids and parents. Samberg, Grammer, and Crown's voice talents are perfectly encouraged by co-directors Nicholas Stoller and Doug Sweetland. The latter was an animator on Toy Story, another great movie that authentically depicts a child's world; the animation in Storks is similarly impressive. (Watch a wolf pack collectively become a submarine on command.) And perhaps Stoller, who also co-wrote The Muppets and directed Neighbors, is responsible for the little observations that we scarcely notice in life but that resonate so strongly on the screen. (Watching enemies fight quietly so as not to wake a sleeping baby is one of the movie's funniest scenes.)

A few hesitations: Storks deliver babies? This is a far more complex proposition for parents to explain away than cars that talk and toys that live secret lives while their owners are out of sight. And it's disturbing that, at the climactic moment, the villain is clearly threatening the lives of thousands of cooing babies in favor of corporate greed. With any luck, that dark realization will go right over the head of young viewers. Lastly, it's great that Nate's workaholic parents learn how much fun it can be to work a little less (a luxury for most working parents) and spend more time with their son. But the true lesson of parenthood is the realization that it's important to spend time with your children even during all those times when it's not that much fun. Bottom line? Storks blends strong messages with a fun story -- just be ready to talk about where babies come from.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Storks' scary scenes. Which parts did you find frightening? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

  • Which is more upsetting to you -- scenes with characters in danger, or scenes in which they're in conflict with each other (angry, yelling, etc.)? Why do you think that is?

  • How do Tulip and Junior demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, and compassion? Why are those important character strengths?

  • What does it mean to be part of a family? Does your family have to be people you're related to? Who do you consider part of your family?

  • What do Nate's parents learn about their priorities in terms of work and family? What does Junior learn about what matters at work? How are those lessons related to each other?

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.

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