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Parents' Guide to

Terra Willy

By Tom Cassidy, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Animated alien adventure has learning, empathy, teamwork.

Movie PG 2019 89 minutes
Terra Willy Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 12 parent reviews

laela5
laela5 Adult
January 29, 2021
age 5+

Fun, sweet family movie

This was a fun, sweet family movie. It was clean, the animation was beautiful and our kiddos (5, 8, and 12) all enjoyed it. We are a family that has been through a traumatic loss so I am very particular about the types of movies we watch. While there are some sad moments the overall message and feeling is really very hopeful (and spoiler alert -- he IS reunited with his parents in the end).

This title has:

Great messages
3 people found this helpful.
Parentoflittles
Parentoflittles Parent of 2 and 5-year-old
November 24, 2020
age 8+

Really cute kids movie but unnecessarily emotional

Really cute movie but not for sensitive little ones. The movie is cute but has a continual feeling of sadness and emptiness with the main character who’s 10, not knowing if his parents are okay or will ever come to get him. When he is finally able to return home, still we are unsure if his parents are even alive and the one friend he has made that helped him get through a 10month time without his parents, alone on another planet, chooses not to go with him for no reason. It was very emotional and ruined an otherwise cute movie for our little ones. I would not recommend it to anyone who is emotional. It seemed unneeded to make the main character leave the new planet without his friend and caused many tears.
2 people found this helpful.
See all 12 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In TERRA WILLY, 10-year-old Willy (voiced by Landen Beattie) crash lands and must learn to live off the land on an uncharted alien planet while he waits to be rescued.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (12 ):
Kids say (1 ):

There's something about the reassuring tone that makes this movie a real joy to watch with children of all ages. There are big themes in Terra Willy (also known as Astro Kid), such as Willy being separated from his parents and forced to fend for himself. But these are emotionally eased through thanks to the smart script that ensures everything has a sense of wonder and adventure rather than peril and panic.

Naturally, Willy gets upset on a couple of occasions but his robot companion, Buck (Jason Anthony), is on hand to reassure him and help. The charming Buck learns more about compassion with each situation, including learning the value of pets when they meet the equally sweet Flash, an alien with dog-like tendencies. While it might sound saccharine sweet, there's no try-hard or forced feeling to the warm spirit of Terra Willy. It's just innate in the movie's DNA, baked in by the thoughtful direction of Eric Tosti (The Jungle Bunch). Tosti has created a fun adventure playground full of learning, teamwork, and empathy, on a gorgeous planet full of fascinating landscapes, plants, and animals.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Willy and Buck demonstrate great teamwork, curiosity, and empathy in Terra Willy. Why are these such good character strengths to have? Can you think of any examples in real life when you've shown these traits?

  • What does the movie teach us about science and nature? How does Willy adapt to his new surroundings? Why should we care about nature?

  • Talk about the differences between Willy's funny-automated life on the ship and the back-to-nature life he leads on the planet. Do you think you would adapt well to living in the wilderness?

  • Do you think aliens exist? What do you think they would make of our planet? What would you say to an alien if you met one?

Movie Details

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