Common Sense Media Review
By Yvonne Condes
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beautifully animated film has some scary imagery.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Book of Life
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 30 parent reviews
Parents say this film features vibrant animation and themes celebrating Mexican culture, but opinions vary widely on its execution and appropriateness for children. While some find it an engaging story with positive messages about bravery and authenticity, others criticize its convoluted plot, presence of violence, and perceived gender stereotypes, leading to mixed recommendations regarding its suitability for younger audiences.
- vibrant animation
- mixed opinions
- convoluted plot
- cultural themes
- violence concerns
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 46 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a beautifully animated, heartfelt story that resonates with themes of friendship, love, and following one's heart, making it enjoyable for families and kids. However, some express concern over instances of mild violence, scary imagery, and a few inappropriate moments, noting that while it can be entertaining, it may not cater to all tastes and expectations.
- animation style
- family-friendly
- strong themes
- mixed reviews
- violence concerns
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE BOOK OF LIFE, Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) have loved Maria (Zoe Saldana) all their lives. What they don't know is that the kind La Muerte (Kate del Castillo) and the evil Xibalba (Ron Perlman) -- the rulers of the underworld -- made a bet over which boy Maria would marry. She's sent away to school and comes back more confident and more beautiful. Meanwhile, Manolo grows up into a sensitive guitar player whose family wants him to be a ruthless bullfighter, while Joaquin becomes the town hero -- with a big secret and huge ego. Xibalba will go to any lengths to win the bet, so he sets his snake on Manolo. So Manolo must travel through the underworld on the Day of the Dead, the biggest party of the year, to return to his true love.
Is It Any Good?
This is a beautifully animated film about Dia de los Muertos that combines essential Mexican folklore, ancient mythology, and pop culture. Luna is charming as Manolo, the guitar playing bullfighter who's too kind to kill the bull. Tatum has just the right amount of bravado to play Joaquin, who shouts his own name as he rushes into battle, and Saldana is sassy and adorable as the smart, independent Maria.
Most impressive is the visually stunning underworld that director Jorge Gutierrez has created. The Book of Life immerses viewers into the environment, traditions, colors, and sounds of Day of the Dead celebration; La Muerte is the most gorgeous animated queen since Maleficent in the original Sleeping Beauty, and Xibalba is perfect as her scary king. The characters and the music (excellent reworkings of classic and alternative pop songs) are absorbing and memorable, and you'll be thinking about the world full of color and fun that Gutierrez has created long after you've seen the movie.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the pressure to live up to expectations. Can you relate to Manolo and Joaquin's feeling that they can't fill the shoes of the family that came before them in The Book of Life? What's the best way to handle that type of situation? Manolo, Maria, and Joaquin all ultimately realize that they must follow their own paths. Kids: Is it ever OK to defy your parents' wishes?
How scary is The Book of Life? Is it ever fun to be scared? Why or why not?
How do the characters in The Book of Life demonstrate integrity? Why is this an important character strength?
Are you familiar with Day of the Dead? Does your culture celebrate loved ones after they've died? How could you learn more about this holiday? What other Latino traditions and values does the movie include?
Especially considering the movie's time setting (likely the early 1900s), Maria is a very progressive young woman, with a strong, determined personality. How does that make her a role model? How are her goals and dreams out of the ordinary for the world she's part of?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 17, 2014
- On DVD or streaming : January 27, 2015
- Cast : Diego Luna , Zoe Saldana , Channing Tatum
- Director : Jorge R. Gutierrez
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , Adventures
- Character Strengths : Integrity
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild action, rude humor, some thematic elements and brief scary images
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate