The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe

Movie review by Caroline Gates-Shannon, Common Sense Media
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

A classic tale of good vs. evil.

NR 1988 171 minutes
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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 4 reviews

Kids say

age 9+

Based on 8 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this film features little, if anything, to worry about. The battle scenes and the White Witch might scare younger viewers. And some parents might also find the religious overtones of the film objectionable.

Community Reviews

meg1974
meg1974 Adult
October 1, 2022
age 10+

Not for young kids

I’m surprised at the age rating on this site. I thought it was way too violent and scary for young kids.
Chewbeccca
Chewbeccca Adult
April 1, 2020
age 3+

Great family film

This BBC classic is a new favourite of my 2.5 and 4.5 year old. We watched it together first as a family as I was concerned it would be scary, but both the girls loved it. We tried to cover their eyes when the spooky demons are summoned by the white witch but as they are quite cartoony the girls thought is was funny and assured us they were brave enough to keep watching. Apart from the spooky factor which might be too much for more sensitive kids, this show is great and demonstrates good moral values (we are not religious) such as telling the truth, being kind to others, and showing responsibility for your actions. My 4 year old was angry that Edward had lied and upset Lucy and we were able to talk about the importance of supporting your friends and siblings. We enjoyed the magic and fantasy of it all. A beautiful family film.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Originally aired as a made-for-TV movie, this BBC adaptation of C.S. Lewis's popular story is a classic, quasi-religious story of good versus evil, four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy wander into the magical world of Narnia through the back of an old wardrobe. Because of the evil White Witch's reign, Narnia has been kept in a state of perpetual winter, and its inhabitants are in a constant state of fear. Help comes in the form of Aslan, the good lion king. The children must fulfill their destiny by battling the White Witch, taking their places on the four thrones, and turning Narnia back into the paradise it once was.

Is It Any Good?

This BBC adaptation of Lewis's story has stood the test of time; it's an enduring and engaging story with a moral. Despite some truly appalling special effects that might look a cheap by today's standards, the movie still brings to life the magical world of Narnia and the classic battle of good versus evil. The film is likely to appeal to a wide range of ages, but at nearly three hours long, parents might need to break the movie down into smaller chunks for younger viewers.

The Chronicles of Narnia is highly recommended for family viewing. Families who enjoy this version of the story will want to check out the big-budget version of the story, released in December 2005.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how this film compares to the book. Is it a faithful adaptation? Is this better or worse than other movies you've seen adapted from books? What would you have included or left out if you were making the movie? What are some of the challenges of adapting a book for cinema? Families could also compare this adaptation to the new version of the film.

Movie Details

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Themes & Topics

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