Common Sense Media Review
Some cool special effects...that's about it.
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The Day After Tomorrow
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say that the film offers an engaging, action-packed portrayal of climate change, making it particularly appealing to tweens and teens, despite some intense scenes that may frighten younger viewers. While many appreciate the entertaining special effects and action sequences, some note that the film's portrayal of peril and destruction is significant, making it less suitable for very young children.
- intense scenes
- tween appeal
- action-packed
- climate change
- family themes
- suitable for tweens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 54 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is an entertaining and action-packed disaster flick, featuring impressive special effects and moments that may be too intense for younger viewers. While there are mixed feelings about the plot and some find it predictable or boring, many appreciate the positive messages about bravery and survival amidst perilous circumstances.
- entertaining action
- intense scenes
- impressive effects
- mixed plot reactions
- positive messages
- age appropriateness
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW, paeloclimatologist Jack Hall (Dennis Quaid) figures out that the global warming problem is much more serious than everyone thought, but the vice president of the United States and other government officials dismiss Jack's call for action. With various weather-related disasters occurring all around (hurricanes, earthquakes, tidal waves, deep freezes, etc.), Jack sets out to save the world. He must also rescue his son (Jake Gyllenhaal), who's stranded in New York City.
Is It Any Good?
Co-writer and director Roland Emmerich gave us an entertaining disaster movie with Independence Day; this one has some of the same ingredients, but they don't mix as well. The Day After Tomorrow doesn't have the some heart or the zing that Will Smith, Robert Loggia, and Jeff Goldblum brought to Independence Day. It does have some striking visuals and cool special effects, from hailstones the size of basketballs in Tokyo to a huge Russian ship floating ghost-like through what once was 5th Avenue. But to the extent there was ever any pleasure possible in seeing New York City destroyed, that has surely been diminished by 9/11.
This movie gives us too much destruction to take in, but also too little -- we see only a small group of dead bodies, and the survivors have to deal with problems that are almost quaint and antiseptic compared to the real-life aftermath of lesser disasters. The drama seems curiously muted as well; with the exception of the Vice President's arrogance, just about everyone else is uniformly calm, dedicated, resigned, and heroic. Wouldn't we see some panic? Some selfishness? Some desperation? Some consequences? Combined with preposterous plot turns, this further diminishes the emotional impact of the movie's themes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about global warming and research the efforts by scientists and politicians to prevent further damage to the ozone layer. They could also talk about why the librarian wanted to save the Gutenberg Bible and about how all of the characters think about (and rearrange) their priorities in the face of disaster. Would your choice for your favorite vacation be like Sam's? Whose decisions do you approve of and why? The politicians speak of "triage," making the very tough decisions to let some people die so that more can live. How do people make those choices? What do you think about the way they decide to define "win?" What will happen in the weeks following the end of the movie, and what will the world look like a year later?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 28, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : October 12, 2004
- Cast : Dennis Quaid , Emmy Rossum , Jake Gyllenhaal
- Director : Roland Emmerich
- Inclusion Information : Gay Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 123 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense situations of peril
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
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