Parents' Guide to The Iron Giant

Movie PG 1999 86 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 6+

Touching robot-kid friendship tale has great messages.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 6+?

Any Positive Content?

  • :56
  • The Iron Giant Trailer
  • The Iron Giant Movie: Scene #1
  • The Iron Giant Movie: Scene #2
  • The Iron Giant Movie: Scene #3

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 47 parent reviews

Parents say that while the movie offers valuable lessons about friendship and personal choice, its themes can be too intense and frightening for very young viewers. Many reviews mention the concern over language and the portrayal of violence, particularly in relation to the film's depiction of gun use and the threat of nuclear destruction, which can be distressing for children, even as it conveys an overarching positive message.

  • intense themes
  • language concerns
  • positive messages
  • family friendly
  • emotional moments
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age 7+

Based on 55 kid reviews

Kids say this film is a nostalgic and heartfelt classic that conveys valuable lessons about friendship, choices, and self-identity, making it suitable for families with older children despite some mild language and intense scenes. While many appreciate its emotional depth and animation, others find it can be disturbing for younger viewers due to its darker themes and occasional crude humor.

  • nostalgia
  • family-friendly
  • emotional depth
  • good messages
  • mild language
  • suitable for older kids
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What's the Story?

Set in rural Maine during the late 1950s, THE IRON GIANT centers on 9-year-old Hogarth Hughes (voiced by Eli Marienthal), who lives with his waitress mother, Annie (Jennifer Aniston). One night, he discovers a huge robot in the woods, munching on whatever metal it can find, including the town's electric substation. Hogarth is frightened but takes pity when the robot is enmeshed in wires and turns off the power so that the robot can escape. The robot turns out to be the world's best playmate, whether cannon-balling into the swimming hole or acting as a sort of amusement park ride. His origins remain mysterious, but his reaction to Hogarth's toy ray gun suggests that he may have served as a weapon of some kind. Local beatnick Dean McCoppin (Harry Connick, Jr.) lets Hogarth hide the robot in his junkyard, but government investigator Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald) thinks the giant is part of a Communist plot and presses Hogarth to turn him in. Mansley calls in the army, and suddenly the robot and the surrounding community are in real danger.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 47 ):
Kids say ( 55 ):

This wonderful film from director Brad Bird has so much humor and heart that it's one of the best family movies around. The script, based on a book by England's poet laureate, Ted Hughes, is exceptionally good. The plot has some clever twists and some sly references to the 1950s to tickle the memories of Boomer grandparents. Setting the story in the 1950s puts the government's reaction to the robot in the context of the Red Scare and Sputnik.

The Iron Giant may not have the breathtaking vistas of some of the best Disney animated films, but it's lively and heartwarming, and the characters, both human and robot, are so engaging that you might forget they aren't real. The robot, created with computer graphics, is seamlessly included with the hand-drawn actors, making the illusion even more complete.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes real friendships, like that between Hogarth and The Iron Giant. Do you have to have a lot in common with someone to be friends with them?

  • Were any parts of The Iron Giant scary to you? Why or why not? How much "scary stuff" can young kids handle?

  • What did you think about the ending? Do you think it had to be that way? What was the alternative?

  • What do you know about the 1950s? How could you learn more?

  • How do the characters in The Iron Giant demonstrate communication, humility, and courage? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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