Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
"Goonies" meets "LOTR" in fun but sometimes scary adventure.
Parents Need to Know
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The Kid Who Would Be King
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 66 parent reviews
Parents say the film is a fun adventure that combines elements of the King Arthur legend with modern themes, but some scenes may be too intense or scary for younger viewers, particularly due to the creepy villains and violence. While many children enjoy the humor and positive messages about friendship and courage, parental discretion is advised for sensitive kids, as some found it frightening or inappropriate.
- fun adventure
- positive messages
- scary elements
- parental discretion
- enjoyable for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 45 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a fun mix of adventure and fantasy, though it may be too intense for younger viewers due to its scary scenes involving undead creatures and the villain Morgana. While many appreciate the positive messages around teamwork and facing fears, several parents feel the violence and darker themes are more fitting for an older audience, suggesting it might be best for kids aged 10 and up.
- fun adventure
- positive messages
- too intense
- scary themes
- appropriate for older kids
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING opens with an animated overview of the Arthurian legend, quickly getting viewers up-to-date on King Arthur; his evil sister, Morgana; the wizard Merlin; the Knights of the Round Table; and the importance of the magical sword Excalibur. The action then switches to modern-day England, where 12-year-old Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) saves his best friend, Bedders (Dean Chaumoo), from their school's two biggest bullies: slightly older Lance (Tom Taylor) and Kaye (Rhianna Dorris). After running away from the bullies, Alex ends up falling into a construction site and sees a dusty old sword stuck in a stone, which he manages to dislodge. The appearance of Excalibur brings Merlin (Angus Imrie), in teen form, to Alex's town. The odd, lanky teen explains that Alex is the new true king -- and that he will need to rally a group of fighters to defeat the wicked Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson), who's gaining strength to resurface and reclaim not only the sword, but all of Great Britain, as her birthright.
Is It Any Good?
Director Joe Cornish gives Arthurian legend a modern, crowd-pleasing twist in this version by choosing a kind, courageous "everyboy" to be the once and future king. Ashbourne Serkis (actor-director Andy's youngest child) plays Alex as an earnest, brave 12-year-old who can't quite believe that the magical sword belongs to him. The diverse group of kids who end up battling evil has a certain kinship to the ensemble in Cornish's clever (and decidedly more grown-up) debut, Attack the Block -- except, here, instead of aliens, these kids are trying to defeat a medieval sorceress who's trying to take over the United Kingdom.
The film is slightly longer than it needs to be, but Alex's drive to do what's right is charming, and the young Merlin's quirkiness (don't be surprised if young viewers attempt his constant snapping and clapping) is endearing. Patrick Stewart makes a few appearances as the "old" version of Merlin, adding an extra layer of legitimacy to the proceedings. The sword training and fight sequences are just violent enough to feel edgy, but they're not so dark that older elementary-aged viewers won't be able to handle them. Kids will be delighted by the young knights' adventures, and parents will appreciate how the Arthurian code promotes truth-telling, honoring loved ones, and perseverance. There's also an admirable theme of turning rivals (in this case, the bullies) into allies with empathy and kindness. In a world with too many divisions, that's a message that everyone should internalize.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Kid Who Would Be King. Is it necessary to the story? Does fantasy violence affect viewers differently than realistic violence? How much scary stuff can kids handle?
Which characters do you consider role models? How does Alex demonstrate perseverance?
How does the film portray bullies and bullying? Does it feel realistic? What drives the bullies to change their ways? Do you think you could stand up for a friend the way Alex does for Bedders?
If you're familiar with other books or movies about King Arthur and Excalibur, how do you think this version stacks up?
What do you think of the message that people can be born of humble means and still be extraordinary?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 25, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : April 16, 2019
- Cast : Louis Ashbourne Serkis , Angus Imrie , Rebecca Ferguson
- Director : Joe Cornish
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Courage , Empathy , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 120 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : fantasy action violence, scary images, thematic elements including some bullying, and language
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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