Parents' Guide to

The Little Bear Movie

By Tracy Moore, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Gentle tale of bear friendship has a few tense moments.

Movie G 2003 75 minutes
The Little Bear Movie Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 2+

Based on 1 parent review

greencello
greencello Adult
January 5, 2022
age 2+
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

When Little Bear (voiced by Kristin Fairlie) and his father go camping, he meets a lost bear named Cub (voiced by Kyle Fairlie). Fast friends, they set out on adventure that includes learning about each other's natural habitats, making friends with Little Bear's clan, including Duck, Owl, and Cat, following their imaginations, and looking for Cub's parents.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The Little Bear Movie, based on the TV series Little Bear, is such remarkably gentle, positive programming for children that it feels like an anomaly. Fit for any preschooler, and likely to incite a little nostalgia for organic, free-range play in adults, the film is slower-paced and practically quaint in its simple desire to show the budding friendship between a civilized bear and a wild bear, and the abiding respect they foster for each other's ways of life along the way.

Kids will enjoy the sweet friendships, the silly foxes, and the outdoor adventure. Parents will like the attention paid to the dangers of the outdoors, the free-spirited play driven by imagination and a cardboard box, and the family-friendly themes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it's like to camp out in the wilderness. What can you do to prepare? How can you make sure you're safe and respectful among the animals who call the wilderness home?

  • Go online to learn more about bears in their natural habitat, and what humans do to preserve their numbers in the wild.

Movie Details

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 suggesting a diversity update.

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