Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated take on classic tale is sweet but restrained.
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Why Age 10+?
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The Little Prince
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Parents say this film is visually stunning and emotionally moving, with beautiful animation, music, and complex storytelling that offers deep themes on life, love, and growth. However, many find its darker messages and morally ambiguous moments confusing or inappropriate for younger children, raising concerns about its impact on their understanding of authority and emotional well-being.
- visual beauty
- emotional complexity
- dark messaging
- parental concerns
- confusing moral lessons
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 21 kid reviews
What's the Story?
In THE LITTLE PRINCE, a Mother (voiced by Rachel McAdams) has her daughter's life all planned out, starting with a rigorous study program to ensure she gets into the right school. The Girl (Mackenzie Foy) is so busy she barely has time to get to know the quirky old man next door (Jeff Bridges), but eventually he convinces her to take a break so he can tell some stories about his time as an Aviator -- and how he once met the titular Little Prince.
Is It Any Good?
The Little Prince isn't ineffective -- in fact, it's quite moving; it's just not as awe-inspiring as it could have been. And that's at least somewhat because it isn't exactly like the iconic book, though the themes are very similar. The movie is mostly about the Girl and what she learns from the Aviator, which is a shift from the book (it's more about what the Aviator learns from the Little Prince). It offers the same basic message, just told in a very different way, which may very well influence how audiences receive the film.
The parts that stick closely to the text will fee magical and otherworldly, thanks to the animation. (And, of course, the source.) But the sections that were added to frame the story -- especially the third act -- are fairly predictable (though enjoyable) and are a departure from the book's tone. The resulting juxtaposition proves somewhat unsettling: The depth of the source material is diluted by the too-straightforward (and somewhat jarring) additions.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about The Little Prince's dark/scary scenes. What makes them scary? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
What is the Aviator trying to teach the Girl? What do you think about the Mother's plans for the Girl?
How does the story illustrate compassion, empathy, and integrity? Why are those important character strengths?
The film uses two very different animation styles. What does this show the audience? How do the images match the various moments in the film?
If you've read the book, how is the movie similar and different? What do you think about framing the story of the Little Prince with the story of the Girl and her Mother? Does this structure change the story's meaning/impact?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 5, 2016
- Cast : Rachel McAdams , Jeff Bridges , Mackenzie Foy
- Director : Mark Osborne
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Integrity
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild thematic elements
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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