Parents' Guide to

The Mighty

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Good movie about friendship for middle schoolers.

Movie PG-13 1998 100 minutes
The Mighty Poster Image

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

lp1953
lp1953 Adult
May 9, 2010
age 10+
I think 4th & 5th Grade students need to see this before Middle School. 4th is the new 6th. 10 is the new 13.

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2 people found this helpful.
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What's the Story?

In THE MIGHTY, Max (Eldon Henson), a huge boy who has flunked 7th grade twice and Kevin (Kieran Culkin), a tiny disabled boy, help each other in this moving story of the power of friendship and imagination. Inspired by stories of King Arthur's knights, they live by a code of chivalry and honor that leads them into adventures, some enlightening, some dangerous. At first, each completes the other, Kevin telling Max what to do as he rides on Max's strong shoulders. But Kevin ultimately helps Max learn to think for himself, and Max helps Kevin come to terms with his limitations by showing him what he has accomplished.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (3):

The Mighty is inspiring, and a good movie to initiate a talk with middle schoolers about the way all seventh-graders feel like outcasts at times. What Max learns from Kevin makes it possible for him to survive a terrible family history and an abusive father. Kids may also want to read the book, Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether they've ever felt like an outcast, and what they can do to deal with and even change that type of difficult situation.

Movie Details

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