Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so treasure quest has some mild cursing, potty humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Thrill Ride
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Kids Henry (Lucas Jade Zumann), his sister Joy, and his best friend Truman are in for a THRILL RIDE when they set out to find some of Al Capone's lost treasure in an old amusement park that's about to be torn down. Happyland is long rumored to be one of Capone's secret hiding places, so the kids take one last chance to head back there armed with new clues to the treasure's whereabouts. Unfortunately, an evil mermaid, Aubrey, wants the treasure, too. And she's got a cadre of pirate henchmen and the power to bring the Happyland attractions to life. The kids find an unexpected ally in Esmerelda, the Sea Hag (Kristen Johnston). Can they repair Esmerelda's magic wand in time to defeat Aubrey? And will they find the treasure and save the family business?
Is It Any Good?
A treasure quest and plenty of pirates and potty humor bring surefire kid appeal and make it easy for kids to overlook the cheesy effects and clichés that adults will see right through. Based on a story created by the director's son, it's no surprise that Thrill Ride has a lot of what kids want from a good adventure. But it's also pretty predictable and not very original -- traits that keep it from being a movie the whole family will enjoy together. It's fine for big-kid action/adventure lovers who can handle a couple of instances of "damn," a kiss, some fantasy violence, and a few mild scares here and there.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Thrill Ride. Does it matter if it's fantasy violence? How much is OK for movies, TV, and video games? Is it different for books?
How about the strong language? Do the kids talk like real kids do? If it's realistic, does that make it OK?
What other treasure-hunting movies have you seen? Which one do you like best? Why do you think we like movies about finding hidden treasure so much?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 17, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : December 12, 2017
- Cast : Kristen Johnston , Lucas Jade Zumann
- Director : Chris Parrish
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Black Apple Media
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Pirates
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Language, action, and briefly suggestive material
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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