Common Sense Media Review
By Betsy Bozdech
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Imaginative but intense adventure deals with worry and fear.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Wonder Park
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 55 parent reviews
Parents say that the film deals with dark themes, such as a child's struggle with grief after her mother falls ill, which can be overwhelming for younger audiences. While some appreciate its messages about imagination and perseverance, many found it emotionally intense and misleading compared to the cheerful tone of the trailers.
- dark themes
- emotional intensity
- misleading trailer
- imagination and perseverance
- age appropriate
- good for discussion
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 33 kid reviews
Kids say that the film has a mix of emotions, with many praising it for its imaginative themes and heartfelt messages about creativity and dealing with loss, while others criticized it for being overly sad, confusing, and poorly executed. Some found it enjoyable for children, but others warned that its darker elements could be distressing for sensitive viewers.
- imagination and creativity
- emotional themes
- mixed reviews
- dark elements
- suitable for children
- positive messages
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In WONDER PARK, June (voiced by Brianna Denski) loves nothing better than spending time with her devoted mom (Jennifer Garner), dreaming up amazing new rides for their imaginary theme park, Wonderland. Run by talking animals and boasting attractions that defy the laws of physics, Wonderland is the most magical place a kid could think of. June, who's daring and creative, also leads a pack of neighborhood kids in trying to build real-life backyard roller coasters, sometimes with disastrous results. But nothing sets her back for long -- until her mom tells her that she has a serious illness and needs to go away to seek treatment. Scared and anxious, June retreats into herself, putting away all things related to Wonderland and obsessing about the health and safety of her dad (Matthew Broderick). Then she stumbles across an old, rundown theme park in the woods that appears to be ... Wonderland. Before she can figure out what's going on, she's caught up in the struggle to save the park from hordes of axe- and sword-wielding "chimpanzombies," which are deconstructing the park and feeding it, piece by piece, to a looming purple storm cloud that hovers in the sky above Wonderland. Can June and the Wonderland animal hosts win out against the darkness?
Is It Any Good?
This colorful animated adventure celebrates the power of imagination and love, but it's also darker and more intense than the trailers and ads would suggest. Whimsical details and slapstick humor abound, to be sure, but at its heart, Wonder Park is a story about a girl who's dealing with some pretty big, scary stuff. Which could be helpful for the right kids in the right circumstances, but if you go into it expecting a breezy comedy, you're likely to be taken aback.
Still, the movie's premise is original (though it's a mystery why it wasn't just called Wonderland, since that's what the park is named), and the voice cast is good. Denski is earnest and enthusiastic as June, Garner -- no surprise -- nails the role of a caring mom, and Mila Kunis and John Oliver ably lead Wonderland's crew of talking animals. Oliver, in particular, gets the movie's best laughs as uptight porcupine Steve. It's also nice to see a tween girl character with a passion for engineering and problem-solving. Just be ready for the movie's heavier aspects before you step up to the turnstiles.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Wonder Park deals with June's worry and fear about her mom. Why does she put away all of the Wonderland stuff she has at home? Have you ever felt afraid to tell others about what you were thinking/feeling? Why?
How does the story show the importance of curiosity and perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
Have you ever tried to create anything that you first dreamed up in your imagination? How did it go? Who helped you?
Which parts of the movie were scary to you? Why? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 15, 2019
- On DVD or streaming : June 18, 2019
- Cast : Brianna Denski , Jennifer Garner , Mila Kunis , Matthew Broderick
- Director : David Feiss
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Perseverance
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild thematic elements and action
- Last updated : December 29, 2025
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