Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Short animated adaptation is full of positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Zog
What's the Story?
ZOG (voiced by Hugh Skinner) is determined to become the best dragon in his class. But when he meets a young princess called Pearl (Patsy Ferran), both her and Zog's lives take an unexpected direction.
Is It Any Good?
This adaptation of a book by Julia Donaldson (The Gruffalo) is a fun bite-sized adventure for all the family. Zog boasts an array of voice talent -- including Tracey Ullman, Kit Harington, and Lenny Henry who narrates proceedings -- colorful, slick animation, and a great story to boot. The fact that it's packed full of positive messages about choosing your own path, never giving up, friendship, and teamwork are the icing on the cake.
The hostile relationship between dragons and humans is turned on its head in this story. Our two leads, Zog, a boisterous young almost fire-breathing dragon and Pearl, a princess who would rather swap her crown for a doctor's stethoscope, soon realize that they share far more in common as they join forces. Pearl's rejection of what others expect from her and defying gender stereotypes so often found in traditional fairytales is especially refreshing. With a runtime of just 26 minutes, this is a great way for all the family to sit down together and enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the positive messages in Zog. In what ways did Zog and Pearl show perseverance and teamwork. Why are these such important character strengths? Can you give any real life examples when you've demonstrated any of these?
How did Pearl compare to other portrayals of princesses you've seen? How did she defy what was expected of her? How do stereotypes in movies and on TV impact kids' development?
Have you read the original book the film was based on? How did it compare? Did you like the animation style? Were the characters like you imagined them? What other books would you like to see made into TV shows or movies?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : December 16, 2019
- Cast : Lenny Henry , Tracey Ullman , Rocco Wright
- Directors : Max Lang , Daniel Snaddon
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Magic Light Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time : 26 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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