Parents' Guide to

Wreck-It Ralph

By Kelly Schryver, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Game-themed movie mixes potty humor with strong messages.

Movie PG 2012 108 minutes
Wreck-It Ralph Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you willā€”and won'tā€”find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 76 parent reviews

age 7+

Concerns weren't met

I was very hesitant to let my 8- and 6-year old kids watch this, since I had heard it had disturbing levels of violence. My 6-year-old is very sensitive, and we have been careful to make sure the kids are not exposed to violence on TV. Although I watched this movie with the remote at the ready, in case I had to fast forward, I found this fine for my kids. The scene with the zombie that is mentioned happened so quickly that I don't think it registered with the kids at all, and although there are many guns during one sequence, they are largely not directed at people. So, in short, kids really enjoyed it, and I was relieved that my concerns were not borne out.
age 12+

Spoiled by the violence.

The movie would have been more enjoyable if the violence was eliminated. For a film aimed at younger viewers, you need to know that violence is portrayed as a natural condition of individual and social interaction.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (76 ):
Kids say (175 ):

Kids, adults, gamers, and tech newbies will enjoy Disney's imaginative interpretation of code, pixels, avatars, and wires, as well as the movie's many references to iconic video game characters. Like Toy Story and Monsters, Inc, Wreck-It Ralph takes place in a magical world that only exists behind closed doors -- one in which video game characters come to life in arcades after hours.

There are a few missteps: The movie could definitely have cut back on its rude humor, which sometimes overshadows Wreck-It Ralph's meaningful messages about being an underdog and discovering who you really are.

Movie Details

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