Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 4+
Young train fans will enjoy this message-filled ride.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
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Language
very little
Some mild insults like "creepy," "scrawny little shunter," "little," "failure," "annoying," and the like.
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Violence & Scariness
very little
Boys bully Richard, throw snowballs at him, and steal his grandpa's pocket watch. A creepy Nightmare Train deceives the Little Engine and threatens to keep Richard and the circus toys trapped in Dreamland.
See AlsoThe Little Engine That Could Book ReviewThe Little Engine That Could - Teaching Children Philosophy - The Prindle Institute for EthicsDid you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
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Positive Messages
a lot
"If you think you can, you will; if you think you can't, you won't." If you truly believe in yourself, you can accomplish almost anything.
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Positive Role Models
a lot
The Little Engine is a great role model for kids because she's small but hard-working and willing to make her and Richard's dreams come true. She overcomes the odds to climb Dream Mountain. Richard also shows that even kids who are bullied can be heroes.
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Educational Value
a little
Kids learn the importance of believing in yourself and trying your hardest to accomplish something.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this straight-to-DVD animated adventure is fine for even preschool-aged kids, especially those who love trains. There only potentially upsetting moments are a brief scene when a couple of bullies throw a snowball at a boy and then steal his grandfather's beloved pocket watch, and when a somewhat frightening Nightmare Train threatens Little Engine and her haul. The language includes mild insults like "annoying," "creepy," and "failure," but the message is a classic that all children should be exposed to: If you "think you can" hard enough, you can do anything, even if it seems impossible. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents say (14)
- Kids say (7)
age 5+
Based on 14 parent reviews
Abba9634 Parent of 7-year-old
October 1, 2020
age 5+
Must watch for littles
There is a scene with a bully being mean to the main character, but there is meaning and a lesson at the end. There is also a scary moment in the movie where the nightmare train traps some of the main characters friends and it alarmed my 3 year old. However there is so many good messages about friendship, facing your fears, perseverence, and the power of kindness that i feel this is a must watch. May want to wait till they are 5 though.
AnnieD 1 Parent of 10 and 17-year-old
May 27, 2015
age 15+
It's the bomb
This is great film is made fot the little boys but my 17 year old son loves it! Him and his friends watch all the time, they have memorized all the songs too. On his first date black in 8th grade he took his girlfriend to see it, she was a keeper. He even wants to name his kids from the movie. Sometimes I think it's a little too mature for him but I let it slip, I mean he's growing up, and I think he should be able to watch adult movies. My husband and I love this film and finally let our eldest son watch for the first time back in 8thgrade with his gf!
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See all 14 parent reviews
What's the Story?
In Dreamland, a group of magical trains called Dream Haulers are responsible for delivering dreams and wishes to kids. But one small train, Little Engine (voiced by Alyson Stoner), is deemed too small to do anything but shunt boxcars in the train yard. One day, after an older train, Rusty (Jim Cummings), falls asleep on the job, a boy named Richard (Dominic Scott Kay) climbs aboard and is inadvertently shuttled back to Dreamland, where he accidentally causes the tunnel to the real world to collapse. The train-depot Tower (Whoopi Goldberg) demotes Rusty, so Little Engine offers to return Richard back home over dangerous old tracks on Dream Mountain. On their journey, a creepy Nightmare Train offers to help Little Engine, but he has other plans to trap Richard and his new pals -- a clown (Jamie Lee Curtis), a sock monkey (Jeff Bennett), and other toys -- in Dreamland forever.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (14):
Kids say (7):
Based on the classic children's tale, this version of THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD is original and features an expert voice cast that makes the characters come alive. Little Engine, Richard, and their friends have to overcome a number of obstacles -- mechanical, environmental, and emotional -- to make it over the mountain, and it's tense at times as our heroes attempt to outsmart the maniacal Nightmare Train. But Little Engine and Richard both learn to believe in themselves and the power they have to -- as The Sound of Music teaches -- "climb every mountain."
Some of the production values aren't exactly at Pixar-level quality (a scene's focus sometimes shifts abruptly, or the background won't be as detailed as it should be), but it's probably not something that little kids will notice.Think of it more on par with a daytime cartoon's prime-time special than a theatrical feature, and you won't be disappointed. Ultimately, this is a sweet story with pleasant characters and a message that will make kids want to try their hardest and to never give up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the message that if you think you can do something, you will. What does that mean? How does Little Engine beat the odds and everyone's expectations? Have you ever accomplished something others didn't think you could?
Does being too small keep Little Engine from taking on big tasks? How can kids learn from her example?
How does Richard's adventure in Dreamland help him when he's back in the Real World?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 22, 2011
- Cast: Alyson Stoner, Dominic Scott Kay, Patrick Warburton, Whoopi Goldberg
- Director: Elliot M. Bour
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Pansexual actors, Black actors
- Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Book Characters, Friendship, Trains
- Run time: 82 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
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