The Tale of Despereaux (2008) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Once upon a time... in the far away kingdom of Dor... lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions, Despereaux sets off on an amazing adventure with his good-hearted rat friend Roscuro, who leads him, at long last, on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess and save an entire kingdom from darkness.
Rated G • 2008 • 1h 33m
A courageous mouse, a misunderstood rat, and a servant girl find their lives intertwined in a story about breaking rules and seeking forgiveness in a somber kingdom. Although the film is rated G, it includes darker elements such as the death of a parent and several scenes involving menacing rats that may be too intense for very young viewers. It is best suited for children ages 7 and up due to its atmospheric peril and themes of grief.
Cast
Is The Tale of Despereaux appropriate for kids?
A courageous mouse, a misunderstood rat, and a servant girl find their lives intertwined in a story about breaking rules and seeking forgiveness in a somber kingdom. Although the film is rated G, it includes darker elements such as the death of a parent and several scenes… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Tale of Despereaux
What happens in The Tale of Despereaux, moment by moment
- 0:16 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:24 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:58 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
Sex and nudity in The Tale of Despereaux
None.
Violence and gore in The Tale of Despereaux
Mild but with dark moments — a queen dies of shock, rats menace in shadowy dungeons, and there's real peril. Bloodless; atmospheric rather than action-violent.
Language in The Tale of Despereaux
None of note.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Tale of Despereaux
None of note.
Mature themes in The Tale of Despereaux
Courage, forgiveness, grief, and the consequences of cruelty. A surprisingly somber, melancholy fairy tale despite the G rating — beautiful but not all sweetness.
Scary moments in The Tale of Despereaux
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The Tale of Despereaux yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Tale of Despereaux appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Tale of Despereaux is best for ages 7+. It's rated G. A courageous mouse, a misunderstood rat, and a servant girl find their lives intertwined in a story about breaking rules and seeking forgiveness in a somber kingdom. Although the film is rated G, it includes darker…
What age rating does The Tale of Despereaux have?
The Tale of Despereaux is officially rated G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 7+.
What is The Tale of Despereaux about?
A courageous mouse, a misunderstood rat, and a servant girl find their lives intertwined in a story about breaking rules and seeking forgiveness in a somber kingdom. Although the film is rated G, it includes darker elements such as the death of a parent and several scenes involving menacing rats that may be too…
Is there sex or nudity in The Tale of Despereaux?
None.
How violent is The Tale of Despereaux?
Mild but with dark moments — a queen dies of shock, rats menace in shadowy dungeons, and there's real peril. Bloodless; atmospheric rather than action-violent.
Is the language in The Tale of Despereaux appropriate for kids?
None of note.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Tale of Despereaux?
None of note.
What mature themes appear in The Tale of Despereaux?
Courage, forgiveness, grief, and the consequences of cruelty. A surprisingly somber, melancholy fairy tale despite the G rating — beautiful but not all sweetness.
How long is The Tale of Despereaux?
The Tale of Despereaux runs 93 minutes, directed by Robert Stevenhagen, Sam Fell, released in 2008.
Where can I read the full The Tale of Despereaux parent guide?
Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.
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