Parents' Guide to

Up

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Pixar's stunning adventure is an upper for everyone.

Movie PG 2009 98 minutes
Up Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • 1:31
  • Up Movie: Russell and Carl
  • Up Movie: Doug catches Kevin
  • Up Movie: Ellie and Carl
  • Up Movie: Carl's flying house

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 250 parent reviews

KathleenKnight
KathleenKnight Parent of 6-year-old
December 18, 2021
age 10+

Very sad and emotionally intense

This was not the funny, uplifting, and adventurous movie we were hoping for. There are a lot of sad and emotionally intense events in this movie. We stopped the movie at the house fire scene with two sobbing kids. If you have sensitive kids, this may just be too sad. I think this could be an ok movie for older tweens or adults who know to expect a poignant tear-jerker.
Steven J.
Steven J. Adult
March 25, 2020
age 8+

Might be intense for younger children

I saw this film back in 2009, and it was really great, due to the years where Pixar's animation has been blowing up, etc. So far, I think the most intense part is not the beginning where the wife dies, or the final battle at the blimp, but rather the ending; (SPOILER) the main protagonist's house falling out of sight. Its not as violent as other Pixar films like Incredibles or Cars 2, but has a lot more emotional payoff in the end. I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive children due to the intensity of the emotional scenes in the movie.
See all 250 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In UP, septuagenarian Carl Fredricksen (voiced by Ed Asner) and his wife Ellie had a shared dream since childhood: to visit exotic Paradise Falls in South America, a place the once-famous explorer Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer) claimed was the most beautiful in the world. After Ellie dies, Carl decides to make his beloved late wife's dream come true and unveils hundreds of helium balloons to fly his house to Paradise Falls. Unbeknownst to Carl, a young Wildlife Explorer scout named Russell (Justin Nagai) is along for the ride. When they finally arrive, the odd couple discovers that Muntz is more interested in killing an elusive rare bird than living in paradise.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (250 ):
Kids say (264 ):

Pixar has brought to life a multi-generational odd couple in a film that's visually stunning, surprisingly touching, and unsurprisingly delightful. After nine films, Pixar's legend is well known; it's the only studio with a perfect record both commercially (each of its releases has grossed more than $150 million) and critically. Up is no exception on the latter front, and considering the demand for family entertainment, it's sure to be a big hit money-wise, too.

The beginning of the film is an unexpected tearjerker following the entire marriage -- from first sight to widowhood -- of adventurous-at-heart Carl and Ellie Fredricksen. But he bulk of the story, as the trailer promises, is Carl and Russell's amazing skyward journey to Paradise Falls. Above the gorgeous and colorful animated vistas, Pixar's astonishing achievement is the sweet, funny, lasting relationship that it's odd-couple heroes share.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Up's central relationship between Carl and Russell. What does the movie have to say about multigenerational friendships? What does a young boy teach an elderly man, and vice versa?

  • Kids: What kind of adventures do you dream of having? Does an adventure need to be somewhere far away?

  • How do the characters in Up demonstrate empathy and teamwork? What about integrity and gratitude? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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