Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Escape from Planet Earth is an animated alien adventure that features more violence, consumerism, and even references to romance than other similar films aimed at kids. There are some deaths in the movie: A father is killed when a spaceship lands on him, a man plummets to his doom from the air, and a freed alien is eaten by a much larger, scary-looking alien. A general is sadistic and likes to torture/exploit aliens. Unlike many other animated movies, this one doesn't shy away from sexuality, either: Alien couples kiss several times, a female admires her boyfriend's body, several characters comment on a "nerdy" character's beautiful wife, and online dating is even referenced. Lastly, families sensitive to consumerism should know that there are parts of the movie that seem practically like a commercial for 7-Eleven.

Sexual Content

At least four kisses, three references to online dating and flirting, continuous jokes about how a "nerd" was able to "score" or "hook up" or "land" such an attractive wife, and one off-putting moment when a female alien stares longingly at her boyfriend and says "looking good."

Violence

A father is squashed to death by an alien spaceship that crash lands. The general sadistically electrocutes imprisoned aliens and freezes them when they don't comply. A giant alien eats another alien. A young alien mother and her child are tied up and held against their will. A man plummets to his death. A friendly alien nonetheless has anger-management issues. There are dart guns and laser guns and both human/alien weapons. The general plans to use an alien energy source to destroy planets.

Language

Several insults and put-downs to mission control engineers and "nerds" in general, as well as stay-at-home moms. Although the alien mother proves she still has all the same skills she had as when she worked full time, there are still three separate derogatory references to her having given up her career as a BASA supervisor. Words like "idiot," "stupid," "chick," "loser," "Little Miss Housewife," etc.

Social Behavior

The story does have some positive messages about the importance of family, what it means to display courage under fire, and why it's necessary to do everything possible to stop the rise of tyranny. On the other hand, stay-at-home moms and engineers/scientists are insulted repeatedly, even if they eventually save the day. And it might confuse really young kids to see the U.S. military depicted as containing not just a vengeful general but also a host of soldiers willing to follow his orders.

Consumerism

This movie at times seems like 7-Eleven commercial. At first it's funny when the aliens land in front of a 7-Eleven, but then there are several references to the store and scenes shot inside it when the Slurpee is described as "the most delicious frozen drink in the universe." Most of the movie's 7-Eleven's inventory is generic, but there are at least four shots that show Pop Chips on the shelves. Apple, Google, Facebook, and Pixar (and their CEOs) are all mentioned and shown in photos. The alien nation has a network called BNN, a space agency called BASA, cereal called Scorchios, etc.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Not applicable