Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that The Jungle Book is a live-action/CGI update of Rudyard Kipling's classic book of short stories that has many scary/intense scenes involving menacing wild animals. With its blend of live-action and photo-realistic computer-generated effects, this action-packed adventure -- which was inspired by Disney's 1967 animated musical and has an all-star voice cast that includes Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Christopher Walken, and Scarlett Johansson -- tells the story of young Mowgli (Neel Sethi), the orphaned "man cub" raised as a wolf and hated by the jungle's most vicious predator, tiger Shere Khan. There are several jump-worthy, intense moments (including one sudden and particularly sad death and several vicious animal fight sequences involving fangs, fur, claws, snarls, and roars) that are very likely to scare younger viewers (especially when seen in 3-D). Kids who are familiar with the story and know the animals they're seeing aren't real will probably be fine, but preschoolers and younger elementary-aged kids who have trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality may not be able to handle Mowgli's frequent peril. All of that said, on the definite upside, the movie is gorgeous, and there are clear, strong messages about the importance of courage, teamwork, family (especially the non-traditional kind), and friendship.

Sexual Content

Not applicable

Violence

Characters die; one death is particularly sudden/shocking and upsetting. Others sometimes seem badly hurt/near death. Many scenes of peril, danger, and pursuit in which Mowgli is chased and menaced; he occasionally has some blood on his body due to scratches/abrasions/other wounds (he's also stung by bees in one scene). Animal characters fight each other in intense battles that involve teeth, claws, snarls, and roars. Shere Khan is cruel and scary; he and the snake Kaa both nearly kill Mowgli. Several jump-worthy moments when menacing animals pop up suddenly/threateningly, as well as when the monkeys kidnap Mowgli and King Louie gets angry. He commands his army to dispose of Baloo and chases after Mowgli fiercely. Forest fire scenes portray the "red flower" as deadly and unpredictable; a rainstorm leads to a mud avalanche that sweeps Mowgli into a raging river. It's sad when Mowgli leaves his wolf family; there are other scenes with hurtful words. Music intensifies many of the potentially scary scenes.

Language

One "shut up," and one "heck."

Social Behavior

Encourages teamwork, friendship, and helping others. Family is where you find/make it, and change and innovation aren't to be feared. The wolf pack's motto is "the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack." There's also a sweet message for adoptive/non-traditional families, since Akela and Raksha view Mowgli as the same as their wolf cubs.

Consumerism

Nothing in the movie itself, but Disney has all sorts of Jungle Book merchandise, games, apparel, toys, and more available.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Baloo is fixated on honey.