Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Walt Before Disney is a biographical drama about the early stages of Walt Disney's career, starring Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie) as the legendary animator in the years before he created Mickey Mouse. There's nothing really iffy except for a fair bit of smoking, which is historically accurate given Disney's documented cigarette habit. Disney also almost gets into a fist fight with animators, and there's some flirting and a couple of kisses, but otherwise this is fine for older tweens who might be curious about the early failures of arguably the most visionary filmmaker in Hollywood history.

Sexual Content

A couple of kisses; some flirting.

Violence

Disney and a couple of his animators nearly get into a fist fight, but they don't come to full blows.

Language

Sparing use of words like "hell" and "stupid."

Social Behavior

Core messages include staying true to your dream, learning from failure, and realizing that success takes time, effort, and setbacks.

Consumerism

Part of the Disney brand/myth.

Drugs / Tobacco / Alcohol

Walt Disney was a chain smoker, and the movie reflects that. He (and other characters, but mostly him) smokes cigarettes throughout the whole movie (which was more prevalent in the era it takes place in)>