Disney Wish Movie Review | Safe for Kids?

Is Disney Wish movie safe for kids? Is Disney Wish movie OK for children? Read the Disney Wish Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new Walt Disney Animation Studios Wish 2023 animated musical film, starring Ariana DeBose as Asha, Chris Pine as King Magnifico and Alan Tudyk as Valentino. No spoilers! #WishMovie May contain commissioned links.

Disney Wish Movie Review | Safe for Kids? 2023 Parents Guide

Hindsight, Disney.

Perhaps don’t release a new Disney Cruise ship and Disney movie so close together with the same name – Disney Wish, really? Confusion aside, celebrating Disney 100 Years of Wonder this year, the hype of the brand-new musical animated film release for 2023 is taking Walt Disney Animation Studios back to their roots.

But is this film the highlight of Disney’s movie successes…or failures?

In this Disney Wish Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full PG age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is suggested to watch in this new 2023 Walt Disney Animation’s animated musical film in this2023 Disney Wish movie parents guide. A no-spoiler parent review of the all-new Disney Wish movie, was revisiting Disney’s musical legacy a good idea – or was that wishful thinking?

Grab your FREE Disney Wish Movie Coloring Sheets!

The Visuals

Visually, I am in love with this 2023 Walt Disney Animation Studios CGI style. A blend of the old and new, I can see hints of the old-school cels and hand drawn animation styles of 100 years of creativity, care, and love. But the integration of crisp visually technology, new innovations, and fresh perspective on camera angles – it was a refreshing take on the expected from Disney.

Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, the new 2023 Disney Wish movie does have multiple scenes in darkness with bright, flashing lights. Not strobing per se, but enough flashes that could be triggering for some. Watch with caution, prescreen if necessary.

The Story

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish” is an all-new 2023 musical comedy animated film in celebration of Disney 100 years of musical legacy. Disney’s Wish 2023 is directed by Chris Buck (“Frozen II“) and newcomer Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon“) with screenplay by Jennifer Lee (“Frozen“) and Allison Moore (“Beacon 23“). Disney Wish stars Academy Award®-winning actor Ariana DeBose (“Hamilton“) as Asha, Chris Pine (“Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves“) as King Magnifico, and Alan Tudyk (“Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story“) as Asha’s favorite pajama wearing goat, Valentino.

The story takes place in the magical kingdom of Rosas, where the heroine Asha makes a powerful wish to help her community. Confronting her biggest foe and her biggest fears, Asha and her adorable animal sidekick (does this make Asha a Disney Princess?) must have the courage to connect with the magic of the stars – and heroically save Rosas.

If you were expecting a big plot twist, this is not the Disney film for you. Keeping the story simple and light on purpose, Disney Wish 2023 focuses on the true point of the film – an all-out Disney Easter Egg scavenger hunt. That’s right, anything and everything is up for interpretation throughout the entire length of the movie, bringing together gorgeous visuals, laughs, life lessons, catchy tunes, and a beautiful, nostalgic walk down Disney memory lane with your favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios films, hand in hand.

Don’t get me wrong, the storyline of Disney’s Wish holds it’s own. While 100% formulaic, Wish 2023 is a beautiful interpretation of the world today, with a strong, mixed race heroine, the first Disney heroine with braided hair, and an entire kingdom of diversity and inclusion that is NOT over the top or agenda filled. It just IS.

This is the first Walt Disney Animation Studios animated musical film release since Encanto on November 24, 2021. It’s fitting that two years later Wish is also joining the musical animated films club, with a signature Disney soundtrack with 7 all-new sing-along favorites from Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice. Disney Wish movie soundtrack songs include:

• “Welcome to Rosas”
• “At All Costs”
• “This Wish”
• “I’m A Star”
• “This Is The Thanks I Get”
• “Knowing What I Know Now”
• “A Wish Worth Making”
• “When You Wish Upon A Star”

And the songs are lit. Hamilton meets Disney music in a fresh, new way, giving a great musical twist to classic vibes, while still remaining timeless for generations of Disney lovers. Perhaps not as obsessive as “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” though…(does the pandemic feel like another lifetime ago for you too? INSANITY!)

The Disney Wish PG Rating Explained

Is Disney Wish movie safe for kids? Another Disney animated film that’s rated PG? Should parents be concerned? It’s no secret that I am highly skeptical of all MPAA ratings (um hello, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker not disclosing any language??). And as we know, not all movie and TV age ratings are the same. As a parent, it’s been rather heartbreaking to witness how ratings have shifted over the years with a G-rating no longer an option.

PG ratings now oscillating between Turning Red intense to Christopher Robin calm, and even PG-13/TV-14 age ratings teetering on the edge of R or MA ratings (Moon Knight and Goosebumps, I see you!), there’s a wide range between the age of 0-14 years old for parents to consider. Having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or show is kid friendly – and safe for the whole family to watch together.

Why is Disney Wish movie rated PG? In this 2023 Disney Wish Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this musical animated film is rated PG for “thematic elements.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Secret Invasion is kid friendly. Is Disney Wish movie too scary for kids? Is Disney Wish Movie appropriate for kids? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating in this Disney Wish movie parents guide.

Violence/Suspense. Violence levels are about what you would expect for a Disney Princess level movie. No blood or gore seen, but there are moments of intense, creepy eyes and scary close ups that may be possibly nightmare level for little children. Mild pain and torture present. These scenes are brief and predictable. There is also one mild jump scare.

Adult Themes. Grief, death, and loss are common themes per the Disney hero usual. Expect discussions surrounding these themes. Romantic and sensual material include one blurt of “tell him I love him!” and one “I’d like to kiss him” verbal statements.

Disney Wish is a movie about magic. There are spell books, potions, and use of magical hand movements and dark fantasy-like themes.

There is very mild crude humor including visuals and discussion of eggs coming from chickens’ butts. There are also three separate discussions of “butts” used for laughs. There is also one scene regarding “where all the balls of gas come from” (think Lion King) – with another visual of an animal’s bottom. Again, nothing is obscene – but the mild innuendo is there for your family’s entertainment.

Language. Thankfully, Walt Disney Animation Studios has upheld their end to continue a legacy of clean movies. There are no foul language or swear words to be found in the Disney Wish movie. However, as mentioned above, there are 3 separate verbal references to “butt.”

You have no idea how happy I am to see yet another Disney film that can have NO bad language and yet still be an instant classic hit.

Disney Wish Movie Age Rating for Kids

The Overall

When your entire legacy is the G.O.A.T. of this film…

Was diving into Disney’s musical legacy too much wishful thinking? I don’t think so.

Keeping the story light and the music “Hamilton” strong, Disney’s Wish movie focuses on the real deal – a whole movie dedicated to hopes, dreams, and endless amounts of Disney Easter Eggs. The heartstring pulls, the nostalgic walk down Disney animated movie memory lane, gorgeous visuals, and the sweet, subtle, and sometimes cheeky nods to some of the greatest animated movies of all time. It was an unexpected twist for Disney fans – and my deep heartfelt Disney wish was beautifully expressed.

While not as highly rated for me personally next to the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ films of Tangled, Moana, or Zootopia, I still give Disney Wish movie a solid score. Definitely a legacy film worth a re-watch or fifty. Being able to sit down with generations of Disney movie lovers, singing along to new favorite songs, and seeking out their favorite Disney Easter Eggs along the way – it’s all of the best of the classic 1990’s Disney musical films wrapped in a Disney movie scavenger hunt.

Ignore the haters. Disney Wish is a dedication to 100 years of Disney movie magic. And Disney movie lovers will appreciate every moment. My recommendation, at least take a look at a comprehensive list of all of the Walt Disney Animation films from the past 100 years. This will give your family an idea of what to look for, before you head to the theaters.

The only downside – the name of the movie. Disney Wish, really? C’mon, Disney. We couldn’t have gone with One Wish or The Last Wish or The Wish or…The Best Wish or…

Don’t forget to print your FREE Printable Wish Movie Coloring Sheets and Kids Activities – over 11 pages!

Follow Disney Wish 2023 on social media:

• Website: https://movies.disney.com/wish
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyWishMovie
• Twitter (“X”): https://twitter.com/disneywishmovie
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneywishmovie/
• #WishMovie

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Wish 2023, the all-new musical animated film from Walt Disney Animation Studios is shooting into theaters on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, November 22, 2023. Will your family be watching?

I was invited to screen the new Disney Wish 2023 film in exchange for this Disney Wish Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!