Is Trolls Band Together safe for kids? Is Trolls Band Together OK for children? Read the Trolls Band Together Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parents guide and mom review of the all-new 2023 Trolls 3 sequel animated film, starring Anna Kendrick as Poppy and Justin Timberlake as Branch. No spoilers! #TrollsBandTogether May contain commissioned links.
Trolls Band Together Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
Once. Twice. Three times a #broppy?
Maybe. But let’s be real. This is the *NSYNC reunion movie.
It’s been over 7-years since the original Trolls movie first released in 2016. Filled with catchy songs, cute characters, and colorful animation, these adorable trolls have taken the world by storm as one of the most successful movie franchises in DreamWorks history.
But are the Trolls still trending? Or is this a poor attempt at a money grab sequel – and this band should go ahead and finally retire?
In this Trolls Band Together 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 Trolls 3 film sequel. A Trolls Band Together parents guide to the new 2023 DreamWorks animated feature and a no-spoiler parent review of Trolls Band Together, is it “Hit Me Baby One More Time?” (too soon?). Or is it finally time that we say “Bye, Bye, Bye” to Trolls movie sequels?
The Visuals
Visually, Trolls Band Together is just as expected. Bright, colorful, happy – Trolls visuals are a DreamWorks signature vibe. I was surprised to see more 2D animation this sequel. But never the less, the crisp, sparkly, and shiny – it’s a visual feast of a Trolls film sequel.
Photosensitivity Warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, there is one scene towards the end of the film with bright flashing lights. Otherwise, it’s mostly twinkly. Be warned those prone to dizziness, there are a couple of scenes with swirling/spinning camera effects.
The Story
The third sequel to the original 2016 Trolls and 2020 Trolls World Tour animated films, Anna Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect“) and Justin Timberlake (“Future Sex/Love Sounds“) reprise their roles as Poppy and Branch in DreamWorks’ 2023 animated film, Trolls Band Together. Walt Dohrn (“Abominable“) returns to direct, along with producer Gina Shay (“The Boss Baby“), and is co-directed by Tim Heitz (“Trolls World Tour“).
Starring a cast of returning favorites like Zooey Deschanel (“Elf“), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (“Superbad“), Pop duo Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt, Anderson .Paak, Ron Funches, Kunal Nayyar (“The Big Bang Theory“), and Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live“), along with newcomers Troye Sivan (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine“), Eric André (“Sing 2“), Daveed Diggs (“Hamilton“), and Kid Cudi (Disney’s “Crater“) as boy band BroZone, Camila Cabello (Amazon’s “Cinderella“), Zosia Mamet (“The Flight Attendant“), RuPaul Charles (“Zombies 3“), Amy Schumer (“I Feel Pretty“) and Andrew Rannells (“The Book of Mormon“).
Trolls Band Together is an all-new Trolls 2023 sequel that puts a spotlight on Branch’s past. Introducing new characters, new family secrets, and of course, new songs, this movie is about as predictable as it is colorful. But that’s not necessarily a band bad thing.
Trolls 3 sequel falls back to what it does best – catchy pop songs, dances, pop culture references, and simple story tropes that little fans (and perhaps adult boy band fans) will appreciate. Branch and Poppy explore aspects of acceptance, identity, love and family – and a bright, bubbly, colorful and predictable ending.
Trolls Band Together PG Rating Explained
Is Trolls Band Together safe for kids? Another DreamWorks film that’s rated PG? Should parents be concerned about Shrek adult innuendo? 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 Werewolf by Night, 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 Trolls Band Together rated PG? In this Trolls Band Together Movie Review | Safe for Kids?, this Trolls 3 animated film sequel is rated PG for “some mild rude humor, some suggestive humor.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Trolls Band Together is kid friendly. Is Trolls Band Together inappropriate for kids? Does the Trolls Band Together rude humor go too far? Did Trolls Band Together sneak in some bad language? Let’s breakdown that PG age rating in this Trolls Band Together parents guide.
Violence/Suspense. Overall violence and suspense are mils for Trolls Band Together. I would rate less than the first Trolls film but more than Trolls World Tour. In Trolls Band Together, there is one mild suspenseful near death scene. Mild gross verbal and visual references to pink eye. Multiple visual scenes of possible “scary clown.” Verbal references to trolls being eaten and torture.
Adult Themes. Innuendo, toilet humor and rude humor run strong in this Trolls 3 sequel. Multiple references to “barf,” “poop,” and “pee.” Visuals of underwear and throwing of one’s underwear onto another troll’s face, and verbal reference to “underwear” and “undies.” Verbal reference to not “wearing pants.” Verbal references to “butts.” One visual of a butt crack. One visual slapping of a troll’s backside. One visual and verbal reference to giving a “wet willy.” Innuendo references to “junk in the trunk,” not knowing “how it works” between a married couple, and inferences to one’s private area as “cupcakes.”
Visuals of tropical cocktail drinks being consumed. One visual and verbal reference to playing cards for money. One verbal reference to “gossip.” Verbal and visual references to death, grief, loss, therapy, family trauma, and estranged family dynamics.
Verbal references to love, marriage, honeymoon, boyfriend, referring to a person as “hot,” “being tied up,” and “if we made out.” Visuals of hand holding, hugging and kissing between male and female characters.
Language. Trolls Band Together does NOT disclose swear words or language in the new film. However, I was surprised to see that this Trolls 2023 movie does use minor foul language that parents should be aware of. There are 2 “H-E-double hockey sticks” references that are sung during the film – one long pause from H-E-L-L that long transitions into a new song that starts with “hello” and one outright, and 3 “sucks/sucky/sucked.”
Milder bad language and insult phrases include “freaking out,” “idiot,” “fool,” “butts,” “poop,” “pee,” “heck”, “oh my gosh,” and “gosh darned.”
Trolls Band Together Age Rating for Kids
With a runtime of 1 hour 32 minutes, this Trolls 3 movie thankfully doesn’t drone on for the sake of a sequel. With lots of familiar bright colorful Trolls visuals, catchy tunes and new characters, there’s plenty of visual and story entertainment for the kids to keep the pace moving.
Trolls Band Together is most similar to the original 2006 Trolls and 2020 Trolls World Tour animated films from DreamWorks.
This 2023 Trolls 3 animated film sequel is rated PG for “some mild rude humor, some suggestive humor” by the MPAA.
Yes, Trolls Band Together does have one mid-credits scene, some mid-credit stills visuals, and one verbal line ending (no end credit scene).
Based on my Trolls Band Together parents guide and mom review above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Trolls Band Together movie to kids younger than the age of 6-7 years old.
Considering the full PG rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Trolls Band Together movie to kids younger than the age of 6-7 years old. This Trolls 3 age rating is pretty spot on and easily comparable to the 2016 Trolls and 2020 Trolls World Tour movie franchise ratings.
I still recommend parents to prescreen Trolls Band Together for possible inappropriate crude and suggestive humor, along with mild language.
The Overall
Is Trolls still trending? Sadly, I think it’s time to disband.
I wasn’t overly impressed by the familiar and predictable Trolls Band Together plot. Definitely not as impressive as the Trolls World Tour sequel story, Trolls 3 doesn’t expand upon the franchise as fans would hope. Almost going backward (even in animation visuals), it’s 1 step forward, and 5 steps back for Poppy, Branch and the Trolls universe. Without a creative, relatable story this time around, the villains are “meh,” the story is overall “meh,” and the songs while good – aren’t good enough to anchor a third, and tired sequel. Catchy songs without substance won’t save the sequel.
That’s not to say that this sequel is CRINGE either. But both my daughter and I looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders, and left the theater kind of indifferent. Trolls is no doubt a DreamWorks franchise triumph. I mean, Universal is dedicating an entire Trolls area. But without that spark, passion and creativity – Trolls 3 is just overplayed.
And sorry, parents. In 3 words, not enough *NSYNC.
Follow Trolls Band Together on social media:
- Website: https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/trolls-band-together
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksTrolls
- Twitter (“X”): https://twitter.com/Trolls
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Trolls
- #TrollsBandTogether
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Trolls Band Together, the all-new DreamWorks Trolls 3 animated film sequel is touring in theaters starting on Friday November 17, 2023. Will your family be watching?
I screened the new 2023 Trolls 3 sequel film in exchange for this Trolls Band Together Movie Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of DreamWorks/Universal Pictures. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
Jess says
Hi Christie,
Thanks for reviewing the movie and sharing your thoughts.
Is there any reference to lgbt at all in this movie? It seems that most of these new movies for kids are really pushing that idea on their little minds.
Please let me know. Thank you so much
christie says
Honestly, I did not feel Trolls 3 had any LGBTQ+ themes. There were some rainbow banners hanging in the film, but I didn’t associate that with anything other than colorful visuals.