Stellar retro animated action-adventure has violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
a lot
Big guns, explosions, fist fighting. The X-Men have powers that can cause destruction and death, but the violence is cartoonish overall. Disturbing dream imagery of a giant skull-like creature, Mastermold. A villain's head is set on fire.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
As a Disney product, lots of merch is available for purchase.
Positive Messages
some
Teamwork is powerful, and the X-Men feel strongly about being part of a team. Being different is OK. Accept yourself as you are.
Positive Role Models
some
The X-Men fight for good, but their powers are often violent and destructive.
Diverse Representations
some
Storm and Bishop are Black, Jubilee presents as Asian and is voiced by an Asian actor. Morph is voiced by queer activist and voice-over actor JP Karliak. The series is also about the feeling of being "othered" and the X-Men often struggle with their relationships to their powers and the rest of the world.
Parents need to know that X-Men '97 is an animated action show that continues the adventures of the 1990s series X-Men: The Animated Series. Expect lots of fast-paced action and violence, including big guns, explosions, and fist fighting. The X-Men, including Jean Gray (voiced by Jennifer Hale) and Cyclops (Ray Chase), have powers that can cause destruction and death, but the show's violence is cartoonish overall. There's also some disturbing dream imagery of a giant skull-like creature, Mastermold, and a villain's head is set on fire. Language includes "pissed," "dirtbag," "freak," "crap," and "dang." Themes of discrimination against mutants, as well as their role alongside humans, are frequently addressed. The X-Men are serious about teamwork and care for each other as a family.
Good introduction to important political and social issues.
What's the Story?
Professor Charles Xavier is dead, and Cyclops and his team are now running his school for young people with special powers. Sentinel technology has been co-opted by vicious villains. And X-Men Jean Gray and Cyclops are thinking about leaving the team to raise their baby in normalcy. But some want revenge against Xavier's killer, Bolivar Trask. And what's revealed in his will turns the team's world upside down. How will the X-Men proceed while still fighting for their rights and the rights of others?
This outstanding series deals with lots of big issues, while still remaining a rollicking good time. X-Men '97 brings along its predecessor's 1990s vibes, while adding depth to its characters' stories. The X-Men's constant fight to be accepted, as well as do good by helping other mutants, are themes powerfully furthered here. There are some fun nods to the '90s (A rave! A Benneton fashion show!), and the animation style mimics animated X-Men of the past without looking dated. This fresh, action-packed series is a worthy addition to the Marvel universe and a great watch for families with tweens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the X-Men's world and discrimination. Would you like to have powers or not? Think about how the X-Men are treated.
Families can talk about teamwork. How do the X-Men work together to make their world a better place?
Is Magneto "good" or "bad?" What do his actions show?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Polly Conway
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
