Parents' Guide to

The Lego Batman Movie

Movie PG 2017 104 minutes
The Lego Batman Movie Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Betsy Bozdech By Betsy Bozdech , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 7+

Clever, creative, action-packed adventure/toy ad.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 7+?

Any Positive Content?

  • 1:03
  • The Lego Batman Movie: Batman in the Batcave
  • The Lego Batman Movie: Robin and Batman
  • The Lego Batman Movie: Batman flies the Batmobile

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 59 parent reviews

Cherlyn James
Cherlyn James Parent of 3-year-old
February 6, 2019
age 2+

So proud

"I am normally sad and lonely. No one likes me. But now, I CAN WATCH LEGO BATMAN and not look so sad. Its like I have friends"- This is what my 4 year old daughter said yesterday. So proud
MovayMomma1029
MovayMomma1029 Adult
September 1, 2018
age 12+

For Preteens and Up

Robin's real name is Dick. I'll just say it left an awkward silence between my 9 and 8 year old when we watched it for the first time on DVD the other day. I found that highly inappropriate to use a name for a kids movie. They couldve used a name like Dexter or Percy but Dick?! I loved the comedy but I am an adult (I actually laughed so hard and find the movie hilarious). My kids didnt get it. This really isn't a movie for younger kids. Your kids 10 and under won't get it. Your 3 and 4 year olds don't need to see this movie. As a 38 year old mother, I am looking forward to seeing Lego Batman 2...at least by then my kids will be old enough to get it then!
See all 59 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE, Batman/Bruce Wayne (voiced by Will Arnett), is pretty sure he's got it made -- sweet Batcave, awesome tuxedo wardrobe, endless Bat-vehicles and gadgets. But without anyone to share it with (other than long-suffering butler/minder Alfred, of course), what does it all mean? Even Gotham City's biggest bad guy, he Joker (Zach Galifianakis), can't break through Batman's "I don't need anyone" defense mechanisms. Things start changing when Batman accidentally adopts earnest young orphan Dick Grayson (Michael Cera) and meets Gotham's new police commissioner, Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson). She wants Batman to work alongside the cops, rather than as a solo vigilante. He's skeptical, but after the Joker engineers a mass breakout from the galaxy's most secure prison, the Caped Crusader may have no other choice than to finally give teamwork a try.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (59 ):
Kids say (139 ):

Smart, funny, and fast-paced, this second big-screen Lego movie shows that the first one wasn't a fluke: The folks behind this franchise definitely know what they're doing. Jokes and pop culture references fly fast and furiously in The Lego Batman Movie -- adults are likely to get a particular kick out of the many references to earlier Batman movies and TV shows -- and the animation is colorful and creative. It never gets old to see all the inventive ways that Lego pieces and characters are used, built, taken apart, and rebuilt. Plus, the writing is snappy, and the voice cast is spot on. Arnett stole the show as the Dark Knight in The Lego Movie, and he has no trouble taking center stage here. Cera's Dick Grayson/Robin is perfectly chirpy and wide-eyed; Dawson is cool, calm tough-chick perfection as Barbara; Ralph Fiennes is drolly amusing as Alfred (who gets several memorable scenes); and Galifianakis is a great mix of quirky and menacing as the Joker.

All of that said, what's particularly pleasing about this franchise (so far, at least!) is how much attention has obviously been paid to story development and positive take-aways for kids and families. No, the Lego movies aren't going to give you quite as many feels as something like Inside Out, but they've got distinct, memorable characters who change and grow over the course of their adventures in ways that even kids will understand -- in between their bouts of giggles, of course. Barbara's message to Batman -- "you can't be a hero if you only care about yourself" -- is simple and clear, but you never feel hit over the head by it because you're too busy marveling at the movie's technical achievements and clever humor. Bottom line? The Lego Batman Movie is as at least as much fun as one of Batman's tuxedo dress-up parties.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the violence/action in The Lego Batman Movie. Is it less scary because all of the people and buildings are made out of Legos? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

  • How does the Batman in the Lego movies compare to other versions of Batman you've seen in movies and/or TV shows? Why do you think Batman is usually portrayed as so serious and angry? Is he a role model?

  • How does Batman learn the importance of teamwork and humility? Why are those important character strengths?

  • The Joker is definitely a villain, but it's clear that we're also supposed to sympathize with his frustration and hurt feelings regarding his relationship with Batman. Is it OK to feel sorry for a bad guy? How did you feel about him in the end?

  • How do the Lego movies stack up to other toy-based franchises, like the Barbie or Transformers films? Does watching them make you want to get the Lego characters in the movie?

Movie Details

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