What age is Mr. Popper's Penguins appropriate for?

10 alone, 9 with a parent; 8 in France. The whole movie, watched in full: what's in it, and how to talk about it with your child.

Why is Mr. Popper's Penguins not recommended under 10?

What's in it: an absent father, a dead grandfather; a zookeeper who wants the penguins; two innuendos, no swearing. The detail, fact by fact, is in the zinema guide, which reads the work itself (images, sound, dialogue).

zinema · movies · what age

Mr. Popper's Penguins: what age is it for? 10 alone, 9 with a parent

10 alone, 9 with a parent.

Movie · 2011 · 1 h 40 · comedy, family

YRS

The trailer

Alone, or with you

56789101112131415

not yetwith an adult, or to talk about afteralonethe sweet spot

Alone from 10; from 9, with an adult or by talking about it afterwards.

The sweet spot: around 10, when you like animals that misbehave, and have already waited for a parent who was too busy. Why a sweet spot?

In France, zinema would say 8.

Watch the trailerContinue in zinemathen where to watch it, in zinema · more trailers, and where to watch films · Where to stream itWhere to watch

What it's about

Tom Popper is a successful businessman who’s clueless when it comes to the really important things in life...until he inherits six “adorable” penguins, each with its own unique personality. Soon Tom’s rambunctious roommates turn his swank New York apartment into a snowy winter wonderland, and the rest of his world upside-down.

Why 10

An absent father, a dead grandfatherThe hero was raised by a father always away travelling, who dies at the start of the film; his own children see little of him, and his wife has left. Children's tears, a penguin whose egg does not hatch.
A zookeeper who wants the penguinsA man who hunts the birds with a net and a dart, a chase through a public park, a penguin that bites. All played for laughs.
Two innuendos, no swearingTwo words like "sexy" in English, a couple's scene in pyjamas; nothing else.

What the movie brings

A father who discovers that being present matters more than succeeding: the lesson is simple and well told.
Penguins that mess up everything, which makes children roar with laughter.
Jim Carrey sliding on ice in his living room.

Watching it together

Before

Say beforehand that a penguin egg does not hatch and that it is the sad moment of the film; the rest is farce.

After

at 10 and up

Popper's father sent him gifts instead of coming: can a gift replace someone?

See the facts

A moment that calls for a parent●●● · suggestedmeasured

Pace●●● · shownmeasured

A weapon shown or used●●○ · suggestedmeasured

A weapon shown or used●●○ · shownmeasured

Abandonment, separation, confinement●●○ · shownmeasured

Alcohol●●○ · shownmeasured

Creature, monster, strong villain●●○ · suggestedmeasured

Death of a character●●○ · saidmeasured

Density of dialogue●●○ · shownmeasured

Fighting, brawls●●○ · shownmeasured

Frightening imagery●●○ · shownmeasured

Humor●●○ · shownmeasured

Kissing, romantic gestures●●○ · shownmeasured

Long dark scenes, night, storm●●○ · shownmeasured

Smoking●●○ · shownmeasured

Tense music or sound●●○ · shownmeasured

Visible injury, blood●●○ · saidmeasured

A weapon shown or used●○○ · saidmeasured

Alcohol●○○ · saidmeasured

Death of a character●○○ · shownmeasured

Drugs●○○ · saidmeasured

Insults, hurtful words●○○ · shownmeasured

Jump scares●○○ · shownmeasured

Sexual innuendo, double meanings●○○ · shownmeasured

Visible injury, blood●○○ · shownmeasured

For the same age, on zinema

Tenzing 10, 9 with a parent
A Minecraft Movie 9, 8 with a parent
KPop Demon Hunters 8, 7 with a parent
Coyote vs. Acme 8, 7 with a parent

The latest guides

Arthur et la vengeance de Maltazard 10, 9 with a parent
Le Petit Spirou 8, 7 with a parent
In Your Dreams 8, 7 with a parent
Sur la piste du Marsupilami 13, 8 with a parent

A zinema reading from September 20, 2026 · the whole movie, watched in full · the age by zinema's rules for the US and France, and a human reading · report an error · how this guide is made