Disney's Jungle Cruise is rated PG-13……..but is it scary? Can kids watch it? What ages? This no spoilers Jungle Cruise movie review will help you decide!

Insert punny joke about the backside of water (if you know, you know).  Myself (and every other epic Disney parks fan) have been WAITING for the Jungle Cruise Movie.  In fact, so have the creators.  Production on the Jungle Cruise Movie wrapped in 2018, and….you know, things happened.  In fact, when I attended D23 two years ago, Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt appeared in person and talked about the movie and I was having a hard time waiting to see it THEN.  Here we are, and we're all finally getting a chance to ride the Jungle Cruise.

As I was getting ready to screen the film, I looked up the rating.  WAIT A MINUTE, IT'S PG13??? But the ride isn't scary?!? Should I let Lydia watch it?

I've watched the Jungle Cruise Movie (twice actually) and have a lot of thoughts about WHO this movie is appropriate for and WHAT you need to know before seeing it with your kiddos.

A Mom's Jungle Cruise Movie Review: Is It Scary?

Let's talk about the PLOT.  To clarify, this is a NEW story based on the Jungle Cruise ride at both Disneyland and Disney World.  You'll see familiar characters and locations (Rosita makes an appearance, so does Trader Sam's) and get ALLLLL the backstory about the who, what, where and why of this iconic ride.

My Overall Thoughts: 

I LOVED THIS MOVIE.  The on screen chemistry with the cast is phenomenal, and the film strikes the perfect balance of funny, filled with adventure, romantic and suspenseful.  It feels very….Indiana Jones-esq in the best possible way.  Something unique that I really appreciated? The film develops each character throughly.  You learn a TON about them and it makes you even more invested in their journey.  Plus, Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt's character) is a feminist through and thorough (sure to go in the list of top girl power Disney characters).

Visually this movie is absolutely a home run.  The costumes are amazing, the special effects look OH SO REAL, and the sets? Swoon.  Plus, the coloring of the film itself, looks like….a vintage postcard.  It's beautiful, and thoughtfully done.

There are also a TON of Disney Easter Eggs in the film, so ride fans? You're bound to love it.  The Jungle Cruise Movie may just make me rewrite my list of the best Live Action Disney Movies.

How Scary is it, REALLY? 

I have to admit, I was VERY surprised at the PG 13 rating BEFORE watching the movie.  But after seeing it?  It totally made sense.  Without spoiling anything…..there are parts of the movie that felt very CREEPY.  Think Indiana Jones or Pirates of the Caribbean sort of creepy.  The special effects are VERY well done, and the visuals seem VERY real.  I could see younger kids being afraid (especially if ghosts or dead coming back to life are something that frighten them).  Will Lydia be seeing this one?Not right now.  But me? I'm watching it AGAIN tomorrow.

JUNGLE CRUISE debuts in theatres and on Disney+ with Premier Access starting July 30th.