Lava
Lava
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Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
0/5
None
Fear
1/5
Mild
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Lava is a musical animated short with a very stylized, soothing visual style, telling a gentle story about loneliness and hope between two personified volcanoes. The main sensitive elements are emotional rather than physical, especially the central character's isolation, sadness, and gradual sinking into the ocean, which some young children may interpret as a form of disappearance or loss. There is no real violence, no villain, no harsh language, and nothing intensely frightening, but the wistful mood is present for a significant part of the short. For most children around age 4 and up, it should be easy to handle, especially if an adult is nearby to reassure them and help name the feelings of longing, waiting, and connection.
Synopsis
Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, Lava is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.
Difficult scenes
The most sensitive moment is when Uku watches pairs of animals together and sings about his deep loneliness. Young children may feel his sadness quite strongly because the short emphasizes his wish to be loved and the very long stretch of time in which he remains alone. Another potentially affecting passage shows Uku gradually sinking lower into the ocean as his lava runs out. Even though the scene stays gentle and poetic, some children may read it as death or permanent disappearance, which could lead to sadness or questions.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Short film
- Year
- 2015
- Runtime
- 7m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- James Ford Murphy
- Main cast
- Napua Greig, Kuana Torres Kahele
- Studios
- Pixar
Content barometer
Violence
0/5
None
Fear
1/5
Mild
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Lava is a musical animated short with a very stylized, soothing visual style, telling a gentle story about loneliness and hope between two personified volcanoes. The main sensitive elements are emotional rather than physical, especially the central character's isolation, sadness, and gradual sinking into the ocean, which some young children may interpret as a form of disappearance or loss. There is no real violence, no villain, no harsh language, and nothing intensely frightening, but the wistful mood is present for a significant part of the short. For most children around age 4 and up, it should be easy to handle, especially if an adult is nearby to reassure them and help name the feelings of longing, waiting, and connection.
Synopsis
Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, Lava is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.
Difficult scenes
The most sensitive moment is when Uku watches pairs of animals together and sings about his deep loneliness. Young children may feel his sadness quite strongly because the short emphasizes his wish to be loved and the very long stretch of time in which he remains alone. Another potentially affecting passage shows Uku gradually sinking lower into the ocean as his lava runs out. Even though the scene stays gentle and poetic, some children may read it as death or permanent disappearance, which could lead to sadness or questions.