Once Upon a Forest
Once Upon a Forest
Your feedback improves this guide
Your feedback highlights guides that need a second look and keeps the rating trustworthy.
Does this age rating seem accurate to you?
Sign in to vote
Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated family adventure follows small woodland animals facing a disaster caused by humans, and its tone is gentle overall but more serious than many films aimed at very young children. The main sensitive material involves a poisonous gas spill, a young badger becoming critically ill, the explicit death of her parents, and several suspenseful sequences involving a predatory owl, dangerous machinery, and risky falls or chases. The presentation is not graphic and there is no adult content, but the threat drives much of the story and the sadness near the beginning may be upsetting for very young viewers, especially because the heroes are small and vulnerable. Parents watching with younger children may want to explain the ideas of pollution, danger, and loss in simple reassuring terms. Around age 6, many children are more likely to enjoy the adventure, teamwork, and rescue mission, though some scenes may still feel intense.
Synopsis
A young mouse, mole and hedgehog risk their lives to find a cure for their badger friend, who's been poisoned by men.
Difficult scenes
Early in the story, a truck accident releases poisonous gas into the forest. The scene creates genuine panic among the animals, then a young badger is poisoned after running into her home, and her parents are later said to have died, which may be very sad or shocking for a young child. During the journey, the heroes cross an open area and attract the attention of a large one eyed owl shown as a very threatening predator. It briefly captures one of the small animals before she escapes, and the sequence can be scary because of the owl's size, the darkness, and the feeling of helplessness. The young animal characters also have to pass through a construction site described as a dangerous territory. The heavy machines, loud atmosphere, massive moving equipment, and threat of being crushed create sustained tension, even though the presentation stays within family animation limits. Later, an attempt to collect a medicinal plant takes place high above the ground with a fragile flying machine and a clear risk of falling. The scene emphasizes danger and the fear of losing the plant or a friend, which may feel intense for children who are sensitive to heights or rescue situations.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 1993
- Runtime
- 1h 11m
- Countries
- United Kingdom, United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Directed by
- Charles Grosvenor
- Main cast
- Michael Crawford, Ben Vereen, Ellen Blain, Benji Gregory, Paige Gosney, Elisabeth Moss, Paul Eiding, Janet Waldo, Will Estes, Charlie Adler
- Studios
- Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, HTV
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
3/5
Notable tension
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
0/5
Simple
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
This animated family adventure follows small woodland animals facing a disaster caused by humans, and its tone is gentle overall but more serious than many films aimed at very young children. The main sensitive material involves a poisonous gas spill, a young badger becoming critically ill, the explicit death of her parents, and several suspenseful sequences involving a predatory owl, dangerous machinery, and risky falls or chases. The presentation is not graphic and there is no adult content, but the threat drives much of the story and the sadness near the beginning may be upsetting for very young viewers, especially because the heroes are small and vulnerable. Parents watching with younger children may want to explain the ideas of pollution, danger, and loss in simple reassuring terms. Around age 6, many children are more likely to enjoy the adventure, teamwork, and rescue mission, though some scenes may still feel intense.
Synopsis
A young mouse, mole and hedgehog risk their lives to find a cure for their badger friend, who's been poisoned by men.
Difficult scenes
Early in the story, a truck accident releases poisonous gas into the forest. The scene creates genuine panic among the animals, then a young badger is poisoned after running into her home, and her parents are later said to have died, which may be very sad or shocking for a young child. During the journey, the heroes cross an open area and attract the attention of a large one eyed owl shown as a very threatening predator. It briefly captures one of the small animals before she escapes, and the sequence can be scary because of the owl's size, the darkness, and the feeling of helplessness. The young animal characters also have to pass through a construction site described as a dangerous territory. The heavy machines, loud atmosphere, massive moving equipment, and threat of being crushed create sustained tension, even though the presentation stays within family animation limits. Later, an attempt to collect a medicinal plant takes place high above the ground with a fragile flying machine and a clear risk of falling. The scene emphasizes danger and the fear of losing the plant or a friend, which may feel intense for children who are sensitive to heights or rescue situations.