The Mitchells vs. the Machines
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
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
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
2/5
Moderate
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a fast, colorful family animation with a playful tone, even though the story is built around a global robot uprising. The main sensitive elements are repeated chases, robot attacks, capture scenes, a threatening artificial intelligence, and a strained father daughter relationship that may affect children who react strongly to family conflict. The intensity is moderate rather than severe because the action is highly stylized and comic, with no graphic injury or realistic harm, but the danger appears often and some younger viewers may still find the invading machines unsettling. There are also emotional scenes about feeling misunderstood, disappointment, and fear of losing connection within the family, though the overall message stays warm and reassuring. For parents, the bigger issue is the film's loud pace and constant peril rather than any mature content. Watching together is especially helpful for children under 7, so an adult can reassure them during intense robot scenes and talk through the family arguments in a calm way.
Synopsis
A quirky, dysfunctional family's road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity's unlikeliest last hope.
Difficult scenes
Early in the film, there is a painful argument between Katie and her father Rick about her creativity and her upcoming departure. The scene is not physically violent, but it can affect sensitive children because it shows deep misunderstanding, frustration, and the fear that a family bond might be permanently damaged. Once the machine uprising begins, the family is chased through several public spaces by hostile robots and electronic devices. These scenes are often played for laughs, but they are still loud, fast, and full of danger, with the characters repeatedly threatened with capture, which may overwhelm younger viewers. One memorable sequence features a giant Furby chasing the family through a shopping mall. The moment is presented in an absurd and comic way, but the creature's size, strange movements, and chase atmosphere can be scary for children who are unsettled by familiar toys becoming threatening. Later, the antagonistic artificial intelligence uses a humiliating recording to deepen the conflict between Katie and her father. This moment may be harder than the action for some children because it centers on shame, disappointment, and the feeling of having hurt someone you love.
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
- Feature film
- Year
- 2021
- Runtime
- 1h 54m
- Countries
- Hong Kong, United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Studios
- Lord Miller, Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, One Cool Films
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
0/5
None
Narrative complexity
2/5
Moderate
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a fast, colorful family animation with a playful tone, even though the story is built around a global robot uprising. The main sensitive elements are repeated chases, robot attacks, capture scenes, a threatening artificial intelligence, and a strained father daughter relationship that may affect children who react strongly to family conflict. The intensity is moderate rather than severe because the action is highly stylized and comic, with no graphic injury or realistic harm, but the danger appears often and some younger viewers may still find the invading machines unsettling. There are also emotional scenes about feeling misunderstood, disappointment, and fear of losing connection within the family, though the overall message stays warm and reassuring. For parents, the bigger issue is the film's loud pace and constant peril rather than any mature content. Watching together is especially helpful for children under 7, so an adult can reassure them during intense robot scenes and talk through the family arguments in a calm way.
Synopsis
A quirky, dysfunctional family's road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity's unlikeliest last hope.
Difficult scenes
Early in the film, there is a painful argument between Katie and her father Rick about her creativity and her upcoming departure. The scene is not physically violent, but it can affect sensitive children because it shows deep misunderstanding, frustration, and the fear that a family bond might be permanently damaged. Once the machine uprising begins, the family is chased through several public spaces by hostile robots and electronic devices. These scenes are often played for laughs, but they are still loud, fast, and full of danger, with the characters repeatedly threatened with capture, which may overwhelm younger viewers. One memorable sequence features a giant Furby chasing the family through a shopping mall. The moment is presented in an absurd and comic way, but the creature's size, strange movements, and chase atmosphere can be scary for children who are unsettled by familiar toys becoming threatening. Later, the antagonistic artificial intelligence uses a humiliating recording to deepen the conflict between Katie and her father. This moment may be harder than the action for some children because it centers on shame, disappointment, and the feeling of having hurt someone you love.