Set in a world that used to be full of wonder and magic, Onward shows us a society that took the easy way out. Why learn a complex lighting spell when you can just flip a light switch?

The story follows Ian Lightfoot, a teen who never met his father, and his older brother Barley, a history-obsessed "screw-up" who spends his time playing a Dungeons & Dragons style game called Quests of Yore. When Ian turns 16, their mom gives them a gift left behind by their dad: a wizard’s staff and a spell to bring him back for one day.

The spell goes sideways, only bringing back their dad’s legs, and the brothers have to go on a literal quest in a beat-up van named Guinevere to find a gem that will finish the job before the sun sets.

One of the coolest things about Onward is its commentary on technology and convenience. The world of New Mushroomton has traded its "spark" for smartphones and airplanes. It’s a subtle but effective metaphor for our own digital lives.

Barley, the older brother, is the only one who still cares about the "old ways." While the rest of the world is scrolling, he’s looking at maps and studying lore. It’s a great entry point for a conversation about what we lose when we choose the path of least resistance—or the most screen time.

Learn more about balancing digital convenience with real-world adventure

Pixar has a PhD in making adults sob in a darkened theater, but Onward handles loss differently than Up or Coco.

Because Ian never knew his father, his grief is a "grief of absence." He’s mourning a person who is a blank space in his life. This is incredibly relatable for kids who have lost a parent young or have an estranged family member. The movie doesn't dwell on the death itself; it focuses on the longing for connection.

The "Half-Dad" (the legs) is a stroke of genius. It turns a heavy concept into physical comedy. By interacting with just the legs, the boys—and the audience—get to experience the father’s personality through dance and touch rather than heavy dialogue.

While the quest is about finding Dad, the movie is actually about the relationship between Ian and Barley.

If you have a "Barley" in your house—the loud, obsessive, seemingly unmotivated kid—this movie is a love letter to them. Barley is often dismissed by society (and his brother) as a loser, but his deep knowledge of his hobbies (essentially Magic: The Gathering and tabletop RPGs) is exactly what saves the day.

It reframes "nerdy" obsessions as a form of expertise and passion. It also shows the beauty of a sibling who steps into a parental role without even realizing they’re doing it.

Recommended Age: 7+

While the movie is rated PG, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Check out our guide on talking to kids about LGBTQ+ characters in media

Ian starts the movie as an anxious, fearful kid who can't even merge into traffic. By the end, he’s literally walking on air (using a trust spell). It’s a fantastic visual representation of building self-confidence. If you have a kid struggling with anxiety, Ian’s journey is a great talking point.

Barley’s obsession with the Quests of Yore boardgame is what provides the map, the rules, and the logic for their journey. In a world that tells kids to "focus on what matters," this movie argues that what a kid loves—even if it’s a "brain rot" game or a niche hobby—might actually be their greatest strength.

The ending of Onward is one of Pixar's boldest moves. Without spoiling it, the movie challenges the idea that a family has to look a certain way to be "complete." It honors the people who show up every day, rather than the "ideal" version of a family we might have in our heads.

If you watch Onward for family movie night, here are a few questions to kick off a conversation that isn't a lecture:

Ask our chatbot for more family movie night discussion prompts

Onward isn't just a "D&D movie." It’s a deeply empathetic look at what it means to grow up without a piece of your puzzle. It’s funny, the world-building is clever (look for the "Mountain Doom" brand soda), and it offers a healthy way to look at grief and sibling loyalty.

It’s a "must-watch" for families with siblings, especially if you have a teen who feels like they don't quite fit the mold. Just make sure you have some tissues nearby for the final ten minutes. You’ve been warned.