Is it really as scary as people say?

It's not 'horror' scary, but it is 'intense' scary. The threat to the animals feels very high-stakes, and the lighting is often dark and moody. The pit bull scene is the specific one to watch out for.

Do we need to see the first one to understand this?

Not strictly, but it helps. The movie starts right where the first one ends, and knowing Babe’s backstory as a 'sheep-pig' makes his character in the city much more meaningful.

Why is the audience score so much lower than the critic score?

Critics loved the ambition and the visuals, but many parents in 1998 were expecting a cute farm movie and got a dark, surreal urban adventure instead. It was a classic 'bait and switch' that polarized people.

Babe: Pig in the City – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Babe: Pig in the City

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1998

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A surreal, slightly trippy sequel that trades the rolling hills for a neon-drenched urban fever dream.

67%

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Babe: Pig in the City

movie

G, 1998

78%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A surreal, slightly trippy sequel that trades the rolling hills for a neon-drenched urban fever dream.

67%

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67%

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Screenwise Verdict

If the first Babe was a warm hug, Pig in the City is a beautiful, confusing, and occasionally scary dream. It’s one of the most ambitious sequels ever made, but it’s definitely not the 'safe' farm movie you might be expecting.

It’s a masterpiece of production design and practical effects, but the audience score is low for a reason: it’s weird. If your kid likes stories that are a little off-beat and can handle some high-stakes tension, this is a must-watch. If they’re easily rattled by animals in danger, maybe stick to the first one.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8 and up. While it's rated G, the 'weird' factor and the intensity of the animal peril make it a tough sell for toddlers who just want to see a cute piggy.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Babe remains the gold standard for politeness and empathy, but the world around him in this sequel is significantly meaner, grimmer, and more chaotic than the first film.

Imaginative

George Miller created a surreal, storybook version of a city that feels like a fever dream. It is visually stunning and completely original compared to standard talking-animal sequels.

Safe

While there's no gore or profanity, there is intense animal peril—including a pit bull nearly drowning and a very dark, claustrophobic atmosphere that can be genuinely scary for younger kids.

Enriching

It’s a masterclass in the 'kindness as a superpower' trope. It tackles complex themes like urban isolation and the treatment of the 'other' with surprising depth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Visual masterpiece: The city is a stunning mashup of world landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty, creating a unique, storybook vibe.
Radical kindness: Babe’s refusal to be anything but polite, even when surrounded by cynical city animals, is a great character study for kids.
Director's vision: This was directed by George Miller (the Mad Max guy), and you can feel that kinetic, slightly wild energy in every frame.
Practical effects: The animatronics and animal training are top-tier, holding up much better than the CGI-heavy movies of the 2010s.

⚠

What to Watch For

The pit bull scene is legendary for being terrifying; a dog gets hung by its collar over water and nearly drowns. It’s high-stress and might be too much for sensitive viewers.
The overall tone is much darker than the original. It feels less like a farm comedy and more like an urban odyssey with moments of genuine sadness and cruelty.
There's a scene involving animal capture that can feel quite traumatic for kids who are particularly attached to pets.

Conversation Starters

"Babe is always polite, even to the animals who are mean to him. Does that actually work in the real world?"
"Why did the city animals act so differently than the animals on the farm?"
"The city in the movie looked like a bunch of different famous cities mixed together. Which parts did you recognize?"
"How did Babe change the lives of the other animals he met in the hotel?"

Deep Dive

The Mad Max of Pig Movies

You have to understand who made this: George Miller. The same guy who gave us Fury Road. Once you know that, the frantic energy and the bizarre, slightly dystopian city make total sense. Miller didn't want to just repeat the 'pig wins a contest' beat; he wanted to explore what happens when a pure soul enters a corrupt world.

Modern kids might find the pacing a bit different from the hyper-speed of current animation, but the visuals are so dense and interesting that it usually keeps them hooked. The hotel for animals is a standout set piece, filled with chimps in clothes and a variety of 'misfit' creatures that feel like they stepped out of a Dickens novel.

"A kind and steady heart can mend a broken world."

That’s the core message here, and it’s delivered without being too sappy. However, the 'Safe' score is lower because this movie doesn't pull its punches. When animals are in danger, it feels real. The scene with the Bull Terrier is a core memory for many 90s kids—it’s intense, loud, and dark. If you're watching this with a 7-year-old, stay close for that part.

Ultimately, this is for families who want something with more 'art' than your average talking-dog flick. It’s a cult classic for a reason, and it’s worth a watch just to see how far a director was willing to push a G-rated property in 1998.

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