Bambi II – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Bambi II

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2006

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Disney's direct-to-video gap-filler about Bambi bonding with his dad—sweet enough, but you can feel the budget constraints.

6.1/10

44%

60%

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Bambi II

movie

G, 2006

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Disney's direct-to-video gap-filler about Bambi bonding with his dad—sweet enough, but you can feel the budget constraints.

6.1

44%

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6.1/10

44%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is the Disney sequel nobody asked for but got anyway because the original Bambi left a 60-year gap to fill. It's fine. Totally safe for little ones, has some sweet father-son moments, and won't traumatize anyone.

But let's be real: this is bargain-bin Disney. The animation is flat, the story is predictable, and critics gave it 44% for good reason. It's the kind of movie you put on when your preschooler has watched the original 47 times and you need a slight variation to maintain your sanity.

The themes are solid—grief, connection, courage—but the execution is forgettable. Your kid will probably enjoy it once, maybe twice, and then it'll disappear into the Disney+ algorithm forever. It's not bad, it's just... unnecessary.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-7 who loved the original Bambi and want more forest fawn content. Older kids will see right through the direct-to-video quality, and adults will be checking their phones.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Father-son bonding story with themes of grief, growth, and learning to connect. Models emotional vulnerability and cooperation. Pacing is gentle and age-appropriate, though the absent mother theme requires sensitivity.

Imaginative

Midquel that fills in a gap from the original but doesn't break new ground. Forest setting offers some natural beauty and animal characters, but it's a fairly paint-by-numbers Disney sequel without the creative spark of the 1942 original. Doesn't invite much exploration or creative thinking beyond passive viewing.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 5. No surprise violence, gore, or inappropriate content. The mother's death is already established from the first film, so no shocking trauma here. Some mild peril and scary moments (predators, forest dangers) but handled gently for young viewers. Clean Disney sequel.

Enriching

Explores grief, father-son relationships, and finding courage, which has emotional value. However, the execution is mediocre—critics gave it 44% on RT for a reason. It's not particularly memorable or impactful. Kids might learn about resilience and family bonds, but it's not going to spark deep conversations or lasting insights.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Explores father-son relationships and grief in an age-appropriate way for preschoolers
Gentler than the original—no shocking mother death scene since that already happened
Short runtime means it won't overstay its welcome
Themes of courage, belonging, and learning to connect emotionally

⚠

What to Watch For

The entire premise hinges on Bambi's mother being dead, so kids need to already be okay with that
Some mild peril with predators and forest dangers
It's a 2006 direct-to-video sequel, so expect bargain-bin animation compared to theatrical Disney
Critics weren't impressed (44% RT) and it shows—this is filler content

Conversation Starters

"How do you think Bambi's dad felt when he had to take care of Bambi all by himself?"
"What's something you wish you could teach a grown-up?"
"Why do you think it's hard for Bambi and his dad to talk to each other at first?"
"What would you do if you got separated from your family in the forest?"

Stills

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