1973, Family, Animation
WISE Score
A runt pig avoids the smokehouse with the help of a literate spider and a surprisingly catchy 1970s musical score.
6.9
This is the definitive 'first sad movie' for a reason. It handles the circle of life with more honesty and less corporate fluff than almost anything released in the last decade.
The animation is definitely showing its age—expect some 1970s clunkiness and static backgrounds—but the voice acting and the Sherman Brothers' songs keep it from feeling like a museum piece. It’s a solid, intentional choice for a family movie night that actually gives you something to talk about afterward.
Perfect for ages 4 and up. Younger kids will like the animals and songs; older kids will actually grasp the deeper themes of mortality and friendship.
A foundational story about selfless friendship, sacrifice, and the cycle of life. It models deep empathy without being overly sugary.
While the 1973 animation is standard for its era, the concept of a spider using literacy to manipulate human perception is still a top-tier imaginative hook.
No violence or toxicity, but the central plot involves the threat of slaughter and the eventual death of a main character. It's emotionally heavy but safe.
It is one of the best tools for introduced kids to the concept of mortality and the value of leaving a legacy through kindness.
If you're deciding between this and the 2006 live-action remake, go with the 1973 version for the soul. Yes, the animation is dated. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera, so it has that specific 'Saturday morning cartoon' look where only the mouth and eyes move while the background stays frozen. To a kid raised on Spider-Verse, it might look primitive. But the simplicity actually works in its favor here—it doesn't distract from the weight of the dialogue.
We tend to shield kids from the reality of death, but Charlotte's Web is the gold standard for introducing it. It doesn't happen in a scary or violent way; it happens as a natural conclusion to a life well-lived. Charlotte’s death is a gut-punch because the movie spends 90 minutes making you care about her intellect and her loyalty.
One thing that often gets overlooked is the music. Richard and Robert Sherman were at the top of their game here. Songs like 'Deep in the Dark' and 'Chin Up' aren't just filler; they move the plot and help soften the blow of the farm's more 'culinary' intentions for Wilbur. It’s a musical that actually earns its runtime.
If your kid is a struggling reader, watching this after reading the book is a classic literacy move. It helps them visualize the farm and reinforces the vocabulary E.B. White famously used to respect his young readers' intelligence.
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