Eragon – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Eragon

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2006

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A farm boy finds a dragon egg and discovers he's 'the chosen one' in this painfully generic fantasy that even dragon-loving kids will struggle to sit through.

15%

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Eragon

movie

PG, 2006

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A farm boy finds a dragon egg and discovers he's 'the chosen one' in this painfully generic fantasy that even dragon-loving kids will struggle to sit through.

15%

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Screenwise Verdict

Let's be real: Eragon is widely considered one of the worst fantasy adaptations ever made. With a 15% critic score and 1.8/5 on Letterboxd, this isn't a hidden gem—it's a cautionary tale about rushing a beloved book to screen without proper care.

The plot is Star Wars with dragons. The acting is wooden. The effects were cheap even in 2006. It's safe and has dragons, which might be enough for a dragon-obsessed 9-year-old on a rainy afternoon, but don't expect anyone to actually enjoy it or ask to watch it again.

If your kid loves the books, steer them away from this—it'll only disappoint. If they just love dragons in general, maybe, but honestly there are so many better fantasy options (How to Train Your Dragon, The NeverEnding Story, even Pete's Dragon) that actually deliver on entertainment value. This one's a skip unless you've literally exhausted every other dragon-related media on the planet.

Age Fit

Best for 8-11 year olds in a deep dragon phase who aren't picky about quality. Older kids and adults will likely find it unwatchable given the poor reviews and dated execution.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Farm boy hero models courage and responsibility, though the derivative plot and wooden acting undercut emotional resonance. Themes of good vs. evil are clear, but character development is shallow. Pacing is rushed rather than chaotic, but lacks the warmth that makes fantasy truly wholesome.

Imaginative

Dragon-rider fantasy world has potential, but execution is painfully generic—a poor adaptation that strips the book's world-building. Visual effects were dated even in 2006. Offers little to spark genuine curiosity or creative thinking; feels like a paint-by-numbers fantasy that borrows heavily from Star Wars and Lord of the Rings without adding anything fresh.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 9+. Fantasy violence includes dragon battles and sword fighting, but nothing graphic or gory. No sexual content, minimal scary moments. The MPAA rating isn't listed but this is standard PG fantasy fare—predictable and safe, if uninspired.

Enriching

Minimal enrichment value. The hero's journey framework is present but executed so poorly it offers little insight into character growth or moral complexity. The 15% Rotten Tomatoes critic score and 1.8/5 Letterboxd rating reflect a film that fails to engage intellectually or emotionally. Not entertaining enough to compensate for shallow themes.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Dragons! If your kid is in that dragon-obsessed phase, the blue dragon Saphira might hold their attention for 90 minutes
Clean fantasy adventure with no inappropriate content—safe background noise if nothing else
Could spark interest in reading the original book series, which is actually much better
Short runtime (around 100 minutes) means the pain doesn't last too long

⚠

What to Watch For

Fantasy battle violence with swords and dragon fire—nothing graphic but definitely action-oriented
Your kid might get bored fast—even 9-year-olds can tell when acting and effects are subpar
If they've read the books, prepare for disappointment and complaints about how different (worse) the movie is

Conversation Starters

"What would you do if you found a dragon egg? How would you take care of a baby dragon?"
"The movie changed a lot from the book—why do you think filmmakers sometimes do that?"
"Eragon had to leave his home to go on an adventure. Would that be exciting or scary for you?"

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