Five Children and It – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Five Children and It

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2004

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A grumpy sand-fairy grants wishes in this 2004 adaptation that's safe but struggles to bring E. Nesbit's magic to life.

63%

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Five Children and It

movie

U, 2004

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A grumpy sand-fairy grants wishes in this 2004 adaptation that's safe but struggles to bring E. Nesbit's magic to life.

63%

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63%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the truth: Five Children and It has all the ingredients for a charming family film—beloved source material, magical premise, safe content—but it just doesn't come together. That massive gap between critic scores (63%) and audience scores (42%) tells you everything: it's fine on paper, underwhelming in reality.

The 2004 CGI hasn't aged well, and with a 5.5/10 on IMDb and 2.8/5 on Letterboxd, this is firmly in 'meh' territory. Modern kids raised on Pixar and high-quality streaming content will likely find this slow and dated. Even the 'be careful what you wish for' lessons feel like they're delivered without much spark.

If your kid is doing a unit on E. Nesbit or you're a completist for classic children's literature adaptations, sure, throw it on. But if you're looking for quality family movie night content that will actually hold everyone's attention? There are way better options. This one's safe but skippable.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media suggests age 8+, which feels right for the content, but honestly, the bigger question is whether kids 6-10 will stay engaged with a 2004 film that even adult audiences found underwhelming. Probably works best for families who love classic literature adaptations and don't mind dated effects.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Based on E. Nesbit's classic children's literature, the film centers on sibling cooperation and learning from mistakes through magical wish-making. The premise of wishes that last only until sunset teaches consequences in a gentle way. However, the film's execution appears to lack the warmth and charm needed to fully land these lessons—reflected in the 42% audience score.

Imaginative

A sand-fairy that grants wishes is inherently imaginative, and the wish-based premise invites creative thinking about 'what would you wish for?' scenarios. The creature design (spider-shaped body, bat ears, snail eyes) is quirky and memorable. However, the 2004 CGI likely feels dated now, and the 5.5 IMDb rating suggests the imaginative potential wasn't fully realized in execution.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this at age 8, suggesting mild content appropriate for elementary-aged kids. As a family fantasy adventure based on classic literature, there are no significant content warnings for violence, scary imagery, or inappropriate material. The grumpy sand-fairy may have some mild attitude but nothing alarming. This is straightforward family fare.

Enriching

The 'be careful what you wish for' moral has educational value, and dealing with consequences of frivolous wishes offers some ethical lessons. However, the mediocre ratings (5.5 IMDb, 2.8 Letterboxd, 42% audience) suggest the film doesn't deliver these lessons in an engaging or memorable way. It's enriching in concept but appears to fall flat in execution, making it more forgettable than impactful.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Based on E. Nesbit's beloved 1902 children's novel—solid literary pedigree
Teaches 'be careful what you wish for' lessons through magical consequences that reset at sunset
The Psammead creature design is genuinely weird and memorable (spider body, bat ears, snail eyes)
Safe family viewing with no concerning content for elementary-aged kids

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What to Watch For

Early 2000s CGI that looks pretty rough by today's standards—might feel cheesy to modern kids
That 42% audience score tells the real story: critics were kinder than actual viewers
At nearly 90 minutes, the pacing may drag for kids used to faster-paced modern content
The grumpy sand-fairy has attitude but nothing genuinely scary

Conversation Starters

"If you could make one wish that only lasted until bedtime, what would it be?"
"Why do you think the kids' wishes kept going wrong?"
"Would you rather have unlimited wishes that only last a day, or one permanent wish?"
"What's the difference between what we want and what we actually need?"

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