General Magic

General Magic

movie

PG, 2019

WISE
68%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

The tech documentary about the smartphone before smartphones—inspiring for teens who dream of changing the world, boring for everyone else.

IMDb7.4
RT Critics100%
MC69
Common Sense Media
Where to Watch
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Where-to-watch data byJustWatch
Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: General Magic is a genuinely good documentary with excellent ratings and meaningful lessons about innovation, failure, and resilience. It's enriching, safe, and wholesome.

But let's be real—most kids will find it boring as hell. This is niche content for teens who are already interested in how tech gets made, or adults who lived through the '90s tech boom. If your 14-year-old is coding apps or obsessed with startup culture, they'll love it. If they're a normal kid who just wants entertainment, they'll bail in 10 minutes.

The WISE score reflects this reality: high marks for what it does well, but a significant watchability penalty because it's a documentary about a failed '90s tech company. That's not exactly Marvel-level engagement for most families.

If you've got a budding entrepreneur or tech enthusiast, queue it up. Otherwise, save it for yourself and your partner on a Friday night when the kids are asleep.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13+ who have a genuine interest in technology, innovation, or entrepreneurship. Younger kids will find it boring. Adults who love tech history will genuinely enjoy this—it's not just 'educational content,' it's actually well-made.

WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78

Documentary presents a respectful, balanced look at tech pioneers and their ambitious vision. Shows both triumph and failure with empathy. Models perseverance, innovation, and handling setbacks gracefully. No toxic behavior or negative role modeling. Tone is reflective and human-centered.

Imaginative
82

Explores the visionary thinking behind smartphones and pocket computers decades before they existed. Shows creative problem-solving, innovation, and how imagination can reshape the future. Demonstrates how failure can seed later success (many General Magic alumni went on to create iPhone, Android, eBay). Inspires thinking about technology's potential and limits.

Safe
92

Documentary format with no violence, gore, sexuality, or disturbing content. Common Sense Media rates it for age 10+. Discusses business failure and disappointment but in a mature, reflective way without traumatic elements. Safe for family viewing with no surprise content.

Enriching
85

Excellent educational value about tech history, innovation, entrepreneurship, and how ideas evolve. Shows real-world lessons about ambition, timing, market readiness, and resilience after failure. Features interviews with industry legends. Provides context for understanding modern smartphones and Silicon Valley culture. Strong critical reception (100% RT, 7.4 IMDb) validates quality.

Parent Info
✓

Why It Might Be Great

  • Perfect for teens interested in tech, entrepreneurship, or innovation—shows the real messy path of creating something revolutionary
  • Teaches resilience and reframing failure: many General Magic employees went on to create the iPhone, Android, and other game-changers
  • 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and strong ratings across the board—critics loved it
  • Available free on multiple platforms (Tubi, Roku Channel, Pluto TV, etc.), so easy to access
  • Shows how ideas can be 'right' but still fail due to timing, market readiness, and execution
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What to Watch For

  • This is a documentary about tech history, not a thriller—kids under 12 will likely find it dry and boring unless they're already obsessed with how things are invented
  • Deals with themes of professional failure and disappointment, which might need context for younger viewers
  • Best for teens (13+) who have genuine interest in technology, business, or Silicon Valley culture

Conversation Starters

  • "What would you invent if you could create anything, even if people weren't ready for it yet?"
  • "Why do you think General Magic failed when the iPhone succeeded years later? What changed?"
  • "Have you ever worked really hard on something that didn't work out? How did that feel, and what did you learn?"
  • "Which is more important: having the right idea or having it at the right time?"
Stills
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