Greenland: Migration – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Greenland: Migration

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2024

52%

WISE Score

The disaster-thriller sequel nobody asked for—more comet chaos, more bloody survival, same family-in-peril formula.

Greenland: Migration

movie

TP, 2024

52%

WISE Score

The disaster-thriller sequel nobody asked for—more comet chaos, more bloody survival, same family-in-peril formula.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, if your 13-year-old is itching for a disaster movie night and you've already exhausted the Marvel catalog, this will do the job. It's a competent sequel to a competent original—expect lots of explosions, family drama, and that relentless 'the world is ending' vibe.

But let's be real: this isn't breaking new ground. It's the same formula—comet fragments, collapsing cities, desperate parents protecting their kid—just with a 'Migration' subtitle. The PG-13 violence and bloody images mean it's genuinely too intense for younger kids, and Common Sense Media's 12+ recommendation from the original holds here.

For families with teens who can handle the intensity, there's some value in the survival ethics and family sacrifice themes. But if your kid is sensitive to disaster imagery or you're looking for something uplifting, this ain't it. It's fine. It's watchable. It's not essential viewing.

Age Fit

Best for teens 12 and up who can handle intense disaster imagery, violence, and emotional weight. Younger or sensitive kids will likely find it frightening and disturbing. Adults who enjoy disaster thrillers will find it watchable but unremarkable.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

As a disaster thriller sequel, this carries the same intense, emotionally heavy tone as the original—focusing on survival, family sacrifice, and global catastrophe. The PG-13 rating signals 'some strong violence, bloody images, and action.' While family bonds are central, the relentless disaster scenarios, angry mobs, and life-or-death stakes create a chaotic, frightening atmosphere unsuitable for younger viewers. It's not exploitative, but it's far from emotionally gentle.

Imaginative

Disaster thrillers follow a fairly predictable formula: catastrophe strikes, family tries to survive, infrastructure collapses, people make hard choices. The original Greenland didn't break new ground narratively. Without details on the sequel's plot, it's likely more of the same—competent execution of a familiar genre. There's spectacle in the destruction sequences, but limited invitation for creative thinking or exploration beyond 'what would I do in this scenario?'

Safe

Common Sense Media rated the original appropriate only for ages 12+, citing 'graphic violence and intense disaster imagery.' The sequel carries the same PG-13 for 'strong violence, bloody images, and action.' Expect gun fights, collapsing buildings, explosions, bloodied visuals, occasional profanity, and an 'upset feeling' throughout. Kids under 12 could find this genuinely frightening and disturbing. The content isn't gratuitous, but it's definitely not safe for younger or sensitive viewers who might stumble into it.

Enriching

Disaster films can spark conversations about preparedness, family loyalty, ethical choices under pressure, and how societies respond to crisis. The original portrayed realistic human behavior—both heroic and selfish—which offers some moral complexity. For teens who can handle the intensity, there's value in discussing themes of resilience and sacrifice. But it's primarily entertainment-driven spectacle, not a deep meditation on anything. Decent discussion fodder, not transformative.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If your teen loved the original Greenland, this delivers more of the same high-stakes disaster spectacle
Family loyalty and sacrifice are central themes—good fodder for discussing what matters in a crisis
Realistic portrayal of human behavior under pressure (both heroic and selfish) offers some moral complexity
Can spark conversations about emergency preparedness and how societies respond to catastrophe

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What to Watch For

Intense disaster sequences with collapsing infrastructure, explosions, and bloodied visuals—genuinely frightening for kids under 12
Gun fights, angry mobs, and an overall 'upset feeling' throughout; Common Sense Media recommends 12+ for the original
Occasional strong language and PG-13 violence that may be too much for sensitive viewers
It's a sequel to a formulaic disaster film, so expect predictable beats and not much narrative innovation

Conversation Starters

"If we had to evacuate in an emergency, what would our family plan be?"
"The movie shows people acting selfishly and heroically—what do you think you'd do under that kind of pressure?"
"How do you think governments should handle a global disaster? What's fair when resources are limited?"
"What did you think about the family's choices? Would you have done anything differently?"

Deep Dive

The logistics of the apocalypse

The first movie succeeded because it wasn't about a hero saving the planet; it was about a family trying to catch a flight. It tapped into a very specific parental anxiety—the fear of being separated from your kid in a crowd or losing a life-saving medication in the chaos. Migration doubles down on that grounded stress. Instead of just dodging meteors, we’re watching the family navigate the "new normal" of a scorched, frozen earth.

If your teen is into the survivalist vibes of The Last of Us or the high-stakes tension of A Quiet Place, they’ll find this familiar. It’s less about the spectacle of things blowing up and more about the friction of human desperation. You can find more on the specific intensity levels in our Greenland 2 Parents Guide: Rated PG-13 for Intense Action.

Beyond the bunker

While the first film was a race against the clock, this one is a marathon. The "Migration" part of the title isn't just flavor—it's the whole plot. We're seeing the transition from "hide and wait" to "move or die." This shift makes the movie feel a bit more like a road-trip-from-hell than a standard disaster flick.

For parents, the interesting part is the moral gray area. The characters aren't always making "good" choices; they're making survival choices. It’s a great entry point for talking about Greenland: Migration — Survival, Scares, and Family Grit and how "good people" act when the social contract evaporates. It’s less about the "why" of the comet and more about the "how" of staying human when everything else is gone.

The "Nihilist Penguin" factor

If your kid is asking to see this, there’s a decent chance they’ve seen the "Nihilist Penguin" meme circulating on TikTok. It’s a weird cultural byproduct of the film’s bleakest moments that has taken on a life of its own. It’s worth knowing that while the internet is making jokes, the actual movie is pretty grim. We’ve got a breakdown of Greenland: Migration and the ‘Nihilist Penguin’ Meme if you want to understand why your 14-year-old is suddenly obsessed with a flightless bird in a wasteland.

If you're looking for a breezy Friday night, this isn't it. But if you want a movie that treats its audience like they can handle a little grime and some difficult questions, it delivers. Just be prepared for the "what would we do?" conversation that inevitably follows the credits. Check out Beyond the Bunker: A Parent’s Guide to Greenland: Migration for a deeper look at those survivalist themes.

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