Mary Poppins – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Mary Poppins

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1964

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The iconic singing nanny is lovely in theory, but 139 minutes of 1960s pacing is a tough sell for kids raised on Bluey's seven-minute perfection.

7.8/10

97%

7.6

→

Mary Poppins

movie

G, 1964

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The iconic singing nanny is lovely in theory, but 139 minutes of 1960s pacing is a tough sell for kids raised on Bluey's seven-minute perfection.

7.8

97%

7.6

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7.8/10

97%

7.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Mary Poppins is a certified classic with genuinely wonderful values, imaginative sequences, and zero content concerns. Julie Andrews is perfection, the songs are iconic, and the message about family connection still resonates.

But let's be real: this is a 139-minute movie from 1964, and it shows. The pacing is slow, the acting style is theatrical, and modern kids raised on Encanto and Bluey are going to find this tough sledding. It's not that it's bad—it's that it's genuinely hard to watch for contemporary attention spans.

If you have a theatre kid, a patient child, or a nostalgic family tradition, go for it. Otherwise, maybe just show them the 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' scene on YouTube and call it a day. There's no shame in admitting that some classics are better appreciated as adults or left as cultural references rather than actual viewing experiences.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-10, but realistically only if your kid already likes slower-paced content, musicals, or classic films. Many modern 6-year-olds will tap out after 20 minutes. Theatre kids and nostalgic tweens might genuinely enjoy it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models kindness, patience, and emotional growth through a magical nanny who teaches children (and their workaholic father) about family connection. The tone is gentle and optimistic, with clear lessons about cooperation and treating others well. Loses a few points for some dated gender roles and occasional stern discipline that feels very 1960s.

Imaginative

Groundbreaking blend of live-action and animation, magical sequences that sparked generations of imaginative play (jumping into chalk drawings, tea parties on the ceiling, flying with umbrellas). The 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' whimsy and fantastical elements invite kids to dream big. This was genuinely innovative for its time.

Safe

No violence, gore, or inappropriate content. The film is gentle and predictable in structure. However, there are a few mildly intense moments: the stern bank officials can be intimidating, the chimney sweep scenes are sooty and slightly chaotic, and Mr. Banks' near-firing creates tension. Some kids might find the old man with the bird lady scene a bit sad. Overall very safe, just not completely free of emotional moments.

Enriching

Strong themes about work-life balance, the importance of family time, and seeing magic in everyday life. The father's character arc shows meaningful growth. Songs teach vocabulary and rhythm. However, the pacing is slow by modern standards, and some of the moral lessons are delivered with a heavy Victorian hand. Educational value is there, but wrapped in 139 minutes of mid-century sensibility.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely imaginative magical sequences that inspired decades of creative play (chalk drawings, ceiling tea parties, umbrella flying)
Strong message about work-life balance and being present with your kids—the dad's transformation is actually moving
Julie Andrews is iconic, and the songs are legitimately catchy (your kids will know 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' whether they've seen it or not)
Zero concerning content—this is as wholesome as it gets, perfect if you want something completely safe
Cultural touchstone that grandparents will love watching with grandkids (bonding opportunity!)

⚠

What to Watch For

Runtime is LONG—over two hours feels like an eternity in kid-time, plan for bathroom breaks and attention spans
The pacing is glacially slow by 2025 standards; kids used to rapid-fire content may check out
Some scenes can feel a bit stern or sad (the bank, the bird lady), though nothing traumatic
Gender roles are peak 1960s—the mother is a suffragette but still very much in traditional wife mode
Honestly? Most kids will find this boring unless they're already into old musicals or theatre

Conversation Starters

"If you could jump into any picture like Mary Poppins does, what would you draw?"
"Why do you think Mr. Banks was so focused on work at the beginning? What changed his mind?"
"What's your 'spoonful of sugar'—something that makes hard stuff easier?"
"Do you think Mary Poppins was really magical, or was she just really good at making boring things fun?"

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