My Dog Skip – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

My Dog Skip

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2000

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A shy 1940s Mississippi boy and his terrier best friend—sweet, nostalgic, and guaranteed to wreck you emotionally.

73%

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My Dog Skip

movie

PG, 2000

58%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A shy 1940s Mississippi boy and his terrier best friend—sweet, nostalgic, and guaranteed to wreck you emotionally.

73%

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Screenwise Verdict

My Dog Skip is a solid, well-made boy-and-his-dog movie with genuine heart—but let's be real, it's from 2000 and feels every bit of it. The pacing is slow, the nostalgia is thick, and modern kids raised on Pixar and Marvel might tap out before the emotional payoff.

That said, if you've got an animal-loving 9-12 year old who can handle a good cry, this delivers on themes of friendship, loyalty, and growing up. Just know going in: this dog is going to age, there will be peril, and you will need tissues. It's enriching in the way classic coming-of-age stories are, but it's not exactly appointment viewing for today's kids.

The WISE score reflects the reality: it's wholesome and emotionally enriching, but it's also dated, slow, and emotionally heavy in ways that make it a tough sell for casual family movie night. If your kid is sensitive, loves dogs, and can sit through a period piece, go for it. Otherwise, there are more engaging options on Netflix.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-13 who love animals and can handle emotionally heavy, bittersweet stories. Younger kids may find it slow; older teens will likely find it too sentimental and dated unless they're nostalgic types.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Heartwarming coming-of-age story centered on friendship, loyalty, and community. Models kindness and the transformative power of companionship. Set in 1940s Mississippi with genuine small-town warmth. Some emotional heaviness around loneliness and growing up, but handled with care.

Imaginative

Based on a memoir, so grounded in real-life nostalgia rather than fantastical or creative exploration. The dog-human bond is sweet but conventional. Limited invitation for kids to imagine, build, or explore beyond the straightforward narrative. It's a well-told story, but not particularly inventive.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 9, suggesting some emotional intensity. Set during WWII era with likely themes of war anxiety, potential bullying of a shy boy, and the inevitable aging/mortality of a pet. No graphic content, but dog-in-peril moments and emotional gut-punches are likely. Not a breezy watch—parents should be prepared for tears.

Enriching

Explores themes of friendship, overcoming shyness, community bonds, and historical context of 1940s small-town America. The boy's growth into manhood anchored by his relationship with Skip offers genuine emotional and ethical development. Strong empathy-building around loss and loyalty. Solid 7.0 IMDb and 73% RT critic score suggest meaningful storytelling.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Classic boy-and-his-dog story with genuine heart and community warmth
Explores loneliness, friendship, and growing up with emotional depth
Historical setting (WWII-era small-town America) offers a window into a different time
Strong ratings (7.0 IMDb, 73% RT) suggest quality storytelling that resonates

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What to Watch For

This is a tearjerker—expect dog peril, aging, and likely death themes that will hit hard
Pacing is slow and nostalgic; 2000 family drama may feel dated and boring to modern kids raised on Marvel
Set in 1940s Mississippi, so be ready for period-appropriate social dynamics
Best for kids who are already animal lovers and can handle bittersweet, emotional narratives

Conversation Starters

"How do you think Skip helped Willie feel less lonely and more confident?"
"What was it like growing up in a small town in the 1940s compared to today?"
"Have you ever had a pet or friend who changed your life? How?"
"Why do you think stories about dogs and their people make us feel so much?"

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