Pets on a Train – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Pets on a Train

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2025

52%

WISE Score

Talking pets vs. a grudge-holding badger on a runaway train—sounds fun, but audience scores suggest this one stayed at the station.

Pets on a Train

movie

PG, 2025

52%

WISE Score

Talking pets vs. a grudge-holding badger on a runaway train—sounds fun, but audience scores suggest this one stayed at the station.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I want to be excited about talking pets on a runaway train—that's a solid Saturday morning premise. But those audience scores are telling a story, and it's not a good one. A 2.9 on Letterboxd means even people who actively seek out and rate movies thought this was mediocre at best.

It's safe, it's got animals, it checks the basic boxes for young kids. But in a world where you can stream Zootopia, Ratatouille, or even The Secret Life of Pets, why would you choose this? The synopsis reads like Mad Libs: "[Animals] on a [vehicle] must stop [villain with grudge] with help from [roguish hero]."

If your 6-year-old is obsessed with trains and you've exhausted every other option, sure, give it a shot. But don't expect anyone to ask for a rewatch. This is the kind of movie that exists, plays, and gets immediately forgotten—which honestly might be its greatest safety feature.

Age Fit

Common Sense says 6+, which tracks for a talking animal adventure. Realistically best for ages 5-9, though even within that range, kids accustomed to higher-quality animation may find it underwhelming. Probably won't captivate beyond age 10 unless they're really into trains or badgers with grudges.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Animal adventure premise with themes of cooperation and heroism. A roguish raccoon protagonist saving others suggests positive modeling, though 'grudge-holding badger villain' introduces some conflict. The Common Sense Media age 6 rating suggests age-appropriate tone without major emotional distress. However, limited data on execution and the 'crash seems inevitable' plot point could introduce mild peril.

Imaginative

Talking animals on a runaway train is a solid fantastical premise with built-in adventure appeal. The concept invites imagination—pets as protagonists, a villain with motivations, and a hero's journey structure. However, the synopsis feels derivative of standard animated adventure formulas without clear innovative hooks. No evidence of particularly creative world-building or unique storytelling approaches.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 6, suggesting no inappropriate content for young viewers. Animal characters and adventure premise typically avoid mature themes. The 'crash seems inevitable' setup implies mild peril but likely resolved safely in typical family film fashion. No indicators of violence, scary imagery, or other concerning content. Confidence limited by lack of detailed content warnings or parental guides.

Enriching

Standard hero's journey with potential lessons about bravery and teamwork, but synopsis suggests formulaic execution. The 6.4 IMDb and 2.9 Letterboxd ratings (Letterboxd especially low—equivalent to 'meh' territory) indicate audiences found it unremarkable. No evidence of meaningful themes, skill-building, or lasting impact beyond basic entertainment. Likely forgettable rather than enriching.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Animal adventure premise appeals to young kids who love talking pet stories
Age 6+ rating means it's safe for elementary-aged viewers without surprise scares
Heroic raccoon protagonist and clear good-vs-bad setup provides straightforward moral framework
Train setting offers built-in excitement and contained adventure space

⚠

What to Watch For

That 2.9 Letterboxd rating is rough—suggests even animation fans found it forgettable or poorly executed
Runaway train premise involves mild peril that could worry very sensitive younger viewers
Generic plot may not hold attention of kids used to Pixar/Disney-level storytelling
Limited streaming info suggests it may not have wide availability

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Hans the badger was so angry? What could the other animals have done differently?"
"If your pet went on an adventure without you, what do you think they'd do?"
"Falcon is described as 'roguish'—what does that mean? Can someone be a little bit bad but still be a hero?"
"Would you rather be brave like Falcon or have a different superpower to save everyone?"

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