Pinocchio – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Pinocchio

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tom Hanks and a CGI cricket try to recapture the magic, but this puppet is mostly just wooden.

27%

→

Pinocchio

movie

PG, 2022

38%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Tom Hanks and a CGI cricket try to recapture the magic, but this puppet is mostly just wooden.

27%

Jump to

Also rated on

27%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Look, we’re going to be straight with you: this is a skip. In a year that gave us two different Pinocchio movies, Disney’s live-action attempt managed to be the one that felt the least alive. It’s technically fine, but it lacks the soul, charm, and nightmare-fuel-done-right of the original.

If you want to show your kids this story, go back to the 1940 classic or check out the Guillermo del Toro version if they’re old enough for something a bit darker and much more creative. This one is just expensive wallpaper.

Age Fit

Best for kids aged 6 to 10 who haven't seen the original yet. Older kids will find it boring, and adults will likely just wish they were watching the 1940 version.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It sticks to the classic 'be brave and truthful' script, but the emotional core feels a bit hollow compared to the source material.

Imaginative

Technical CGI prowess aside, this is a beat-for-beat remake that lacks the creative spark of the original or other 2022 adaptations.

Safe

It's a Disney production through and through. Mild peril and the donkey transformation are the only real 'scary' bits.

Enriching

The moral lessons are present but delivered with so little enthusiasm that they're unlikely to stick with a modern kid.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Tom Hanks as Geppetto brings his usual warmth to a role that otherwise feels a bit thin.
Visual fidelity is high, so if your kid just wants to see what a 'real' wooden boy would look like, the tech delivers.
Classic songs are still there, providing a hit of nostalgia for parents even if the new ones don't land.

⚠

What to Watch For

The uncanny valley is real here; Pinocchio and some of the animal characters look technically perfect but feel slightly 'off' or creepy to some viewers.
The Pleasure Island sequence involves kids turning into donkeys, which remains the most disturbing part of the story, though it's toned down here.
It's genuinely slow; expect younger kids to lose interest during the middle act where the pacing drags significantly.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Pinocchio's nose grows when he lies, and why is honesty so important to Geppetto?"
"What does it actually mean to be a 'real boy'—is it about having skin, or is it about how you act?"
"If you were on Pleasure Island, would you have realized it was a trap sooner than Pinocchio did?"

Deep Dive

The Remake Nobody Asked For

There is a specific kind of fatigue that comes with the modern Disney live-action remake machine, and Pinocchio (2022) is the poster child for it. Directed by Robert Zemeckis—who usually knows his way around tech-heavy storytelling—the film feels like it was designed by a committee trying to check boxes rather than tell a story.

The Uncanny Valley Problem

One of the biggest hurdles for kids (and parents) is the visual style. While the 1940 animation allowed for expressive, whimsical movements, the hyper-realistic CGI used here makes characters like Jiminy Cricket feel a bit like taxidermy brought to life. It's a common complaint with these remakes, but it's particularly distracting here when the protagonist is literally a puppet who is supposed to be charming.

Better Alternatives

If you're looking for a Pinocchio fix, you have three clear tiers:

The Gold Standard: The 1940 original. It’s shorter, punchier, and the hand-drawn animation is still gorgeous.
The Artistic Choice: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (also 2022). It’s a stop-motion masterpiece, though it’s much darker and deals with heavier themes like war and grief. Better for the 10+ crowd.
The Background Noise: This 2022 Disney version. It’s safe to put on while you’re doing laundry, but don’t expect it to become a family favorite.

Ultimately, the Rotten Tomatoes scores don't lie on this one. When both critics and audiences land at 27%, you know you're dealing with a movie that failed to justify its own existence.

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic