Stuart Little 2 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Stuart Little 2

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2002

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A talking mouse and a cat rescue a bird—sounds cute, but this 2002 sequel is more 'meh' than memorable.

5.5/10

82%

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Stuart Little 2

movie

PG, 2002

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A talking mouse and a cat rescue a bird—sounds cute, but this 2002 sequel is more 'meh' than memorable.

5.5

82%

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5.5/10

82%

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the thing: Stuart Little 2 is perfectly safe, reasonably wholesome, and will not offend anyone. It's also pretty boring.

That 42% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the 82% critic score? That's the sound of families politely sitting through a movie that technically does everything right but never really clicks. The CGI looks dated, the plot is predictable, and it's been 20+ years—there are just so many better family adventure options now.

If your kid is specifically into Stuart Little (maybe they read the books or loved the first movie), sure, throw it on. But if you're browsing Netflix looking for something to watch, you can probably skip this one without FOMO. It won't harm anyone, but it won't stick with anyone either.

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-8, that sweet spot where talking animal movies still feel magical and the simple plot won't bore them. Older kids will likely find it too babyish and dated, while younger ones might get a bit anxious during the rescue scenes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Family-friendly sequel with themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage. Models cooperation between Stuart and his former adversary Snowbell as they work together to rescue a friend. The tone is gentle and appropriate for young viewers, with positive messages about helping others and overcoming differences. No concerning emotional content or inappropriate behavior.

Imaginative

The premise of a talking mouse having adventures in New York City offers some whimsy, and the rescue mission across town provides adventure elements. However, as a sequel, it's fairly formulaic—another rescue plot without particularly innovative storytelling. The CGI talking animals were impressive in 1999 but by 2002 were already becoming standard. Limited invitation for creative thinking or exploration beyond passive viewing.

Safe

Very safe for young audiences with Common Sense Media rating it for age 6+. Mild peril typical of family adventure films but nothing genuinely frightening or traumatic. No violence, gore, sexual content, or inappropriate language. The stakes are clear and age-appropriate. Some mild tension during the rescue sequences but nothing that would shock or disturb young viewers.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value beyond basic entertainment. Teaches simple lessons about friendship and bravery, but doesn't offer much cognitive challenge or deep character development. The 82% critic score suggests competent filmmaking, but the 42% audience score and 5.5 IMDb rating indicate it didn't resonate meaningfully even with its target demographic. Provides some entertainment but minimal lasting impact or skill-building.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely safe and wholesome content that won't surprise you with anything inappropriate
Positive messages about unlikely friendships and working together despite differences
Short runtime means if your kid isn't into it, you're not trapped for two hours
Available on Netflix and Tubi, so easy to access without extra costs

⚠

What to Watch For

The massive critic/audience score gap (82% vs 42%) tells you everything—adults thought it was fine, kids and families found it boring
Early 2000s CGI that looks pretty rough by today's standards, which may pull kids out of the story
It's a sequel, so references to the first film might be confusing if your kid hasn't seen it
Mild peril during rescue scenes—nothing intense, but younger sensitive kids might need reassurance

Conversation Starters

"Stuart and Snowbell used to not get along, but now they're working together. Have you ever become friends with someone you didn't like at first?"
"What would you do if your friend needed help and it seemed really hard or scary to rescue them?"
"The movie is about a mouse, a cat, and a bird being friends. Why do you think they made animals that normally don't get along into friends?"

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