Stuart Little – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Stuart Little

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1999

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A plucky talking mouse gets adopted and proves that family isn't about size—it's about heart (and tolerating a scheming cat).

66%

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Stuart Little

movie

PG, 1999

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A plucky talking mouse gets adopted and proves that family isn't about size—it's about heart (and tolerating a scheming cat).

66%

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Screenwise Verdict

Stuart Little is a perfectly fine family movie that checks all the safety boxes and delivers a sweet message about acceptance and courage. The voice acting is solid, the story is earnest, and there's nothing here that'll make you panic if your 7-year-old stumbles onto it.

That said, it's very much a product of 1999. The CGI looks clunky, the pacing feels slow, and the audience scores reflect what a lot of parents already know: this is more 'background movie at Grandma's house' than 'must-watch classic.' Kids raised on Pixar and Marvel will probably check out halfway through.

If you've got a 6- or 7-year-old who likes gentle animal stories and you need something genuinely safe, Stuart Little works. Just don't expect them to be riveted—or to ask for a rewatch.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6–10. The themes and humor are pitched at early elementary kids, and the mild peril is appropriate for that age. Older kids and teens will likely find it too slow and dated, though nostalgic adults might enjoy revisiting it.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models acceptance, kindness, and perseverance through Stuart's journey to fit into his adoptive family. The emotional beats around belonging and sibling dynamics are age-appropriate, and the humor stays light without being mean-spirited. Some brief tension with Snowbell trying to eat Stuart, but it's cartoonish rather than genuinely disturbing.

Imaginative

The core premise—a talking mouse adopted by a human family—is whimsical and the 1999 CGI-live-action blend was innovative for its time. Stuart's tiny-scale adventures (pee-wee soccer, navigating a human-sized world) spark creative thinking about perspective and size. However, the story itself is fairly straightforward and doesn't push boundaries or invite deep creative exploration beyond the initial concept.

Safe

Rated PG with minimal content concerns: brief mild language (B rating), no sexual content, no profanity (B+ rating), no substance use. The 'violence' is cartoonish cat-vs-mouse antics that never get graphic. Common Sense Media marks it for age 6+, and parent reviews consistently note it's family-friendly with no surprise inappropriate content. The only mild tension comes from Snowbell's predatory moments, which are played for laughs.

Enriching

Solid themes of acceptance, family bonds, and courage despite size/differences. Stuart's determination and the family's journey toward inclusion offer meaningful takeaways about belonging. The voice acting (Michael J. Fox, Nathan Lane) adds charm. However, it's primarily entertainment-focused rather than deeply thought-provoking—kids will enjoy it but won't necessarily walk away with complex insights or new skills.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Sweet, earnest story about acceptance and finding your place in a family that doesn't look like you
Michael J. Fox and Nathan Lane bring genuine charm to Stuart and Snowbell—the voice acting holds up
Cartoonish cat-and-mouse hijinks that are funny without being mean or scary
Themes of perseverance and kindness are front-and-center without being preachy
A genuinely safe family movie night pick for younger kids (6+) with no surprise inappropriate content

⚠

What to Watch For

The CGI is very 1999—Stuart looks a bit plasticky and the effects won't wow modern kids used to Pixar-level animation
Snowbell's repeated attempts to eat Stuart might be slightly tense for very sensitive kids, though it's always played for laughs
The pacing can feel slow by today's standards—this isn't a high-energy Marvel movie
Audience scores are middling (41% on RT, 2.9/5 on Letterboxd)—nostalgia factor is real, but kids today might find it a bit boring

Conversation Starters

"How do you think George felt when his parents brought home a mouse instead of a human brother? Have you ever felt left out or worried about a new sibling or friend?"
"Stuart is really small but super brave. What's something you've done that felt scary but you did it anyway?"
"Why do you think Snowbell was so mean to Stuart at first? What made him change his mind?"
"If you could be any size—tiny like Stuart or giant—what would you want to do?"

Deep Dive

If you’re coming to Stuart Little with memories of the late 90s, you might be surprised by how much the audience reception has cooled. While critics were reasonably kind back in the day, modern viewers tend to treat it like a weird fever dream. Part of that is the premise. The Little family goes to an orphanage to find a brother for George and comes home with a talking white mouse. They don't just treat him like a pet; they buy him tiny luggage and expect him to brush his teeth. It’s a level of commitment to the bit that requires you to just lean into the absurdity.

The Michael J. Fox Factor

The movie works because of the voice cast. Michael J. Fox is the reason Stuart feels like a character rather than a tech demo. His performance is all heart and zero cynicism, which is a hallmark of the Michael J. Fox family movie legacy. He makes Stuart feel like a real person in a way the 1999 CGI—which looks a bit like a moving marshmallow these days—occasionally fails to do.

If your kids are used to the hyper-realism of modern animation, Stuart might look "off" to them. But Fox’s voice carries the emotional weight of a kid just trying to fit in. It’s a great example of how Michael J. Fox classics still win family movie night by focusing on resilience and character rather than just flashy visuals.

Nathan Lane and the "Cat Problem"

While the humans (Hugh Laurie, Geena Davis, and Jonathan Lipnicki) are perfectly lovely and earnest, the real energy comes from the animals. Nathan Lane provides the necessary friction as Snowbell. He’s basically a mob boss in a fur coat, plotting Stuart’s demise because of the sheer social embarrassment of having a mouse for a master.

If you’ve followed Nathan Lane's career from Hakuna Matata to his recent hits, you know he’s the king of the "annoyed sidekick" archetype. His banter with the other neighborhood cats provides the only real "edge" in the movie. It’s never actually scary, but it keeps the story from becoming too sugary.

Why it still sits on the shelf

This isn't a movie that tries to be "cool" or "meta." It’s an earnest story about adoption and belonging. The friction isn't about world-ending stakes; it’s about a little boy (played by Jonathan Lipnicki) who wanted a human brother to play catch with and ended up with a mouse.

The boat race in Central Park is the big set-piece, and it’s genuinely well-staged. It gives Stuart a moment of agency that justifies the family’s faith in him. If you have a kid who feels "small" in their own world, this hits the right notes without being preachy. It’s a gentle, uncomplicated watch that works best when you aren't looking for a high-octane blockbuster. Just don't be surprised if your kids have questions about the logistics of a mouse driving a remote-controlled car through New York City traffic.

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