The Boxtrolls – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Boxtrolls

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2014

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gorgeous stop-motion about a boy raised by box-wearing sewer creatures—creative and thoughtful, but with a villain scary enough to haunt dreams.

78%

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The Boxtrolls

movie

PG, 2014

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Gorgeous stop-motion about a boy raised by box-wearing sewer creatures—creative and thoughtful, but with a villain scary enough to haunt dreams.

78%

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Screenwise Verdict

The Boxtrolls is a visual feast with real heart and meaningful themes about prejudice and belonging. Laika continues to prove they're the masters of stop-motion storytelling, and the world-building here is genuinely inspired.

But let's be real: this movie is darker and weirder than most families expect. Snatcher is a proper villain—not funny-scary, but actually disturbing, especially during his cheese-induced transformation scenes. The audience score gap (78% critics vs 63% audience) tells the story: adults appreciate the craft and themes, but kids and families often find it too slow or too creepy.

It's not a cozy family movie night pick unless your kids are already into slightly unsettling animation (think Coraline, not Toy Story). But for the right kid—one who loves making things, appreciates weird humor, and can handle some genuine scares—this is a gem that respects their intelligence and rewards attention to detail.

Age Fit

Best for ages 9-13 who can handle darker themes and a genuinely menacing villain. Younger kids who loved Coraline might be ready; those who found it too scary should wait. Teens might appreciate the artistry but will likely find the story too juvenile.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Stop-motion charm with themes of found family, acceptance, and standing up to injustice. The Boxtrolls themselves are kind and cooperative creatures, and the protagonist learns to bridge two worlds. However, the villain is genuinely menacing and there's some class-based cruelty that edges into mean-spirited territory. The pacing is solid but some darker moments may feel heavy for sensitive kids.

Imaginative

Laika's stop-motion animation is stunning and inventive—the underground world of the Boxtrolls is richly detailed with gadgets, contraptions, and visual creativity. The premise of creatures living in boxes and scavenging to build things is genuinely original. The film invites curiosity about engineering, recycling, and seeing beauty in what others discard. Strong world-building throughout.

Safe

Common Sense Media suggests age 9, which tracks—there's some genuinely scary imagery (the villain's obsession with cheese causes grotesque allergic reactions, there are tense chase scenes, and the exterminator's plans involve killing the Boxtrolls). No gore or sexual content, but the villain is frightening and there are themes of child abandonment and class prejudice. Some kids will handle it fine; others might find Snatcher's transformation sequences disturbing. Not a surprise-scary movie, but definitely has edge.

Enriching

Solid messages about prejudice, not judging by appearances, and questioning authority. The film tackles class systems and how societies scapegoat the 'other.' There's meaningful character growth as Eggs learns his true identity and chooses his found family. However, the execution is sometimes heavy-handed, and the entertainment value is uneven—some sequences drag. It's thoughtful but not always engaging enough to make the lessons land with maximum impact.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Laika's stop-motion animation is genuinely breathtaking—every frame is a work of art with incredible attention to detail
Strong themes about found family, accepting differences, and questioning prejudice that can spark real conversations
The Boxtrolls themselves are adorable tinkerers who build amazing contraptions from trash—great for kids who love making things
Refreshingly weird premise that doesn't talk down to kids or simplify complex ideas about class and belonging

⚠

What to Watch For

The villain Archibald Snatcher is legitimately creepy—his cheese allergy causes disturbing physical transformations that can be gross and scary
Themes of extermination and child abandonment are heavy; some kids will find the stakes too dark
Pacing is uneven—beautiful to look at but drags in the middle, which might lose younger or less patient viewers
The humor skews darker and more British than typical American kids' fare

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the townspeople believed Snatcher's lies about the Boxtrolls? Have you ever seen people judge someone without really knowing them?"
"Eggs had to choose between his birth family and his Boxtroll family. What would you do in that situation?"
"The Boxtrolls made cool stuff out of garbage. What's something you could build or create from things people usually throw away?"
"Snatcher wanted to be part of the 'White Hats' so badly he hurt others. Why do you think some people care so much about fitting in with certain groups?"

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