The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1998

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The third Toaster sequel nobody asked for—talking appliances go to Mars in this 1998 direct-to-video snoozefest that even nostalgia can't save.

5.7/10

50%

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The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

movie

G, 1998

35%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

The third Toaster sequel nobody asked for—talking appliances go to Mars in this 1998 direct-to-video snoozefest that even nostalgia can't save.

5.7

50%

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50%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'm not going to sugarcoat this: The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars is a textbook example of a direct-to-video cash-grab from Disney's late-90s sequel factory. The animation is rough, the story is thin, and the charm of the original is completely absent.

The ratings tell the whole story—50% critics, 45% audience, 5.5 on IMDb, 2.9 on Letterboxd. This isn't a hidden gem; it's a movie that exists because the first one was beloved and someone thought they could squeeze more money out of the IP.

Is it safe? Absolutely. Will it traumatize your kid? No. Will they actually want to watch it, or will they wander off to play with their actual toys instead? Probably the latter. Even for background noise while you fold laundry, there are better options on Disney+.

If your preschooler is somehow a die-hard Brave Little Toaster completist, fine, let them watch it once. Everyone else can skip this Mars mission entirely.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 4+, and that tracks—it's harmless enough for preschoolers. But realistically, even young kids today will struggle to stay engaged with this dated, low-budget sequel. Best for the 4-7 range if they're already Toaster fans, but even then, you're better off rewatching the 1987 original.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Direct-to-video sequel features anthropomorphic appliances helping their owner, modeling teamwork and loyalty. The premise is gentle and cooperative, though the execution is significantly weaker than the original 1987 film. Tone is generally kind but the pacing and story coherence suffer from budget constraints typical of late-90s Disney sequels.

Imaginative

A Mars adventure with talking appliances has inherent imaginative appeal, and the sci-fi setting offers some creative potential. However, reviews suggest the execution is uninspired and derivative—this is the third film in a franchise that was already stretching thin. The 'going to Mars' concept feels more like a gimmick than genuine creative exploration. Letterboxd's 2.9/5 and 45% audience score on RT indicate viewers found it lacking in originality.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this for age 4+, indicating minimal concerning content. As a Disney direct-to-video family animation, it avoids violence, mature themes, or scary content. The appliance characters are non-threatening and the conflicts are mild. No red flags in terms of inappropriate content for young viewers.

Enriching

Limited enrichment value beyond basic friendship themes. The original Brave Little Toaster had genuine emotional depth and existential undertones; this third sequel is a cash-grab that offers little cognitive or ethical growth. The 5.5 IMDb rating and 50% critic score suggest even forgiving audiences found it hollow. Entertainment value is also questionable—this is the kind of movie that plays in the background while kids ignore it.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Completely safe for even very young kids—no scares, violence, or inappropriate content
If your 4-year-old is obsessed with the original Toaster movies, this exists as more content
Teaches basic cooperation and loyalty themes through the appliance characters
Short runtime means it'll be over quickly

⚠

What to Watch For

Dated late-90s direct-to-video animation quality that looks rough even by 1998 standards
Kids will likely be bored—the 45% audience score and 2.9/5 Letterboxd rating tell the story
This is the third sequel in a franchise that peaked with the first film; diminishing returns are real
Better Mars adventures exist (Wall-E, anyone?)

Conversation Starters

"What would your toys or appliances say if they could talk?"
"Why do you think the toaster and friends wanted to help their owner?"
"If you could go to Mars, what would you want to see there?"

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