The Sandlot

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1993

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Nine kids, one legendary summer, and a terrifying dog that guards the greatest baseball of all time—peak 90s nostalgia for 60s childhood.

7.8/10

66%

7.5

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The Sandlot

movie

PG, 1993

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Nine kids, one legendary summer, and a terrifying dog that guards the greatest baseball of all time—peak 90s nostalgia for 60s childhood.

7.8

66%

7.5

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7.8/10

66%

7.5

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Screenwise Verdict

The Sandlot is a genuine classic that parents remember fondly, and it does deliver on wholesome friendship themes and coming-of-age warmth. The problem? It's a 1993 movie romanticizing the 1960s, which means modern kids are watching through two layers of nostalgia that aren't theirs.

The pacing is leisurely, the cultural references are dated, and honestly, a lot of kids today will struggle to connect with the slower storytelling style. That said, if your kid can get past the first 20 minutes, there's real heart here—the friendships feel authentic, the fear of The Beast is genuinely engaging, and the lessons about loyalty and facing fears land well.

Just know this works best as a 'family movie night' watch where you can provide context and share your own nostalgia, rather than something kids will independently choose over modern options. It's not unwatchable, but it requires some buy-in.

Age Fit

Best for kids 7-13 who can handle some scary moments and appreciate a slower-paced story about friendship. Older kids might find it too childish or dated, while younger ones might be frightened by the dog and drowning scenes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models strong childhood friendship, teamwork, and coming-of-age themes. The boys support each other through challenges and the film celebrates loyalty and courage. Some mild bullying/teasing between kids and occasional mild language keeps it from being perfect, but the overall tone is warm and emotionally healthy. The pacing is leisurely by modern standards but appropriate for the nostalgic summer vibe.

Imaginative

The film captures the imaginative world of childhood summers—transforming a neighborhood dog into a legendary beast, creating elaborate backstories, and living in a world where baseball is everything. However, it's more about observing childhood imagination than actively inviting kids to create or explore themselves. The nostalgic 1960s setting adds some period charm but doesn't push creative boundaries.

Safe

Generally safe family viewing with PG-level content. The 'scary' dog (The Beast) is genuinely frightening for younger kids in a few scenes, and there's a drowning/near-death sequence that creates real tension. Mild language throughout ('hell,' 'damn,' some insults), kids chewing tobacco leading to vomiting, and some crude humor (kissing lifeguard CPR fantasy). A few scenes of kids in peril. No gore, nudity, or truly inappropriate content, but not completely gentle either.

Enriching

Offers meaningful lessons about friendship, overcoming fears, acceptance of newcomers, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. The film touches on class differences, loyalty, and facing consequences. Strong nostalgia for simpler times and celebration of childhood innocence. However, it's more sentimental than deeply educational, and the entertainment value carries more weight than explicit skill-building or cognitive growth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates genuine childhood friendship and the magic of unstructured summer days—a nice antidote to overscheduled modern life
Models kids working through conflicts, accepting newcomers, and supporting each other through scary situations
The baseball-obsessed world might inspire kids to get outside and play pickup games
Touches on facing your fears and the bittersweetness of growing up in an emotionally honest way
Quotable lines that have become cultural touchstones ('You're killing me, Smalls!')

⚠

What to Watch For

The Beast (dog) scenes are legitimately scary for sensitive or younger kids—build up tension and fear
Pool drowning scene is intense and could be frightening
Kids chew tobacco and get sick (shown as a bad idea, but still depicted)
Mild language throughout and some crude boy humor (kissing fantasies, insults)
Pacing is slow and nostalgic—modern kids used to faster editing may find it draggy

Conversation Starters

"What would your perfect summer day look like? What would you do with your friends?"
"Scotty was new and didn't know how to play baseball—have you ever felt left out or had to learn something everyone else already knew?"
"The kids were terrified of The Beast but he turned out to be just a dog. Have you ever been scared of something that wasn't as bad as you thought?"
"Why do you think the boys made baseball such a big deal? What's something you and your friends care about that much?"
"The movie is set in the 1960s—what's different about how kids played back then compared to now?"

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The Sandlot – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise