Tom & Jerry – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Tom & Jerry

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Classic cat-and-mouse chaos meets live-action NYC—but critics called it 'aggressively mediocre' and parents found it tedious.

29%

→

Tom & Jerry

movie

PG, 2021

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Classic cat-and-mouse chaos meets live-action NYC—but critics called it 'aggressively mediocre' and parents found it tedious.

29%

Jump to

Also rated on

29%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a cash-grab reboot that takes beloved characters and drops them into a forgettable live-action hotel plot. The critics were brutal (29% on Rotten Tomatoes, 'soulless' per Roger Ebert), and parent reviewers called it 'tedious' despite giving it a passable grade.

If your 5- or 6-year-old is obsessed with Tom & Jerry cartoons, they might enjoy seeing the duo on the big screen—but be ready for 100 minutes of relentless chasing, hitting, and smashing with almost zero emotional payoff. The violence is cartoonish and clearly fake, so it's not traumatizing, but it's also not teaching much beyond 'conflict = chaos.'

For everyone else? Skip it. There are dozens of better family movies that deliver actual laughs, heart, and something to talk about afterward. This one's a hard pass unless you're desperate for background noise on a rainy Saturday.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media and MovieMom peg this at ages 5-8 (Kindergarten through 3rd grade). The slapstick violence is constant but cartoonish, and the thin plot won't hold older kids' attention. Honestly, even within that range, it's a tough watch—most modern kids will find it repetitive and dull.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The relentless slapstick violence—characters repeatedly smashed, electrocuted, and kicked—dominates the runtime. While it's cartoon-style and non-realistic, the film leans heavily on aggression as conflict resolution with minimal modeling of cooperation or kindness. The pacing is chaotic and the human storyline adds little emotional depth.

Imaginative

This is a paint-by-numbers adaptation that recycles the classic chase formula without adding fresh creative angles. Critics called it 'aggressively mediocre' and 'soulless,' failing to capture the original's physical comedy magic. The live-action/animated hybrid gimmick feels tired rather than inventive, and there's no invitation for kids to build, explore, or think differently.

Safe

PG rating for cartoon violence, rude humor, and brief language. The violence is exaggerated slapstick that's clearly fantastical, not realistic or gory. Brief social drinking and mild profanity appear but nothing shocking or traumatic. No sexual content, no surprise deaths, no genuinely frightening material. Kids who've seen any Tom & Jerry cartoon know exactly what they're getting.

Enriching

Minimal cognitive or ethical growth opportunities. The film is described as 'tedious' by parent reviewers, with forgettable musical numbers and a thin human plot. While there's a vague teamwork message, it's buried under repetitive chase scenes. Entertainment value is low for anyone not already nostalgic for the franchise—kids might enjoy brief moments, but there's little meaningful takeaway.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

If your kid is already a Tom & Jerry superfan, they'll recognize the familiar chase dynamics and slapstick gags
The cartoon violence is clearly fantastical and non-realistic—no gore, no genuine scares
Short enough (100 min) that younger kids won't lose interest completely
Chloë Grace Moretz brings some charm to an otherwise thin human storyline

⚠

What to Watch For

Constant, repetitive slapstick violence (hitting, kicking, electrocution)—talk to younger kids about cartoon vs. real-world conflict resolution
Brief mild profanity and social drinking scenes
The film is genuinely boring for anyone over 8—critics panned it and even nostalgic parents found it tedious
Themes about solving problems through aggression rather than cooperation

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Tom and Jerry are always fighting? Could they solve their problems a different way?"
"The movie shows a lot of hitting and chasing—would that work in real life? Why or why not?"
"What did you think was funnier: the cartoon parts or the people parts?"
"If you were Kayla, how would you have gotten Jerry out of the hotel without hiring Tom?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic