The "Anti-Polished" Underdog Story
If you’ve spent any time browsing The Best Family Streaming Picks on Amazon Prime, you know the platform has a lot of "fine" content that feels like it was engineered by a committee. Troop Zero is the exception. It feels handmade. While the 58 Metacritic score suggests a "middle of the road" experience, that’s mostly because critics tend to penalize movies that follow a predictable "misfits win the big race" structure.
Ignore the mid-tier critical score for a second and look at the audience reception. People like this movie because it captures the specific, itchy feeling of being a kid who doesn't fit the "correct" mold. It isn't just about a girl who wants to go to space; it’s about a group of kids who realize that the institutions meant for them—like the Birdie Scouts—are often designed to keep them out. If your kid is currently the one wearing a costume to the grocery store or correcting people about planetary orbits, this movie will feel like a hug.
A Hook for the Science-Obsessed
The core plot revolves around the NASA Golden Record, which is a fantastic real-world rabbit hole for kids. In 1977, NASA actually sent a phonograph record into space on the Voyager spacecraft, containing sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth.
The movie uses this as a high-stakes motivator, and it works. It turns a standard scout competition into something existential. It’s a great pivot point for a post-movie Google search or a deep dive into what we’d send into space today. If you have a kid who prefers non-fiction or STEM topics over typical "magic and dragons" fantasy, this is a much easier sell than your standard family dramedy.
Dealing with the 1977 "Mean Girl" Energy
The "watch for" notes mention social exclusion, and it’s worth being specific here. This isn't the sanitized, "everyone learns a lesson by the end" bullying you see in modern Disney Channel shows. Because it’s set in rural Georgia in the late 70s, the social friction is gritty. The "cool" Birdie Scouts are genuinely cruel, and the adults aren't always there to fix it.
We see a lot of media where the "outsider" status is just a quirky accessory. Here, the rejection feels heavy. It makes the eventual payoff better, but for a sensitive nine-year-old, the first half might feel a bit punishing. It’s a solid pick for that 10-13 age bracket where they are starting to navigate the reality that not everyone is going to like them, and that’s okay.
Where it Fits in the Queue
If your family has already burned through the best Amazon Prime animated movies for kids and you’re looking for a live-action transition, this is a top-tier choice. It’s got a bit more "teeth" than a standard PG movie but stays firmly within the wholesome boundaries.
Think of it as a companion piece to movies like The Sandlot or The Goonies. It’s about the power of a "found family" of weirdos. It doesn't have the high-octane pacing of a modern blockbuster, so don't expect a thrill ride. Instead, expect a character study that manages to be funny without relying on fart jokes or pop-culture references that will be dated by next week. It’s a movie with staying power.
