Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Over the Hedge

film

Over the Hedge

2006

A scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that popped up while they were hibernating – and learns a lesson about family himself.

Ages 7+Source checked

Why this age? Cartoon violence, capture, traps, crashes, a threatening bear, and repeated danger may unsettle younger children, though the peril is comedic and resolves safely without graphic injury. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age7+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • Violence3/5
  • Alcohol or drugs2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Kindness & empathy4/5
  • Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising2/5
Why this rating?

Food, snacks, vending machines, and suburban consumer abundance drive the plot, though the film also satirizes excess rather than simply promoting products.

Death of a character1/5
Why this rating?

Characters are threatened with death by a bear, but no major character dies.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild insults or name-calling.

Romance1/5
Why this rating?

A minor animal romance develops between Tiger and Stella; romance is not central to the story.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

A threatening bear, animal traps, an exterminator, capture, pursuit, and dangerous machinery create sustained but comedic tension.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Very mild, brief innuendo consistent with PG animation.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Hammy is fueled by an energy drink during the climax; substance use is brief and not portrayed as serious intoxication.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Animals and adults engage in repeated cartoon chases, attacks, crashes, captures, and slapstick peril, with little lasting injury.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters face predators, traps, capture, and dangerous machinery to rescue friends and correct earlier mistakes.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

The animals invent plans, use tools and household objects, solve problems collaboratively, and adapt creatively to a changed habitat.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Diverse range of animal personalities; humans are depicted as a stereotypical suburban group.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental environmental awareness regarding habitat loss and human impact on nature.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

The animals reconcile, forgive RJ, protect captured friends, and build a supportive family despite conflict and betrayal.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes honesty, accountability, forgiveness, cooperation, family loyalty, and resisting selfish manipulation and excess.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters make selfish and deceptive choices but learn responsibility, repair relationships, protect one another, and work together.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in Over the Hedge would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Over the Hedge, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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