Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Flubber

film

Flubber

1997

Professor Phillip Brainard, an absent minded professor, works with his assistant Weebo, trying to create a substance that's a new source of energy and that will save Medfield College where his sweetheart Sara is the president. He has missed his wedding twice, and on the afternoon of his third wedding, Professor Brainard creates flubber, which allows objects to fly through the air.

Ages 6+Source checked

Why this age? PG-rated family comedy with slapstick danger, comic peril, relationship conflict, and some chaotic action. The story is generally light, but younger children may need help with missed weddings and emotional neglect. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age6+

Strongest cautions

  • Romance2/5
  • Violence2/5
  • Frightening scenes1/5

Strongest positives

  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Positive messages3/5
  • Courage & resilience2/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

The film centers on an invented substance and laboratory technology rather than sustained real-brand promotion or buying messages.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Features only mild exclamations and occasional name-calling typical of family films.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

The professor’s relationship and repeated missed weddings are central to the story, with affectionate romantic material but limited intensity.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

Brief comic peril and chaotic action may startle very young viewers, but there is little sustained frightening material.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

No substantial sexual content; the romantic plot remains suitable for a family audience.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Includes slapstick humor, comic mischief, and animated sequences where items are thrown or impact characters, but it is largely cartoonish.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience2/5
Why this rating?

Characters face setbacks and comic danger, showing persistence more than serious physical bravery.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Inventing flubber, experimenting, and finding imaginative uses for its unusual properties are central to the film.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

The cast is limited to a traditional 1990s ensemble, which lacks significant modern diversity.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Encourages interest in invention and science-fiction problem-solving, though scientific concepts are mainly comic entertainment.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Cooperation and care for others appear alongside comic selfishness and neglect; reconciliation and helping others are valued.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Highlights responsibility, perseverance, scientific curiosity, teamwork, and making time for important relationships.

Good role models2/5
Why this rating?

The inventive professor is well-intentioned but unreliable; the story gives him opportunities to learn responsibility and repair harm.

Family discussion

Talk about it

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

  1. What was the most imaginative idea in the story, and what would you add to it?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in Flubber would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Flubber, 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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