Parents' Guide to

The Tiger's Apprentice

By Jennifer Borget, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Magical book-based animated adventure has peril, violence.

Movie PG 2024 99 minutes
The Tiger's Apprentice movie poster: a boy sits with a tigers face hovering behind him

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

  • The Tiger's Apprentice : Animated characters including a boy wearing a yellow jacket sitting beside a tiger
  • The Tiger's Apprentice: Animated characters stand under a protective dome
  • The Tiger's Apprentice: Chinese zodiac characters stand in a line to face off against a foe
  • The Tiger's Apprentice: Animated characters star each other down

Community Reviews

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age 8+

Based on 9 parent reviews

cassiesue
cassiesue Adult
February 2, 2024
age 10+

A bit scary, but tried to teach lessons

My 8 year old was scared. The black and green demon part was pretty disturbing. It'd also based on Zodiac animals which don't really reflect Christian vales ir traditions. It did have good intentions on making the zodiac brave and role models. Does touch on death, magic and violence.
doctora
doctora Parent of 8-year-old
July 13, 2024
age 8+

Colorful, uplifting and well represented story

My 8 year old reluctantly allowed himself to see this film, but he was hooked in the first 5 minutes. The film has a lot of color and the casting is stellar. It is a breath of fresh air to have so much representation in a single film. The story may be a bit predictable, but that does not take away from the pleasure that my 8 year old received from learning about the lunar new year and the different animal representations. The handling of death and transition is also thoughtful and everyone seems to be presented with humanity (expect perhaps the villain). Did not expect much and was pleasantly surprised by how much we were all cheering Tom on.
See all 9 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE TIGER'S APPRENTICE, teenager Tom Lee (Brandon Soo Hoo) is teased about his grandma, often labeled a "crazy witch" by his classmates. However, a surprising revelation occurs during a school scuffle when Tom discovers his superhuman abilities. He turns to his grandmother (Kheng Hua Tan) for guidance and learns he's part of a magical group of guardians who must protect a phoenix egg. Hu (Henry Golding), a tiger who can turn into a man, becomes his mentor. Together, they must stop Loo (Michelle Yeoh), a strong force with bad plans for humanity. Along the way, Tom meets other zodiac warriors. They help him learn to control his powers so he can protect the phoenix egg and the world. The story is full of excitement as Tom and his zodiac team use their smarts and skills to fight bad creatures, rescue friends, and discover that winning a fight takes more than just being strong.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (9 ):
Kids say (3 ):

Audiences of all ages will appreciate the vibrant animation and engaging storyline in The Tiger's Apprentice. Adapted from Laurence Yep's children's book series, the film follows the journey of Tom Lee, a Chinese American teenager thrust into the role of protecting an ancient phoenix egg. The relationship between Tom and the zodiacs is brought to life by a stellar cast that adds humor and heart to the tale, making the characters not just heroes, but relatable companions.

This visually-stunning movie finds a way to keep a culturally-rich storyline with mythological roots grounded in a modern-day teen world, from the silly jokes to getting around on a skateboard. The Chinese zodiac characters showcase each one's unique powers, and how they can work together, delivering a powerful message of diversity and a sense of unity. It's hard to miss the powerful messages about courage, family, loyalty, and choosing love over violence.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the characters handle their responsibilities, particularly Tom as the guardian. What does the movie show about the weight of responsibility?

  • How does the movie balance the fantastical elements of the Chinese zodiac and mythology with the modern-day setting? Does this mix work? Why or why not?

  • Are the female characters in this movie role models? Why? How do they compare to girls and women in other kids' movies?

  • Reflect on the representation of Chinese culture in the film. Why does diverse representation in animated films matter?

  • How does the film highlight character strengths like courage and teamwork?

Movie Details

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