DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
An enjoyable family comedy about friendship, sacrifice and growing up.
Should You Watch It?
You can enjoy this movie for what it does best: turning the awkwardness of middle school into a funny, energetic story about friendship. Greg wants popularity, while Rowley remains his loyal friend. Their relationship gives the comedy a positive center.
The movie is well made, with terrific characters, strong performances from Zachary Gordon and Robert Capron, and humorously integrated artwork inspired by the graphic novel. It also teaches that true friendship requires sacrifice and that betrayal has consequences.
The main concerns are mild foul language, name calling among the children, an older brother who plays mean tricks and a good bit of bathroom humor. Parents of younger children should consider their maturity level before watching.
For older children and adults, this is a worthwhile family comedy.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESGreg enters middle school determined to become popular and make it into the yearbook as “best something.” Alongside his best friend, Rowley, he tries wrestling, joins the safety patrol and ends up performing as a tree in a musical version of The Wizard of Oz.
Greg also wants Rowley to change so they can fit in and be accepted. As Greg pursues attention and popularity, his choices put their friendship under pressure.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a highly enjoyable, well-made family comedy. It has a very fun story, terrific characters and a positive, redemptive message about true friendship requiring sacrifice.
The artwork from the graphic novel has been humorously integrated into the filmmaking. Zachary Gordon as Greg and Robert Capron as Rowley give terrific performances. The movie’s comedy grows from recognizable middle-school situations, strong character contrasts and the complications of Greg’s desire to be accepted.
The Worldview
The film presents a strong moral worldview with a redemptive element of sacrifice. Greg wants popularity and acceptance, but his choices teach him that friendship cannot be treated as a tool for gaining attention. Rowley’s loyalty, Greg’s betrayal and the possibility of redemption all point toward the value of putting another person ahead of yourself.
The movie also shows the damage caused by name calling, bullying and selfishness. Its older brother is very mean and plays tricks on Greg, while the parents are ineffective. These elements are treated as part of the comedy, but they also show a family and school environment where children must learn how to respond to unkindness.
The film aligns with a biblical view in its emphasis on sacrifice, friendship and redemption. It does not present these lessons as explicitly Christian, but its central moral is consistent with Scripture’s call to love others rather than seek only our own interests. “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview with a redemptive element of sacrifice as a preteen boy learns about friendship; one mild obscenity and two exclamatory profanities, with some name calling; no violence but slapstick action during middle school wrestling practice; no sex; no nudity but a magazine cover has female cleavage; no alcohol; no smoking or drugs; and, ineffective parents, bullying teen brother, and some rude bathroom humor.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Greg wants popularity, but his friendship with Rowley requires sacrifice. What does it look like to value a friend more than approval from others?
Philippians 2:4 · John 15:13The children use name calling and teasing throughout the story. How can your words either strengthen a friend or hurt one?
Ephesians 4:29 · Proverbs 18:21Greg makes selfish choices that damage his friendship. What is the difference between feeling sorry and genuinely seeking forgiveness?
Proverbs 28:13 · 1 John 1:9Rowley’s friendship gives Greg the chance to learn and grow. Who has helped you become a better person, and how can you show gratitude?
Proverbs 27:17 · 1 Thessalonians 5:11The Final Word
This is a funny, well-made story about the cost of popularity and the value of true friendship. Its mild language, name calling and bathroom humor call for parents’ discernment with younger children. For older children and adults, the answer is WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
