DIARY OF A WIMPY KID (2021)
An entertaining friendship story with redemptive lessons.
Should You Watch It?
This is a brisk, entertaining movie with engaging animation that recalls Jeff Kinney’s original illustrations. Its strongest qualities are its moral, redemptive message about forgiveness and its encouragement to defend and stick by your friends.
Greg does disobey his parents several times, but his actions have consequences. The movie also includes some rude name-calling and brief moments of comic peril, so younger children may need a parent nearby. At 58 minutes, the story sometimes feels rushed, but families looking for a light animated comedy with a clear friendship theme will find worthwhile lessons here.
For older children and adults, this is worth the trip; parents of younger children should preview the content and decide together.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESGreg Heffley is a scrawny, ambitious boy facing his first year of middle school. He has big plans for his future, but school stands between him and his dreams.
Thankfully, Greg has his best friend, Rowley, beside him. But Greg worries that Rowley is too childish and wonders whether he should follow his older brother’s advice and cut ties. As the boys face bullies, curfews, school pressures, and the dreaded “cheese touch,” their friendship is tested.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means this is a good, entertaining movie with some noticeable limitations. The animation is engaging and reminiscent of Jeff Kinney’s original illustrations. The story moves quickly and offers humor, friendship, consequences, and a redemptive message about forgiveness.
The main weakness is its short 58-minute running time, which makes the movie feel rushed at points. Still, its fast pace and accessible story should hold the attention of its intended audience.
The Worldview
The movie presents a light moral worldview with redemptive elements. It shows that disobedience has consequences and that parents encourage children to do the right thing. It also extols forgiveness and promotes defending and sticking by your friends.
The film’s moral lessons are sometimes complicated by the fact that the children continue to be disobedient after seemingly learning their lesson. Even so, the emphasis on forgiveness, friendship, and accepting responsibility aligns with important biblical values.
The central message is that friendship should not be discarded when it becomes difficult. Scripture likewise calls believers to kindness and forgiveness: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Light moral worldview with light redemptive elements where a character learns that disobedience has consequences, parents encourage children to do the right thing, forgiveness is extolled, and sticking by your friends is promoted, though children continue to be disobedient after seemingly learning their lesson
Foul Language
No obscenities or profanities, a few examples of bullies tearing people down with their words, one use of “idiot,” one instance of “what the heck,” plus boy accidentally touches another child’s booger
Violence
No violence, some examples of cartoon peril where Greg and Rowley are chased by a group throwing water balloons, one scene that includes ventriloquist dolls will frighten younger viewers
Sex
No sex
Nudity
No nudity Alcohol Use/Abuse: No alcohol
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug use
Miscellaneous Immorality
Bullying, but rebuked.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Greg’s choices bring consequences. When have you had to take responsibility for disobedience, and what did you learn?
Galatians 6:7–8 · Proverbs 12:1Greg and Rowley’s friendship is tested by jealousy and hurt feelings. What does it look like to defend a friend and pursue reconciliation?
Proverbs 17:17 · Ephesians 4:32The movie promotes forgiveness. Why can forgiveness be difficult, and why does Scripture call us to forgive?
Colossians 3:13 · Matthew 6:14–15Bullying is rebuked in the story. How can you use your words to build others up instead of tearing them down?
Ephesians 4:29 · Proverbs 15:1The Final Word
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID is an entertaining, fast-paced animated comedy with engaging artwork and a positive message about forgiveness and friendship. Its brief peril, rude name-calling, and rushed story keep it from being stronger, but older children and adults should find worthwhile family lessons. Our answer is WORTH THE TRIP.
