PENGUINS
Adorable penguins put the “Awww” in awesome.
Should You Watch It?
PENGUINS turns a year in the life of an Adelie penguin into a warm, funny adventure. Ed Helms narrates and comically gives a voice to Steve, while gorgeous cinematography, joyful music, humor, and suspense make the documentary entertaining rather than primarily educational.
The film celebrates love, monogamous relationships, and family. Steve steps up to protect his chicks, while the penguins face blizzards, hungry birds, sea lions, and the urgent need to reach food before the frozen shoreline cuts them off.
The dangers are light and naturalistic, with no gore, though some younger viewers may find the animal peril tense. For an all-ages family outing, PENGUINS is worth the trip.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESOn Antarctica’s icy shores, male Adelie penguins arrive ahead of the females to find exposed ground and prepare nests. Steve is behind schedule and less put together than the others, but he still hopes to find a place to begin a family.
As the penguins pair up and raise their chicks, the harsh Antarctic elements and hungry predators threaten their fragile homes. Steve and the other parents must find enough food and help their young grow strong before winter closes in.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is excellent family entertainment, and PENGUINS earns them. The filmmakers give Ed Helms room to bring Steve to life, creating many genuinely hilarious moments without losing the documentary’s natural tension.
The movie’s story is filled with love, humor, and jeopardy. Its lighthearted, infectiously joyful music complements the gorgeous cinematography, while the penguins’ struggles create a climax that will have you holding your breath. It focuses more on entertaining audiences than educating them, but that choice works beautifully.
The Worldview
PENGUINS presents strong moral messages about family and celebrates monogamous relationships. It also shows a father stepping up to protect his chicks. The film does not make overt references to God, but the remarkable way these creatures are designed to survive, mate, and migrate points toward the wonder of creation and intelligent design.
The documentary does not proselytize for environmentalism, climate change, or humanist evolutionary theory. Instead, it invites viewers to feel the love, joy, and humor of these adorable animals. Its central wonder aligns with Scripture’s celebration of God’s created world: “O LORD, how manifold are your works!” (Psalm 104:24).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Strong moral messages about family, a celebration of monogamous relationships, and God’s creation naturally points to intelligent design even though God isn’t mentioned
Foul Language
No foul language, but jokes are made about barfing (because that’s how the penguins feed their chicks), and one baby penguin throws up
Violence
Light naturalistic violence, animals are threatened by the elements as well by other animals (penguins hit and attack each other sometimes), birds try to steal and eat penguin eggs, and seals try to grab some penguins (no gore is seen, however)
Sex
No sexual content
Nudity
No nudity
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug use;
Miscellaneous Immorality
One penguin steals stones from its neighbor.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The penguins build families and care for their chicks. What does loving protection look like in your family?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 · Ephesians 6:4The film celebrates monogamous relationships. What qualities help a marriage remain faithful and loving?
Genesis 2:24 · Ephesians 5:25The penguins’ design and survival inspire wonder. What can creation teach us about God?
Psalm 19:1 · Psalm 104:24The penguins work to feed and strengthen their young. How can your family care for someone who depends on you?
Galatians 6:2 · Philippians 2:4The Final Word
PENGUINS is a joyful, beautifully filmed documentary that gives families humor, suspense, and a positive vision of love and family. The natural dangers are light, and the movie is suitable for all ages. For your next family movie outing, WORTH THE TRIP.
