THE BFG
Standing up for yourself and others in a funny, tender fantasy.
Should You Watch It?
Yes—especially if your family enjoys imaginative fantasy with a tender emotional center. Steven Spielberg merges fantastical visual worlds with human moments, while John Williams’ light musical score softens the tension and adds humor to scenes involving the frightening giants.
The film’s strongest qualities are its message of friendship, bravery, sacrifice, hospitality, and standing up for yourself and others. Sophie and the BFG form a sweet bond as two lonely souls, and their relationship gives the story warmth and heart.
The main question is your younger children’s tolerance for frightening material. The prospect of giants eating children runs throughout, and one moment of magical thinking involves Sophie jumping from a ledge. For middle schoolers and up, this is a strong family choice; use discernment with younger children.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESSophie is a responsible girl living in an orphanage in London. One night, she sees a giant in the shadows and is whisked away to a magical land where giants live.
The giant calls himself the BFG, or Big Friendly Giant. Unlike the larger giants, he refuses to eat people. When Sophie learns that the other giants are dangerous, she and the BFG form an unexpected friendship—and begin considering how they might stand up to them.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this is a beautifully made, emotionally engaging film that delivers both wonder and warmth. The fantastical visual worlds are beautifully shot and meticulously designed, and the movie’s emotional moments feel genuine.
Ruby Barnhill is a standout as Sophie, bringing feisty charm, intelligence, sweetness, and lovable energy to the role. Mark Rylance’s BFG is sweet and uneducated, and their contrasting personalities create a loving friendship between two lonely souls.
The film also includes hilarious scenes, especially when the BFG has breakfast with the proper Queen of England. John Williams’ beautifully light score cuts the tension and adds levity when the giants become frightening.
The Worldview
THE BFG strongly values friendship, bravery, hospitality, sacrifice, and standing up for yourself and others. It presents humans as hospitable, helpful, and open to helping those in need. The story also shows that the BFG must grow from being a pushover into someone capable of bravery and sacrifice.
The BFG hears the hearts of children and gives humans dreams, creating a Christian allegorical parallel to a powerful but gentle being who knows our heart’s desire. The source notes that this allegory only goes so far. The film also includes a moment of magical thinking in which Sophie does something dangerous to test whether the BFG will catch her.
The film’s care for an orphaned child and its concern for the lonely align with Scripture’s call to care for the vulnerable. “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction” (James 1:27).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview of friendship, bravery, hospitality, sacrifice, and standing up for oneself, and for others, with a Christian allegorical parallel of a powerful, but gentle being who hears our heart’s desire and gives us our dreams, but the allegory only goes so far, and moment of magical thinking; no foul language, but a running gag about passing gas is included; the prospect of children being taken by giants and eaten is throughout, with giants having names like “Childchewer” and “Bonecruncher,” girl has nightmare about being swallowed by a giant, bigger giants bully a smaller giant, and throw him, and [SPOILER] helicopter is used to stop the mean giants; no sexual content; no nudity; no alcohol consumption seen, but drunk Brits walk around the street and are scolded by Sophie; no smoking or drugs; and, main character irresponsibly jumps off a ledge to force her giant friend to reveal himself and catch her, which he does, but there’s nothing else objectionable.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Sophie and the BFG are both lonely, yet their friendship helps them become braver. How can friendship help someone who feels alone?
Proverbs 17:17 · Romans 12:10The story values hospitality and helping those in need. What does welcoming and caring for others look like in your family?
James 1:27 · Hebrews 13:2The BFG must learn to stand up to bullies. When should we speak up for ourselves or someone else?
Proverbs 31:8–9 · Ephesians 4:15Sophie makes a dangerous choice to test whether the BFG will catch her. Why is testing someone different from trusting them?
Deuteronomy 6:16 · Psalm 56:3The Final Word
THE BFG is funny, sweet, exceptionally well made, and rich in themes of friendship and bravery. Its frightening giants and moment of magical thinking may trouble younger children, but middle schoolers and up should find a warm fantasy worth embracing. WORTH THE TRIP — MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP.
