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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to let 5 year old DC watch the first Harry Potter film?

62 replies

Stoufer · 23/11/2018 12:17

Any advice welcomed (and apologies for putting it in AIBU - not sure where else it should go). Am planning a family film night tonight (we haven't had one for ages) as we really need some time on the sofa with blankets, and I am having real problems working out what sort of film is good for a 5 year old, 11 year old and 13 year old... I would really love to dust off the Harry Potter DVDs and start watching those, but worry that we will have lots of nightmares ahead from the little one.

The older ones don't mind re-watching good films, but are just not interested in child-friendly animated stuff any more, so I am really struggling to find something that is good for all three. Has anyone got any suggestions? Or what age did you let your DC watch Harry Potter? And did it have any negative effects (nightmares, phobias etc)?
Thanks ;)

OP posts:

DevonshireCreamTea · 23/11/2018 12:20

I think the first one is fine for a 5 year old it's only a PG (I think !)

movinonup · 23/11/2018 12:20

My DS watched it at 4,But I had read the book to him first so he knew what was coming. I'm not sure if that helps or hinders you tbh :)

SaucyJack · 23/11/2018 12:21

My 3 are very similar ages to yours, and we’ve definitely watched the first couple of HPs together.

Mia1415 · 23/11/2018 12:21

The first one is fine. My 5 year old has seen it (and the 2nd one).

mumofmunchkin · 23/11/2018 12:22

I wouldn't, but my viewpoint is skewed given that my 5 year old is scared by some episodes of paw patrol

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 23/11/2018 12:25

My Ds saw the first in the cinema when he was around 4.

One thing I did when DC were small and watching things that might scare them was to leave some lights on-although not as atmospheric for the other DC!!

Original poster

Stoufer · 23/11/2018 12:26

Thank you all so much! This is really helping. She has seen one of the star wars films (the first one with Rey in) so is reasonably used to action, but I was just a bit worried about all the Voldemort/weeping girl ghost stuck in the toilet stuff, but will definitely give it a go I think! Thanks :)

OP posts:

Stinkbomb · 23/11/2018 12:29

My 5yo has watched the first 4 - the worst bits go over her head, but there is no problem at all with the first one.

JustDanceAddict · 23/11/2018 12:30

First 3 would be fine.

Original poster

Stoufer · 23/11/2018 12:30

mumofmunchkin I know, it is weird what they find frightening sometimes... my 5yo has seen some pg films, but is really frightened by some bits of the Peter Rabbit cartoon on CBeebies... I think for her it is sometimes just too much peril for the main character..

OP posts:

Original poster

Stoufer · 23/11/2018 12:32

mumsiedarlingrevolta my boys (especially the 13yo) love it pitch black when we watch films at home (it actually makes my eyes hurt a bit!) - so yes, I think lights on would be a good idea! ;)

OP posts:

BubblesBubblesBubbles · 23/11/2018 12:36

My dc (7&5) have watched it they were 6&4 when we started watching Harry Potter.

We have watched the first 2 films and read the first 3 books.

To be honest mine don’t really get scared! Obviously they take after their dad

Ceecee18 · 23/11/2018 12:37

I would have said the first one would be fine but as you've said but is really frightened by some bits of the Peter Rabbit cartoon on CBeebies maybe not.

How about going for more of a comedy film? Mr bean? My almost 30 year old DP still finds those films hilarious, so I'm sure a 13 year old will. Or go Christmassy a bit early and watch a Christmas film? The nativity films are alright to watch with kids and younger teens.

littlepeas · 23/11/2018 12:37

I think my youngest saw it when he was 5. It depends on the child - some are more sensitive than others.

We have watched to the 5th film (dc are 10, 9 and 7 now). Littlest one is scared of the Ralph Fienes Voldemort (was fine with the one from the first film), so we’ve stopped for the time being.

Piffle11 · 23/11/2018 12:48

My DS watched the first 2 HP when he was 6, I think. I think the only scary bit in HP1 is the bit in the woods with Harry and Draco where they see Voldemort feeding off the unicorn … where his cloak sort of ripples across the floor as he approaches them - I hate that bit! I think I actually distracted DS with a biscuit or something, so he didn't see it. I usually talk him through the scarier bits, just in case, sort of prepare him. I think you should be fine.

HoppingPavlova · 23/11/2018 13:01

I would have with mine at that age. Enjoy!

Rixera · 23/11/2018 13:04

I watched it when I was 6 and loved it, my cousin was 6 and terrified. Depends on the child! My 3 year old loves the marvel films for eg, we just give age appropriate explanations and context.

ProfessorMoody · 23/11/2018 13:08

Mine has grown up with the Potters since birth - some children are more sensitive than others, but the first three at least really aren't that scary.

Original poster

Stoufer · 23/11/2018 13:27

Thanks to everyone for your advice. My 5yo is worried about some (unexpected) things, but not about others, so we will give it a try this evening, and I will sit next to her so I can explain/prepare (or cover her eyes if the worst comes to worst!). Hope you all have a lovely Friday evening and weekend! ;)

OP posts:

Topseyt · 23/11/2018 13:30

My DD1 was only 6 when it first came into the cinemas. We took her to watch it and there were no problems at all. So a yes from me.

IdblowJonSnow · 23/11/2018 13:32

Totally depends on your child and how sensitive they are! Mine scream and rush out at all sorts of randomness and little one still scared at Moana! You could give it a go?

RiverTam · 23/11/2018 13:39

DD is 9 and still hasn't seen it, a) because I am very averse to how young so many parents seem to want to shove HP at their kids (not you, OP, as you have older kids to entertain too) and b) because she is very easily frightened by live action films (even some animated films) and certainly the bit with Voldemort appearing out of the back of Quirrell's head would give her nightmares for weeks.

I second trying to find a comedy that might do for all of them.

SolemnlySwear2010 · 23/11/2018 13:44

My 4 year old DD has watched the first two and is hooked. We recently got a cat and she suggested a HP name for it

DH is the only one not Potter mad in our house

Original poster

Stoufer · 23/11/2018 13:54

Strangely, my 5yo is okay with things like 'A wrinkle in time' (a PG disney sci-fi film with quite a lot of fantasy peril in), but really hates things like Mr Bean, as he tries to do things/help out and it all goes horribly wrong for him (she can't bear to watch when it does and ends up running out of the room shrieking, as if it is too painful for her to watch). I was exactly the same at that age (I remember books about a character called 'Mr Meddle' that everyone else thought were really funny, but I thought were really upsetting)... oh dear!!

OP posts:

Strokethefurrywall · 23/11/2018 13:56

My boys are 7 and 4 and have seen the first 4 Harry Potter movies.
They only saw the 4th one for the first time last weekend.

I was wary of them being scared of the Cedric diggory bit but neither of them were fazed. We did watch with them though and explained the bits, most of it goes over their heads though...

My 7 year old is far more sensitive than the 4 year old though, 4 year old couldn't give a shite if something is scary. 7 year old is more scared of any blood of which there's very little in HP!

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