Clifford's Really Big Movie
Directed by Robert C. Ramirez
TheoScope Rating
Worldview · content · moral framework
Plot
Clifford overhears Mr. Bleakman say that feeding him must cost a lot of money. A carnival act called "Larry's Amazing Animals" has just been in town, and the animals in the show told Clifford about an animal contest with a prize of a lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies. So he decides to run away along with Cleo and T-Bone, join the carnival act, win the contest, and bring the food back. Soon Clifford is the star of the show, and Shackleford the ferret, who'd always been the star, gets jealous. Clifford just wants to help and win the contest -- but getting back home to Emily Elizabeth may not be as easy as he thinks, even after the contest is over.
Discern Score Breakdown
30%
30%
25%
15%
Audience Suitability
Kids
Under 10
Teens
10–17
Adults
18+
Family
Mixed ages
Content Flags
Clifford's Really Big Movie is a gentle, values-affirming children's film that extends the beloved PBS television series into a feature-length adventure. It lands squarely in the tradition of wholesome animated storytelling, with no content concerns and a quietly virtuous moral vision. Theologically neutral but not hostile, it is one of the cleaner options available for young children and early elementary-aged viewers.
Pastoral Take
This is one of the safest choices you can make for young children — genuinely clean, warm-hearted, and built around values like selflessness, loyalty, and the importance of home. It is best suited for children under 8, as older kids and teens will likely find it too simple to engage with. Parents of young children can watch this comfortably and even use it as an easy conversation starter about love, jealousy, and what it means to truly belong somewhere.
Discussion Points
- 1Clifford decided to run away because he thought he was too expensive and didn't want to be a burden to Emily Elizabeth — but she loved him and wanted him home no matter what. Have you ever felt like you were too much trouble for someone who loves you? What do you think that tells us about how God feels about us when we feel that way?
- 2Shackleford was jealous when Clifford became the star of the show, and that jealousy made him do things that hurt everyone around him, including himself. Can you think of a time when jealousy made you act in a way you weren't proud of? What's the difference between being happy for someone else and wishing you had what they have?
- 3At the end of the movie, what Clifford wanted most wasn't the prize or the fame — it was just to get back home to Emily Elizabeth. Why do you think belonging somewhere and being loved felt more important to him than winning? Does that remind you of anything Jesus said about what really matters in life?
- 4Larry used the animals to make money for himself without really caring about them. How could you tell the difference between the way Larry treated the animals and the way Clifford's friends treated each other? What does it look like to treat people — or animals — like they matter instead of like tools?
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Cast
John Ritter, Cree Summer, Kel Mitchell
Community Reviews
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