Wondering if Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is Scary for kids? This spoiler-free Black Panther: Wakanda Forever parent review will help you decide if it’s ok for your family. 

If I’m being honest I knew I was taking my Marvel-loving kids to see this movie well before it came out. My question the whole time was how much would they like it? Given the loss of Chadwick Boseman, the trailer and synopsis I knew the movie would be heavy and full of action. I also thought there was a good chance Shuri would likely be taking the Black Panther mantle. What I didn’t expect was how heavy and focused on grief the movie would be. It’s not boring by any means, nor is it a drag, but it’s extremely evident that the point of the movie was to process the loss of The Blank Panther and learn to move on.

It’s something I wish I’d let sink it before going to see the movie, and something I wish I’d expressed to my 9-year-old son, who was awaiting some kind of CGI Hail Mary to include T’Challa, his absolute favorited superhero. Yes, I knew the creators said that wasn’t going to happen, but people also swore up and down Toby and Andrew wouldn’t be in Spider-Man No Way Home. So… We might have gotten our hopes up a little. It is not spoiling anything to say that while the movie does do a good job honoring T’Challa, and Chadwick in that role, having him in the movie in a new way does not happen. So tell your little ones to let that go. Once you move past that bit of a bummer (or relief, depending who you are), you can really try to enjoy the movie for what it is. 

A Spoiler-Free Parent Review of Wakanda Forever

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits the ground running and slaps you with a 1-2 punch from the get go. Keep your eyes peeled for a special Chadwick tribute in the Marvel opening. What I loved about his movie was how beautiful and real the storyline felt as characters moved through grief, but how love and humor were seamlessly woven throughout. This movie is different and not necessarily in a bad way. The underwater world brings a new depth (no pun intended) to the MCU and the sequences and battle scenes with the ocean animals were really fun for my animal-loving son. Tie that in with the amazing soundtrack and it all came together beautifully. 

I am obsessed with the girl power shown throughout in a non-cheesy fashion. In fact it wasn’t even until near the end when it dawned on me how strong the women were at the helm of nearly the entire movie. We’ve seen glimpses of this in other Marvel films but sometimes it comes through as cheesy (ie: “She’s not alone” in both Infinity War AND End Game where suddenly every woman in the MCU is standing in the exact same spot). The women here were completely bad-a, because… Well, because of course they are. I’m sure part of this had to do with us already being familiar with the cast from the first Black Panther film. Speaking of which, as good as Wakanda Forever is, it just doesn’t hit the same as Black Panther. And while I did really enjoy this movie, and the exciting new MCU characters we are introduced to, I do have some gripes. 

What I didn’t love about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Years ago I made a rule where I would only watch the first teaser trailer for a new movie and avoid the rest. I have to admit I think it backfired on me in this movie. Based on the first trailer I had an entire plot written in my mind and I was so wrong. Though the movie is jam packed with action, it’s less of a movie about Black Panther and more of a movie about grieving Black Panther. Then, I caught a plot hole that nagged me most of the movie. While that one does eventually get resolved, there are others blown open wide near the end that leave you wanting so much more, even after already sitting through a 2 hour and 40 minute movie. In other words, this felt to me like Black Panther 1.5. While the movie has a defined beginning, middle and end to the story, it barely stands alone. At the same time you can’t hold it against itself because it’s absolutely necessary exactly the way it is. 

I love it because it’s beautiful, exciting and funny. I am mad at it because it’s sad, and while it does move the Black Panther story forward, it’s not by much. It does, however, move us through our grief of losing T’Challa.

Is Black Panther 2 Scary for Kids?

Parents might be wondering if Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scary for kids. Compared to other Marvel movies, especially those we’ve seen in Phase 4 of the MCU, Black Panther 2 isn’t any more scary. The film does include violence such as water explosions, rocket launchers, drownings and stabbings. There are several moments of peril for the characters including some of the main characters. 

Compared to Black Panther, the violence level in the battle scenes are similar, but the body count is much higher in Black Panther 2. If your kids are used to MCU movies this won’t be a surprise, however dealing with grief and the heaviness of loss could be challenging for some younger viewers.  

But enough of my thoughts, here’s what Ty, my 9-year-old son had to say. 

A Kid’s Review of Black Panther 2

What did you think of the movie?

T: I thought it was terrible. 

Why? 

T: Because I didn’t like that T’Challa wasn’t in it. And it had a lot of dying. 

What was the funniest part to you? 

T: I thought the M’Baku parts were funny. 

Would you recommend it to your friends? 

T: Yes, I’d maybe recommend this to other kids who like Marvel. 

What lesson did you learn? What message was the movie trying to get across?

T: Oh I know the lesson. Whenever T’Challa died, people had to learn to move on. And not to take revenge. 

Who was your favorite character?

T: I don’t have one. 

Who would you recommend this movie to? 

T: People who like Marvel and Shuri. 

Do you think it’s for older kids? 

T: Anyone older than 7.

Did you think it was scary?

T: No.

Would you want to watch it again? 

T: We are gonna watch it again. But not after that unless I skip to the good parts. Like the sea beasts parts

How would you rank it compared to other Marvel movies?

T: Not that good, but still better than Captain Marvel. I liked Thor Love and Thunder more. I like the first Black Panther WAAAAY more. But if T’Challa was in this it would be maybe almost my favorite movie. 

Q: What was your favorite part? 

T: [We are gonna fill this in after we re-watch it]

How many stars would you give it?

T: Either 2 or 2.5. I give Black Panther [the first] 4.5 or 5. 

Is it worth going to the movies to see?

T: Yes. 

Well, there you have it folks. It’s a “Terrible” movie that’s worth seeing. I’ll let you know what he thinks after we go again on opening night! I’m hoping he enjoys it more with new expectations. If not, we still have the first Black Panther.

Is there an end credit scene in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’?

Both the beginning and the end of the movie offer a sweet tribute to T’Challa, make sure you stick around for the mid-credit scene. There is no end-credit scene in Black Panther: Wakada Forever.

Are you planning to go see Black Panther 2? Let us know what you think!

Wondering how our review of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever might compare to yours? Here are some other movies we’ve reviewed:

• ‘HOCUS POCUS 2’ REVIEW
• ‘THOR LOVE AND THUNDER’ REVIEW
• ‘JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION’ REVIEW
• ‘DOCTOR STRANGE AND THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS’ REVIEW
• ‘SONIC 2’ MOVIE REVIEW
• ‘TURNING RED’ MOVIE REVIEW
• ‘SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME’ REVIEW
• ‘ETERNALS’ MOVIE REVIEW
• ‘GHOSTBUSTERS AFTERLIFE’ REVIEW
• ‘RON’S GONE WRONG’ REVIEW
• ‘VIVO’ MOVIE REVIEW
• ‘LUCA’ MOVIE REVIEW

If you like watching movies together as a family you’ll love our Family Movie Night Journal! Created by me (Jennifer) and my oldest daughter Jayda that’s bringing a family tradition of movie watching and rating to families around the world.

Tags: kids movie review, marvel movies