Movie Review Writing Project
After watching a movie together, write a structured review with a summary, opinion, star rating, and recommendation — learning critical analysis through entertainment.
What You'll Need
- 1Paper or notebook
- 2Pencil or pen
- 3The movie (just watched)
What You'll Need
Paper or notebook
Pencil or pen
A recently watched movie
How to Play
Watch a new movie together.
Discuss reactions: "Best part? What didn't work?"
Write in four sections: Summary, Strengths, Weaknesses, Verdict.
Start with a hook sentence.
Summary: 3-4 sentences, no spoilers.
Strengths and weaknesses with specific examples.
Star rating and recommendation.
Share the review.
Tips
Movie reviews teach the same analytical skills as literary essays but feel WAY more relevant to tweens. Your child is already forming opinions about movies — this activity gives them tools to articulate those opinions in writing.
The "no spoilers" challenge in the summary is genuinely hard and teaches concise, strategic writing. What do you include? What do you leave out?
Requiring specific examples ("The chase scene was exciting because...") prevents vague, unsupported opinions. This is the foundation of evidence-based writing.
Compare reviews within the family. Different opinions about the same movie generate rich discussion about perspective and subjectivity.
Create a family review collection. Rate every movie night movie. Over time, your child develops a critical voice and a writing portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 30 min, with 0 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: paper or notebook, pencil or pen, the movie (just watched).
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 8-12 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This activity has a moderate difficulty level. It may require some preparation or guidance, but is manageable for most families.
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