How to Write a Movie Review: A Fun Guide for Kids & Students

Learn how to write an engaging movie review with this fun lesson plan for kids! Guide students through watching critically, analyzing characters & plot, structuring their review, and giving ratings. Includes materials list and step-by-step activities.

PDF

Materials You'll Need:

  • An age-appropriate movie of your choice
  • Device for watching the movie (TV, tablet, computer)
  • Notebook or paper
  • Pen or pencil
  • Optional: Computer or tablet for typing the final review
  • Optional: Movie Review Graphic Organizer (You can make one with sections for Title, Genre, Director, Main Characters, Plot Summary, Likes, Dislikes, Rating, Recommendation)

Lesson Activities:

Part 1: Become a Movie Critic! (Introduction)

Have you ever watched a movie and couldn't wait to tell someone if it was amazing or terrible? That's what movie critics do! A movie review is a way to share your opinion about a film and persuade others whether they should watch it or not. Today, you get to be the critic!

Part 2: Lights, Camera, Active Viewing! (Watch the Movie)

Choose an age-appropriate movie you're excited to watch. As you watch, don't just sit back – be an active viewer! Grab your notebook and jot down some notes. Think about:

  • Characters: Who are the main characters? What are they like? Do you like them?
  • Plot: What happens in the movie? What is the main problem or conflict? How is it resolved?
  • Setting: Where and when does the movie take place? Is it important to the story?
  • Likes/Dislikes: What parts did you really enjoy? What parts didn't you like or found confusing? Note specific scenes or moments.
  • Theme: What is the main message or idea the movie is trying to share?

Don't worry about writing perfect sentences, just get your thoughts down!

Part 3: Analyze Your Findings (Post-Movie Reflection)

Once the movie is over, look at your notes. If you made a graphic organizer, fill it out. Think about:

  • Overall Opinion: Did you like the movie overall? Why or why not?
  • Rating: How would you rate the movie (e.g., stars out of 5, thumbs up/down)?
  • Key Evidence: What specific examples from the movie (scenes, characters, dialogue) support your opinion? Find at least 2-3 strong examples.
  • Recommendation: Who would you recommend this movie to? (e.g., kids your age, families, people who like adventure, etc.) Or would you recommend people skip it?

Part 4: Structure Your Review (Outline)

A good movie review usually has a clear structure:

  1. Introduction: Hook the reader! Mention the movie title and genre. Briefly state your overall opinion and rating.
  2. Body Paragraph 1 (Summary): Briefly summarize the plot without giving away major spoilers! Introduce the main characters and setting.
  3. Body Paragraph 2 (Analysis/Likes): Discuss what you liked about the movie. Use specific examples from your notes to support your points (e.g.,

Create Your Own Custom Lesson Plan

Get personalized lesson plans tailored to your teaching style, student needs, and curriculum requirements.

Create a Lesson Plan