Dumbo1941Dumbo
1941
A stork delivers a baby elephant to the circus, and everyone laughs at his enormous ears, everyone except his mother. When she's locked away for defending him, little Dumbo has only a loyal mouse named Timothy to help him find his place.
The default: films the whole family can watch together; any scary or intense moments for the littlest viewers are flagged in the Context Notes.
Why it’s here
A baby elephant mocked for his ears is loved by his mother and befriended by a little mouse, and the gift everyone laughed at becomes his glory. "Baby Mine" is one of Disney's tenderest songs.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Dumbo's mother is chained and separated from him, which is sad for little ones. Clowns drink and Dumbo accidentally gets drunk ("Pink Elephants"), and the crows are a racial caricature (Disney+ attaches an advisory).
Dumbo (1941)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did the other elephants make fun of Dumbo?
- How did Timothy help him?
- How did you feel during "Baby Mine"?
- What do you think the magic feather was really for?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 5+: Dumbo's mother is chained after defending him; clowns drink, and Dumbo accidentally gets drunk.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
Dumbo Blu-ray (70th Anniversary Premium Collector's Edition)
Blu-ray · September 20, 2011
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.