ALIENS IN THE ATTIC
Charming alien adventure delivers great family fun.
Should You Watch It?
ALIENS IN THE ATTIC is the kind of light, energetic adventure that gives families a reason to watch together. Its aliens, video-game-style action, slapstick humor, and child heroes create plenty of fun without losing sight of family.
The movie also gives its young characters something worthwhile to learn. Tom discovers that being a math whiz is nothing to be ashamed of. Bethany learns that family matters more than having a boyfriend and becomes more discerning. The children’s early disrespect toward their parents is rebuked and resolved.
There are two profanities and some mild content, but the source describes this as a very family-friendly film. WORTH THE TRIP for older children through adults seeking a charming family adventure.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESTwo families gather at their vacation home for a fishing trip. Their plans change when five knee-high aliens invade the attic, searching for a hidden device beneath the house that could help them take over the world.
The aliens can control adults with darts and a remote control, but the darts do not affect anyone under 18. Six children and teenagers must use their wits, homemade potato guns, and teamwork to protect their families and stop the aliens.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means a good, enjoyable film with some limitations. ALIENS IN THE ATTIC succeeds as energetic family entertainment, with lots of fun action, slapstick humor, and video-game-style sequences.
The story keeps the children and teenagers at the center, giving them meaningful roles as they use their wits to battle the aliens. The film also earns its charm through lessons about family, self-acceptance, and discernment. Its action includes a martial arts sequence involving a controlled grandmother and an older boyfriend, adding to the movie’s playful chaos.
The Worldview
The film strongly emphasizes that family is important. The children initially talk back to their parents, but that behavior is rebuked and later resolved, especially in the relationship between Tom and his father, Stu. Tom learns that being good at math is not something to hide, while Bethany learns that a boyfriend should not matter more than her family and that she should be more discerning.
The film presents children and teenagers as capable of courage, teamwork, and wise action. It also includes lying, computer hacking, and adults being controlled, but these elements belong to the comic conflict rather than a rejection of moral responsibility. There is no mention of God, even during the danger threatening the planet.
The movie’s central longing is for family members to protect one another and remain united. Scripture likewise honors the family and its responsibilities: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right” (Ephesians 6:1).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Strong moral worldview of family being important though no mention of God even in “planet threatening” jeopardy; no obscenities but two profanities; comedic violence including paintball shooting including obvious “hit” to groin, teenager hits himself repeatedly, teenage boy falls from ladder, two teenagers fall from ladder, martial arts sequence between grandmother and teenager; no sexual scenes, no onscreen kissing and teenage girl asks boyfriend to “go slow”; upper male nudity of teenage boy and teenage girl in bikini; adults have wine and beer at dinner; no smoking; and, teenagers talking back to parents is rebuked, lying and hacking into a computer.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Tom learns that being a math whiz does not make him less valuable. What gifts do you see in yourself or someone else that deserve encouragement?
1 Corinthians 12:4–6 · Romans 12:6–8The children’s talking back to their parents is rebuked and resolved. What does respectful disagreement look like in your family?
Ephesians 6:1–3 · Proverbs 1:8–9Bethany learns that having a boyfriend is not more important than family. How can friendships and family relationships be kept in their proper place?
Exodus 20:12 · Philippians 2:3–4The children use teamwork and discernment to face danger. When have you needed wisdom rather than simply acting quickly?
James 1:5 · Proverbs 3:5–6The Final Word
ALIENS IN THE ATTIC offers older children and adults a charming adventure with fun action, valuable lessons, and only mild concerns. It is a good choice for family movie night. WORTH THE TRIP.
