Why families should watch Babe

It’s easy to dismiss Babe as just another talking animal movie—something lighthearted for kids, a bit of farmyard fluff. But to reduce it to that would be to miss the heart of what makes this film truly special. There’s a kind of quiet magic that permeates this 1995 classic. The story of a pig who wants to herd sheep is, at its core, about finding courage in unexpected places and discovering what happens when you refuse to accept the limitations the world imposes on you. Babe isn’t just about a pig on a farm; it’s about the ways in which love, persistence, and the courage to be yourself can change the world around you.

Watching Babe together as a family is an invitation to reflect on bigger themes that go beyond farm life and talking animals. It’s a film that speaks to the quiet, everyday heroism found in the simplest acts of kindness, the unspoken understanding between beings, and the courage to face something bigger than yourself. For parents, there’s a chance to talk about what it means to nurture confidence in your children, to encourage them to forge their own path even when others doubt them. For kids, it’s about seeing that it’s okay to be different, and that difference might just be what the world needs.

There’s this underlying message throughout the film: you can be more than the world expects of you. Babe, the pig, is a perfect example of this. He’s told time and again that pigs aren’t meant to herd sheep, that he’s not cut out for the job. Yet, he doesn’t let that deter him. With patience, perseverance, and, most importantly, kindness, Babe shows everyone—including the audience—that being kind doesn’t mean being weak, and being different doesn’t mean being lesser. It’s a powerful message, especially in a world that often tells us to fit into predefined boxes. Babe’s journey is a quiet rebellion against the notion that you are defined by what others think you are capable of.

The film itself—soft and unassuming as it is—takes a gentle approach to some really important ideas. Take the relationship between Babe and Fly, the sheepdog. It’s not love in the grand, epic sense, but there’s something incredibly touching about their unspoken understanding. Fly teaches Babe, patiently and without judgment, and Babe, in turn, listens and learns. The quiet bond they share reminds us that sometimes the most important relationships are those built on mutual respect and understanding, not loud declarations or dramatic gestures. This dynamic is a lovely lesson for families to reflect on: love is not always loud, it’s often small, subtle, and built over time.

Then, there’s the way Babe’s actions make the other animals question their own preconceived notions. There’s the gruff sheepdog Rex, who scoffs at the idea that a pig could do the job of a dog, and yet, by the end, is won over by Babe’s persistent gentleness and quiet strength. It’s a perfect reflection of how we all need to challenge the assumptions we make about others, how we often underestimate people (or pigs) based on what we think we know. And how, sometimes, it takes a single act of courage or kindness to break through those assumptions.

In the end, Babe isn’t just a movie about a pig on a farm doing what pigs aren’t supposed to do. It’s a story about the way love can push us to exceed our limits, the way kindness can soften even the hardest hearts, and how, when we embrace our true selves, we can achieve things we never thought possible. Watching it as a family, it’s impossible not to be reminded of the importance of supporting each other’s dreams, even when they seem impossible. Babe might be a pig, but his story is undeniably human. It’s a reminder that sometimes, in the most unexpected places, greatness is born not out of strength or size, but out of the quiet determination to do things your own way.

Maybe that’s why Babe is more than just a movie about a farm—it’s about all of us, learning to navigate a world that often tells us who we should be, and instead, finding the courage to be exactly who we are. It’s a film that asks families to reflect on the love they have for one another, the dreams they hold, and the ways they can encourage one another to push past their own doubts. In the end, watching Babe together might not just bring a few laughs—it might just help remind us what it means to love, to be different, and to be truly brave.