Is 2 Too Young to See a 3D Movie?

Updated on June 08, 2009
M.P. asks from Chicago, IL
29 answers

My son will be two this month. We do not watch TV at home at all, so he has had very little exposure to movies and TV. Since UP is coming out in theaters I thought it would be a nice treat for him (and us). He is such a good boy that he really does deserve something special every once in a while. But A friend of ours would really like to see the 3D version. Does anyone have experisnce with taking kids to movies like this?

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the feed-back. We popped some popcorn and watch Nemo (which was on cable a few night ago). He liked it (but then again he loves fish). Apparently the popcorn was not that big a hit (weird kid!). Maybe Huubby and I will go see UP and leave the tike movie-free a little longer. Besides I love that he is not a TV addict (like I used to be LOL)

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G.H.

answers from Chicago on

A 2 year old may freak out at a 3D movie; especially since he's never been to a movie. He may be distracted with the glasses and so forth. He could also be disruptive to the rest of the movie goers.

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H.J.

answers from Chicago on

my neice went to her first 3D movie recently and the hardest part for her was the glasses. the Glasses were too big for her face so she couldn't get them on nor see through them correctly so it didn't go so well.

I'd say expect not to stay through the whole movie...and if he makes it, great. gluck.

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R.C.

answers from Chicago on

UP is rated PG. It is quite a bit darker than all other PIXAR films, and my youngest is 6 and did not understand it. This movie is really great in every conceiveable way, and I am a HUGE lover of all things Disney/PIXAR, but I cannot recommend it for a 2 year old - in any version.

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S.K.

answers from Chicago on

We took our kids to lego land a couple of times. On my son's 3rd birthday he refused to wear the 3d glasses in the theater. Also realize that he may not want to sit still through the movie either. Good luck. Here's some other fun activities: He may like to go to the children's museum in naperville. http://www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org/. Blackberry farm in Aurora http://www.foxvalleyparkdistrict.org/?q=node/2. You can ride the train and ponies and rides. Or for a free event Cosley Zoo in Wheaton http://www.wheatonparkdistrict.com/pgs/parks/cosley/defau.... Have a good summer.

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K.N.

answers from Chicago on

two is awfully young to sit through any movie in the theater. it is a long time for one that age to sit and not move around and it intensifies the experience for them because the screen is so big, the sound is so loud, and they can't take a break to play with something, get a snack or whatever if it becomes overwhelming.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

Wow...you sure got alot of advice other than what you were looking for:) I think it all depends on the kid but if you are worried about it there are some theaters that are showing a "regular"version of UP. HTH!

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M.E.

answers from Chicago on

I don't recommend it. My husband took my 3 1/2 year old a few months ago to see Monsters Vs Aliens in 3D and the glasses were too big for her. They were hard to keep on and she couldn't see without them because the movie was blurry. I would say skip the 3D!

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M.

answers from Chicago on

I would not take him to UP! I took my DS, 4.5 for his first movie in a theater and he was really scared by the really loud music, etc. Not a cute kids movie! I wish I hadn't spent the money even for myself! Maybe on DVD at home. Otherwise, if it was a cute kids movie then go for it in 3D.

Good luck!

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J.K.

answers from Chicago on

I know people who took their 3 and 4 year olds, and even they wouldn't keep the glasses on. Then they end up with a headache from watching a blurry movie.

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R.C.

answers from Chicago on

we went to see up with my daughter's Girl Scout Troop, and my 2 1/2 year old sat for the whole movie, but he only wore the 3D glasses for maybe the first 10 minutes. He still enjoyed the (slightly blurry) movie!

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

I took my son at 3 to a 3D show at DisneyLand and it was scary for him and he's not a scary kid. It was just a bit much. i think i'd wait.

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M.J.

answers from Chicago on

I didn't take my kids to the movies until they were around 4. They watched movies at home, but the one time I took the oldest when he was about 3, he was fascinated with the lighted steps and just wanted to walk up and down them. He also was scared by the loud volume, especially for the previews.

I don't know how the 3D version would work out, but I would be prepared for his desire to walk around and check everything out.

M.

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C.C.

answers from Chicago on

My four and nearly 6 year old really enjoyed Up. That being said, I wish we would have seen the 2D version instead. My daughter has seen 3D movies before, but it was my son's first. He loved the glasses, but they were too big for him so he kept taking them off. Luckily, the whole movie isn't blurry. For that particular movie, the 3D is more in the scenery--to get the effect of the floating house and the waterfalls, etc.

I do have to agree with the other poster that said 3D or not, this may not be the movie for a 2yr old. There's almost too much story for a young child.

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M.Y.

answers from Chicago on

yes - too young! especially if your child has not had exposure to tv/movies. you don't want to freak him out!

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A.T.

answers from Chicago on

We went to one 3D movies when the kids were younger---NEVER again. It was too over the top for them....and they were 6 and 4!

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D.R.

answers from Chicago on

We took my daughter (3 1/2) to see Monsters vs Aliens in 3D and she didn't want to keep the glasses on so she had to watch the movie blurry. The first animated movie we took her to we had to leave for a while (she was 2) b/c she got figgety - just be prepared to leave early if he can't follow the story line and looses interest. But they love the popcorn!

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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter is 14 months. The other day my older kids were watching the Spy Kids: Game Over dvd in 3D-without the glasses since they lost them. It kind of held her attention. She does not watch much TV and really mostly animals or babies seem to catch her attn most. If your son can sit long enough for a movie, I don't see any reason not to take him to the 3D version versus the regular one. You might want to go to a matinee so it is cheaper just in case. Also most theaters will refund money if you leave during the first half hour.
We took our kids to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua when it came out. The trailors scared our little one because they were so loud. But the movie itself had all of her attn. I didn't think she would sit still for the whole of it but she did.

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E.P.

answers from Chicago on

I can only tell you my experience from taking my, then 4 year old, daughter and 1 year old, son, to Disney and we saw, 3D - "Honey, I shrunk the audience".... my kids freaked out! Hid under the seat. My daughter wanted to go on "Tower of Terror" and Space Mountain, over and over, but could not sit through a 3D movie. Way too realistic for them. And the glasses??? Wouldn't keep them on.

Personally, I would stick with the regular version.

Good luck.

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S.Q.

answers from Chicago on

Even when my kids were older (like 4 and 6) they still couldn't tolerate the 3D movie action and were freaked out. We tried to watch it without the glasses, but the blurry aspect of it gave us all headaches and we left after 15 minutes. Classic Cinemas (they are all over Chicagoland) offer $1 Wednesdays this summer. So, you can take your child for $1 (and you, too) so that is a nice way to try out watching a movie in the cinema and see if your son likes it. Mine didn't until they were over 3. We went to a couple of $1 films, leaving after 15 or 20 minutes, before they ever made it through a whole film.

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M.K.

answers from Chicago on

Do you think your 2 year can sit still through a full-length, feature movie? Also...is he able to wear glasses/sunglasses without issues? Before going, I would try a movie at home to see how it goes.

J.S.

answers from Chicago on

I think 2 is too young to see any movie in a theater, 3D or otherwise. Why not go to the DuPage Children's Museum or the Morton Arboretum instead?

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S.M.

answers from Chicago on

Yes. My 3 year old (2 1/2 tat he time) wanted to wear the glasses but they were too big and kept falling off his head. After a little while he just took them off and watched the blurry movie. On another subject, a friend of mine gave me some great advice-until my son turned 3 I brought our tableside highchair (like a booster seat)-that way we could strap him in. Because he was comfy and had a place to put his drink and popcorn (we brought the tray too) he sat great. We have taken him to a bunch of movies since he was 1 1/2 and never had a problem. It is really nice because the booster seat straps to the movie seat and he is strapped to the booster so we didn't have to worry about him fidgeting and falling off the seat. Except with the 3D movie movie going as been great!

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P.G.

answers from Chicago on

I'm not a fan of taking 2-year-olds to movies or even allowing them to see much at home. Adults are able to distinguish between fantasy (movies) and reality. Two year-olds cannot. No matter how bright, developmentally, they don't have enough experience with the world to make sense of the big screen--3D or not 3D. I hope you'll have other age-appropriate fun time with your wonderful son...things that will truly be a treat for him. Sometimes, we forget that treats for us or older children are not treats for the toddlers among us.

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G.C.

answers from Chicago on

My husband and I just saw UP - great movie. We did not take our 3 yr old son as this movie would have freaked him out due to the subject matter and 3D effects. There are some parts that I think a little kid would find very scary and the subject matter, lets just say there were several parts I got teary-eyed. I would not recommend this be the first movie you take your son to. A lot of theaters are offering free movies during the weekday - perhaps you can take him to one of those free showings, and if he doesn't like it then you can leave early without wasting money.

Good luck.

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A.R.

answers from Peoria on

I guess I'm in the minority, but we took our kids 3 1/2 and 2 1/2 to see Up (the 2-D version) and they really enjoyed it. I would not recommend the 3-D version if you do plan on going to the movie. We went and saw monsters and aliens in 3-D and the glasses were too big and my 2 year old wouldn't keep them on, and it was not much fun for him. When we went and saw up we had a little trouble wih him sitting and watching, but we put the kids between my husband and I (everyone with their own seat) and it gave him a little room to move around, and their were parts that were interesting and he would sit and watch.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

My son requested a movie party for his 4th bday, so we did "Monsters vs. Aliens" in 3D. My daughter had just turned 2 at the time. Her 2 year old cousin also attended. Neither of the 2 year olds could stand the 3D glasses (they don't have a small size). Neither of them made it more than 45 minutes into the movie. That was fine with us, since we had a "party room" from the bday party and didn't expect the 2 year olds to make it through anyway. But you wouldn't want to have to leave early if it's just you and some friends.

We also took both our 4 year old and 2 year old to see "Up" in 2D. It is kind of a long movie for the 2 year old and didn't really hold her interest. We went to the theatre in the mall, so when she got tired of it I took her out to play at the play area while my husband and son watched the rest of the movie.

Honestly, my 2 year old's favorite movie related thing is to have "movie night" at home where we pop a big bowl of popcorn, put on our jammies, bring our pillows and all pile up on the couch for a movie. She loved "Bolt".

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

I don't know about the 3D part, but I have heard that movie has some very emotional real life situations....I am not sure that a 2 year old would quite be ready for that....and it is rated PG but I would find it hard to explain death to a 2 year old. The first movie we took our oldest son to was Curious George and that was a great time. Not that he doesn't deserve it, but I would maybe wait until something a little more appropriate was in the theatres.

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A.A.

answers from Chicago on

I am not sure about the 3D version, but just wanted to say my husband and I took our 2.5 year old daughter to see the regular version of "UP" at the theatres last weekend. It was her first time at a movie theatre, but definitely not her first time watching a movie or tv cartoons (she gets plenty of practice at that) The movie was cute, but I didn't really interest my daughter at all. It was basically a story about a man and woman that meet as kids, fall in love, grow old together, and the women dies and the old man wants to finish an adventure he promised to do with the wife. Very sweet, but not subject matter that interested a preschooler. I think Monsters vs Aliens would have been more up her alley and maybe your sons. If you are in the city I know that movie is playing at Logan Square Theatre which I think is only $3 a ticket, can't beat that price. It cost us $27 to see "UP" for my husband, daughter, and I and honestly she spent most of the movie up and down the seat asking when it was over. Then it was another $30 for popcorn and snacks. Why not try a movie night at home with an old rental of "Finding Nemo" or "lion King". You can pop popcorn and be comfy on your couch! Have fun whatever you decide.

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A.C.

answers from Chicago on

Number one- I dont think a 2 year old will keep the 3D glasses on very long. But for sure TAKE him! I saw it last weekend and it was GREAT! Haven't liked too many kids moviees lately but this was really good. See it in 2D though, because of the glasses thing, but also because it's not "really" 3D. There is nothing popping out at you or anything, its just that you can tell the bed is behind the man, etc. The 3D is totally not worth, you lose something in colors watching in 3D. My husband and I watched it in 3D without our daughter, was NOT worth the price. We plan on taking her to see it in 2D soon.

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