Ferdinand (2017)
Story overview
Ferdinand is a gentle bull who prefers smelling flowers over fighting, but he gets mistaken for a fierce bull and taken to Madrid for bullfighting. The movie follows his journey to stay true to himself while facing expectations from others. Based on a classic children's book, it's a heartwarming story about kindness, courage, and being different.
Parent Guide
A gentle story about a bull who prefers flowers to fighting, with positive messages about non-violence and self-acceptance.
Content breakdown
Cartoon-style bullfighting scenes with no graphic violence, some chasing and mild peril when Ferdinand is captured.
Mild tension when Ferdinand is taken away and faces the bullring, but resolved positively.
No offensive language.
No sexual content or nudity.
No substance use.
Mild emotional moments when Ferdinand is separated from home or faces pressure to fight.
Parent tips
Ferdinand is a family-friendly animated film with positive messages about non-violence and self-acceptance. The PG rating comes from some mild peril and comic bullfighting scenes that might be intense for very young viewers. Overall, it's suitable for most children who can handle cartoon-style action and themes of standing up for oneself.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What was your favorite animal in the movie?
- How did Ferdinand show he was kind?
- What flowers would you like to smell with Ferdinand?
- Why did Ferdinand not want to fight like the other bulls?
- How did Ferdinand solve problems without being mean?
- What does it mean to be true to yourself?
- What pressures did Ferdinand face to act differently?
- How did the movie show that strength isn't just about fighting?
- What would you do if people misunderstood you like they did Ferdinand?
- How does the movie challenge traditional ideas of masculinity?
- What real-world situations might parallel Ferdinand's experience?
- How does the film handle the ethics of bullfighting without being graphic?
🎭 Story Kernel
At its core, 'Ferdinand' explores the tension between societal expectations and authentic selfhood. The film isn't just about a pacifist bull—it's about the courage required to reject predetermined roles. Ferdinand's journey from the idyllic flower farm to the brutal bullfighting arena mirrors how institutions (here, the bullfighting industry) attempt to mold individuals into commodities. His refusal to fight isn't weakness but radical resistance against a system that values aggression over empathy. The supporting characters—from the anxious hedgehog to the reluctant bull brothers—each represent different responses to conformity, making Ferdinand's steadfastness even more revolutionary.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The film employs a vibrant Spanish color palette—warm ochres, fiery reds, and lush greens—that visually contrasts Ferdinand's gentle nature with the violent world he inhabits. The camera lingers on close-ups of flowers and Ferdinand's expressive eyes during quiet moments, while the bullfighting sequences use dynamic, sweeping shots that emphasize chaos and spectacle. Symbolically, the recurring sunflowers represent Ferdinand's unwavering identity—they appear in his childhood home, on the farm, and even subtly in the arena's decorations. The animation style shifts subtly during flashbacks to young Ferdinand, using softer edges and brighter lighting to evoke nostalgia and innocence.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
John Cena, who voices Ferdinand, reportedly ad-libbed several lines during recording sessions, including some of the bull's more humorous grunts and sighs. The film's animators visited Spanish bullrings and farms for visual research but deliberately avoided actual bullfights to maintain the story's ethical perspective. Interestingly, the original 1938 'Ferdinand' short film won an Academy Award, making this adaptation part of a nearly 80-year legacy. The flower market scene features cameo appearances of characters from other Blue Sky Studios films hidden in the crowd.
Where to watch
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Trailer
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