Film

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Name: Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Genre: Animation, Science Fiction, Comedy, Adventure, Family
Released: 2014
Cast: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Allison Janney, Stephen Colbert

Time-travel sci-fi
Light-hearted

A witty animated adventure about a brilliant dog and his adopted son who travel through history to prevent a time-travel disaster. It's surprisingly clever without talking down to kids, packed with historical jokes that land for adults too. Perfect for families who enjoy wordplay, heart, and chaos in equal measure.

TMDb rating

3.4

Should you watch it?

Watch it if you enjoy brisk, witty family animation where the jokes land on both kids and grown-ups, and history is a playground for sly gags and fast, lively set pieces.

Skip it if you want something gentle and unhurried, since the film moves at a quick clip and its humour leans on rapid-fire wordplay that some younger viewers may find loud.

What it asks of you: Ninety-two minutes of constant motion, with quick cuts and a steady stream of jokes, so it wants your attention more than your patience and rewards it with cheerful energy.

Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.

If you liked this

The Incredibles2004

A superhero family film with genuine wit, strong character writing, and action that serves the story. It understands that kids' entertainment doesn't mean dumbing down the script or the animation.

But The middle stretches a bit and some of the dialogue tech-speak can feel dated now.

How to Train Your Dragon2010

Surprising depth beneath the adventure. A father-son dynamic that actually means something, beautiful animation, and stakes that feel real. The humor serves character rather than interrupting it.

But The celebrity voice casting is occasionally distracting and the plot beats are fairly familiar.

The Lego Movie2014

Rapid-fire jokes layered for different ages, genuine emotional beats, and an art style that's visually inventive. Characters matter. It never mistakes loudness for humor or spectacle for story.

But The relentless pace exhausts some viewers. It's crafted to never let you think, which is sometimes the point and sometimes irritating.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from Mr. Peabody & Sherman

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods2014

Both use history and historical figures as a foundation for humor; both are time-travel adjacent (Asterix in setting, Peabody in mechanism); both trust their audience to get jokes beyond the punchline.

A French animated film from the same year, built on historical comedy and wordplay like Peabody but rooted in European sensibility. Smarter about history than you'd expect and genuinely funny for adults who know the comics.

But If you don't know Asterix, the references land less. The animation style is less polished than DreamWorks' house style. It's quieter, less frantic.

Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods poster

Paddington2014

A film about kindness that never feels preachy, with humor that emerges from character and situation. Beautifully designed, genuinely funny for adults, and surprisingly touching.

But If you find gentle humor boring, this won't convince you otherwise. It's not trying to be edgy.

Despicable Me2010

A villain-protagonist story that works because the character arc is genuine. Colorful, inventive animation and a good-hearted ending that earns its sentiment through actual storytelling.

But Minions. They're everywhere, they're loud, and if they don't land for you, they're a constant distraction.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs2009

Pure visual invention. The animation style is distinct and playful, the pacing is excellent, and it understands that chaos can be funny without being mean or stupid.

But The romantic subplot is thin and some sight gags rely on repetition. It's lighter on character than on spectacle.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs poster

Tangled2010

A fairy tale retelling that's genuinely funny and visually gorgeous. The voice performances feel real, the songs serve the story, and the character dynamics are surprisingly warm.

But If you're animation-fatigued, the glossy Disney house style might feel overproduced. The second act sags slightly.

Big Hero 62014

Friendship at its core, stunning animation, and humor that doesn't try too hard. Character-driven superhero action with genuine emotion underneath the spectacle.

But The villain reveal is abrupt and the third act loses focus. Some tonal whiplash between comedy and darker moments.

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure1989

Identical premise: time machine, historical figures disrupted, chaos as comedy. But told with 80s sincerity instead of modern frenzy. Proof that the idea works across eras when character matters.

A time-travel film that also yanks historical figures out of context and plays with anachronism for laughs. It's silly but the humor comes from character and situation, not just special effects. Genuinely charming.

But The production values are 1989-level low-budget. It's slower and less frantic. If you need constant motion and stimulation, it'll feel slack.