City of Ember

Escape is the only option

2008 • 95 min • Adventure · Family · Fantasy

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Synopsis

For generations, the people of the City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers, in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, before the the lights go out forever.

Our family guide

Best from age 8

Movie Knight Score

1931 reviews

100 Reviewers · 1 · 51%
64 Audience · 1930 · 49%

Two teenagers in an underground city race against time to solve an ancient mystery before their city's failing generator causes a permanent blackout. They uncover secrets about their world and a potential escape route to the surface.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 1/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 0/10
Romance & sensuality: 1/10
Scary moments: 4/10

Heads up

Characters face perilous situations and chases.
Some intense moments with a failing city infrastructure.
Mild thematic elements of a controlling leader.
A character is threatened by a giant star-nosed mole.

What it models well

Curiosity and discovery
Bravery in the face of fear
Teamwork and friendship
Resourcefulness

Talk about it after

The importance of questioning authority and seeking truth.
How people react differently to crises.
The value of collaboration to solve big problems.
What might a new beginning look like after a long journey?

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for City of Ember. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.

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Top billed cast

Director: Gil Kenan • Crew: Caroline Thompson

Trailers & clips

Reviewer notes

RecommendedTrusted family reviewers
With the future of the planet in grave danger, some far-sighted builders decide that it’s best for humanity to build a subterranean city into which they can retreat. It’s got to be something self-sustaining as they are going to be down there for a couple of centuries. They do provide exit instructions, but over time they get lost and so nobody knows that maybe it’s time to resurface.…
CinemaSerf, TMDB Community