In Your Dreams is a US-made animated family adventure/comedy directed by Alex Woo (co-directed by Erik Benson), produced by Netflix Animation in partnership with Kuku Studios.
The voice cast includes Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Stevie), Elias Janssen (Elliot), Craig Robinson (Baloney Tony — the snarky living giraffe toy), Simu Liu (the kids’ dad), and Cristin Milioti (their mom).
The movie follows 12-year-old Stevie and her younger brother Elliot as they enter a fantastical dream world (after discovering a mysterious Sandman book) to try to fix their broken family — and along the way meet odd allies, funny dangers, and a queen of nightmares.
It had a limited theatrical run before its wide debut on Netflix in mid-November 2025.
In Your Dreams Age Rating
MPA rating: PG.
Netflix and major reviews list In Your Dreams with a child-friendly PG (parental guidance suggested) rating: it contains mild thematic material (family conflict, some frightening dream sequences), gentle comic peril, and very mild language — nothing that crosses into PG-13 territory.
Parents should note that the film’s emotional themes (divorce, fear of losing family) are presented directly and sometimes poignantly, so younger children may find those moments sad or confusing.
Why does this matter to Parents?
As streaming services build more family titles that look like Pixar but come from new creative teams, In Your Dreams is exactly the kind of film families will argue about: bright, funny, and visually playful on the surface — but emotionally pointed underneath.
For parents deciding whether to let kids watch alone, the questions are practical: Can younger viewers handle scenes about divorce and scenes that deliberately use a little tension and mild nightmare imagery?
Is the humor age-appropriate? This guide breaks the film down the way a caring parent might: what actually happens, what to expect emotionally, and which ages will likely enjoy it most.
Plot Summary
Stevie is a neat, anxious 12-year-old whose life is being pulled apart by her parents’ arguments. Her free-spirited little brother Elliot wants to be a magician, which only deepens Stevie’s fear that the family is falling apart.
When the siblings discover an oddly illustrated book called The Legend of the Sandman, they perform a small ritual and fall into a shared dreamscape. In the dream world, they become “lucid dreamers” — able to shape the landscape if they keep their focus and hold hands — and they set out to find the Sandman and ask for one wish: to make the family “whole” again.
The journey is equal parts whimsical and weird: walking cereal zombies, a cantankerous stuffed giraffe who talks back (Baloney Tony), and a queen of nightmares who forces Stevie to face her own fears.
By the end, the kids learn that certain changes in life cannot be undone with magic, but they can be accepted, and families can be rebuilt in new ways.
Parents’ Guide — Things Parents May Want to Know
Violence / Scary imagery
There is mild fantasy peril: chase sequences, moments of suspense in dreamscapes, and stylized “nightmare” creatures. These scenes can be startling but are not graphic. If your child is easily frightened by monsters or tense scenes, consider watching with them.
Language
Language is very mild. Occasional exclamations and one or two faintly stronger words appear in passing, but there is no pervasive adult profanity.
Adult themes/emotional intensity
The heart of the film is emotional: arguments between parents, fear of divorce, feelings of abandonment, and guilt between siblings. These ideas are handled honestly and frequently drive the plot and character choices.
Expect scenes that are quietly sad (a child crying, tense family conversations). For many kids these will be teachable moments; for more sensitive viewers, they may be upsetting.
Substance use / sexual content
None of note. The film is child-friendly on these fronts.
Scary or disturbing moments
The “nightmare” sequences are the most likely cause for worry: distorted landscapes, a stern queen of nightmares, and some brief peril where characters are in danger. The scenes are visually inventive rather than grotesque, but they can feel intense for very young viewers (under ~7).
Who it’s Best For — Age Recommendations
Ages 3–6: might enjoy the colors and some slapstick, but could find the emotional core (parents arguing, a wish to “fix” the family) confusing. Shared watching is recommended.
Ages 7–9: likely to enjoy the adventure and many of the jokes; the scarier dream beats could be unsettling for very sensitive kids. Co-viewing is suggested for first-timers.
Ages 10–12 (pre-teens): the ideal core audience. The protagonists are in this age range, and the film’s emotional arc (learning to accept change, sibling bonds) lands well for this group.
Teens & adults: will find the movie charming and often emotionally resonant; adults may appreciate how the film balances humor and heart.
If you’re watching with kids: tips for parents
- Pre-watch cue — Tell young viewers the movie has a few “scary dream moments” but that the heroes are safe and the dream world is imaginative. That helps frame things and reduces surprise.
- Pause and check — If a nightmare sequence is intense, pause and talk about what’s happening and why the kids on screen feel scared. Turning tension into conversation teaches coping skills.
- Use it as a conversation starter — The movie raises good topics: changes in families, being afraid of losing things you care about, sibling responsibility, and how wishes don’t always solve problems. Ask your child what they would wish for and why.
- Younger siblings — If you have kids under 6, consider watching separately or keeping them on your lap — some images may provoke nightmares for very young children.
What critics and families are saying
Reviews call In Your Dreams “warm,” “Pixar-coded,” and “emotionally honest.” Many critics praise its sibling relationship and visual imagination while noting it doesn’t quite reach the emotional heights of the very best family animated films — but it still lands as a solid, sweet film parents can feel comfortable recommending to older kids.
Family reviewers highlight Craig Robinson’s Baloney Tony as a scene-stealer who balances scares with comic relief. In short, critics agree it’s family-friendly with heart, but the emotional themes mean it’s not pure popcorn fare for very young kids.
Editor’s Verdict
Press play together if you have school-age kids (7–12). The film rewards adult viewers, too, with real feelings beneath the jokes. If you have very young children (under 6) who are easily frightened, consider waiting or watching together and being ready to pause. For families who want animated films that treat tough feelings with honesty while still being funny and imaginative, In Your Dreams is a good pick for family movie night.