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The Croods - 2013

The Croods - 2013
Movie Info

Rating: PG


Age-appropriateness: The Croods are, clearly, modeled after (according to evolutionary theory) transitional ape-like men; slapstick violence


Overview: After their cave is destroyed, a caveman family must trek through an unfamiliar fantastical world with the help of an inventive boy. A caveman father lives his life in constant fear, merely trying to survive day-to-day, when his family meets a boy who lives for tomorrow, exploring and taking curious risks. It’s a dichotomy of merely getting by in life and truly living.


Themes: comfort, broken world, parenting, family, fear, adolescence, purpose, curiosity, creativity, inventions, exploration, love, jealousy

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Fear. What do you think it would be like, to live in a constant state of fear, all day every day?

  • Grug told his family to “never not be afraid”. He feared that if they become comfortable, they won’t be looking out for the dangers around them. He eventually changed his slogan to "never be afraid".

2. Curiosity. How comfortable do you feel taking risks and trying new things? How curious would you describe yourself?

  • The Croods followed the rules because their lives depended on it. Breaking the rules, trying new things, and curiosity were considered bad things because they involved risk.

3. Creativity. In what ways do you express your creativity?

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Parent self-evaluation: How might you be doing the same? Can you identify any area of your child’s life where you may be over-protecting him/her? Grug feared new things, punished curiosity, and dissuaded his children from exploring the big, scary world.


2. Were the cavemen real? Did they actually exist? The Croods are, clearly, modeled after (according to evolutionary theory) transitional ape-like men. Answers in Genesis provides more details and information.


3. How comfortable do you feel taking risks and trying new things? How curious would you describe yourself? The Croods followed the rules because their lives depended on it. Breaking the rules, trying new things, and curiosity were considered bad things because they involved risk.


4. What do you think it would be like, to live in a constant state of fear, all day every day? Grug told his family to “never not be afraid”. He feared that if they become comfortable, they won’t be looking out for the dangers around them.


5. How well does your family work together? What’s the most fun thing your family does together? The Croods work as a family in order to protect one another and to ensure each member of the family continues to grow up to be healthy.


6. In what ways do you express your creativity? Guy has many inventions and is quite resourceful. He regularly innovates to find creative ways to do things.

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:02 The Croods survived in a harsh and hostile world. Many of their neighbors didn’t last due to the many dangers they faced around their home. God's Word tells us that we now live in a broken world. Because of sin, this world isn't like it's supposed to be. There is hurt and pain and the world is far from perfect. What do you see and experience that tells you we live in a broken world?


:11 Eep asks, “What are we doing all this for?”. She’s wondering what he purpose in life in. Eep feels like she was made for more than mere survival. Bible devo on God-given purpose. You were created for something significant. You can make a difference in this world. Why do you think God put you on this Earth?


:17 Eep is curious about this new light she sees. Her dad has a bunch of rules that she doesn’t like, so she breaks them because she wants to learn something new. Why do you think your parents have rules in place? Do you ever feel like some of those rules are ridiculous?


:25 The Croods lose their cave, their primary sense of security. They are now vulnerable, afraid, and unsure of what to do next. Even though you’ve never lived in a cave, have you felt like that? What do you think the Croods should do next?


:38 The Croods go on a family road trip. Do you like traveling with your family? What’s your favorite part of exploring and going on adventures with your family? What’s been the favorite new place you’ve gone?


:47 Grug and Guy tell opposite bedtime stories that depict their perspective on life. Grug fears doing anything new, whereas Guy’s view on life is exploring new areas in order to make a better tomorrow. Who told the better story?


:54 Grug says “ideas are for weaklings”, and he thinks he can survive just fine without using his brain. Guy goes on to show the Croods all of the amazing things that can happen when you use your brain to think creatively. Your mind should be activated. In Matthew 22:37, "Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’" How can you love God with all of your mind?


1:06 Grug was jealous of Guy, so he tried to come up with ideas of his own. Jealousy is wanting to have something that someone else has. James 3:16 says, "For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind." Have you ever been jealous of someone else?


1:10 Eep says there’s a difference between living and “not dying”. What do you think she meant by that? Guy explained how his parents encouraged him to not hide, but to follow the light. In John 8:12, "Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, 'I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.'” If Jesus is the light of the world, what does it mean to follow him?


1:19 Grug changes his advice to “never be afraid”. The most frequent command that God gives us, throughout the entire Bible, is "do not fear". In fact, the phrase "do not fear" shows up 365 times in the Bible. It's like our daily reminder that God is with us, always. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." How can you live in a way that is "never afraid"? How can you constantly remind yourself that God is with you?


1:27 When Eep is reunited, face to face, with her father, she exclaims, “I love you too!”. All of your life, God has been trying to show you how much he loves you. He even sent His Son Jesus to come to Earth and take your punishment on a cross. He did all that so that you’d choose to love Him back. One day, in heaven, we’ll be reunited with God in heaven and we’ll be able to tell Him, “I love you too!”. How much do you think God loves you right now?

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