[Movie Reviews]: Buffalo Kids (2026) Christian Review – An Unexpected Journey of Faith, Family, and Inclusivity

Overall Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

When an animated film tackles themes of adoption, disability inclusion, and sacrificial love, it's worth paying attention. Buffalo Kids (2026) surprised me with its heartfelt approach to family and faith, even if it comes with a few spiritual speed bumps that Christian parents need to know about.

This 77-minute adventure follows siblings Tom and Mary as they journey from New York City to the California frontier in search of a fresh start. Along the way, they befriend Nick, an orphan with cerebral palsy who society overlooks and undervalues. What unfolds is a story about seeing people the way God sees them, not by their limitations, but by their inherent worth.

The Story: From Orphans to Family

Set against the backdrop of America's westward expansion, Buffalo Kids doesn't sugarcoat the harsh realities orphaned children faced in the 1800s. Tom and Mary have been bouncing through the orphan system, dreaming of something better. When they meet Nick, a boy with cerebral palsy who's been rejected by countless potential families, they make a choice that reflects the gospel: they include him, protect him, and ultimately become his family.

The film takes viewers on a cross-country journey filled with dangers, coyote attacks, train perils, hostage situations, and even a forced labor mine scenario. But through it all, the siblings demonstrate what it means to lay down your life for your friends, just as Christ commanded in John 15:13.

Miss Eleanor, the caretaker at the orphanage, serves as a maternal figure who genuinely cares for all her charges, especially Nick. Her character shows pastoral compassion and reminds us that every child matters to God, regardless of physical ability.

Christian Themes That Shine

Sacrificial Love: The core of this film beats with a distinctly Christian heart. Tom and Mary repeatedly put Nick's safety above their own comfort. They don't see his cerebral palsy as a burden, they see a friend worth protecting. This echoes Romans 12:10: "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Inclusion and Human Dignity: In a culture that often marginalized people with disabilities, the siblings' acceptance of Nick sends a powerful counter-cultural message. The film reminds viewers that every person is made in God's image and has intrinsic value. This isn't just a nice idea, it's biblical truth that shapes how we treat others.

Adoption and New Families: One of the most moving elements is the film's celebration of adoption. The joy that comes from forming new families, especially when it involves children with special needs, reflects God's heart for the orphan. James 1:27 tells us that pure religion includes caring for orphans, and Buffalo Kids brings that message to life in a way kids can understand.

Heroism Through Service: Unlike superhero movies where strength equals power, this film shows heroism through service, protection, and sacrifice. Tom and Mary don't have special abilities, they just have love for their friend. That's the kind of heroism Jesus modeled.

Spiritual Content: What Parents Need to Know

Here's where things get tricky. While the film's core values align with Christianity, it incorporates Native American spiritual practices that Christian families need to discuss.

During a Cheyenne welcome ceremony, characters pray to "spirits" rather than God. Nick experiences visions on a spiritual plane, presented as mystical and positive. The chief tells the children, "May wisdom and the stars guide you," which invokes cosmic guidance rather than divine providence.

Additionally, Mary practices "card reading" to tell Nick's fortune. While it's presented as playful and harmless, it represents divination, something Scripture clearly warns against (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

These scenes aren't long, and they're not presented as overtly dark or evil. But they do normalize spiritual practices outside of Christianity. This creates a teachable moment for parents. You can use these scenes to discuss:

• Why Christians pray to God rather than "spirits"

• The difference between biblical wisdom and cosmic mysticism

• Why divination practices aren't compatible with faith in Christ

The film doesn't mock Christianity or promote these practices as superior. They're simply part of the cultural landscape the characters encounter. With proper context from parents, these moments become opportunities for spiritual growth rather than stumbling blocks.

Family-Friendly Assessment

The MPAA rates Buffalo KidsPG for action, violence, some language, rude humor, and thematic elements. Let's break that down:

Action and Peril: Expect coyote attacks, dangerous train sequences, and tense moments in a forced labor mine. Nothing graphic, but younger kids (under 6) might find certain scenes frightening.

Toilet Humor: Yes, there are extended sequences of bathroom jokes. If your kids are at that age where potty humor is hilarious, they'll love it. If you're trying to move past that phase... well, this won't help.

Language: Mild by modern standards. A few "heck" and "darn" moments, but nothing that would make you cover your kids' ears.

Thematic Elements: The film deals with orphanhood, rejection, and disability in age-appropriate ways. These themes provide opportunities for meaningful family conversations.

The Animation and Pacing

The colorful animation style appeals to younger viewers without being overly simplistic. At 77 minutes, the film moves quickly enough to hold kids' attention without dragging. The frontier setting provides beautiful landscapes and introduces children to American history in an accessible way.

Christian Safety Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

What Keeps It From 5 Stars:

• Spiritual Content: 3-4 scenes involving Native American spirituality (prayers to spirits, vision sequences, fortune-telling)

• Mild Language: Approximately 2-3 instances of mild exclamations

• Toilet Humor: 4-5 extended bathroom joke sequences

• Peril/Violence: 6-7 scenes of danger (coyote attacks, mine collapse, hostage situation, all bloodless and not graphic)

• Gore: None

• Nudity: None

• Sexual Content: None

Safe For: Ages 6 and up with parental guidance for younger viewers regarding spiritual content

Best For: Families looking for conversations about inclusion, adoption, and treating everyone with dignity, with willingness to discuss the spiritual elements that arise

Takeaway / Next Step

Buffalo Kids delivers something rare in modern children's entertainment: a film that celebrates Christian virtues like sacrificial love, inclusion, and family while telling an engaging adventure story. Yes, the Native American spirituality requires parental guidance. But don't let that scare you away from a movie that shows kids how to love people society rejects.

The film's portrayal of Nick: a boy with cerebral palsy who's valued, protected, and included: is worth the price of admission alone. In a world that often measures worth by productivity or physical ability, Buffalo Kids reminds us that every person matters to God.

My recommendation: Watch it with your kids. Use the spiritual content as teaching moments. Celebrate the film's heart for inclusion and adoption. And have conversations about what it means to see people the way Jesus sees them: with love, compassion, and recognition of their infinite worth.

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