Trolls — Family Discussion Guide
A guided conversation resource to help families explore the themes of Trolls through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
Friends should show loyalty, courage, and self-giving love.
People should not treat others as objects to consume for their own happiness.
The film suggests happiness is found mainly by looking within, which can conflict with the Christian understanding that true joy is ultimately found in God, not in the self.
Emotional fulfillment is treated as a highest good, which may need discussion because Scripture calls us to seek truth, holiness, and hope in Christ even when we do not feel happy.
Discussion Questions
The movie says happiness is inside us. Do you think joy comes from inside us, from our circumstances, or from God? What is the difference?
Why is it wrong that the Bergens want to consume Trolls to feel better? Do people ever use others in less obvious ways today?
Poppy is encouraging, but Branch is cautious. When do we need encouragement, and when do we need wise warnings?
If someone says, 'I don't do happy,' how should we respond? Should our feelings define who we are?
Guidance Notes
Trolls is a bright, musical family adventure with upbeat friendship themes, but it also includes repeated peril tied to Trolls being hunted and eaten, plus a worldview that treats happiness as something found mainly within ourselves. For many Christian families, the bigger conversation is less about surface content and more about what the film says joy is and where it comes from.
The film warmly celebrates friendship, courage, sacrifice, and care for others. It also pushes a strong message that happiness is already inside you and can be awakened by the right support, which partly reflects common grace observations about encouragement and gratitude but stops short of Christian truth about the human heart. Scripture points families beyond mood and self-expression to deeper joy, repentance, love, and hope in Christ. Parents may want to discuss the difference between temporary happiness and lasting joy in Jesus Christ.
Troll-eating peril
Happiness within
Scripture References
Family Discussion Guide — Trolls (2016)
Use this guide after watching Trolls together to explore its themes through a biblical lens.
Key Takeaways
- Friends should show loyalty, courage, and self-giving love.
- People should not treat others as objects to consume for their own happiness.
- The film suggests happiness is found mainly by looking within, which can conflict with the Christian understanding that true joy is ultimately found in God, not in the self.
- Emotional fulfillment is treated as a highest good, which may need discussion because Scripture calls us to seek truth, holiness, and hope in Christ even when we do not feel happy.
Discussion Questions
- The movie says happiness is inside us. Do you think joy comes from inside us, from our circumstances, or from God? What is the difference?
- Why is it wrong that the Bergens want to consume Trolls to feel better? Do people ever use others in less obvious ways today?
- Poppy is encouraging, but Branch is cautious. When do we need encouragement, and when do we need wise warnings?
- If someone says, ‘I don’t do happy,’ how should we respond? Should our feelings define who we are?
Guidance Notes
- Trolls is a bright, musical family adventure with upbeat friendship themes, but it also includes repeated peril tied to Trolls being hunted and eaten, plus a worldview that treats happiness as something found mainly within ourselves. For many Christian families, the bigger conversation is less about surface content and more about what the film says joy is and where it comes from.
- The film warmly celebrates friendship, courage, sacrifice, and care for others. It also pushes a strong message that happiness is already inside you and can be awakened by the right support, which partly reflects common grace observations about encouragement and gratitude but stops short of Christian truth about the human heart. Scripture points families beyond mood and self-expression to deeper joy, repentance, love, and hope in Christ. Parents may want to discuss the difference between temporary happiness and lasting joy in Jesus Christ.
- Troll-eating peril
- Happiness within
Scripture to Explore Together
- Psalm 16:11
- John 15:11
- Philippians 4:4
- Mark 12:31
- Philippians 2:3-4
- 1 Corinthians 10:24
- Proverbs 12:15
- Ephesians 4:15