As the leaves begin to change color and the air turns crisp, it’s time to cozy up with a warm blanket and enjoy the best movies that fall has to offer. Whether you’re looking for a spooky thriller, a heartwarming drama, or a laugh-out-loud comedy, there’s something for everyone in the fall movie lineup. But before you hit the theater with your family, it’s important to be aware of the age ratings and content of the films you’re planning to see. In this parents guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to make informed choices about which movies are appropriate for your children.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) assigns age ratings to movies based on their content. These ratings include G (General Audiences), PG (Parental Guidance Suggested), PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned), R (Restricted), and NC-17 (No One 17 and Under Admitted). It’s important to note that these ratings are not just suggestions; they’re legal requirements. Theaters are not allowed to admit children under the age of 17 to R-rated movies, and children under the age of 13 to NC-17 movies. For PG-13 movies, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Now that you’re familiar with the MPA age ratings, let’s take a look at some of the specific content that you may encounter in fall movies. Some common themes and elements that are often found in fall movies include:
Fall Movie Parents Guide
Navigating age ratings and content for family-friendly viewing.
- Understand MPA age ratings.
- Read reviews and ratings.
- Consider your child’s maturity level.
- Be aware of common fall movie themes.
- Look for positive messages and role models.
- Avoid excessive violence or gore.
- Choose movies with age-appropriate language.
- Accompany young children to PG-13 movies.
- Avoid R-rated and NC-17 movies for children.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your children have a safe and enjoyable movie-watching experience this fall.
Understand MPA age ratings.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) assigns age ratings to movies based on their content. These ratings are designed to help parents make informed choices about which movies are appropriate for their children.
-
G (General Audiences):
These movies are appropriate for all ages. They contain no violence, nudity, or other adult content.
-
PG (Parental Guidance Suggested):
These movies may contain some mild violence, language, or sexual content. Parents are advised to preview these movies before allowing their young children to watch them.
-
PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned):
These movies may contain more intense violence, language, or sexual content. Parents are strongly cautioned to preview these movies before allowing their children to watch them. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
-
R (Restricted):
These movies are restricted to adults. They may contain graphic violence, nudity, or other adult content. Children under the age of 17 are not admitted to R-rated movies.
It’s important to note that these ratings are not just suggestions; they’re legal requirements. Theaters are not allowed to admit children under the age of 17 to R-rated movies, and children under the age of 13 to NC-17 movies. For PG-13 movies, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Read reviews and ratings.
In addition to understanding the MPA age ratings, it’s also helpful to read reviews and ratings from other parents and critics. This can give you a better idea of the specific content of a movie and whether or not it’s appropriate for your child.
-
Read reviews from trusted sources:
There are many websites and publications that provide movie reviews written by parents and other experts. Some popular sources include Common Sense Media, Rotten Tomatoes, and Kids-In-Mind.
-
Pay attention to the ratings:
Most review sites also include a rating system that can help you quickly gauge the appropriateness of a movie for your child. For example, Common Sense Media uses a 5-star rating system, with 5 stars indicating that a movie is appropriate for all ages.
-
Read the reviews carefully:
Don’t just look at the overall rating. Take the time to read the actual reviews to get a better understanding of the content of the movie. Pay attention to any specific concerns that reviewers raise, such as violence, language, or sexual content.
-
Consider your child’s individual needs:
Even if a movie is rated G or PG, it may not be appropriate for your child if they are particularly sensitive to certain types of content. For example, a movie that contains scenes of animal cruelty may be upsetting for a child who loves animals.
By taking the time to read reviews and ratings, you can get a better idea of the content of a movie and make an informed decision about whether or not it’s appropriate for your child.
Consider your child’s maturity level.
Even within a particular age rating, there can be a wide range of content that may or may not be appropriate for your child. That’s why it’s important to consider your child’s individual maturity level when choosing a movie.
-
Think about your child’s emotional development:
Some children are more sensitive to violence, scary images, or other intense content than others. If your child is easily frightened or upset, you may want to avoid movies that contain these elements.
-
Consider your child’s social development:
Some movies may deal with mature themes or situations that your child may not be ready to understand. For example, a movie about a romantic relationship may not be appropriate for a young child who is not yet old enough to understand the concept of romance.
-
Talk to your child about their interests:
Ask your child what kind of movies they like and what they’re interested in. This can give you a better idea of what kind of content they’re ready for.
-
Trust your instincts:
Ultimately, you know your child best. If you have a gut feeling that a particular movie is not appropriate for them, trust your instincts and don’t let them watch it.
By considering your child’s maturity level, you can choose movies that are both enjoyable and appropriate for them.
Be aware of common fall movie themes.
Fall is a popular time for movies that explore certain themes and storylines. Some of the most common fall movie themes include:
-
Halloween:
With Halloween just around the corner, many fall movies feature spooky or supernatural themes. These movies can range from lighthearted comedies to suspenseful thrillers to full-on horror films. Some popular Halloween movies include Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Halloween.
-
Thanksgiving:
Thanksgiving is another popular theme for fall movies. These movies often focus on family, food, and gratitude. Some popular Thanksgiving movies include Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Home for the Holidays, and The Blind Side.
-
Football:
Football is a big part of fall for many people, and there are a number of movies that explore the sport. These movies can be inspirational, funny, or even romantic. Some popular football movies include Remember the Titans, The Blind Side, and Friday Night Lights.
-
Harvest:
The fall harvest is a time of celebration and abundance. Some fall movies capture the beauty and bounty of this season. These movies can be heartwarming, nostalgic, or even magical. Some popular harvest movies include It’s a Wonderful Life, Autumn in New York, and October Sky.
By being aware of these common fall movie themes, you can better choose movies that are appropriate for your child and that they will enjoy.
It’s also important to note that not all fall movies fit neatly into these categories. There are many movies that explore other themes, such as love, loss, and redemption. When choosing a fall movie for your child, take the time to read reviews and ratings to get a better idea of the content of the movie and whether or not it’s appropriate for them.
Look for positive messages and role models.
In addition to avoiding inappropriate content, it’s also important to look for movies that have positive messages and role models. These movies can help your child learn about important values, such as kindness, courage, and perseverance.
-
Look for movies with strong female characters:
Movies that feature strong female characters can help your child see that women can be powerful, independent, and successful. Some popular movies with strong female characters include Moana, Wonder Woman, and Captain Marvel.
-
Choose movies that promote diversity:
Movies that feature diverse characters can help your child learn about different cultures and perspectives. Some popular movies that promote diversity include Black Panther, Coco, and The Greatest Showman.
-
Select movies that teach important lessons:
Movies can be a great way to teach your child about important life lessons, such as the importance of kindness, courage, and perseverance. Some popular movies that teach important lessons include The Lion King, Inside Out, and Soul.
-
Avoid movies that glorify violence or bullying:
Movies that glorify violence or bullying can send the wrong message to your child. Instead, choose movies that promote positive values and behaviors.
By looking for movies with positive messages and role models, you can help your child learn about important values and make good choices in their own lives.
Avoid excessive violence or gore.
Violence and gore can be very disturbing for children, even if it’s not realistic. Even if a movie is rated PG-13 or R, it may still contain violence or gore that is too intense for your child. It’s important to be aware of the level of violence and gore in a movie before you let your child watch it.
-
Read reviews and ratings:
Reviews and ratings can give you a good idea of the level of violence and gore in a movie. Look for reviews that specifically mention violence or gore, and pay attention to the ratings. A movie that is rated R for violence is likely to be too intense for children.
-
Talk to other parents:
If you’re not sure whether a movie is appropriate for your child, talk to other parents who have seen it. They can give you their opinion on the level of violence and gore in the movie.
-
Watch the movie yourself:
If you’re still not sure whether a movie is appropriate for your child, the best thing to do is to watch it yourself. This way, you can see firsthand the level of violence and gore and decide for yourself whether or not it’s appropriate for your child.
-
Use your best judgment:
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether or not a movie is appropriate for your child. Trust your instincts and don’t let your child watch a movie that you think is too violent or gory.
By avoiding movies with excessive violence or gore, you can help protect your child from being exposed to disturbing and potentially harmful content.
Choose movies with age-appropriate language.
The language used in a movie can also be a factor to consider when choosing a movie for your child. Some movies may contain profanity, sexual innuendo, or other inappropriate language. It’s important to choose movies that use language that is appropriate for your child’s age and maturity level.
-
Be aware of the MPAA ratings:
The MPAA ratings can give you a general idea of the language used in a movie. Movies that are rated PG-13 or R are likely to contain some profanity or other inappropriate language.
-
Read reviews and ratings:
Reviews and ratings can also give you information about the language used in a movie. Look for reviews that specifically mention language, and pay attention to the ratings. A movie that is rated R for language is likely to contain a lot of profanity or other inappropriate language.
-
Talk to other parents:
If you’re not sure whether a movie is appropriate for your child, talk to other parents who have seen it. They can give you their opinion on the language used in the movie.
-
Watch the movie yourself:
If you’re still not sure whether a movie is appropriate for your child, the best thing to do is to watch it yourself. This way, you can hear the language used in the movie and decide for yourself whether or not it’s appropriate for your child.
By choosing movies with age-appropriate language, you can help protect your child from being exposed to language that is too mature or inappropriate for them.
It’s also important to talk to your child about the language used in movies. Help them to understand that some words and phrases are not appropriate to use in everyday conversation. You can also use movies as a starting point for discussions about important topics, such as bullying, racism, and sexism.
Accompany young children to PG-13 movies.
PG-13 movies may contain some material that is inappropriate for children under 13. This material may include violence, language, sexual content, or other adult themes. If you’re thinking about taking your young child to a PG-13 movie, it’s important to be prepared to answer any questions they may have about the content of the movie.
-
Talk to your child about the movie before you go:
Before you take your child to a PG-13 movie, talk to them about the content of the movie. Explain that the movie may contain some things that are not appropriate for children their age. Let them know that they can ask you any questions they have about the movie during or after the movie.
-
Be prepared to answer questions:
When you’re watching a PG-13 movie with your child, be prepared to answer any questions they may have about the content of the movie. This may include questions about violence, language, sexual content, or other adult themes. Answer your child’s questions honestly and in a way that they can understand.
-
Be aware of your child’s reactions:
Pay attention to your child’s reactions to the movie. If they seem upset or uncomfortable, you may want to take them out of the theater. It’s also important to talk to your child about their reactions after the movie. This will help you to understand how they processed the content of the movie.
-
Use the movie as a teaching opportunity:
You can use PG-13 movies as a teaching opportunity for your child. After the movie, talk to your child about the themes and messages of the movie. You can also discuss the characters’ choices and the consequences of their actions. This will help your child to learn from the movie and to make good choices in their own lives.
By accompanying your young child to PG-13 movies and being prepared to answer their questions and discuss the content of the movie, you can help them to have a safe and enjoyable movie-going experience.