The “Barbie” movie broke records at the box office, and it’s still kind of a phenomenon. From costumes to memes, it’s clear the movie is a hit with adults, but is the “Barbie” movie kid-friendly?
Since the movie’s release, a debate has raged online about the film’s portrayals of Barbie and Ken and whether or not parents should be taking their kids to see it. As a mom who took her 9- and 11-year-old kids to see it twice, “Barbie” has quickly become one of my favorite kid-friendly movies. But, I also know that not every family is just like mine, and deciding what movies to show to your kids can be complicated. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know before letting your kids watch the “Barbie” movie and what other parents are saying about the film.
‘Barbie’ movie details
Here are the basic details about the “Barbie” movie:
Director: Greta Gerwig
Release date: July 21, 2023
Runtime: 1 hour, 54 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Watch: Hulu, Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video and more
What is the ‘Barbie’ movie rated?
“Barbie” is rated PG-13. According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), this rating indicates that “some material may be inappropriate for pre-teenagers.” A PG-13 rating can mean that movies have mature content ranging from light swearing to brief violence and even nudity, so as a mom, this rating initially gave me pause.
Before taking my kids to see the movie, I scoured early reviews and checked out FilmRatings.com, where the MPAA posts official ratings. In the case of the “Barbie” movie, the MPAA handed down a PG-13 rating for two main reasons:
- Brief language.
- Suggestive references.
After seeing the movie, I can confirm it doesn’t feature any sex, nudity or gory violence, but it does have mature themes and a few one-liners geared towards the adults in the audience. So you know what to expect, let’s dig into that PG-13 rating a little more thoroughly.
Spoiler alert: Various plot points and scenes are described below.
Why is ‘Barbie’ rated PG-13?
If you’ve seen the trailers for the movie, then you’ve already seen a handful of examples of the movie’s “suggestive references.” During one scene in one trailer, Ken asks Barbie if he can stay the night at her house “because we’re boyfriend and girlfriend.” Barbie asks what they’ll do if he spends the night, to which he awkwardly replies, “I’m actually not sure.”
That same trailer features another scene in which two different Ken dolls argue about “beaching off.” The word “beach” is used a few times throughout the movie as a stand-in for “beat” and “b**ch.” These references went over my kids’ heads.
Outside of the scenes included in the trailers, parents can expect a few other, similar instances of sexual innuendo. There’s a funny comment about Ken’s “flesh-colored blob” and a statement about the fact that Barbie dolls don’t have genitalia. Barbie also has to deal with being cat-called. Some older kids may understand the mild jokes and sexual references, but younger ones are unlikely to put two-and-two together.
The movie also features shirtless Kens, a comedic “battle” scene involving toy weapons and a few references to “brewskys” (beer). As for language, parents can expect one bleeped out use of the word “motherf*****,” as well as the use of other mildly bad words like “hell, “shutup,” “crap” and “damn.”
What to know about adult themes in the ‘Barbie’ movie
“Barbie” is tame when it comes to inappropriate content, but it also features a high-level story that might not resonate with the youngest kids. As Common Sense Media explains, the movie has “a sophisticated message about feminism and the patriarchy,” and “Barbieland is populated by a diverse group of Barbies and Kens from a range of body sizes, abilities, genders and racial and ethnic backgrounds.”
The movie takes Barbie and Ken on a journey to the Real World, where they’re shocked to learn that the creation of Barbie dolls didn’t magically solve the problems of sexism and patriarchy. Ken is intrigued by the concept of a society run solely by men and begins a campaign to bring patriarchy to Barbieland. Meanwhile, Barbie grapples with big questions about her identity, her value and the meaning of her existence.
Some of the movie’s dramatic themes are played for laughs, like a scene featured in the trailer in which Barbie stops mid-dance party and asks, “Do you ever think about dying?”
Other moments are more heartfelt, tender and emotional. They might spark conversations with kids about topics such as:
- Gender roles.
- Patriarchy and feminism.
- Sexism and harassment.
- Confidence, self-love and empowerment.
- What it means to live a good life.
What parents are saying about the ‘Barbie’ movie
As with any movie, whether or not “Barbie” is OK for your kids depends entirely on your own family’s rules, values and expectations. On Common Sense Media, some users have left reviews stating the movie is appropriate for kids as young as 6, while others say they wouldn’t approve it for kids younger than 16.
To help you make an educated decision about the film for your own family, we asked parents what they think about the movie and whether it’s a good choice for young children.
“I think it was totally kid appropriate,” a parent named Paolo says. “Any of the jokes that were made for adults will easily go right over their heads. There’s one moment where there’s an expletive very consciously bleeped for comedic effect, so take that for what it’s worth.”
Another parent named Kat writes, “We took our 10-year-old and thought it was very kid-friendly. She’s ‘grossed out’ by sexual content, and there was nothing in it to make her cringe. We had lots of interesting chats afterwards about patriarchy, body image, empowerment and the trope of romance being the goal of a narrative.”
A few parents caution that the movie might bring up complex feelings and conversation topics. “PSA to parents of young kids who love Barbie: hold off on the movie unless you want to have a lot of earlier-than-planned discussions of death and existential fatigue,” a parent named Kit warns.
Parents should also be aware of other potentially problematic themes in the movie, like depictions of consumerism. “I didn’t like the movie, but I thought it was kid appropriate. It’s the usual commercialization, dystopia type stuff we see around us every day,” one person concludes.
Is ‘Barbie’ kid-friendly? The bottom line
The “Barbie” movie has something for everyone, but whether it’s the right movie for your kids will depend on your individual comfort level and family values. The movie does have adult themes, mild language and some suggestive references, but many parents have still felt comfortable taking their children and tweens to see it.
The “Barbie” movie can be a great jumping off point for starting or continuing thoughtful discussions about diversity, inclusion and self-image. For kids who aren’t necessarily ready for those talks, the movie still offers a lot of laughs, stunning visuals and a charming cast of characters with a feel-good message about being who you are.