Barbie is PG-13: Is it Appropriate for Kids to Watch? (2024)

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The Barbie movie has officially taken the world by storm, breaking records in the box office and inspiring trends across the board. And, now the movie is available to stream from home on platforms like Amazon and YouTube! Though the movie is about a children's toy, it isn't necessarily a kids' movie. So, is Barbie appropriate for your kids to watch? This has become a hot debate among parents, as the movie is rated by the Motion Picture Association as PG-13, suggesting only teens and adults should enjoy the flick. We've combed the entire movie for scenes, references, and everything in between that you should know about when deciding if Barbie is appropriate for your kids to watch.

There are plenty of reasons why children would be drawn the movie, from the sheer volume of pink to the girly costumes and maybe even their love for Barbie dolls. Mattel has even released new Barbies and Kens for kids based on Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling's characters. But, in reality younger children likely won't like the movie as much as they think they might. While they might enjoy the life-size Barbie Dreamhouse and other aspects of the film, many of the major points in the movie will probably go over their head.

Mature Themes in Barbie

A lot of the plot of the film revolves around mature themes like the patriarchy and gender-based discrimination and stereotyping. While these themes aren't necessarily inappropriate for most kids, they may not fully understand what the characters are implying either. There is also some talk of death and dying in the movie, which may be a little less appropriate for younger children under the age of 8. Ken and his goonies are also shown drinking beer in the Mojo Dojo Casa House.

In regards to violence, there is one fight scene in the film but all the of "weapons" are toys that are either inflatable or plastic. The level of violence is comparable to most Disney movies if not less intense, so this shouldn't be a big concern for parents.

Language and Suggestive References in Barbie

The worst of the language in Barbie is bleeped out, but some words and phrases to expect include "crap," "oh my God," and "shut up," though there is nothing explicit.

Some suggestive references are present in the movie, which were a big contributor to the movie's PG-13 rating. These include the characters' discussion about Barbie and Ken dolls' lack of genitalia, though there is no nudity or sex in the movie. At the end of the movie there is also a scene where Barbie goes to the gynecologist, which may raise some questions for younger viewers. However there are also plenty of positive references like representation of different body types and skin colors.

Our recommendation is that the movie should be safe for nearly all children ages 11 and older (which Common Sense Media seconds). If your kids are younger and they're still dying to watch the movie, take these considerations in mind and decide for yourself. After all, parents always know best!