What age rating is Barbie? Is it suitable for children? (2024)

Barbie has been a huge hit at the box office and is nearing the $1 billion mark thanks, in large part, to the widespread appeal of the movie.

However, you might be wondering whether Greta Gerwig's take on the iconic Mattel doll is suitable for children. There have been animated Barbie movies before for younger audiences, but this is entirely different.

So if you're planning on seeing Barbie this weekend with your children, we're here with all the information you need about the movie's rating.

What age rating is Barbie?

In the UK, Barbie has been officially rated as a 12A by the BBFC. It's received the same 12A rating from the Irish Film Classification Office.

Even though the rating has been around for over two decades, there's still some confusion over what a 12A means. It's essentially a stronger version of a PG, but it doesn't rule out children under the age of 12 seeing a 12A movie. Anybody under the age of 12 can see a 12A movie in the cinema as long as they're accompanied by an adult.

Barbie's 12A rating means it's down to parents to decide if the movie is suitable for their children. Because of this, the BBFC has detailed some non-spoiler-y information about the content of Barbie.

The BBFC's 12A rating of Barbie was a result of the movie containing "moderate innuendo, brief sexual harassment, implied strong language", and the ratings page contains extra details about those categories.

For instance, the "implied strong language" is a bleeped use of "motherf**ker" and the "brief sexual harassment" is when, shortly after arriving in the 'real world', Barbie (Margot Robbie) is catcalled by a group of men.

Other elements that made Barbie a 12A are innuendo (such as the 'beaching-off' gag we saw in the trailer), comic fight scenes that feature "undetailed punches, kicks, headbutts and use of improvised weapons" and references to death.

You can see the full detailed breakdown of what Barbie contains in order to make a judgment that it's suitable for your children here.

In the US, Barbie's age rating is PG-13. Like the 12A rating, this means that children under the age of 13 can see it — but they don't necessarily need to be accompanied by an adult like with the 12A.

For more Barbie coverage, check out:

• Barbie review
• 9 Barbie animated movies worth watching
• How long is Barbie?
• Does Barbie have a post-credit scene?
• Barbie soundtrack: how to buy
• Who could star in Barbie 2?
• Will there be a Barbie sequel?

Barbie is out now in cinemas.