A Bug's Life (1998) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: A Bug's Life
Director: John Lasseter & Andrew Stanton
Released: 1998
Duration: 95 min
Rating: 7.0

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

On behalf of "oppressed bugs everywhere," an inventive ant named Flik hires a troupe of warrior bugs to defend his bustling colony from a horde of freeloading grasshoppers led by the evil-minded Hopper.

Rated G • 1998 • 1h 35m

Directed by John Lasseter & Andrew Stanton

7.0

5K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

An ant colony exploited by grasshoppers is saved by a misfit ant who hires circus bugs as warriors. The G rating is appropriate — a warm Pixar adventure with genuine stakes.

Cast

Dave Foley

Kevin Spacey

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Hayden Panettiere

Phyllis Diller

Richard Kind

David Hyde Pierce

Joe Ranft

Denis Leary

Jonathan Harris

Madeline Kahn

Bonnie Hunt

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Is A Bug's Life appropriate for kids?

An ant colony exploited by grasshoppers is saved by a misfit ant who hires circus bugs as warriors. The G rating is appropriate — a warm Pixar adventure with genuine stakes. Read more — free account

Content severity in A Bug's Life

Sex None 0/10

Violence Moderate 4/10

Language None 0/10

Substances None 0/10

Themes Moderate 4/10

What happens in A Bug's Life, moment by moment

0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
0:25 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
0:42 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10

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Sex and nudity in A Bug's Life

None.

Violence and gore in A Bug's Life

A caterpillar eaten by a bird — off-screen but implied. Grasshopper menace that may frighten young children.

Language in A Bug's Life

Very mild. Consistent with G.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in A Bug's Life

None.

Mature themes in A Bug's Life

The power of community against oppression — the grasshoppers need the ants more than the ants need them. A misfit's plan that fails and then succeeds. The film is Pixar's most direct Aesop fable.

Scary moments in A Bug's Life

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for A Bug's Life yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is A Bug's Life appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests A Bug's Life is best for ages 5+. It's rated G. An ant colony exploited by grasshoppers is saved by a misfit ant who hires circus bugs as warriors. The G rating is appropriate — a warm Pixar adventure with genuine stakes.

What age rating does A Bug's Life have?

A Bug's Life is officially rated G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 5+.

What is A Bug's Life about?

An ant colony exploited by grasshoppers is saved by a misfit ant who hires circus bugs as warriors. The G rating is appropriate — a warm Pixar adventure with genuine stakes.

Is there sex or nudity in A Bug's Life?

None.

How violent is A Bug's Life?

A caterpillar eaten by a bird — off-screen but implied. Grasshopper menace that may frighten young children.

Is the language in A Bug's Life appropriate for kids?

Very mild. Consistent with G.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in A Bug's Life?

None.

What mature themes appear in A Bug's Life?

The power of community against oppression — the grasshoppers need the ants more than the ants need them. A misfit's plan that fails and then succeeds. The film is Pixar's most direct Aesop fable.

How long is A Bug's Life?

A Bug's Life runs 95 minutes, directed by John Lasseter & Andrew Stanton, released in 1998.

Where can I read the full A Bug's Life parent guide?

Create a free Bontent account to unlock the full scene-by-scene notes, filter by your kids' ages, and save titles to your personal watchlist.