A Christmas Carol (1999) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests A Christmas Carol is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. This 1999 adaptation of the classic tale earns its PG rating primarily for frightening ghostly apparitions and mature thematic content. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption involves several scenes that may be too…

A Christmas Carol is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.

This 1999 adaptation of the classic tale earns its PG rating primarily for frightening ghostly apparitions and mature thematic content. The story of Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption involves several scenes that may be too intense for young children, including the appearance of Jacob Marley's ghost with a dislocated jaw…

None. This film contains no sexual content or nudity.

Violence is very minimal. In an early scene, Scrooge brandishes a ruler at a carol singer to scare him away. The core of the film's intensity comes from its frightening imagery and themes, not from physical violence.

None. There is no profanity in the film.

There are a few brief scenes of social drinking in a celebratory context. Characters drink wine or punch at Fezziwig's Christmas party and at Scrooge's nephew's home. The depiction is brief and reflects the historical period.

The film deals with moderate-to-strong thematic content. It heavily explores themes of death, grief, and regret as Scrooge confronts his past and a bleak potential future. Key scenes involve the illness and death of a child (Tiny Tim), the callous reaction to…

A Christmas Carol runs 97 minutes, directed by David Hugh Jones, released in 1999.

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.