A Simple Wish (1997) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Murray is a male fairy godmother, and he is trying to help 8-year-old Anabel to fulfil her "simple wish" - that her father Oliver, who is a cab driver, would win the leading role in a Broadway musical. Unfortunately, Murray's magic wand is broken and the fairies convention is threatened by evil witches Claudia and Boots.
Rated PG • 1997 • 1h 29m
This PG-rated fantasy comedy earns its rating primarily for mild language and some thematic elements of peril. The story follows a girl, Anabel, and an inept fairy godmother, Murray, as they face off against a villainous witch named Claudia. Parents should be aware of several scenes of magical peril, including a character being turned to stone, a giant threatening children, and a witch being trapped in a mirror. The language is mild… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is A Simple Wish appropriate for kids?
This PG-rated fantasy comedy earns its rating primarily for mild language and some thematic elements of peril. The story follows a girl, Anabel, and an inept fairy godmother, Murray, as they face off against a villainous witch named Claudia. Parents should be aware of several… Read more — free account
Content severity in A Simple Wish
What happens in A Simple Wish, moment by moment
- 0:06 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:15 ♥ Sex & Nudity 2/10
- 0:18 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
Sex and nudity in A Simple Wish
This category is very mild. The evil witch Claudia and the head fairy godmother Hortence occasionally wear dresses with wide, somewhat revealing necklines. There is no innuendo, sexual dialogue, or nudity.
Violence and gore in A Simple Wish
Violence is entirely magical, slapstick, and free of blood or gore. An evil witch magically renders another fairy paper-thin and puts bricks in her mouth. The main character's father is turned into a stone statue. In a comedic scene, frogs jump out of a man's mouth. The villain is defeated when her own spell traps her in a mirror, which then shatters. A character is magically forced to dance until near-collapse, and an actor is made to slip and twist his ankle in a slapstick fashion.
Language in A Simple Wish
Language is infrequent and mild. The words "damn" and "hell" are each used a couple of times in moments of frustration.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in A Simple Wish
Substance use is limited to a single scene of magical context. The villainous witch Claudia drinks a smoking, bubbly potion of her own creation; it is clearly a magical concoction and not a real-world beverage.
Mature themes in A Simple Wish
The film deals with themes of family and perseverance. A major source of tension is the threat of the family having to move away, as well as the peril of the father being permanently turned to stone by a magical accident. The story also follows an underdog, Murray, who struggles with incompetence and a lack of respect in his profession.
Scary moments in A Simple Wish
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for A Simple Wish 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Simple Wish appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests A Simple Wish is best for ages 7+. It's rated PG. This PG-rated fantasy comedy earns its rating primarily for mild language and some thematic elements of peril. The story follows a girl, Anabel, and an inept fairy godmother, Murray, as they face off against a…
What age rating does A Simple Wish have?
A Simple Wish is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 7+.
What is A Simple Wish about?
This PG-rated fantasy comedy earns its rating primarily for mild language and some thematic elements of peril. The story follows a girl, Anabel, and an inept fairy godmother, Murray, as they face off against a villainous witch named Claudia. Parents should be aware of several scenes of magical peril, including a…
Is there sex or nudity in A Simple Wish?
This category is very mild. The evil witch Claudia and the head fairy godmother Hortence occasionally wear dresses with wide, somewhat revealing necklines. There is no innuendo, sexual dialogue, or nudity.
How violent is A Simple Wish?
Violence is entirely magical, slapstick, and free of blood or gore. An evil witch magically renders another fairy paper-thin and puts bricks in her mouth. The main character's father is turned into a stone statue. In a comedic scene, frogs jump out of a man's…
Is the language in A Simple Wish appropriate for kids?
Language is infrequent and mild. The words "damn" and "hell" are each used a couple of times in moments of frustration.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in A Simple Wish?
Substance use is limited to a single scene of magical context. The villainous witch Claudia drinks a smoking, bubbly potion of her own creation; it is clearly a magical concoction and not a real-world beverage.
What mature themes appear in A Simple Wish?
The film deals with themes of family and perseverance. A major source of tension is the threat of the family having to move away, as well as the peril of the father being permanently turned to stone by a magical accident. The story also follows an underdog…
How long is A Simple Wish?
A Simple Wish runs 89 minutes, directed by Michael Ritchie, released in 1997.
Where can I read the full A Simple Wish parent guide?
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