Bolt (2008) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: Bolt
Director: Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Released: 2008
Duration: 98 min

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

Bolt is the star of the biggest show in Hollywood. The only problem is, he thinks it's real. After he's accidentally shipped to New York City and separated from Penny, his beloved co-star and owner, Bolt must harness all his "super powers" to find a way home.

Rated PG • 2008 • 1h 38m

Directed by Chris Williams, Byron Howard

Age

Bolt is an animated adventure about a TV star dog who mistakenly believes he possesses real superpowers and embarks on a cross-country journey to rescue his owner, Penny. The film is rated PG primarily for mild action sequences and scenes of peril that occasionally involve fire, explosions, and high-stakes stunts. While the plot involves themes of abandonment and the emotional bond between pets and humans, these are handled with… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

John Travolta

Miley Cyrus

Susie Essman

Mark Walton

Malcolm McDowell

James Lipton

Greg Germann

Diedrich Bader

Nick Swardson

J.P. Manoux

Dan Fogelman

Kari Wahlgren

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Is Bolt appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Bolt

Sex None 0/10

Violence Moderate 4/10

Language None 0/10

Substances None 0/10

Themes Moderate 3/10

What happens in Bolt, moment by moment

0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
0:10 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
0:15 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10

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Sex and nudity in Bolt

There is no sexual content in this film.

Violence and gore in Bolt

Violence consists of mild, stylized action sequences, including explosions, a studio fire, and frantic chases, as well as cartoonish physical comedy like dogs running into doors or being knocked around by objects.

Language in Bolt

There is no profanity in this film.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Bolt

There is no substance use in this film.

Mature themes in Bolt

The narrative explores mature emotional themes, including the trauma of animal abandonment, the complexities of pet ownership, and the distinction between reality and fiction.

Scary moments in Bolt

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Bolt 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 Bolt appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Bolt is best for ages 7+. It's rated PG. Bolt is an animated adventure about a TV star dog who mistakenly believes he possesses real superpowers and embarks on a cross-country journey to rescue his owner, Penny. The film is rated PG primarily for mild action…

What age rating does Bolt have?

Bolt is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 7+.

What is Bolt about?

Is there sex or nudity in Bolt?

There is no sexual content in this film.

How violent is Bolt?

Is the language in Bolt appropriate for kids?

There is no profanity in this film.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Bolt?

There is no substance use in this film.

What mature themes appear in Bolt?

The narrative explores mature emotional themes, including the trauma of animal abandonment, the complexities of pet ownership, and the distinction between reality and fiction.

How long is Bolt?

Bolt runs 98 minutes, directed by Chris Williams, Byron Howard, released in 2008.

Where can I read the full Bolt 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.