Citizen Kane (1941) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.
Rated NR • 1941 • 1h 59m
Overall: A reporter investigates the life of a deceased media magnate — told in flashback through those who knew him. Orson Welles's directorial debut at 25. Frequently named the greatest film ever made. Unrated but PG-equivalent.
Cast
Is Citizen Kane appropriate for kids?
Overall: A reporter investigates the life of a deceased media magnate — told in flashback through those who knew him. Orson Welles's directorial debut at 25. Frequently named the greatest film ever made. Unrated but PG-equivalent. Read more — free account
Content severity in Citizen Kane
What happens in Citizen Kane, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:38 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 1:12 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Sex and nudity in Citizen Kane
The film contains no depictions of sexual activity or nudity. While the narrative explores Charles Foster Kane's high-profile marriages and a perceived scandal regarding a 'singer,' these elements are handled with mature restraint and focus entirely on reputation rather than physical content.
Violence and gore in Citizen Kane
There is no physical violence or graphic gore present in the film. The most intense moment involving physical action is a scene where a character destroys a room in a fit of rage, throwing objects and breaking furniture, but no people are harmed.
Language in Citizen Kane
The dialogue is entirely free of modern profanity or vulgarity, adhering to the strict production codes of the 1940s. Any verbal conflict is expressed through sophisticated insults or elevated arguments typical of a classic drama, making it suitable for all ages.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Citizen Kane
The film does not focus on substance abuse, though it reflects the social norms of its era with occasional backgrounds involving social drinking. Characters may be seen with alcoholic beverages at celebrations or dinners, and some period-accurate tobacco use occurs, though it is never the central focus of the plot.
Mature themes in Citizen Kane
The impossibility of knowing another person — every witness remembers a different Kane. 'Rosebud' as the film's MacGuffin and its punchline. A portrait of how wealth and power hollow out a person. Welles invented or perfected most of modern cinema's visual grammar in this one film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Citizen Kane appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Citizen Kane is best for ages 13+. It's rated NR. Overall: A reporter investigates the life of a deceased media magnate — told in flashback through those who knew him. Orson Welles's directorial debut at 25. Frequently named the greatest film ever made. Unrated but…
What age rating does Citizen Kane have?
Citizen Kane is officially rated NR. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Citizen Kane about?
Overall: A reporter investigates the life of a deceased media magnate — told in flashback through those who knew him. Orson Welles's directorial debut at 25. Frequently named the greatest film ever made. Unrated but PG-equivalent.
Is there sex or nudity in Citizen Kane?
The film contains no depictions of sexual activity or nudity. While the narrative explores Charles Foster Kane's high-profile marriages and a perceived scandal regarding a 'singer,' these elements are handled with mature restraint and focus entirely on…
How violent is Citizen Kane?
There is no physical violence or graphic gore present in the film. The most intense moment involving physical action is a scene where a character destroys a room in a fit of rage, throwing objects and breaking furniture, but no people are harmed.
Is the language in Citizen Kane appropriate for kids?
The dialogue is entirely free of modern profanity or vulgarity, adhering to the strict production codes of the 1940s. Any verbal conflict is expressed through sophisticated insults or elevated arguments typical of a classic drama, making it suitable for all…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Citizen Kane?
The film does not focus on substance abuse, though it reflects the social norms of its era with occasional backgrounds involving social drinking. Characters may be seen with alcoholic beverages at celebrations or dinners, and some period-accurate tobacco use…
What mature themes appear in Citizen Kane?
The impossibility of knowing another person — every witness remembers a different Kane. 'Rosebud' as the film's MacGuffin and its punchline. A portrait of how wealth and power hollow out a person. Welles invented or perfected most of modern cinema's visual…
How long is Citizen Kane?
Citizen Kane runs 119 minutes, directed by Orson Welles, released in 1941.
Where can I read the full Citizen Kane 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.
Parents also checked these movies for 13-year-olds
Sign up to filter
Movies like Citizen Kane with similar intensity
Sign up to filter
More mystery movies with parent guides
- Interstellar parent guide
- Fight Club parent guide
- The Shawshank Redemption parent guide
- Forrest Gump parent guide
- Django Unchained parent guide
- Joker parent guide
- Titanic parent guide
- The Wolf of Wall Street parent guide
- Shutter Island parent guide
- The Dark Knight Rises parent guide
- Inglourious Basterds parent guide
- Inside Out parent guide
More movies with Bontent parent guides
- Sullivan's Travels parent guide
- To the Wonder parent guide
- An American Pickle parent guide
- Science Fiction Volume One: The Osiris Child parent guide
- The Layover parent guide
- Grand Piano parent guide
- Boiling Point parent guide
- Ophelia parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King parent guide
- Full Speed parent guide
- Ruby Red parent guide
- Barbie Presents: Thumbelina parent guide
- Don't Worry, I'm Fine parent guide
- Friends with Money parent guide
- Them parent guide
- Lifted parent guide