Doctor Strange (2016) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.
Rated PG-13 • 2016 • 1h 55m
Rated PG-13 for its persistent sci-fi violence and a harrowing car crash, 'Doctor Strange' follows the surgeon Stephen Strange's journey into the mystic arts. The film's rating is primarily driven by intense, reality-bending combat sequences involving magical weapons, stabbings, and a key character death. The central car accident is depicted with visceral impact, showing bloody injuries and the painful aftermath. While language is mild… Sign up for the full guide
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Is Doctor Strange appropriate for kids?
Rated PG-13 for its persistent sci-fi violence and a harrowing car crash, 'Doctor Strange' follows the surgeon Stephen Strange's journey into the mystic arts. The film's rating is primarily driven by intense, reality-bending combat sequences involving magical weapons, stabbings… Read more — free account
Content severity in Doctor Strange
What happens in Doctor Strange, moment by moment
- 0:01 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- 0:17 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
- 0:20 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
Sex and nudity in Doctor Strange
Sexual content is entirely absent. There are no romantic situations, nudity, or innuendo.
Violence and gore in Doctor Strange
Violence is moderate to strong and frequent throughout, though mostly fantastical and stylized. The film opens with an off-screen beheading. A central car crash is intense and somewhat graphic, showing Dr. Strange's hands being crushed in slow-motion, followed by post-op scenes with bloody, pinned hands. Magical combat involves characters creating weapons like swords and whips, leading to stabbings (some bloody but not overly gory), fighting, and death. One character is fatally stabbed and shown falling from a…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Doctor Strange
Language is mild. The screenplay contains a few uses of words like "asshole," "ass," and "shit," often used in moments of frustration or for comedic effect.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Doctor Strange
Substance use is very light and incidental. In a mid-credits scene, Thor is shown with a large beer stein that magically refills itself, played for comedy.
Mature themes in Doctor Strange
The film deals with significant mature themes. Central plot points revolve around a career-ending injury, the resulting despair, and the protagonist's struggle with his new physical limitations. The concepts of death, mortality, and eternal life are core to the conflict. The film explores complex ethical dilemmas, such as defying natural law for a greater good, and features the death of a major character. A sequence involves a character being killed and resurrected repeatedly in a time loop, which could be…
Read more — free accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is Doctor Strange appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Doctor Strange is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Rated PG-13 for its persistent sci-fi violence and a harrowing car crash, 'Doctor Strange' follows the surgeon Stephen Strange's journey into the mystic arts. The film's rating is primarily driven by intense…
What age rating does Doctor Strange have?
Doctor Strange is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Doctor Strange about?
Rated PG-13 for its persistent sci-fi violence and a harrowing car crash, 'Doctor Strange' follows the surgeon Stephen Strange's journey into the mystic arts. The film's rating is primarily driven by intense, reality-bending combat sequences involving magical weapons, stabbings, and a key character death. The central…
Is there sex or nudity in Doctor Strange?
Sexual content is entirely absent. There are no romantic situations, nudity, or innuendo.
How violent is Doctor Strange?
Violence is moderate to strong and frequent throughout, though mostly fantastical and stylized. The film opens with an off-screen beheading. A central car crash is intense and somewhat graphic, showing Dr. Strange's hands being crushed in slow-motion…
Is the language in Doctor Strange appropriate for kids?
Language is mild. The screenplay contains a few uses of words like "asshole," "ass," and "shit," often used in moments of frustration or for comedic effect.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Doctor Strange?
Substance use is very light and incidental. In a mid-credits scene, Thor is shown with a large beer stein that magically refills itself, played for comedy.
What mature themes appear in Doctor Strange?
The film deals with significant mature themes. Central plot points revolve around a career-ending injury, the resulting despair, and the protagonist's struggle with his new physical limitations. The concepts of death, mortality, and eternal life are core to…
How long is Doctor Strange?
Doctor Strange runs 115 minutes, directed by Scott Derrickson, released in 2016.
Where can I read the full Doctor Strange 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.
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