Flight of the Navigator (1986) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
12-year-old David is accidentally knocked out in the forest near his home, but when he awakens eight years have passed. His family is overjoyed to have him back, but is just as perplexed as he is that he hasn't aged. When a NASA scientist discovers a UFO nearby, David gets the chance to unravel the mystery and recover the life he lost.
Rated PG • 1986 • 1h 30m
Flight of the Navigator tells the story of David, a 12-year-old boy who reappears eight years after his disappearance without having aged a day. The film's PG rating is primarily due to some mild profanity and thematic intensity. Parents should be aware of a few instances of language, including two uses of "shit," one "goddamn," and dated insults. Thematic elements include the boy's distress at being separated from his family, his fear… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Flight of the Navigator appropriate for kids?
Flight of the Navigator tells the story of David, a 12-year-old boy who reappears eight years after his disappearance without having aged a day. The film's PG rating is primarily due to some mild profanity and thematic intensity. Parents should be aware of a few instances of… Read more — free account
Content severity in Flight of the Navigator
What happens in Flight of the Navigator, moment by moment
- 0:02 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:07 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:11 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Sex and nudity in Flight of the Navigator
None. There is no sexual content, nudity, or significant innuendo in the film.
Violence and gore in Flight of the Navigator
Violence is infrequent and very mild, in line with a family adventure film. At the start, a boy falls into a ravine and is knocked unconscious. Later, an alien ship is shown to have crashed into power lines, causing sparks and a power outage. In a comedic scene, one of the small alien creatures harmlessly eats a man's hat.
Language in Flight of the Navigator
The film contains some mild profanity that may be notable for its PG rating. There are two uses of "shit," one use of "goddamn," and name-calling such as "scuz bucket," "butt face," and "bastard." The dated and offensive term "retarded" is also used once.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Flight of the Navigator
None. There is no depiction of alcohol, smoking, or drug use.
Mature themes in Flight of the Navigator
Thematic content is moderate, focusing on loss, alienation, and fear. David's initial disappearance and his disorienting reunion with his aged family are emotionally charged. He experiences significant distress and fear when he is held at a NASA facility against his will, fearing he will be a "guinea pig." The climax involves a life-threatening decision, as David risks being vaporized to travel back in time.
Scary moments in Flight of the Navigator
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Flight of the Navigator 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 Flight of the Navigator appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Flight of the Navigator is best for ages 8+. It's rated PG. Flight of the Navigator tells the story of David, a 12-year-old boy who reappears eight years after his disappearance without having aged a day. The film's PG rating is primarily due to some mild profanity and thematic…
What age rating does Flight of the Navigator have?
Flight of the Navigator is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 8+.
What is Flight of the Navigator about?
Flight of the Navigator tells the story of David, a 12-year-old boy who reappears eight years after his disappearance without having aged a day. The film's PG rating is primarily due to some mild profanity and thematic intensity. Parents should be aware of a few instances of language, including two uses of "shit," one…
Is there sex or nudity in Flight of the Navigator?
None. There is no sexual content, nudity, or significant innuendo in the film.
How violent is Flight of the Navigator?
Violence is infrequent and very mild, in line with a family adventure film. At the start, a boy falls into a ravine and is knocked unconscious. Later, an alien ship is shown to have crashed into power lines, causing sparks and a power outage. In a comedic…
Is the language in Flight of the Navigator appropriate for kids?
The film contains some mild profanity that may be notable for its PG rating. There are two uses of "shit," one use of "goddamn," and name-calling such as "scuz bucket," "butt face," and "bastard." The dated and offensive term "retarded" is also used once.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Flight of the Navigator?
None. There is no depiction of alcohol, smoking, or drug use.
What mature themes appear in Flight of the Navigator?
Thematic content is moderate, focusing on loss, alienation, and fear. David's initial disappearance and his disorienting reunion with his aged family are emotionally charged. He experiences significant distress and fear when he is held at a NASA facility…
How long is Flight of the Navigator?
Flight of the Navigator runs 90 minutes, directed by Randal Kleiser, released in 1986.
Where can I read the full Flight of the Navigator 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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