Flipper (1996) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Sandy Ricks is sent by his mom to Coral Key, a rustic island in the Florida keys, to spend the summer with his uncle Porter Ricks. Sandy dislikes everything about his new environment until a new friend comes into his life, a dolphin named Flipper, that brings uncle and nephew together and leads Sandy on the summer adventure of a lifetime.
Rated PG • 1996 • 1h 35m
This film's PG rating is earned for menacing action, particularly involving a large shark, and some mild language. Flipper follows a boy named Sandy who befriends a dolphin, but the story contains several moments of peril that may be intense for younger viewers. Notable content includes a sequence where a dolphin is shot and killed (bloodlessly), a villain who threatens a child at sea, and an extended, suspenseful shark attack. The… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Flipper appropriate for kids?
This film's PG rating is earned for menacing action, particularly involving a large shark, and some mild language. Flipper follows a boy named Sandy who befriends a dolphin, but the story contains several moments of peril that may be intense for younger viewers. Notable content… Read more — free account
Content severity in Flipper
What happens in Flipper, moment by moment
- 0:08 💬 Language 3/10
- 0:15 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
- 0:16 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Sex and nudity in Flipper
This category is very light. Several male characters are seen shirtless in the sunny Florida setting. In one brief scene, the main character, Sandy, is seen with a copy of Playboy magazine, but only the cover showing a clothed woman is visible.
Violence and gore in Flipper
The film contains moderate scenes of peril and animal cruelty. Early in the film, a villain shoots and kills a dolphin on-screen, though no blood is shown. The primary source of violence is a large hammerhead shark which attacks and kills a pelican (briefly seen in its mouth with some resulting blood) and later stalks and attacks the main character, Sandy. The villain also endangers Sandy, destroying his boat and brandishing a spear gun near him.
Language in Flipper
Language is mild and infrequent. The dialogue includes a few uses of words like "hell," "damn," and "ass." One character uses the slang phrase "bait my butt."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Flipper
There is a notable scene in which an adult character, Porter, forces his teenage nephew Sandy to smoke a cigar as a misguided life lesson; this makes Sandy visibly ill and causes him to vomit off-screen. Adults are also briefly shown drinking beer in social settings.
Mature themes in Flipper
The film deals with themes of animal cruelty, corporate malfeasance, and environmental damage. The central conflict is driven by a villain illegally dumping toxic waste, which poisons the local wildlife, including Flipper. The theme of loss is also present, as Flipper is orphaned after his mother is killed.
Scary moments in Flipper
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Flipper 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 Flipper appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Flipper is best for ages 8+. It's rated PG. This film's PG rating is earned for menacing action, particularly involving a large shark, and some mild language. Flipper follows a boy named Sandy who befriends a dolphin, but the story contains several moments of…
What age rating does Flipper have?
Flipper is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 8+.
What is Flipper about?
This film's PG rating is earned for menacing action, particularly involving a large shark, and some mild language. Flipper follows a boy named Sandy who befriends a dolphin, but the story contains several moments of peril that may be intense for younger viewers. Notable content includes a sequence where a dolphin is…
Is there sex or nudity in Flipper?
This category is very light. Several male characters are seen shirtless in the sunny Florida setting. In one brief scene, the main character, Sandy, is seen with a copy of Playboy magazine, but only the cover showing a clothed woman is visible.
How violent is Flipper?
The film contains moderate scenes of peril and animal cruelty. Early in the film, a villain shoots and kills a dolphin on-screen, though no blood is shown. The primary source of violence is a large hammerhead shark which attacks and kills a pelican (briefly…
Is the language in Flipper appropriate for kids?
Language is mild and infrequent. The dialogue includes a few uses of words like "hell," "damn," and "ass." One character uses the slang phrase "bait my butt."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Flipper?
There is a notable scene in which an adult character, Porter, forces his teenage nephew Sandy to smoke a cigar as a misguided life lesson; this makes Sandy visibly ill and causes him to vomit off-screen. Adults are also briefly shown drinking beer in social…
What mature themes appear in Flipper?
The film deals with themes of animal cruelty, corporate malfeasance, and environmental damage. The central conflict is driven by a villain illegally dumping toxic waste, which poisons the local wildlife, including Flipper. The theme of loss is also present…
How long is Flipper?
Flipper runs 95 minutes, directed by Alan Shapiro, released in 1996.
Where can I read the full Flipper 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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