Holes (2003) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
After being wrongfully convicted for stealing a pair of shoes, Stanley Yelnats is sent away to Camp Green Lake, a boys detention facility where inmates are forced to dig holes all day in the hot desert sun as a form of character building. As he endures the brutal routine, Stanley begins to uncover a hidden truth behind the camp—one that connects to a dangerous secret and his family’s history.
Rated PG • 2003 • 1h 57m
Based on the beloved novel, 'Holes' tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy wrongfully sent to a brutal juvenile detention camp where he's forced to dig holes in the desert. The film received its PG rating for moderate violence, some thematic elements, and mild language. Parents should be aware of scenes of bullying and fighting among the boys, peril involving dehydration and venomous lizards, and a historical subplot involving a… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Holes appropriate for kids?
Based on the beloved novel, 'Holes' tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy wrongfully sent to a brutal juvenile detention camp where he's forced to dig holes in the desert. The film received its PG rating for moderate violence, some thematic elements, and mild language… Read more — free account
Content severity in Holes
What happens in Holes, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:19 💬 Language 2/10
- 0:28 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
Sex and nudity in Holes
Sexual content is mild and infrequent. In one scene, a character makes a brief, suggestive joke about the size of another's anatomy. The historical outlaw "Kissin' Kate" Barlow is so named because she kisses the men she kills on the cheek, which is shown. One character is seen briefly in his underwear, and at the end of the film, women in bikinis are visible and a man is seen in a towel. The Warden's shirt is unbuttoned at one point, showing the top of her bra.
Violence and gore in Holes
Violence is moderate and mostly non-graphic. There are several scenes of bullying, including boys shoving and fighting; in one instance, a boy briefly chokes another. A key scene involves the Warden scratching a man's face with nails coated in rattlesnake venom, causing him to collapse in pain and leaving him with swollen wounds. In a historical flashback, a man is shot and killed (seen from a distance), and a schoolhouse is burned down as part of a hate crime. A woman is also shown shooting a sheriff…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Holes
Language is mild and infrequent, consistent with its PG rating. The dialogue includes a few uses of words like "damn," "hell," "crap," and one use of "ass" and "jackass."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Holes
Substance use is brief and minor. One character, Mr. Sir, is trying to quit smoking and is seen with sunflower seeds as a substitute, but is later shown smoking a cigarette. In a historical flashback, a man is depicted as drunk while interacting with a woman.
Mature themes in Holes
The film explores significant thematic elements that may be intense for younger viewers. The central premise involves the unjust incarceration of a minor and the forced labor and abuse he endures. A major subplot deals with historical racism, culminating in a violent hate crime. Themes of death, cruelty, and revenge are present, particularly in the story of "Kissin' Kate" Barlow. The climax involves two children being left in a pit with deadly lizards by adults who hope they will die, which is a moment of intense…
Read more — free accountScary moments in Holes
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Holes 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 Holes appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Holes is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. Based on the beloved novel, 'Holes' tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy wrongfully sent to a brutal juvenile detention camp where he's forced to dig holes in the desert. The film received its PG rating for…
What age rating does Holes have?
Holes is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is Holes about?
Based on the beloved novel, 'Holes' tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy wrongfully sent to a brutal juvenile detention camp where he's forced to dig holes in the desert. The film received its PG rating for moderate violence, some thematic elements, and mild language. Parents should be aware of scenes of bullying…
Is there sex or nudity in Holes?
Sexual content is mild and infrequent. In one scene, a character makes a brief, suggestive joke about the size of another's anatomy. The historical outlaw "Kissin' Kate" Barlow is so named because she kisses the men she kills on the cheek, which is shown. One…
How violent is Holes?
Violence is moderate and mostly non-graphic. There are several scenes of bullying, including boys shoving and fighting; in one instance, a boy briefly chokes another. A key scene involves the Warden scratching a man's face with nails coated in rattlesnake…
Is the language in Holes appropriate for kids?
Language is mild and infrequent, consistent with its PG rating. The dialogue includes a few uses of words like "damn," "hell," "crap," and one use of "ass" and "jackass."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Holes?
Substance use is brief and minor. One character, Mr. Sir, is trying to quit smoking and is seen with sunflower seeds as a substitute, but is later shown smoking a cigarette. In a historical flashback, a man is depicted as drunk while interacting with a woman.
What mature themes appear in Holes?
The film explores significant thematic elements that may be intense for younger viewers. The central premise involves the unjust incarceration of a minor and the forced labor and abuse he endures. A major subplot deals with historical racism, culminating in a…
How long is Holes?
Holes runs 117 minutes, directed by Andrew Davis, released in 2003.
Where can I read the full Holes 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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