Into the Woods (2014) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: Into the Woods
Director: Rob Marshall
Released: 2014
Duration: 125 min
Rating: 5.8

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

In a woods filled with magic and fairy tale characters, a baker and his wife set out to end the curse put on them by their neighbor, a spiteful witch.

Rated PG • 2014 • 2h 5m

Directed by Rob Marshall

5.8

2K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

10+

This musical adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim play deconstructs classic fairy tales, presenting a much darker and more mature narrative than typical family fare. The film's PG rating is for significant thematic elements, fantasy peril, and suggestive material. Parents should be aware of several character deaths, including that of the Baker's Wife and Jack's mother, which are sudden and may be upsetting. There are also scenes of… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Anna Kendrick

Meryl Streep

Lilla Crawford

Emily Blunt

Johnny Depp

James Corden

Chris Pine

Mackenzie Mauzy

Christine Baranski

Daniel Huttlestone

Tammy Blanchard

Lucy Punch

Unlock ratings, reviews, recommendations and guides for all content types

Is Into the Woods appropriate for kids?

Content severity in Into the Woods

Sex Strong 5/10

Violence Strong 6/10

Language None 0/10

Substances None 0/10

Themes Strong 6/10

What happens in Into the Woods, moment by moment

0:05 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
0:10 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
0:24 ♥ Sex & Nudity 4/10

Unlock all 15 flagged moments — free account →

Sex and nudity in Into the Woods

Some suggestive material and innuendo, but no nudity. The Wolf sings a song to Little Red Riding Hood with predatory undertones. In one scene, Cinderella's Prince seduces and kisses the Baker's Wife, an act of infidelity that is a key plot point. During a comedic song, the two princes sing with their shirts unbuttoned, baring their chests. Some gowns show cleavage.

Violence and gore in Into the Woods

Moderate fantasy violence, some of which is dark and mildly graphic for a PG rating. The Stepmother uses a knife to cut off her daughter's heel and another's toe so they can fit into Cinderella's slipper; the latter scene shows the cutting motion and the bloody slipper. Birds peck out the stepsisters' eyes, blinding them. The Wolf stalks and is implied to eat Red Riding Hood and her grandmother before being cut open (off-screen). A Giantess goes on a rampage, causing destruction and several off-screen deaths…

Language in Into the Woods

The film is effectively free of strong profanity or vulgar language. Given its origins as a Broadway musical and its PG rating, the dialogue focuses on lyrical story-telling without the use of expletives. There are no notable instances of swearing throughout the duration of the film.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Into the Woods

There is no use of illegal drugs, tobacco, or significant alcohol consumption within the movie. Characters do not engage in substance abuse, and the fantasy setting remains focused on magical elements rather than modern vices. This category is absent from the narrative entirely.

Mature themes in Into the Woods

The film's most mature content lies in its strong thematic elements, which drive the darker second half of the story. Key themes include the sudden death of major characters and the subsequent grief of those left behind. Marital infidelity is explicitly depicted and discussed. Other themes include child abandonment and emotional abuse (the Witch and Rapunzel), moral ambiguity as characters refuse to take responsibility for their actions, and the grim consequences that follow selfish wishes. The overall tone is…

Scary moments in Into the Woods

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Into the Woods 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.

Bontent Member Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Into the Woods appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Into the Woods is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. This musical adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim play deconstructs classic fairy tales, presenting a much darker and more mature narrative than typical family fare. The film's PG rating is for significant thematic…

What age rating does Into the Woods have?

Into the Woods is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.

What is Into the Woods about?

Is there sex or nudity in Into the Woods?

How violent is Into the Woods?

Is the language in Into the Woods appropriate for kids?

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Into the Woods?

What mature themes appear in Into the Woods?

How long is Into the Woods?

Into the Woods runs 125 minutes, directed by Rob Marshall, released in 2014.

Where can I read the full Into the Woods 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.