It Could Happen to You (1994) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Charlie Lang is a simple, kindhearted New York City cop. When he realizes he has no money to tip waitress Yvonne Biasi, Lang offers her half the winnings of his lottery ticket. Amazingly, the ticket happens to be a winner, in the sum of $4 million. True to his word, Lang proceeds to share the prize money with Biasi, which infuriates his greedy wife, Muriel. Not content with the arrangement, Muriel begins scheming to take all the money.
Rated PG • 1994 • 1h 41m
Based on a true story, "It Could Happen to You" is a romantic comedy that earned its PG rating for mild language and a scene of cop action. The film centers on the kind police officer Charlie Lang, whose life changes when he splits a $4 million lottery jackpot with a waitress, Yvonne Biasi, much to the fury of his greedy wife. Parents should be aware of a non-graphic shooting with brief blood, some profanity including uses of "shit"… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is It Could Happen to You appropriate for kids?
Based on a true story, "It Could Happen to You" is a romantic comedy that earned its PG rating for mild language and a scene of cop action. The film centers on the kind police officer Charlie Lang, whose life changes when he splits a $4 million lottery jackpot with a waitress… Read more — free account
Content severity in It Could Happen to You
What happens in It Could Happen to You, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:20 💬 Language 4/10
Sex and nudity in It Could Happen to You
Content is very mild. A few romantic kisses are shared between characters. In one scene, a woman is seen from the shoulders up, partially visible behind a shower curtain. There is also a brief, non-sexual conversation about breast implants. Later, a man and a woman who are not married to each other chastely spend the night together in separate beds, though this is implied to lead to a romantic relationship.
Violence and gore in It Could Happen to You
Violence is infrequent and mostly contained to a single sequence. In an attempted grocery store robbery, a character is shot in the shoulder, with a small amount of blood visible on his shirt. During this same altercation, a man is pushed through a glass window, resulting in minor cuts on his face. Another scene involves a woman collapsing to the floor in shock.
Language in It Could Happen to You
The film contains some mild and moderate profanity that contributed to its PG rating. The dialogue includes several uses of "hell" and "damn," as well as a few instances of stronger words like "shit" and "asshole," typically during heated arguments between spouses.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in It Could Happen to You
Substance use is minimal. There are a couple of scenes where adult characters drink alcoholic beverages, such as champagne or wine, in social settings like a party on a boat or at a nice dinner. There is no depiction of intoxication, underage drinking, or substance abuse.
Mature themes in It Could Happen to You
The central themes involve adult concepts like greed, generosity, fame, and integrity. The film deals heavily with marital conflict, including frequent arguments, betrayal, and eventual divorce proceedings in a courtroom. Characters also face financial ruin, bankruptcy, and intimidation from an aggressive ex-spouse, which may be emotionally intense for younger viewers.
Scary moments in It Could Happen to You
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for It Could Happen to You 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 It Could Happen to You appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests It Could Happen to You is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. Based on a true story, "It Could Happen to You" is a romantic comedy that earned its PG rating for mild language and a scene of cop action. The film centers on the kind police officer Charlie Lang, whose life changes…
What age rating does It Could Happen to You have?
It Could Happen to You is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is It Could Happen to You about?
Based on a true story, "It Could Happen to You" is a romantic comedy that earned its PG rating for mild language and a scene of cop action. The film centers on the kind police officer Charlie Lang, whose life changes when he splits a $4 million lottery jackpot with a waitress, Yvonne Biasi, much to the fury of his…
Is there sex or nudity in It Could Happen to You?
Content is very mild. A few romantic kisses are shared between characters. In one scene, a woman is seen from the shoulders up, partially visible behind a shower curtain. There is also a brief, non-sexual conversation about breast implants. Later, a man and a…
How violent is It Could Happen to You?
Violence is infrequent and mostly contained to a single sequence. In an attempted grocery store robbery, a character is shot in the shoulder, with a small amount of blood visible on his shirt. During this same altercation, a man is pushed through a glass…
Is the language in It Could Happen to You appropriate for kids?
The film contains some mild and moderate profanity that contributed to its PG rating. The dialogue includes several uses of "hell" and "damn," as well as a few instances of stronger words like "shit" and "asshole," typically during heated arguments between…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in It Could Happen to You?
Substance use is minimal. There are a couple of scenes where adult characters drink alcoholic beverages, such as champagne or wine, in social settings like a party on a boat or at a nice dinner. There is no depiction of intoxication, underage drinking, or…
What mature themes appear in It Could Happen to You?
The central themes involve adult concepts like greed, generosity, fame, and integrity. The film deals heavily with marital conflict, including frequent arguments, betrayal, and eventual divorce proceedings in a courtroom. Characters also face financial ruin…
How long is It Could Happen to You?
It Could Happen to You runs 101 minutes, directed by Andrew Bergman, released in 1994.
Where can I read the full It Could Happen to You parent guide?
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