Mac and Me (1988) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A Mysterious Alien Creature (MAC) escaping from nefarious NASA agents, is befriended by a young boy in a wheelchair. Together, they try to find MAC's family from whom he has been separated.
Rated PG • 1988 • 1h 39m
This PG-rated sci-fi film is notorious for its blatant product placement and a surprisingly intense climax. In *Mac and Me*, a young boy in a wheelchair named Eric befriends a lost alien. While mostly a light adventure, parents should be aware of several scenes of peril, including a near-drowning and a car chase. The final act contains a jarring shift in tone, featuring a police shootout, a large explosion, and the on-screen death of… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Mac and Me appropriate for kids?
This PG-rated sci-fi film is notorious for its blatant product placement and a surprisingly intense climax. In *Mac and Me*, a young boy in a wheelchair named Eric befriends a lost alien. While mostly a light adventure, parents should be aware of several scenes of peril… Read more — free account
Content severity in Mac and Me
What happens in Mac and Me, moment by moment
- 0:03 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
- 0:11 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:22 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
Sex and nudity in Mac and Me
None. There is no sexual content. The non-humanoid alien characters are technically nude but lack any discernible anatomy.
Violence and gore in Mac and Me
Features several scenes of moderate peril. A boy in a wheelchair rolls uncontrollably down a hill into a lake and nearly drowns before being rescued. The climax is unusually intense for a family film: an alien steals a security guard's handgun, leading to a police shootout in a public place. This sequence ends with a large gas explosion that destroys a supermarket and the on-screen death of the main child character from a stray bullet (he is later revived).
Language in Mac and Me
None. There is no profanity in the film.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Mac and Me
The film is famous for its extensive and overt product placement. Coca-Cola is a central plot device, used by the children to revive the dying aliens, who drink it as a life-saving substance. A background character is briefly seen with a cigarette.
Mature themes in Mac and Me
The film explores themes of loss, family separation, and disability. The main character, Eric, uses a wheelchair. Both he and the alien Mac are separated from their respective families (Eric's father has recently died). The most intense theme is the death of a child; Eric is shown dying on screen before being miraculously brought back to life by the aliens, which can be upsetting for young viewers.
Scary moments in Mac and Me
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Mac and Me 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 Mac and Me appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Mac and Me is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. This PG-rated sci-fi film is notorious for its blatant product placement and a surprisingly intense climax. In *Mac and Me*, a young boy in a wheelchair named Eric befriends a lost alien. While mostly a light adventure…
What age rating does Mac and Me have?
Mac and Me is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is Mac and Me about?
This PG-rated sci-fi film is notorious for its blatant product placement and a surprisingly intense climax. In *Mac and Me*, a young boy in a wheelchair named Eric befriends a lost alien. While mostly a light adventure, parents should be aware of several scenes of peril, including a near-drowning and a car chase. The…
Is there sex or nudity in Mac and Me?
None. There is no sexual content. The non-humanoid alien characters are technically nude but lack any discernible anatomy.
How violent is Mac and Me?
Features several scenes of moderate peril. A boy in a wheelchair rolls uncontrollably down a hill into a lake and nearly drowns before being rescued. The climax is unusually intense for a family film: an alien steals a security guard's handgun, leading to a…
Is the language in Mac and Me appropriate for kids?
None. There is no profanity in the film.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Mac and Me?
The film is famous for its extensive and overt product placement. Coca-Cola is a central plot device, used by the children to revive the dying aliens, who drink it as a life-saving substance. A background character is briefly seen with a cigarette.
What mature themes appear in Mac and Me?
The film explores themes of loss, family separation, and disability. The main character, Eric, uses a wheelchair. Both he and the alien Mac are separated from their respective families (Eric's father has recently died). The most intense theme is the death of…
How long is Mac and Me?
Mac and Me runs 99 minutes, directed by Stewart Raffill, released in 1988.
Where can I read the full Mac and Me 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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