My Girl (1991) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Vada Sultenfuss is obsessed with death. Her mother is dead, and her father runs a funeral parlor. She is also in love with her English teacher, and joins a poetry class over the summer just to impress him. Thomas J., her best friend, is "allergic to everything", and sticks with Vada despite her hangups. When Vada's father hires Shelly, and begins to fall for her, things take a turn to the worse...
Rated PG • 1991 • 1h 43m
My Girl is a 1991 coming-of-age story that earns its PG rating primarily for its mature and emotionally intense thematic content. The film centers on 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss, who is obsessed with death, and the story culminates in the tragic accidental death of her best friend, Thomas J. Parents should be aware of scenes depicting profound grief, including a sequence where Vada sees her friend's body in a casket at his funeral… Sign up for the full guide
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Is My Girl appropriate for kids?
My Girl is a 1991 coming-of-age story that earns its PG rating primarily for its mature and emotionally intense thematic content. The film centers on 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss, who is obsessed with death, and the story culminates in the tragic accidental death of her best… Read more — free account
Content severity in My Girl
What happens in My Girl, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:18 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
- 0:25 ⚔ Violence & Gore 2/10
Sex and nudity in My Girl
Content is very mild and innocent. Vada and her friend Thomas J. share a brief, curious first kiss. Vada has an innocent crush on her adult teacher, which is not reciprocated. In one scene, Vada gets her first period, which is discussed frankly but not graphically by a female character. A passing comment is made comparing a dead woman's makeup to that of a "two dollar hooker."
Violence and gore in My Girl
Violence is infrequent and not graphic. In one scene, Vada and Thomas J. poke a beehive with a stick, causing the bees to swarm and chase them; this leads to an off-screen death by allergic reaction. There is a brief scuffle between two men at a bingo game. In another moment, Vada and Thomas J. prick their fingers to become "blood brothers."
Language in My Girl
Language is mild and used sparingly. There are a few instances of words including "shit," "ass," "hell," and "God damn." In one scene, a child calls another child a "retard" in a moment of anger, which some may find offensive.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in My Girl
Substance use is minimal and involves adults in the background. Vada's father is occasionally seen smoking cigarettes. Adults drink beer socially at a carnival and at other times. A poem read aloud in a class makes a passing reference to "smoking a joint."
Mature themes in My Girl
The film's most significant content concerns are thematic. Death is a constant topic, as Vada's family runs a funeral home and she is a hypochondriac. The film's central event is the death of a main child character, which is handled with emotional intensity. Scenes of Vada's profound grief, including a distressing scene where she sees her friend's body in a casket and has an emotional breakdown, are very strong for a PG-rated film and may be difficult for children to watch.
Scary moments in My Girl
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for My Girl 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 My Girl appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests My Girl is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. My Girl is a 1991 coming-of-age story that earns its PG rating primarily for its mature and emotionally intense thematic content. The film centers on 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss, who is obsessed with death, and the…
What age rating does My Girl have?
My Girl is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is My Girl about?
My Girl is a 1991 coming-of-age story that earns its PG rating primarily for its mature and emotionally intense thematic content. The film centers on 11-year-old Vada Sultenfuss, who is obsessed with death, and the story culminates in the tragic accidental death of her best friend, Thomas J. Parents should be aware of…
Is there sex or nudity in My Girl?
Content is very mild and innocent. Vada and her friend Thomas J. share a brief, curious first kiss. Vada has an innocent crush on her adult teacher, which is not reciprocated. In one scene, Vada gets her first period, which is discussed frankly but not…
How violent is My Girl?
Violence is infrequent and not graphic. In one scene, Vada and Thomas J. poke a beehive with a stick, causing the bees to swarm and chase them; this leads to an off-screen death by allergic reaction. There is a brief scuffle between two men at a bingo game…
Is the language in My Girl appropriate for kids?
Language is mild and used sparingly. There are a few instances of words including "shit," "ass," "hell," and "God damn." In one scene, a child calls another child a "retard" in a moment of anger, which some may find offensive.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in My Girl?
Substance use is minimal and involves adults in the background. Vada's father is occasionally seen smoking cigarettes. Adults drink beer socially at a carnival and at other times. A poem read aloud in a class makes a passing reference to "smoking a joint."
What mature themes appear in My Girl?
The film's most significant content concerns are thematic. Death is a constant topic, as Vada's family runs a funeral home and she is a hypochondriac. The film's central event is the death of a main child character, which is handled with emotional intensity…
How long is My Girl?
My Girl runs 103 minutes, directed by Howard Zieff, released in 1991.
Where can I read the full My Girl parent guide?
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