
Parenthood (1989) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
The story of the Buckman family and friends, attempting to bring up their children. They suffer/enjoy all the events that occur: estranged relatives, the 'black sheep' of the family, the eccentrics, the skeletons in the closet, and the rebellious teenagers.
Rated PG-13 • 1989 • 2h 4m
Overall: Four adult siblings navigate the challenges of raising their own children — each with a different approach and different struggles. Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest (Oscar), Jason Robards. PG-13 rating is appropriate.
Cast












Is Parenthood appropriate for kids?
Overall: Four adult siblings navigate the challenges of raising their own children — each with a different approach and different struggles. Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest (Oscar), Jason Robards. PG-13 rating is appropriate. Read more — free account
Content severity in Parenthood
What happens in Parenthood, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:15 💬 Language 3/10
- 0:42 ♥ Sex & Nudity 3/10
Sex and nudity in Parenthood
A married couple is shown in a brief, non-explicit sexual encounter while in their car. The humor is slightly coarse, notably when a young child discovers a vibrator and mistakingly thinks it is a toy. These moments are played for comedy within the context of the stresses of adult relationships.
Violence and gore in Parenthood
There is no physical violence or gore present in the film. The conflict is entirely emotional and verbal, centering on family disagreements and the frustrations of parenting. Given the film's focus on domestic drama, no action sequences or injuries occur.
Language in Parenthood
The film contains moderate language consistent with its PG-13 rating, including several uses of the s-word and other profanities. Some dialogue includes anatomical references and crude humor related to reproduction and adolescence. The intensity of the language is generally tied to moments of high stress among the adult characters.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Parenthood
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or notable depictions of smoking throughout the movie. While adults may be seen in social settings where alcohol is present, such as family dinners, there is no focus on intoxication or substance abuse. The film maintains a focus on the realistic everyday lives of middle-class families.
Mature themes in Parenthood
A film that takes seriously every kind of parent — the anxious, the checked-out, the permissive, the overwhelming. Dianne Wiest's single mother is the film's emotional heart. 'Life is a rollercoaster.' Ron Howard's most emotionally rich film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Parenthood appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Parenthood is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Overall: Four adult siblings navigate the challenges of raising their own children — each with a different approach and different struggles. Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest (Oscar), Jason Robards. PG-13…
What age rating does Parenthood have?
Parenthood is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Parenthood about?
Overall: Four adult siblings navigate the challenges of raising their own children — each with a different approach and different struggles. Steve Martin, Mary Steenburgen, Dianne Wiest (Oscar), Jason Robards. PG-13 rating is appropriate.
Is there sex or nudity in Parenthood?
A married couple is shown in a brief, non-explicit sexual encounter while in their car. The humor is slightly coarse, notably when a young child discovers a vibrator and mistakingly thinks it is a toy. These moments are played for comedy within the context of…
How violent is Parenthood?
There is no physical violence or gore present in the film. The conflict is entirely emotional and verbal, centering on family disagreements and the frustrations of parenting. Given the film's focus on domestic drama, no action sequences or injuries occur.
Is the language in Parenthood appropriate for kids?
The film contains moderate language consistent with its PG-13 rating, including several uses of the s-word and other profanities. Some dialogue includes anatomical references and crude humor related to reproduction and adolescence. The intensity of the…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Parenthood?
There is no significant use of illegal drugs or notable depictions of smoking throughout the movie. While adults may be seen in social settings where alcohol is present, such as family dinners, there is no focus on intoxication or substance abuse. The film…
What mature themes appear in Parenthood?
A film that takes seriously every kind of parent — the anxious, the checked-out, the permissive, the overwhelming. Dianne Wiest's single mother is the film's emotional heart. 'Life is a rollercoaster.' Ron Howard's most emotionally rich film.
How long is Parenthood?
Parenthood runs 124 minutes, directed by Ron Howard, released in 1989.
Where can I read the full Parenthood 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.
Parents also checked these movies for 13-year-olds
Sign up to filter
























Movies like Parenthood with similar intensity
Sign up to filterLess intense movies for families
Sign up to filter



















More comedy movies with parent guides
- Interstellar parent guide
- Deadpool parent guide
- Fight Club parent guide
- The Shawshank Redemption parent guide
- Pulp Fiction parent guide
- Forrest Gump parent guide
- Django Unchained parent guide
- Joker parent guide
- Titanic parent guide
- The Wolf of Wall Street parent guide
- Shutter Island parent guide
- The Dark Knight Rises parent guide
More movies with Bontent parent guides
- Noelle parent guide
- To the Wonder parent guide
- Science Fiction Volume One: The Osiris Child parent guide
- Planet Hulk parent guide
- Full Speed parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King parent guide
- Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil parent guide
- Barbie Presents: Thumbelina parent guide
- Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar parent guide
- Mr. Church parent guide
- Friends with Money parent guide
- Day Watch parent guide
- Them parent guide
- Scoop parent guide
- The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines parent guide
- Whip It parent guide














