The School of Rock (2003) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Fired from his band and hard up for cash, guitarist and vocalist Dewey Finn finagles his way into a job as a fifth-grade substitute teacher at a private school, where he secretly begins teaching his straight-A students the finer points of rock 'n' roll and the power of sticking it to the man. But as the school’s stern principal closes in and the Battle of the Bands looms, Dewey must risk everything to prove that rock 'n' roll can change lives.
Rated PG-13 • 2003 • 1h 50m
The School of Rock is a PG-13 comedy centered on Dewey Finn, an imposter substitute teacher who forms a rock band with his fifth-grade class. The film earned its rating for moderate language, some rude humor, and drug references. Parents should be aware of language including multiple uses of 'ass' and a student defining 'groupies' as 'sluts,' as well as scenes where adults drink beer and make jokes about hangovers and drugs. The… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The School of Rock appropriate for kids?
The School of Rock is a PG-13 comedy centered on Dewey Finn, an imposter substitute teacher who forms a rock band with his fifth-grade class. The film earned its rating for moderate language, some rude humor, and drug references. Parents should be aware of language including… Read more — free account
Content severity in The School of Rock
What happens in The School of Rock, moment by moment
- 0:02 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:06 💬 Language 4/10
- 0:09 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in The School of Rock
This category is very mild. A student researches the term 'groupie' and explains to Dewey that they are 'sluts' who sleep with the band. Dewey takes his shirt off before a stage dive early in the film. There are a few lines of light innuendo, such as Dewey jokingly advising the kids not to try and 'get lucky' and an awkward joke about the kids 'touching' him that is momentarily misinterpreted by parents.
Violence and gore in The School of Rock
Violence is infrequent, mild, and played for comedic effect. At the start, Dewey attempts a stage dive and lands hard on the floor. He later throws a chair in frustration when his band is denied a spot in a competition. A character's off-screen injury (a broken leg from slipping) is mentioned. There is a brief, angry verbal threat involving drumsticks, but no physical altercations.
Language in The School of Rock
The film contains moderate profanity that contributes to its PG-13 rating. The word 'ass' is used about half a dozen times (e.g., 'epic ass,' 'stupid ass'). Other words include 'hell,' 'damn,' 'pissed off,' and 'crap.' The word 'slut' is used once by a student defining a term. A character also makes a gesture implying the middle finger.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The School of Rock
There are some scenes of drinking and references to substance use. Dewey tells his class he has a severe hangover, and later jokes that another teacher must be 'on crack.' In one scene, Dewey and the school principal drink large mugs of beer at a bar. Adults are also seen with cigarettes in the background of a music club.
Mature themes in The School of Rock
The primary theme is deception, as Dewey's entire premise is based on impersonating his friend to get a job. This is portrayed as a flawed but ultimately well-intentioned choice. Other themes include rebelling against authority ('The Man'), the pressure children face from parents and academic expectations, and overcoming personal insecurities, such as stage fright and issues with body image. The film ends on a positive note of finding one's passion and working as a team.
Scary moments in The School of Rock
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The School of Rock 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 The School of Rock appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The School of Rock is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG-13. The School of Rock is a PG-13 comedy centered on Dewey Finn, an imposter substitute teacher who forms a rock band with his fifth-grade class. The film earned its rating for moderate language, some rude humor, and drug…
What age rating does The School of Rock have?
The School of Rock is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is The School of Rock about?
The School of Rock is a PG-13 comedy centered on Dewey Finn, an imposter substitute teacher who forms a rock band with his fifth-grade class. The film earned its rating for moderate language, some rude humor, and drug references. Parents should be aware of language including multiple uses of 'ass' and a student…
Is there sex or nudity in The School of Rock?
This category is very mild. A student researches the term 'groupie' and explains to Dewey that they are 'sluts' who sleep with the band. Dewey takes his shirt off before a stage dive early in the film. There are a few lines of light innuendo, such as Dewey…
How violent is The School of Rock?
Violence is infrequent, mild, and played for comedic effect. At the start, Dewey attempts a stage dive and lands hard on the floor. He later throws a chair in frustration when his band is denied a spot in a competition. A character's off-screen injury (a…
Is the language in The School of Rock appropriate for kids?
The film contains moderate profanity that contributes to its PG-13 rating. The word 'ass' is used about half a dozen times (e.g., 'epic ass,' 'stupid ass'). Other words include 'hell,' 'damn,' 'pissed off,' and 'crap.' The word 'slut' is used once by a…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The School of Rock?
There are some scenes of drinking and references to substance use. Dewey tells his class he has a severe hangover, and later jokes that another teacher must be 'on crack.' In one scene, Dewey and the school principal drink large mugs of beer at a bar. Adults…
What mature themes appear in The School of Rock?
The primary theme is deception, as Dewey's entire premise is based on impersonating his friend to get a job. This is portrayed as a flawed but ultimately well-intentioned choice. Other themes include rebelling against authority ('The Man'), the pressure…
How long is The School of Rock?
The School of Rock runs 110 minutes, directed by Richard Linklater, released in 2003.
Where can I read the full The School of Rock parent guide?
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