Simon Birch (1998) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Simon Birch and Joe Wenteworth are boys who have a reputation for being oddballs. Joe never knew his father, and his mother, Rebecca, is keeping her lips sealed no matter how much he protests. Simon, meanwhile, is an 11-year-old dwarf whose outsize personality belies his small stature. Indeed, he often assails the local reverend with thorny theological questions and joins Joe on his quest to find his biological father.
Rated PG • 1998 • 1h 54m
Simon Birch is a coming-of-age PG drama that earned its rating for mild profanity, emotional thematic elements (notably accidental death and grief), and a tense bus-accident sequence. Parents should be aware of a sudden accidental death (Rebecca is struck by a foul ball), a violent bus crash/near-drowning that results in serious injury and later death, some crude sexual jokes and a groping-like moment in a school pageant, and… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Simon Birch appropriate for kids?
Simon Birch is a coming-of-age PG drama that earned its rating for mild profanity, emotional thematic elements (notably accidental death and grief), and a tense bus-accident sequence. Parents should be aware of a sudden accidental death (Rebecca is struck by a foul ball), a… Read more — free account
Content severity in Simon Birch
What happens in Simon Birch, moment by moment
- 0:06 ♥ Sex & Nudity 3/10
- 0:12 🍷 Substances 2/10
- 0:26 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
Sex and nudity in Simon Birch
Mild sexual content appears as crude jokes and an intrusive, unwanted physical move during a church Christmas pageant. Early in the film Joe and Simon joke about a girl's breasts at the quarry; later a boy yells a crude word and another child is pulled into the Nativity scene (Marjorie is grabbed). There is no explicit nudity, but the pageant moment is portrayed as embarrassing and punitive for the boy involved.
Violence and gore in Simon Birch
Strong emotional and perilous moments appear but are not graphic. The movie includes an accidental, fatal blow when a foul baseball strikes Joe's mother (Rebecca) and a tense bus crash into a lake that endangers many children; both scenes are upsetting and central to the plot. Other mild physical incidents include schoolyard punches, vandalism that breaks a window, and chaotic physical comedy in the pageant — none of these are gory, but the crashes and deaths carry real weight.
Language in Simon Birch
Mild profanity throughout: the IMDb Parents Guide notes several uses of words like "shit," "bastard" (in literal contexts) and characters calling others "assholes," plus middle-finger gestures. Language is occasional and not constant, but stronger words appear in a few heated scenes and taunts among kids.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Simon Birch
Mild background adult drinking is shown (dinner with adults and occasional drinking at somber gatherings) and is non-glorified. IMDb lists alcohol/drinking as present but limited; substances are not a focus of the story and there is no drug use depicted.
Mature themes in Simon Birch
The film handles strong themes: grief (two significant deaths), abandonment/illegitimacy (Joe's search for his father), bullying and religious exclusion (Simon being berated and suspended), and coming-of-age identity issues. These emotional threads are sustained through the story and can be heavy for younger viewers, particularly the community reaction to Joe's parentage and the losses he endures.
Scary moments in Simon Birch
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Simon Birch 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 Simon Birch appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Simon Birch is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. Simon Birch is a coming-of-age PG drama that earned its rating for mild profanity, emotional thematic elements (notably accidental death and grief), and a tense bus-accident sequence. Parents should be aware of a sudden…
What age rating does Simon Birch have?
Simon Birch is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is Simon Birch about?
Simon Birch is a coming-of-age PG drama that earned its rating for mild profanity, emotional thematic elements (notably accidental death and grief), and a tense bus-accident sequence. Parents should be aware of a sudden accidental death (Rebecca is struck by a foul ball), a violent bus crash/near-drowning that results…
Is there sex or nudity in Simon Birch?
Mild sexual content appears as crude jokes and an intrusive, unwanted physical move during a church Christmas pageant. Early in the film Joe and Simon joke about a girl's breasts at the quarry; later a boy yells a crude word and another child is pulled into…
How violent is Simon Birch?
Strong emotional and perilous moments appear but are not graphic. The movie includes an accidental, fatal blow when a foul baseball strikes Joe's mother (Rebecca) and a tense bus crash into a lake that endangers many children; both scenes are upsetting and…
Is the language in Simon Birch appropriate for kids?
Mild profanity throughout: the IMDb Parents Guide notes several uses of words like "shit," "bastard" (in literal contexts) and characters calling others "assholes," plus middle-finger gestures. Language is occasional and not constant, but stronger words…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Simon Birch?
Mild background adult drinking is shown (dinner with adults and occasional drinking at somber gatherings) and is non-glorified. IMDb lists alcohol/drinking as present but limited; substances are not a focus of the story and there is no drug use depicted.
What mature themes appear in Simon Birch?
The film handles strong themes: grief (two significant deaths), abandonment/illegitimacy (Joe's search for his father), bullying and religious exclusion (Simon being berated and suspended), and coming-of-age identity issues. These emotional threads are…
How long is Simon Birch?
Simon Birch runs 114 minutes, directed by Mark Steven Johnson, released in 1998.
Where can I read the full Simon Birch parent guide?
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