Space Cowboys (2000) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Frank Corvin, ‘Hawk’ Hawkins, Jerry O'Neill and ‘Tank’ Sullivan were hotdog members of Project Daedalus, the US Air Force's test program for space travel, but their hopes were dashed in 1958 with the formation of NASA and the use of trained chimps. They blackmail their way into orbit when Russia's mysterious ‘Ikon’ communications satellite's orbit begins to degrade and threatens to crash to Earth.
Rated PG-13 • 2000 • 2h 10m
Space Cowboys is rated PG-13 primarily for frequent profanity and scenes of intense space peril. The film follows four aging ex-Air Force pilots, including Frank Corvin and 'Hawk' Hawkins, who get a chance to go to space to repair a failing Soviet-era satellite. Parents should be aware of numerous uses of 'shit,' 'ass,' and 'damn,' as well as some fistfights and tense sequences involving a damaged space shuttle and a satellite carrying… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Space Cowboys appropriate for kids?
Space Cowboys is rated PG-13 primarily for frequent profanity and scenes of intense space peril. The film follows four aging ex-Air Force pilots, including Frank Corvin and 'Hawk' Hawkins, who get a chance to go to space to repair a failing Soviet-era satellite. Parents should… Read more — free account
Content severity in Space Cowboys
What happens in Space Cowboys, moment by moment
- 0:04 ⚔ Violence & Gore 5/10
- 0:06 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:25 🍷 Substances 2/10
Sex and nudity in Space Cowboys
Sexual content is very mild and brief. In a comic moment, four men undergoing a physical exam cover themselves when a nurse enters, but no nudity is shown. A character is later seen in a towel in a locker room, showing his bare chest. There are a couple of mild sexual references, such as a character looking at a pin-up magazine.
Violence and gore in Space Cowboys
Violence consists of a few brief fistfights and sustained sequences of peril. In the beginning, a test plane breaks apart and the pilots must eject; later, two of the men get into a fistfight. The main tension comes from scenes in space, where the shuttle collides with a satellite, causing significant damage and injuring an astronaut. The threat of nuclear missiles and a dangerous re-entry sequence create sustained peril, but there is no blood or gore.
Language in Space Cowboys
This is the primary reason for the PG-13 rating, with over 60 total expletives. The film contains over 20 uses of 'shit,' and multiple uses of 'ass' (including 'asshole'), 'damn,' 'hell,' and 'son of a bitch.' The word 'dick' is used once, and there are several uses of 'Goddamn.' In one scene, a character mouths the F-word, though it is not heard.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Space Cowboys
Substance use is present but not a focus. In one scene, characters are shown drinking beer together in a bar. One of the main characters, Hawk, is also shown smoking cigarettes on a few occasions.
Mature themes in Space Cowboys
The film explores several mature themes, including aging, obsolescence, and facing mortality. A central plot point is that one of the main characters, Hawk, has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, which he hides from the team for a time. This diagnosis informs his ultimate decision to make a heroic self-sacrifice to save the others and avert a nuclear disaster. The film deals with friendship, legacy, and a character's noble death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Space Cowboys appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Space Cowboys is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Space Cowboys is rated PG-13 primarily for frequent profanity and scenes of intense space peril. The film follows four aging ex-Air Force pilots, including Frank Corvin and 'Hawk' Hawkins, who get a chance to go to…
What age rating does Space Cowboys have?
Space Cowboys is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Space Cowboys about?
Space Cowboys is rated PG-13 primarily for frequent profanity and scenes of intense space peril. The film follows four aging ex-Air Force pilots, including Frank Corvin and 'Hawk' Hawkins, who get a chance to go to space to repair a failing Soviet-era satellite. Parents should be aware of numerous uses of 'shit,'…
Is there sex or nudity in Space Cowboys?
Sexual content is very mild and brief. In a comic moment, four men undergoing a physical exam cover themselves when a nurse enters, but no nudity is shown. A character is later seen in a towel in a locker room, showing his bare chest. There are a couple of…
How violent is Space Cowboys?
Violence consists of a few brief fistfights and sustained sequences of peril. In the beginning, a test plane breaks apart and the pilots must eject; later, two of the men get into a fistfight. The main tension comes from scenes in space, where the shuttle…
Is the language in Space Cowboys appropriate for kids?
This is the primary reason for the PG-13 rating, with over 60 total expletives. The film contains over 20 uses of 'shit,' and multiple uses of 'ass' (including 'asshole'), 'damn,' 'hell,' and 'son of a bitch.' The word 'dick' is used once, and there are…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Space Cowboys?
Substance use is present but not a focus. In one scene, characters are shown drinking beer together in a bar. One of the main characters, Hawk, is also shown smoking cigarettes on a few occasions.
What mature themes appear in Space Cowboys?
The film explores several mature themes, including aging, obsolescence, and facing mortality. A central plot point is that one of the main characters, Hawk, has been diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, which he hides from the team for a time. This…
How long is Space Cowboys?
Space Cowboys runs 130 minutes, directed by Clint Eastwood, released in 2000.
Where can I read the full Space Cowboys parent guide?
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