The Big Year (2011) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Three fanatical bird-watchers spend an entire year competing to spot the highest number of species as El Nino sends an extraordinary variety of rare breeds flying up into the U.S., but they quickly discover that there are more important things than coming out on top of the competition.
Rated PG • 2011 • 1h 42m
This PG-rated comedy-drama follows three men, including Brad Harris (Jack Black), in a year-long birdwatching competition, but its themes are more adult than the premise suggests. The film earned its rating for mild language and some sensuality. Parents should be aware of a few instances of stronger profanity (including 'shit' and 'asshole'), frequent social drinking, and mature themes centered on marital strife, divorce, and work… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is The Big Year appropriate for kids?
This PG-rated comedy-drama follows three men, including Brad Harris (Jack Black), in a year-long birdwatching competition, but its themes are more adult than the premise suggests. The film earned its rating for mild language and some sensuality. Parents should be aware of a few… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Big Year
What happens in The Big Year, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:08 🍷 Substances 2/10
- 0:19 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
Sex and nudity in The Big Year
Content is limited to mild sensuality. There are a few brief scenes of couples kissing, including one where a wife sits on her husband's lap. A central subplot involves a character's marital problems, including a misunderstanding where infidelity is briefly implied. Another character's difficulty conceiving a child is mentioned as a point of tension.
Violence and gore in The Big Year
Violence is nearly absent. In one scene on a boat, characters are shown preparing bait by cutting up fish; some bloody water and fish parts are visible. A brief moment of historical black-and-white footage shows a hunter shooting a duck and carrying several dead birds.
Language in The Big Year
Language is mostly mild, but includes a few more notable words than typical PG fare. There is one use each of 'shit,' 'asshole,' and 'son of a bitch,' along with several uses of 'damn' and 'hell.' The rival's name, 'Bostick,' is often used comically as a substitute for an expletive.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Big Year
Substance use is light and limited to social drinking in adult settings. Characters are occasionally seen sipping champagne at parties, drinking beer in a bunkhouse, or having cocktails in restaurants. There is no depiction of drunkenness or drug use.
Mature themes in The Big Year
The film's primary themes are mature and center on adult life challenges. These include a character's work obsession leading to marital strain and eventually divorce, another character's mid-life crisis, and the general pressures of competition and defining personal success outside of career or hobbies.
Scary moments in The Big Year
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The Big Year 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 Big Year appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Big Year is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. This PG-rated comedy-drama follows three men, including Brad Harris (Jack Black), in a year-long birdwatching competition, but its themes are more adult than the premise suggests. The film earned its rating for mild…
What age rating does The Big Year have?
The Big Year is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.
What is The Big Year about?
This PG-rated comedy-drama follows three men, including Brad Harris (Jack Black), in a year-long birdwatching competition, but its themes are more adult than the premise suggests. The film earned its rating for mild language and some sensuality. Parents should be aware of a few instances of stronger profanity…
Is there sex or nudity in The Big Year?
Content is limited to mild sensuality. There are a few brief scenes of couples kissing, including one where a wife sits on her husband's lap. A central subplot involves a character's marital problems, including a misunderstanding where infidelity is briefly…
How violent is The Big Year?
Violence is nearly absent. In one scene on a boat, characters are shown preparing bait by cutting up fish; some bloody water and fish parts are visible. A brief moment of historical black-and-white footage shows a hunter shooting a duck and carrying several…
Is the language in The Big Year appropriate for kids?
Language is mostly mild, but includes a few more notable words than typical PG fare. There is one use each of 'shit,' 'asshole,' and 'son of a bitch,' along with several uses of 'damn' and 'hell.' The rival's name, 'Bostick,' is often used comically as a…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Big Year?
Substance use is light and limited to social drinking in adult settings. Characters are occasionally seen sipping champagne at parties, drinking beer in a bunkhouse, or having cocktails in restaurants. There is no depiction of drunkenness or drug use.
What mature themes appear in The Big Year?
The film's primary themes are mature and center on adult life challenges. These include a character's work obsession leading to marital strain and eventually divorce, another character's mid-life crisis, and the general pressures of competition and defining…
How long is The Big Year?
The Big Year runs 102 minutes, directed by David Frankel, released in 2011.
Where can I read the full The Big Year parent guide?
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