The Great Mouse Detective (1986) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
When the diabolical Professor Ratigan kidnaps London's master toymaker, the brilliant master of disguise Basil of Baker Street and his trusted sidekick Dawson try to elude the ultimate trap and foil the perfect crime.
Rated G • 1986 • 1h 14m
This G-rated animated mystery is a classic Disney adventure that introduces younger viewers to Sherlock Holmes-style deduction. However, its rating belies some content that may be frightening for the youngest viewers. The film contains several scenes of cartoon peril, including a kidnapping, a chaotic bar fight, and an intense final confrontation where the villain, Professor Ratigan, becomes feral and falls to his death. Parents should… Sign up for the full guide
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Is The Great Mouse Detective appropriate for kids?
This G-rated animated mystery is a classic Disney adventure that introduces younger viewers to Sherlock Holmes-style deduction. However, its rating belies some content that may be frightening for the youngest viewers. The film contains several scenes of cartoon peril, including… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Great Mouse Detective
What happens in The Great Mouse Detective, moment by moment
- 0:02 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
- 0:10 🍷 Substances 2/10
- 0:21 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
Sex and nudity in The Great Mouse Detective
This category is very light. One scene in a tavern features a female mouse singing a mildly suggestive, burlesque-style number with some showgirl-like dancing, though no nudity is shown. In a couple of brief instances, a young female character's underwear is fleetingly visible as she tumbles.
Violence and gore in The Great Mouse Detective
The film contains several instances of cartoon violence and peril that may be intense for a G-rated movie. The movie opens with a frightening kidnapping. Later, a chaotic bar brawl breaks out where characters punch each other, fire guns, and throw furniture. A villain's henchman is fed to a cat (implied off-screen). The climax is an extended, scary fight between Basil and a feral-looking Ratigan inside Big Ben, culminating in the villain's death.
Language in The Great Mouse Detective
Language is not a concern. There are a couple of uses of exclamations like "what in heaven's name" and the word "stupid," but no profanity.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Great Mouse Detective
Substance use is present. Basil of Baker Street frequently smokes a pipe, and other characters are seen with pipes or cigars. A major scene takes place in a tavern where mice are shown drinking mugs of beer. During this scene, two main characters have their drinks drugged, causing one to become visibly intoxicated.
Mature themes in The Great Mouse Detective
The primary themes involve peril, fear, and the death of a villain. The plot is driven by the kidnapping of a parent, leaving a child frightened and alone. There are several moments of sustained danger, such as characters being tied to an elaborate deathtrap. The villain, Professor Ratigan, is menacing throughout, and his final transformation into a savage beast and subsequent fall from Big Ben are dark and potentially scary for young children.
Scary moments in The Great Mouse Detective
No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The Great Mouse Detective 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 Great Mouse Detective appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Great Mouse Detective is best for ages 6+. It's rated G. This G-rated animated mystery is a classic Disney adventure that introduces younger viewers to Sherlock Holmes-style deduction. However, its rating belies some content that may be frightening for the youngest viewers…
What age rating does The Great Mouse Detective have?
The Great Mouse Detective is officially rated G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 6+.
What is The Great Mouse Detective about?
This G-rated animated mystery is a classic Disney adventure that introduces younger viewers to Sherlock Holmes-style deduction. However, its rating belies some content that may be frightening for the youngest viewers. The film contains several scenes of cartoon peril, including a kidnapping, a chaotic bar fight, and…
Is there sex or nudity in The Great Mouse Detective?
This category is very light. One scene in a tavern features a female mouse singing a mildly suggestive, burlesque-style number with some showgirl-like dancing, though no nudity is shown. In a couple of brief instances, a young female character's underwear is…
How violent is The Great Mouse Detective?
The film contains several instances of cartoon violence and peril that may be intense for a G-rated movie. The movie opens with a frightening kidnapping. Later, a chaotic bar brawl breaks out where characters punch each other, fire guns, and throw furniture…
Is the language in The Great Mouse Detective appropriate for kids?
Language is not a concern. There are a couple of uses of exclamations like "what in heaven's name" and the word "stupid," but no profanity.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Great Mouse Detective?
Substance use is present. Basil of Baker Street frequently smokes a pipe, and other characters are seen with pipes or cigars. A major scene takes place in a tavern where mice are shown drinking mugs of beer. During this scene, two main characters have their…
What mature themes appear in The Great Mouse Detective?
The primary themes involve peril, fear, and the death of a villain. The plot is driven by the kidnapping of a parent, leaving a child frightened and alone. There are several moments of sustained danger, such as characters being tied to an elaborate deathtrap…
How long is The Great Mouse Detective?
The Great Mouse Detective runs 74 minutes, directed by Burny Mattinson, John Musker, David Michener, Ron Clements, released in 1986.
Where can I read the full The Great Mouse Detective 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.
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