The Secret of My Success (1987) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Brantley Foster, a well-educated kid from Kansas, has always dreamed of making it big in New York City, but once there, he learns that jobs - and girls - are hard to get. When he visits his uncle, Howard Prescott, who runs a multi-million-dollar company, he is given a job in the mail room.
Rated PG-13 • 1987 • 1h 51m
A bright Kansas farm boy arrives in New York and works his way from mailroom to executive by running two jobs simultaneously — while romantic complications mount. Michael J. Fox. PG-13 rating covers adult comedy and language.
Cast
Is The Secret of My Success appropriate for kids?
A bright Kansas farm boy arrives in New York and works his way from mailroom to executive by running two jobs simultaneously — while romantic complications mount. Michael J. Fox. PG-13 rating covers adult comedy and language. Read more — free account
Content severity in The Secret of My Success
What happens in The Secret of My Success, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:15 💬 Language 3/10
- 0:35 ♥ Sex & Nudity 4/10
Sex and nudity in The Secret of My Success
A complicated romantic situation — Brantley sleeping with his aunt (by marriage), not knowing she's married to his boss. Adult comedy consistent with PG-13.
Violence and gore in The Secret of My Success
The film contains no physical violence, blood, or gore. Any conflict is presented through slapstick physical comedy and verbal confrontations typical of an 1980s office-based farce. The stakes remain lighthearted and focused on professional and romantic misunderstandings.
Language in The Secret of My Success
The film contains moderate language consistent with an 80s-era PG-13 rating, including several uses of the 's-word' and various anatomical terms. Profanity is largely used for comedic emphasis during moments of frustration or corporate stress. Occasional mild insults and derogatory terms are also used during rapid-fire dialogue.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Secret of My Success
There is no illegal drug use or significant substance abuse depicted in the movie. Characters are occasionally seen in social or business settings where alcohol, such as wine or champagne, is served. These scenes are brief and portray drinking as a background element of New York corporate social life.
Mature themes in The Secret of My Success
A film about American meritocracy — Brantley's belief that intelligence and hustle can overcome class. Michael J. Fox's particular brand of energetic optimism carries the film. The romantic complications are played as farce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Secret of My Success appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Secret of My Success is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. A bright Kansas farm boy arrives in New York and works his way from mailroom to executive by running two jobs simultaneously — while romantic complications mount. Michael J. Fox. PG-13 rating covers adult comedy and…
What age rating does The Secret of My Success have?
The Secret of My Success is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is The Secret of My Success about?
A bright Kansas farm boy arrives in New York and works his way from mailroom to executive by running two jobs simultaneously — while romantic complications mount. Michael J. Fox. PG-13 rating covers adult comedy and language.
Is there sex or nudity in The Secret of My Success?
A complicated romantic situation — Brantley sleeping with his aunt (by marriage), not knowing she's married to his boss. Adult comedy consistent with PG-13.
How violent is The Secret of My Success?
The film contains no physical violence, blood, or gore. Any conflict is presented through slapstick physical comedy and verbal confrontations typical of an 1980s office-based farce. The stakes remain lighthearted and focused on professional and romantic…
Is the language in The Secret of My Success appropriate for kids?
The film contains moderate language consistent with an 80s-era PG-13 rating, including several uses of the 's-word' and various anatomical terms. Profanity is largely used for comedic emphasis during moments of frustration or corporate stress. Occasional mild…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Secret of My Success?
There is no illegal drug use or significant substance abuse depicted in the movie. Characters are occasionally seen in social or business settings where alcohol, such as wine or champagne, is served. These scenes are brief and portray drinking as a background…
What mature themes appear in The Secret of My Success?
A film about American meritocracy — Brantley's belief that intelligence and hustle can overcome class. Michael J. Fox's particular brand of energetic optimism carries the film. The romantic complications are played as farce.
How long is The Secret of My Success?
The Secret of My Success runs 111 minutes, directed by Herbert Ross, released in 1987.
Where can I read the full The Secret of My Success 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.
Parents also checked these movies for 13-year-olds
Sign up to filter
Movies like The Secret of My Success with similar intensity
Sign up to filter
Less intense movies for families
Sign up to filter
More comedy movies with parent guides
- Deadpool parent guide
- Pulp Fiction parent guide
- Forrest Gump parent guide
- The Wolf of Wall Street parent guide
- Inside Out parent guide
- Thor: Ragnarok parent guide
- Back to the Future parent guide
- Up parent guide
- Parasite parent guide
- The Truman Show parent guide
- Toy Story parent guide
- Monsters, Inc. parent guide
Humor movies parents are checking
- Ratatouille parent guide
- The Intouchables parent guide
- Kingsman: The Secret Service parent guide
- Bohemian Rhapsody parent guide
- Despicable Me parent guide
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory parent guide
- Silver Linings Playbook parent guide
- American History X parent guide
- Aladdin parent guide
- Despicable Me 2 parent guide
More movies with Bontent parent guides
- Sullivan's Travels parent guide
- An American Pickle parent guide
- Grand Piano parent guide
- Boiling Point parent guide
- Planet Hulk parent guide
- Ophelia parent guide
- Full Speed parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King parent guide
- A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby parent guide
- Hoodwinked Too! Hood VS. Evil parent guide
- Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant parent guide
- Barbie: The Princess & the Popstar parent guide
- Them parent guide
- Friends with Money parent guide
- Lifted parent guide
- Scoop parent guide