The Shining (1980) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.
Rated R • 1980 • 2h 26m
A writer takes a caretaker position at a remote Colorado hotel for the winter with his wife and psychic young son — and gradually descends into murderous madness. Jack Nicholson. Kubrick's most viscerally terrifying film. The R rating covers graphic violence, language, and sustained psychological horror.
Cast
Is The Shining appropriate for kids?
A writer takes a caretaker position at a remote Colorado hotel for the winter with his wife and psychic young son — and gradually descends into murderous madness. Jack Nicholson. Kubrick's most viscerally terrifying film. The R rating covers graphic violence, language, and… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Shining
What happens in The Shining, moment by moment
- 0:08 🔥 Mature Themes 6/10
- 0:22 💬 Language 5/10
- 0:35 🍷 Substances 5/10
Sex and nudity in The Shining
A woman in a bath who transforms into a rotting corpse — disturbing rather than sexual. A bear costume sexual encounter glimpsed.
Violence and gore in The Shining
A woman's neck twisted. An axe through a door. A boy beaten. Two murdered girls in a hallway. Blood flooding out of an elevator. Graphic violence that is sparing but deeply disturbing.
Language in The Shining
Strong language consistent with R rating — Jack's deterioration expressed verbally.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Shining
Jack's alcoholism as the film's undercurrent — the hotel enabling his worst self.
Mature themes in The Shining
Alcoholism and domestic abuse — the film codes Jack's violence as continuous with his pre-hotel behaviour. The Overlook's history as the accumulated evil of a building. Wendy's learned helplessness. Danny's 'shining' as the sensitivity that makes children more vulnerable to certain terrors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Shining appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Shining is best for ages 16+. It's rated R. A writer takes a caretaker position at a remote Colorado hotel for the winter with his wife and psychic young son — and gradually descends into murderous madness. Jack Nicholson. Kubrick's most viscerally terrifying…
What age rating does The Shining have?
The Shining is officially rated R. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 16+.
What is The Shining about?
A writer takes a caretaker position at a remote Colorado hotel for the winter with his wife and psychic young son — and gradually descends into murderous madness. Jack Nicholson. Kubrick's most viscerally terrifying film. The R rating covers graphic violence, language, and sustained psychological horror.
Is there sex or nudity in The Shining?
A woman in a bath who transforms into a rotting corpse — disturbing rather than sexual. A bear costume sexual encounter glimpsed.
How violent is The Shining?
A woman's neck twisted. An axe through a door. A boy beaten. Two murdered girls in a hallway. Blood flooding out of an elevator. Graphic violence that is sparing but deeply disturbing.
Is the language in The Shining appropriate for kids?
Strong language consistent with R rating — Jack's deterioration expressed verbally.
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The Shining?
Jack's alcoholism as the film's undercurrent — the hotel enabling his worst self.
What mature themes appear in The Shining?
Alcoholism and domestic abuse — the film codes Jack's violence as continuous with his pre-hotel behaviour. The Overlook's history as the accumulated evil of a building. Wendy's learned helplessness. Danny's 'shining' as the sensitivity that makes children…
How long is The Shining?
The Shining runs 146 minutes, directed by Stanley Kubrick, released in 1980.
Where can I read the full The Shining 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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