Waterworld (1995) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
In a futuristic world where the polar ice caps have melted and made Earth a liquid planet, a beautiful barmaid rescues a mutant seafarer from a floating island prison. They escape, along with her young charge, Enola, and sail off aboard his ship. But the trio soon becomes the target of a menacing pirate who covets the map to 'Dryland'—which is tattooed on Enola's back.
Rated PG-13 • 1995 • 2h 15m
Waterworld earns its PG-13 rating primarily for intense and frequent scenes of stylized, post-apocalyptic action violence. Viewers can expect large-scale battles involving jet skis, automatic weapons, and massive explosions, though these scenes are largely free of blood and gore. The rating also reflects brief, non-sexual female nudity in one scene, a single use of the word "f--k," and themes of child peril, as a young girl is… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Waterworld appropriate for kids?
Waterworld earns its PG-13 rating primarily for intense and frequent scenes of stylized, post-apocalyptic action violence. Viewers can expect large-scale battles involving jet skis, automatic weapons, and massive explosions, though these scenes are largely free of blood and… Read more — free account
Content severity in Waterworld
What happens in Waterworld, moment by moment
- 0:11 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- 0:16 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
- 0:21 ⚔ Violence & Gore 7/10
Sex and nudity in Waterworld
Contains one scene of brief nudity. In an act of desperation, a woman (Helen) offers herself to the Mariner. She is shown disrobing, with views of her full nude back and brief side breast nudity. The scene is not sexually explicit, and he does not accept her offer. Separately, one of the villains has a brief, unsettling moment where he behaves creepily towards the young girl, Enola.
Violence and gore in Waterworld
Violence is frequent and a core part of the plot, though it is not graphic or bloody. The film features large-scale, chaotic battles with shootings, stabbings (including a harpoon through a foot), and numerous large explosions where people are killed. In a major attack, pirates raid a floating city, causing widespread destruction. One disturbing scene shows dead bodies being used as marionettes in a trap. A man is killed in self-defense early on, a mutated shark is harpooned, and the main villain is killed in a…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Waterworld
Language is infrequent for the most part. There is one use of "f--k" spoken by the main villain. Other profanity includes a few uses of "shit," "ass," "damn," and "hell."
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Waterworld
The antagonists are called "Smokers" and are characterized by their constant and pervasive cigarette smoking; their leader uses cigarettes as a reward and currency. In one scene, a character is shown drinking at a bar on an atoll. The Mariner is also briefly shown drinking his own recycled and filtered urine due to the scarcity of fresh water.
Mature themes in Waterworld
The film's primary themes revolve around survival in a bleak post-apocalyptic world defined by scarcity, desperation, and lawlessness. The Mariner's status as a mutant makes him an outcast, touching on themes of prejudice. A young child is frequently in peril; she is threatened, hunted, kidnapped, and slapped by a villain. The discovery of the sunken remains of a modern city and the skeletal remains of the child's parents on Dryland add moments of somberness and grief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waterworld appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Waterworld is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Waterworld earns its PG-13 rating primarily for intense and frequent scenes of stylized, post-apocalyptic action violence. Viewers can expect large-scale battles involving jet skis, automatic weapons, and massive…
What age rating does Waterworld have?
Waterworld is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Waterworld about?
Waterworld earns its PG-13 rating primarily for intense and frequent scenes of stylized, post-apocalyptic action violence. Viewers can expect large-scale battles involving jet skis, automatic weapons, and massive explosions, though these scenes are largely free of blood and gore. The rating also reflects brief…
Is there sex or nudity in Waterworld?
Contains one scene of brief nudity. In an act of desperation, a woman (Helen) offers herself to the Mariner. She is shown disrobing, with views of her full nude back and brief side breast nudity. The scene is not sexually explicit, and he does not accept her…
How violent is Waterworld?
Violence is frequent and a core part of the plot, though it is not graphic or bloody. The film features large-scale, chaotic battles with shootings, stabbings (including a harpoon through a foot), and numerous large explosions where people are killed. In a…
Is the language in Waterworld appropriate for kids?
Language is infrequent for the most part. There is one use of "f--k" spoken by the main villain. Other profanity includes a few uses of "shit," "ass," "damn," and "hell."
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Waterworld?
The antagonists are called "Smokers" and are characterized by their constant and pervasive cigarette smoking; their leader uses cigarettes as a reward and currency. In one scene, a character is shown drinking at a bar on an atoll. The Mariner is also briefly…
What mature themes appear in Waterworld?
The film's primary themes revolve around survival in a bleak post-apocalyptic world defined by scarcity, desperation, and lawlessness. The Mariner's status as a mutant makes him an outcast, touching on themes of prejudice. A young child is frequently in…
How long is Waterworld?
Waterworld runs 135 minutes, directed by Kevin Reynolds, released in 1995.
Where can I read the full Waterworld parent guide?
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