The original Avatar (2009) is rated PG-13 and may be too intense for some 8-year-olds due to significant violence, frightening creature encounters, and mature themes. The sequel, Avatar: The Way of Water, has similar concerns. Parental discretion is strongly recommended.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Despite being 3 hours long, the movie is exciting and intense, which, together with the violence and scary scenes, makes it unsuitable for children under 12 years. We recommend parental guidance for children aged 12–13 years.
In Australia, the original Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) are rated M (Mature) for mature themes, violence, and coarse language, meaning parental guidance is recommended for children under 15, though it's generally suitable for 12+. The upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash also carries an M rating for similar reasons, including intense scenes, violence, and themes, with parental guidance advised for 12-14 year olds.
No, the Avatar movies (both the original and The Way of Water) are generally not recommended for a 7-year-old due to intense violence, frightening scenes, significant emotional themes, and mature content, despite their stunning visuals and positive messages, with many parents and review sites suggesting it's better for tweens or teens (11+ or 12+).
Yes, a 7-year-old can watch a 12A film in a cinema if accompanied by an adult, but it's not recommended unless the adult checks the specific content first, as 12A means it's not generally suitable for under-12s and can contain moderate bad language, violence, or scary scenes; parents should use their judgment and check BBFC Insight or similar guides to see if it's right for their child.
Yes, the movie IF (2024) is generally considered appropriate for a 7-year-old by many reviewers, rated PG for thematic elements and mild language, but be aware it touches on mature themes like grief and loss (including a parent's death) handled gently, which might be sad or confusing for some younger viewers, with some parental notes mentioning dark moments or mild language.
In a 12A rated film, violence, sex and bad language are more likely to appear and, although they will be slightly less mild than in a PG rated film, the films shouldn't glorify the behaviour of the characters in an inappropriate way or be shown in a way that encourages imitation.
The Avatar universe features several confirmed LGBT+ characters, most notably Korra and Asami Sato (bisexual) in The Legend of Korra (LOK), who form a relationship, and the historical figure Avatar Kyoshi (bisexual), who had a significant girlfriend named Rangi, revealed in the Kyoshi novels. Other confirmed characters include Kya, Tenzin's sister (lesbian/bi), and minor figures like Iwayi, Mingxia, and Aiwei, while fan theories suggest characters like Azula and Smellerbee have queer traits.
Avatar is Awesome
The characters are funny and they act like children. The show never has any super violent moments and there is nothing sexual at all. Some of the older characters are wise like Uncle Iroh and provide great role models for kids. Highly recommend for young kids.
Nick Hartel of DVD Talk called the series a remarkable, "child friendly show" whose legacy "should endure for years to come".
Barber said sixteen years after the first “Avatar” movie, the novelty of the fictional Pandora planet has worn off, stating the filmmaking style is “outdated” and “an experiment whose time has passed,” alleging the movie looks as “unrealistic and un-immersive as an old arcade game.” The Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw ...
Regal Age Policy for R-Rated Films:
Children under 6 are not permitted. Guests aged 6 to 16 may only attend if accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older. Guests aged 17 and up may purchase a ticket for themselves with valid photo ID.
Avatar (both the original and The Way of Water) is rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence, strong language, some suggestive material, and frightening thematic elements, including large-scale battles with explosions, military attacks, and intense action sequences, alongside some mature themes like death, environmental destruction, and mild sensuality, making it intense for younger children despite positive messages.
Films and computer games classified M (Mature) are not recommended for children under the age of 15. They can have content such as violence and themes that requires a mature outlook. Children under the age of 15 may legally access this content.
Many commentators saw the film as a message of support for the struggles of native peoples today. Evo Morales, the first indigenous president of Bolivia, praised Avatar for its "profound show of resistance to capitalism and the struggle for the defense of nature".
While some viewers found it not overly scary, the gory scenes and strong language could be disturbing for younger audiences, with many suggesting a minimum age of 12 to watch it with a parent.
Avatar: The Last Airbender has been rated TV-14, meaning it's not appropriate for children under the age of 14. This is quite different to the animation, which was TV-Y7, and for anyone aged seven and over.
The Last Airbender contains stylised martial arts violence. Although the movie contains minimal blood and gore, it does show death resulting from acts of violence. Examples of violence in this movie include the folllowing: Sokka prods a giant creature with his spear.
Suggested MPA Rating (US Viewers only): Rated PG for fantasy action violence. Mild fighting and action throughout the entire series, with no blood and gore. Many of the fighting and action scenes include elemental magic, with characters manipulating earth, fire, water and air.
Bluey introduced LGBTQ+ representation through the character Pretzel, a friend of Bluey's, who mentions having two mothers in the Season 3 finale, "The Sign," marking the first confirmed same-sex couple in the series. The detail was subtle, shown as part of everyday life, with Pretzel's mums being the lesbian couple.
Despite all of this, Zuko later rekindled his romance with his ex-girlfriend Mai while Katara later started a relationship with Aang. There are rumors that Zutara was originally supposed to happen because an Avatar Extra stated that Zuko was originally going to be Katara's love interest.
Yes, a 7-year-old can watch a 12A film in a cinema if accompanied by an adult, but it's not recommended unless the adult checks the specific content first, as 12A means it's not generally suitable for under-12s and can contain moderate bad language, violence, or scary scenes; parents should use their judgment and check BBFC Insight or similar guides to see if it's right for their child.
A PG rating means "Parental Guidance Suggested," so it can be okay for a 7-year-old, but it depends heavily on your child's maturity, sensitivity, and the specific movie's content, as PG films might have mild violence, language, or themes that could be confusing or upsetting for some kids their age. You, as the parent, know best if a particular PG film suits your child, as ratings are general guidelines, not strict rules.
Strong language ('f**k') is allowed infrequently at 12A/12, though the BBFC is more lenient on the definition of 'infrequent' than the MPA is; for example, the film About Time was permitted with five uses of the F-word to receive a 12A/12 rating for 'infrequent strong language, moderate sex references'.