The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is officially rated PG-13 in the US for intense fantasy violence, frightening images, and some thematic elements, but Australian reviewers suggest it's better for ages 13+ or even 14+ due to scary scenes and battles, with some parents waiting until 10-12 to introduce it after reading the books, as it's a long commitment.
In addition to the above-mentioned violent scenes, there are some scenes in this movie that could particularly disturb children aged eight to thirteen, including the following: Frodo has a premonition of his town being burnt to the ground by Sauron. People including children are seen running in fear.
LOTR at 12 is fine, but it's very unlikely that they will feel the full impact of the book. Kinda like how cartoons can be enjoyed by children and adults, but in different ways. They'll probably read it later on in their life, and get more out of it.
Parent and Kid Reviews
While it includes disturbing content and swearing, a mature audience of around 12-14 years old might find it entertaining, although younger viewers may find certain scenes more unsettling.
No, a 7-year-old should not watch It (the recent films); it's rated R (or equivalent) for intense horror, graphic violence, disturbing imagery, and strong language, with most parents and reviewers recommending it for teens (13+) or older due to its frightening content and themes, despite some kids handling it well or finding it fun. While some kids can handle scary movies, It's specific horror and gore, featuring a monster clown, are generally too intense and not suitable for this age group, even if they've seen milder horror.
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.
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 Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power seasons one and two are both rated M, which means they are suitable for mature audiences. However, there is no age restriction, so legally, anyone can watch it, but we recommend M rated content for ages 16 and older. Long Answer: It depends.
Stills from The Monster Squad (1987), Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) and Sweetheart (2019).
Common Sense Media Review
Scarier than the first, but not as interesting.
Recommended Rating: 12+ for moderate fantasy violence and some scary scenes. This epic fantasy film is not very violent, but it does have a dark atmosphere, some scary monsters and intense battle sequences. There are some creepy scenes and it may be too frightening for young children.
There's no single "number one" children's book, as it depends on the criteria (sales, critical acclaim), but The Little Prince often tops best-seller lists, while Where the Wild Things Are was voted #1 greatest by experts in a 2023 BBC poll, and books like The Poky Little Puppy lead in sheer unit sales. Other top contenders include The Hobbit, Harry Potter, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Clearly a book so big that it was published in three volumes and had several appendices was no longer intended primarily for children, although some children did read it anyway [raises hand]. At one point Tolkien even contemplated delaying the publication of LotR until after he published The Silmarillion.
The film is intended for people 13 over due to violence. Frodo puts on the ring and sees the Eye of Sauron. This can be scary for younger viewers. Galadriel becomes tempted by the power of the ring, and momentarily transforms into a darker, terrifying version of herself.
The nine riders, or Nazgul, are some of the scariest characters for me in LOTR. Frodo and the gang hiding in the ditch was one of the more tense moments and I think the menace of the Nazgul was conveyed to the viewer really well.
Depending on your kid's maturity, they'll probably be ready for it around 11-13, maybe a little older if they don't show interest at that age. But the real answer is “when they want to.” I first read LotR early in middle school, and it was life-changing. Let them decide when they're interested!
Non-Sexual Horror Films
Parents Need to Know
A young couple has a suggested sexual relationship, with some spoken references, but only kissing is shown. Language is infrequent but includes a use of "f--k" and some uses of "s--t." A bong is shown in one shot, suggesting that a character smokes pot.
Not many "jump scares" but some could be considered jump scares. Mostly just gory scenes. Rated R for graphic violence, horror, language, sexual references, drinking and some mature content. 15+ maturity level.
Kids say that the movie is a fantastic adventure that blends humor, intense battle scenes, and profound messages about friendship and courage. However, parents should be cautious as it contains considerable violence, disturbing imagery, and some mature themes, making it more suitable for preteens and older viewers.
Anytime between the age of nine and thirteen is a great time to begin the Middle Earth saga.
Tolkien's characters illustrate that the road to true greatness involves humility, sacrifice, and a willingness to rise above personal desires for the benefit of others. In today's world, the lessons of The Lord of the Rings are more relevant than ever.
Yes, a 7-year-old can watch a 12A film at the cinema, but only if they are accompanied by an adult (over 18), as the rating means it's not generally suitable for under-12s, containing potential mild/moderate bad language, sex scenes, or violence that an adult should judge. The adult must decide if the content (violence, themes, language) is appropriate for that specific 7-year-old, using the BBFC's content advice as a guide, though they cannot rent or buy 12A/12 rated content themselves.
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'.
Although the UK cuts were fully restored by the BBFC in 2004 following the certificate upgrade to a '12' some early issues of the DVD featured the cut version and a lack of commentary, despite the latter being listed on the menus.