age rating for movie jumanji

For Parents
For Educators
Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

The Best 22 Movies of 2022

Common Sense Selections for family entertainment

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

Growing Up Queer: Thoughtful Books About LGBTQ+ Youth

Check out new Common Sense Selections for games

Teachers: Find the best edtech tools for your classroom with in-depth expert reviews

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

Spring Break Activities for Families

Great Documentaries to Celebrate Women's History Month

Watch the series

Parent reviews for jumanji.

Common Sense says

Based on our expert review

Parents say

Based on 39 reviews

Based on 86 reviews

All time favorite, but you guys didn't include some key notes!

This title has:

Report this review

Good movie for kids over eleven, this film is fine but scary for young children., ok movie, but might be too scary for some., no violence, one of the best movies, love this great movie, really good but not for little kids, cussing is not needed.

The opening scene of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is set in the year 1996. Alex (Nick Jonas) is a teenage boy who plays a lot of video games. He’s given a strange old board game called Jumanji, but complains that nobody plays board games anymore. At this point the board game magically transforms into a Jumanji video game. When Alex turns on the game, a strange green light emanates from his house and the scene ends. We hear later that Alex disappeared that night, never to be seen again.

The movie jumps forward to the present day, where it focuses on four high school students who’ve received detention for varying offences. Bethany (Madison Iseman) is the self-absorbed ‘most popular girl at school’; Spencer (Alex Wolff) is the school nerd; Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) is the school football star; and the fourth student is the reserved Martha (Morgan Turner). As part of their detention the four are sent to a deserted room and told to clean it. While cleaning the room Spencer and Fridge discover an old Jumanji computer game in a donations box and convince Bethany and Martha to play it. When they turn on the game, each player chooses an avatar. When the last avatar is chosen, green light bursts out of the console and the four players are vaporised and sucked into the console and the gaming land of Jumanji.

Spencer is transformed into a muscle-bound hero and archaeologist, Smoulder Bravestone (Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson); Fridge become Bravestone’s comical side-kick Moose Finbar (Kevin Hart); Martha is the ‘man-killer’, Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan); and Bethany has a gender change to become cartographer Professor Shelly Overton (Jack Black). Each player is given special abilities and weaknesses and three lives. If they lose their lives in the game, they’ll die in the real world. To leave the game and return to the real world, the players must work together to complete sets of tasks and defeat their nemesis, Van Pelt (Bobby Cannavale).

Video gaming; relationships; social media

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle contains extended sequences of video game violence, including some gun-related violence. In several cases, the characters die violent deaths and are then brought back to life. This lessens the impact of the deaths on older viewers, but not on young children. Minimal blood and gore are shown. For example:

Sexual references

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle has suggestive sexual references and innuendo throughout. For example:

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle shows some use of substances. For example, teenagers who haven’t drunk alcohol before make and taste margaritas. One of them gets drunk.

Nudity and sexual activity

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle shows some partial nudity and sexual activity. For example:

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle : brand-name cars, appliances, phones and social media.

Coarse language

There is some coarse language and insults in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a fantasy action adventure movie targeting teenagers, younger adults and fans of the first Jumanji movie.

The plot is predictable, and the movie relies to some extent on sexual humour and innuendo for laughs. The movie also has some scary and violent scenes, which are likely to disturb younger children, so it isn’t recommended for children under 12 years. We recommend parental guidance for children aged 12-14 years.

These are the main messages from this movie:

You could talk with your children about the messages the movie sends about flirting tactics, and what might happen if you used these tactics in real life.

Jumanji – Finding a mysterious board game, Alan Parrish and friend, Sarah Whittle, begin playing but, discovering the terrible truth of its magical powers, Alan is sucked into the game and Sarah is forced to flee. Twenty six years later, orphaned siblings Judy and Peter find it in their new house and start playing. After accidentally summoning huge mosquitoes and monkeys, Alan, now a grown man, is finally released from his jungle prison. He and Sarah reluctantly agree to continue to play in order to stop the devastation around them but with every roll of the dice bringing more danger, will they ever be able to finish it?

Jumanji (1995) – Director: Joe Johnston

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=899077

Rating: PG

Running Length: 104 mins

Starring: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce

Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Action/Adventure

REVIEW: ‘JUMANJI’

Classic and iconic, ‘Jumanji’ is still considered one of the most original family movies to grace our screens and many will be shocked to realise that this beloved movie was released over two decades ago. Although others have tried to copy its formula (‘ Zathura ‘ is basically the same but supplants ‘space’ for ‘jungle’) it still stands head and shoulders above its imitators.

Many of the effects haven’t aged too well and after a great scene relying purely on the acting of those on-screen it often jars to see a cartoony monkey driving a police car! However, the animatronics used are wonderfully vibrant so effects like the impressive (but underused) lion go a long way to make up for its other visual shortcomings. Although there isn’t a huge amount of character progression which could spoil a light-hearted family film, there is enough there to explain the motivations of the characters. Alan and Sarah especially have nuances that will go over the heads of kids but will give adults an additional layer of depth to enjoy and, as ever, Robin Williams can convey a huge depth of emotion by expression alone.

‘Jumanji’ may show its age with its special effects but this is a fantastic family movie which has so much going for it, not least for the performance of the late Robin Williams who wasn’t just his typical ‘joker’ persona. He believably portrays someone who has been through unimaginable trauma while remaining approachable and kind and Bonnie Hunt, who plays Sarah, also has her own trauma to deal with which has resulted in neuroses and mental illness (although again this never becomes too much for kids to have to deal with). ‘Jumanji’ is right to hold its place as a classic and its non-topical originality ensures it will remain as such for at least the next generation of kids.

CONTENT: IS ‘JUMANJI’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

We first meet Alan as a young boy and he is chased by bullies; they shout ‘Get him!’ and, ‘Prepare to die Parrish!’. Seeking sanctuary in the safety of his father’s factory, he sees the boys having fun while damaging his bike outside. Having to leave, Alan faces the bullies but he is vastly outnumbered. The camera pans to behind a stone as the bullies move in on Alan and afterwards, Alan is seen with a black eye and there is some blood from a cut on his lip.

When they begin playing Jumanji, the scene is very ominous. Alan and Sarah are alone in the house and the musical score adds an additional layer or tension. After Alan takes his turn, his fingers start to be sucked into the game, he cries out in distress and his whole body gets pulled in. Sarah then gets attacked by a swarm of bats, she screams in terror, especially when one lands on her back; there is a close up of its face as it screeches at her.

Because Alan disappeared and no-one believed Sarah’s story, rumours abound over the boy’s fate. One main theory is that Alan’s father killed him. A man tells two children ‘There are a thousand and one places they could have hidden the body, especially if he chopped it up first’.

When Alan returns home, he runs around excited to see his parents but soon finds that they are no longer living in his old house. Desperate to find them, he looks around the town, eventually finding someone who knows what happened to them. Alan is pointed in the direction of a graveyard where he stands in front of their graves. This is quite sad but not overdone so as to be distressing.

A huge mosquito attacks three characters in a car. They are very scared, especially when the insect starts stabbing through the roof and then attempts to stab through the window. One of the characters accidentally opens the sunroof which would allow the mosquito to get in but another character manages to drive the car away from danger.

Alan tells of his time in the jungle and how terrifying it is, he says ‘I’ve seen things you can’t even imagine…things that hunt you in the night, then something screams and you hear them eat and you hope to God you’re not dessert’.

One of the turns taken by the players summons huge spiders that attack. Two characters are stuck in place and are unable to defend themselves and narrowly escape a potentially lethal bite. There is a close-up of one of the spiders and its large fangs can be seen moving as it approaches one of the characters.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT: IS ‘JUMANJI’ FOR KIDS?

‘Jumanji’ broke ground with its originality and its fun characters and exciting, action-packed plot will keep audiences watching it again and again. Due to a few scary scenes, we recommend ‘Jumanji’ for kids aged 6 and over.

Words by Laura Record

[amazon_link asins=’B00FWJR9F8,B076VC2M7Q,B0786Z14K5,B074H9GF2W,B003FCNC8C’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’isthimovsui-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’f7e1299d-719e-11e8-8506-052c80a4cc0d’]

The March sisters and Marmee sing around the piano. Little Women.

Mumsnet Blog

Tots 100 Blog

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

Parents Guide

Certification

Sex & Nudity

Violence & Gore

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

Frightening & Intense Scenes

The Parents Guide items below may give away important plot points.

Taglines | Plot Summary | Synopsis | Plot Keywords

Did You Know?

Photo & Video

Subscribe to our newsletter

Know when new reviews are published We will never sell or share your email address with anybody and you can unsubscribe at any time

You're all set! Please check your email for confirmation.

Pin it on pinterest.

Family Movie Review: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Length: 119 minutes

Age Appropriate For: 12+. This reboot of the ‘90s film “Jumanji” puts a video game spin on the story, with high school students transported to the jungle world. The villain can control animals and has some creepy scenes with snakes, jaguars, and insects crawling into his ear and out of his mouth; there are some scenes with other slightly scary, CGI animals like hippos and rhinos; a lot of sexually themed and vulgar humor, including an entire scene about male genitalia and how men urinate; some female stereotyping and objectification, including jokes about breasts, erections, and flirting; some bullying; some physical altercations, including pushing, slapping, fighting, punching, and characters killed in hand-to-hand combat; teenagers drink margaritas, and one of them gets drunk; and a few kisses between teenagers.

The ‘90s kids’ classic ‘Jumanji’ gets a franchise reboot with ‘Welcome to the Jungle,’ which pairs constant co-stars Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart and drops them into a cursed video game. There are funny moments throughout, but the sexual humor is constant and the narrative tension is nonexistent.

By Roxana Hadadi

JumanjiWelcometotheJungle ChesapeakeFamilyMovieReview

The mix isn’t particularly surprising when you consider the prior work of director Jake Kasdan, who also helmed the gleefully inappropriate “Bad Teacher” and the more aimlessly raunchy “Sex Tape.” But “Welcome to the Jungle” goes right up to the limit of its PG-13 rating with jokes about animal genitalia and male genitalia, including a lengthy scene where a female teenager who inhabits the body of an older man in the Jumanji video game is coached by her peers about how to urinate, and it’s certainly a difference from the vibe of the original film.

“Welcome to the Jungle” leans hard into the sexually themed humor by aging up its characters and focusing on a group of teenagers: nerdy Simon (Alex Wolff, of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” ), athlete Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain, of “Footloose” ), smartphone-obsessed Bethany (Madison Iseman), and grades-focused Martha (Morgan Turner, of “Remember Me” ). Simon and Fridge used to be friends, but grew apart after middle school, and were recently busted for cheating, while Bethany and Martha both talked back to teachers. They find themselves together in detention, where they dig out a peculiar looking video game—named Jumanji.

After deciding to play, they end up sucked into the game, where they inhabit the bodies of the characters they chose: Simon is now a brawny doctor and explorer with a “smoldering intensity” (Dwayne Johnson, of “The Fate of the Furious” ); Fridge loses his height and muscles and ends up as a zoologist who has a fatal weakness for cake (Kevin Hart, of “The Secret Life of Pets” ); the somewhat mousy Martha ends up in a skimpy outfit, martial arts skills, and the descriptor “killer of men” (Karen Gillan, of “Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2” ); and Bethany, blonde and flirty as a teenager, ends up in the body of a chubby, middle-aged, bearded cartographer (Jack Black, of “Kung Fu Panda 3” ).

Before they got sucked into the game, their high school principal warned them to “consider who you are in this moment in time, and who you want to be,” and so the foursome—now essentially the physical opposites of their former selves—must grapple with their new identities as they try to save Jumanji. And of course, through these different skills, they grow individually, too: Simon is finally courageous; Fridge has to learn some humility; Martha grows more self-confident; Bethany becomes less self-aware. But will they be trapped in Jumanji forever?

Johnson and Hart have worked together a few times before this, and their contrasting chemistry is leaned on for much of the humor here: Isn’t it funny how little Hart is and how big Johnson is? It’s a dynamic that is still comfortably familiar and not yet totally exhausted, so their competitive antics are still amusing. What doesn’t work as well, though, is the film’s presentation of Martha (whose main development is “becomes pretty,” which is frustratingly and stereotypically sexist), and the film’s villain, whose evil plan is discussed once and then otherwise doesn’t make much sense. Visually, it’s also a mixed bag: There are some jump-scare scenes with violent hippos and jaguars that have an impact, but every animal is so clearly CGI that your fear or your wonder won’t last. (What is definitive, though, is that the movie is absolutely not worth a 3D ticket.)

Ultimately, there just isn’t much to “Welcome to the Jungle,” at least not much that is as memorable as the Williams-led original—too much here is a little mean-spirited or lacking in context. There is a recurring joke about Bethany growing used to her male body, which simultaneously mocks both the character’s vapidity and the actor Black’s body. The gags will get laughs, but they’re a little too vulgar for younger viewers. A big romantic moment references a backstory between two characters that had never previously been discussed. And one of the teens calls another a “badass” because she basically tells a teacher, to her face, that her life is a nightmare—when the teacher was just doing her job. Was that necessary?

It’s that kind of casual callousness that runs through “Welcome to the Jungle,” and which feels in direct contrast to the sentimentality and regret that defined the original film. This “Jumanji” feels like a combination of various blockbuster clichés that don’t make much sense together, but may get some cheap laughs along the way—but it sure isn’t going to be a cult classic.

Interested in a previously released film? Read our reviews of films already showing in your local theater.

Family movie review: godzilla vs. kong (pg-13), family movie review: earwig and the witch (pg), family movie review: over the moon (pg), tips from our sponsors, weekday fun things to do: march 20-23, stem, nature and language in children’s literature, talking to kids about their bodies, all things homeschool, stay connected.

121 Cathedral Street, Suite 3A, Annapolis, MD 21401

Website by Web Publisher PRO

Find Family Movies, Movie Ratings and Movie Reviews

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle parents guide

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Parent Guide

Although the constant peril and life-threatening sequences will likely be too intense for little ones, teens may enjoy the action and positive messages..

In this sequel to the 1995 movie Jumanji (starring Robin Williams), a group of teenagers get sucked into a video game version of the magical board game. This time the players control the characters (Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black) like they are aviators. And the only way back to reality is to beat the game.

Release date December 20, 2017

Run Time: 119 minutes

Official Movie Site

Get Content Details

The guide to our grades, parent movie review by donna gustafson.

Many people can relate to the feeling of being immersed in an activity, but the movie Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle depicts the experience literally – not just figuratively.

While doing detention time in a storeroom at their high school, nerdy Spencer (Alex Wolff), football star Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain), non-conformist Martha (Morgan Turner) and boy-crazy Bethany (Madison Iseman) find an old video game console still loaded with a cassette. None of the four are familiar with the title Jumanji, yet playing it seems more fun than doing their assignment to sort discarded magazines.

Following its usual format, Jumanji vacuums up the quartet, and places them within its jungle environment. Each of them now find themselves within the body of their game character: Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) is the invincible hero, Fridge (Kevin Hart) is his mousy sidekick, Martha (Karen Gillan) is a sexy, mix-martial-arts fighter, and Bethany (Jack Black) is a pudgy, middle-aged man. After a quick introduction to the rules and objectives of their quest, presented by a tour guide (Rhys Darby) who appears to be part of the game’s program, the group is sent on their way. And whether they want to play or not, the only way back to their real lives is to beat the challenges of the virtual world.

The script has fun with this concept, deriving humor from the juxtaposition of the characters’ personalities with those of their avatars. For instance, Spencer is usually fearful but his character is always brave, Fridge is a big tough guy who is relegated to a small, wimpy body, Martha lacks confidence and is especially self-conscious in her midriff-baring tank top and tiny shorts, and Bethany can’t stop being a flirt even if she looks like a man.

Just like first-person video games, this one pits its adventurers against increasingly dangerous situations. These include threats from animals, weapon-brandishing bad-guys and a nasty villain (Van Pelt played by Bobby Cannavale) who is crawling with large insects (they even slither into his ear and out of his mouth). Van Pelt is perhaps the creepiest part of the production, although the constant peril and life-threatening action sequences will likely be too intense for little ones as well.

Amidst profanity shrapnel, some teen drinking and the glossing over of serious infractions like cheating on homework and lying to parents, this movie tries to teach the importance of team work. The characters also are forced to face their fears, examine some of their hurtful interactions and consider changing their behavior – if and when they get back to their former lives. Thanks to these commendable moral messages, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle isn’t just all fun and games.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Jumanji: welcome to the jungle rating & content info.

Why is Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle rated PG-13? Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is rated PG-13 by the MPAA for adventure action, suggestive content and some language.

Page last updated March 20, 2018

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Parents' Guide

When four students face detention, the school principal asks them some important questions: “Who are you? Who do you want to be?” He also reminds them that they have only one life to live, and only they can choose how they will live it. What do you think of his counsel? Are there choices you are making with your life that don’t reflect who you really want to be?

How much respect do the characters have for one another when they first become trapped in the game? How do their attitudes change over time? What experiences help them see each other in new ways? What do they learn about their strengths and weaknesses?

News About "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle"

Learn more about author/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg and his book Jumanji. Jumanji: Remastered With the sequel Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle opening in theaters on December 20, 2017, Sony is remastering the 1995 movie Jumanji for home video (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital, Remastered Blu-ray + Digital or DVD). It will release on December 5, 2017. From the Studio: In a brand new Jumanji adventure, four high school kids discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game's jungle setting, literally becoming the adult avatars they chose. What they discover is that you don't just play Jumanji - you must survive it. To beat the game and return to the real world, they'll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, discover what Alan Parrish left 20 years ago, and change the way they think about themselves - or they'll be stuck in the game forever, to be played by others without break. Written by Sony Pictures

The most recent home video release of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle movie is March 20, 2018. Here are some details…

Home Video Notes: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Release Date: 20 March 2018 Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle releases to home video (Blu-ray/Digital Copy) with the following extras: - “Jumanji, Jumanji” Music Video by Jack Black and Nick Jonas - Gag Reel - Five Featurettes

2017 Holiday Movie Round-up

{parents:pull_quote}

IMAGES

'Jumanji: The Next Level': Where Are Spencer And Bethany?
Watch Jumanji: The Next Level (2019) Online
Jumanji The Next Level age rating: How old do you have to be to see Jumanji 3?
Jumanji: The Next Level Movie Review
Jumanji:The Next Level~ Movie Review
Jumanji The Next Level

VIDEO

Dwayne the Rock Johnson richest American actor. #shorts #dwaynejohnson #rock
RATING MOVIE
RATING MOVIE
RATING MOVIE
RATING MOVIE
RATING MOVIE

COMMENTS

Jumanji Movie Review
good movie for kids over eleven ... great, but the scene with the spiders is freaky. also, a tad of language, like two or three “damns,” and one “
Parent reviews for Jumanji
good movie for kids over eleven ... great, but the scene with the spiders is freaky. also, a tad of language, like two or three “damns,” and one “what the hell.”.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Movie at a glance ; Rating: PG ; Age suitability: Not recommended for children under 12, Parental guidance for children under 14, Suitable for children over 14.
Jumanji
'Jumanji' broke ground with its originality and its fun characters and exciting, action-packed plot will keep audiences watching it again and
Parents Guide
Parents Guide · Sex & Nudity (5) · Violence & Gore (5) · Profanity (6) · Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking (1) · Frightening & Intense Scenes (6) · Certification.
Jumanji [1995] [PG]
Jumanji | 1995 | PG | - 1.5. · Robin Williams is a man who, as a boy, was sucked into a game that spit him out into a jungle. · SEX/NUDITY 1 - One chaste kiss
Family Movie Review: Jumanji: The Next Level (PG-13)
Age Appropriate For: 12+. ... A character's parents are killed in the video game; in real life, a character is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Family Movie Review: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13)
Age Appropriate For: 12+. This reboot of the '90s film “Jumanji” puts a video game spin on the story, with high school students transported to
Jumanji Movie Review for Parents
Why is Jumanji rated PG? The MPAA rated Jumanji PG for menacing fantasy action and some mild language. Run Time: 104 minutes. Get Content
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Movie Review for Parents
Why is Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle rated PG-13? The MPAA rated Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle PG-13 for adventure action