Age Rating For The Greatest Showman

So, there I was, last weekend, trying to sneak a peek at The Greatest Showman with my 10-year-old niece. We'd been singing "This Is Me" all week, and I thought, why not? But then, the age rating popped up on the screen - "PG". I mean, it's just a musical, right? Wrong! Turns out, there's more to this rating than meets the eye.

What's the big deal with PG?

Now, I'm not one to shy away from a good debate, especially when it comes to movies. But when I started digging into the age ratings, I realized I'd been a bit too casual about them. I mean, who knew there was so much going on behind those simple letters?

Let's break it down

PG stands for "Parental Guidance suggested". It's the middle ground between G (general audience) and PG-13 (parents strongly cautioned). But what does that actually mean? Well, according to the MPA, it means the film "may contain material parents might not like to expose to their young children".

Now, I don't know about you, but that's a bit vague. I mean, what kind of material are we talking about here? And why is it that some movies get a PG rating while others get a PG-13, even if they seem similar?

So, what's in The Greatest Showman?

Alright, back to my niece and our movie night. Turns out, The Greatest Showman got a PG rating for "themes of bullying and a mild fight". Now, I'm all for teaching kids about standing up to bullies, but I hadn't considered that it might be too intense for a 10-year-old.

The Greatest Showman

And then there's the music. Don't get me wrong, I love the soundtrack as much as the next person. But some of the lyrics, like "I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I'm meant to be, this is me" can be quite emotional. And while that's great for us grown-ups, it might be a bit much for a kid who's still learning to navigate their feelings.

It's not just about the content

You might be thinking, "Well, that doesn't sound too bad". And you're right, it's not just about the content. It's also about the context. The Greatest Showman is a musical, which means it's all about big emotions and dramatic moments. That can be a bit intense for younger kids, even if the content itself isn't too mature.

Plus, let's not forget about the running time. The Greatest Showman is over two hours long. That's a long time to sit still for a kid, especially if they're not totally engaged in the story.

The Greatest Showman: Where to Watch & Stream Online

So, what's the verdict?

After all this, you might be wondering if I ended up watching The Greatest Showman with my niece. The answer is yes, but not that night. We found a G-rated animated movie instead, and I promised her we'd watch The Greatest Showman together when she's a bit older.

Because here's the thing, age ratings are there to help us make informed decisions. They're not about censorship or telling us what we can and can't watch. They're about making sure we're watching things that are appropriate for us, at the right time.

So, the next time you're wondering about an age rating, don't just glance at it and move on. Take a moment to think about what it means, and whether it's the right fit for you or your kids. After all, a little bit of thought can go a long way in making sure we're all enjoying the right show at the right time.