Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio parents guide: Is the dark fairytale okay for kids?

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is an acclaimed stop-motion animated feature and retelling of the classic Italian tale. Given its darker themes, is it okay for kids?

Considering this version of the story is set in 1930s fascist Italy, you can probably imagine that the storyline is a little darker and more mature than the Disney versions. It’s wartime, and there are some explosions and deaths.

Plus this film is made by Guillermo del Toro, who is known for making horror films and darker projects like Pan’s Labyrinth and the recent Netflix series Cabinet of Curiosities. It’s understandable that parents would want to check and see what this film is rated and what kind of content is present before showing it to their kids.

This version of Pinocchio is a thought-provoking, moving rendition of an iconic story. It’s certainly worth watching with your loved ones, but here’s what you need to know if you’re considering letting younger kids watch with you.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio parents guide and age rating

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is rated PG. Per the official MPAA film rating guide, parents are advised to provide “parental guidance” for these types of films, meaning they should be suitable for kids, but there might be some topics or themes that your children will not understand. This iteration of Pinocchio received the PG rating specifically for dark thematic material, violence, peril, some rude humor, and brief smoking.

Common Sense Media recommends this movie for kids over the age of 11 because it might be scary for children expecting something similar to the classic Disney film. Set between World Wars, the story features a character who dies (although he is reincarnated several times), fights, accidents, a potentially scary sea monster, fires, and religious overtones. There is also a song that features some potty language.

However, this version of Pinocchio has received acclaim for its beautiful stop-motion animation, whimsical storytelling, and approach to mature themes. It doesn’t hand-hold its messages while still imparting positive messages about how life is a gift and how we should embrace our imperfections.

Watch the official trailer for Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio below:

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio will be released on Friday, December 9, on Netflix.