Arrival parents guide: Is the sci-fi movie okay for kids?

Sci-fi movie Arrival first came out in 2016, and it did very well with audiences and critics! The film received eight nominations at the 89th Academy Awards in 2017. Now that it’s arrived on Netflix, pun intended, you might want to check it out if you haven’t before. Is it a family-friendly movie or does it contain more mature content?

The production stars Amy Adams as Louise Banks, Jeremy Renner as Ian Donnelly, Forest Whitaker as Colonel G. T. Weber, Michael Stuhlbarg as Agent Halpern, Mark O’Brien as Captain Marks, Tzi Ma as General Shang, and Julia Scarlett Dan as 12-year-old Hannah.

So what’s the age rating for the film? Can you watch it with your kids? We’ve got the answer for you below!

Arrival parents guide: Is the sci-fi movie okay for kids?

Arrival has a PG-13 rating for brief strong language, per the Motion Picture Association. This means the film is not suitable for those under the age of 13 as some material may not be appropriate for that age group. So whether you plan to watch the movie as a family, or your preteens are interested in it, just be mindful of some of the content included.

The science-fiction production is centered around linguistic professor Louise Banks as she leads “an elite team” of investigators, per the synopsis. Multiple spaceships around the world have landed, bringing “extraterrestrial visitors” in them. To avoid a global war, the group has to quickly find a way to speak with them. And this could come at the cost of her life, and maybe even “all of mankind.”

The trailer reveals a glimpse at the UFOs, how the team tries to translate their language, and the global tension happening with their arrival. Check out the video below:

The movie Arrival is now streaming on Netflix.