THIS MOVIE IS MOST OUTSTANDING. THE SEQUEL IS EVEN BETTER.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Silly time-capsule comedy ideal for older tweens.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure was written by Heather Boerner
Parents need to know that Bill and Ted are slackers, have no respect for authority, and actively disobey their parents. But the tone is still very lighthearted and the characters seem to have the best intentions during their adventures through time. There is some comic violence and, appropriately, the Dark Ages is where the duo encounters the most life-threatening -- but still comic -- situations. Girls are treated as sex objects to the point that Rufus gives the boys two girls they met in Medieval England as a reward for passing their history test.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about how to balance creative pursuits like music with good school work. If you had a time machine, what time periods would you visit? Who would you want to visit and why? Do you think the historical figures in the film really would have reacted the way they did? Would Joan of Arc, for instance, become an aerobics instructor?
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More on Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
What’s the Story?
Slacker teens Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) are more intent on landing Eddie Van Halen for their band Wyld Stallions than making it through high school. But if the boys don't get an A+ on their history report, they'll flunk out of school and Ted will be on his way to military school in Alaska. Knowing only that Napoleon is "a short, dead dude," and guessing that Joan of Arc is "Noah's wife," the boys seem to be lost -- until a visitor from the future, Rufus (the perfectly cool George Carlin), appears in a magical phone booth to allow them to experience history first hand. They hatch a plan: Bring historical figures back and let them experience San Dimas -- and then take them to class. The plan goes perfectly, including a run-in at the mall, arrests, and other ensuing silliness.
Is It Any Good?
There are some movies that are irresistible junk food for the brain: they are short, sweet and so entertaining you want to watch them over and over again. Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is one of those. It's a bonbon of a film, full of good looking, sweet scenes that make you feel giddy.
The great thing about the film is that it's perfectly paced and perfectly acted. Say what you will about Keanu Reeve's wooden acting skills -- it takes a certain level of brilliance to come up with a character who is both maddeningly dumb and completely lovable. And there are other great scenes. Released on a modern mall, the historical characters act out. Joan of Arc rallies the troupes of an aerobics class. Billy the Kidd turns out to be a bad flirt. And with one tilt of his corndog, Sigmund Freud is proven to be a perv. It's delightfully silly and imminently watchable.
Movie Details
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment, Director: Stephen Herek
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: 02/17/1989, DVD release: 12/04/2001
MPAA Rating: PG for mild violence and some sexuality
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: 02/17/1989, DVD release: 12/04/2001
MPAA Rating: PG for mild violence and some sexuality
Our Members Say
See all 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My highlights are:
awesome
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
a very good movie
one of my favorite movie ever.
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Perfect for children and families
I liked this movie, shouldn't be a comedy. Family friendly and very fun. Only one swear; s--t.
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
Party On Dudes!
I love it, but there are lots of sexual things in it, the boys stare repeatedly at Missy (Bill's mom's) cleavage, Bill's dad looks suggestivally at Missy repeatedlly, then pays Bill to leave the house. Missy is much younger then Bill's dad, and is a trophy wife. 2 girls are considered prizes. And let's not forget their favorite number 69. Otherwise I love it!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
Be excellent to each other - watch this movie together!
Dude - this movie is most excellent! We have been watching both movies in the B&T's series with our kids for years. Yes, we do have to tell them not to repeat a few words but other than that, there is little to be offended by. I see so much more offensive objectification of women in today's movies than exists in this movie. Just be aware of the difference in our eras - it is from the eighties after-all. Not only are the movies very entertaining, there are even some non-heinous messages in both stories. For example, non-violence, "Dude, we couldn't possible fight you, were like totally weak!" and overall, "Be excellent to each other!" So watch the movies and, "Party on dudes"!
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
pah
great movie, but 10+, this movie is a classicwho cares if it syas babes? more like 2+!!!
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
READ THE SEX REVIEW, NOT OKAY FOR 10 YEAR OLDS
I can not say whether it is a "good" movie or not, I can only go by your description.Under sex, you don't have anything marked yet when I clicked on it, I was appalled!! How is it okay to have our 10 yr old kids (as suggested on this site, particularly our daughters) see girls treated as sex objects. What kind of message are we sending there?? Please, think twice before allowing your kids to see inappropriate funny movies just because there is nothing else out there. Buy a camcorder and make your own funny movies, you could even win big bucks if you send it into funniest home videos.
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
I ADORE THIS MOVIE!!!!!
I absolutely love this movie. It appeals to a certain kind of humor. But from the Wlyd Stallyns to "strange things are afoot at the circle-k" to "Be excellent to each other" it rocks. Lots and lots and lots of innuendo, but a great movie nonetheless. Some might consider it outdated, but for those with historical 80's love (if you can call the 80's history) it's great.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
This is a dorcy non funny atempt to be funny. the comedy is dumb and kinda out dated and the acting is sloppy and the plot is just plain stuiped
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
My favorite movie!
This is so funny the firt time i saw it i laughed, i cried, and i laughed somemore!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
80's Crazyness, Amazing
This Movie is so funny Common Sense got this all wrong there is one scene when bill's mom leans over for a second and they look down her shirt. it's not bad at all just funny, and tottaly "80's Crazyness"
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
HAHA! So funny!
Boy, if you havent seen Bill & Ted movies you are missing out. They are so oblivous that they dont know how funny they are. These guys go to the past to pick up history characters to laern about for their high shcool project. I wish I could do this! They talk about the Iron Maiden like it is a rock band instead of an old torture thing. You will like this movie no matter who you are!
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Great Stuff
Compared to most of the 'family-friendly' movies that come out now, (which are filled with inappropriate language and frivolous sexuality) this is a great movie for all ages. I would say it's best for the 10+ crowd, because most younger kids wouldn't get it. It's hilarious, and very enjoyable. Not for those who demand intellectual value in your movies.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 50% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 50% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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