IFFY 0+, ON 11+ or so. My son has seen it a few times, and didn't seem to mind it at all. That said, I wouldn't let kids watch it alone until they're 11yo or so. Several things might bring up questions that would be good to discuss. Teens however have probably already been exposed to all the things parents might object to in this movie, and would probably find this movie rather tame.
Little Miss Sunshine
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Ride along to dysfunction in quirky indie comedy.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–16
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 Little Miss Sunshine was written by Betsy Bozdech
Parents need to know that this family road trip movie includes sexual slang and references to drugs, mostly by the grandfather. Pornographic magazines (only the covers are shown) and a comedic striptease figure into the plot. Characters discuss depression and suicide (Uncle Frank has cut his wrists before the movie starts; his bandages are visible). There are conversations about "winning" and "losing," as measured by financial success. A character dies about halfway through the film; the family wraps up his body and carries it in their van to their destination. Characters curse (several "f--k"s), and the mother smokes a couple of cigarettes.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the way the Hoovers come to respect one another's differences. How does young Olive remind the adults of their lack of faith, innocence, and commitment? How does the beauty pageant serve as a metaphor for other competitions in the film -- say, between family members? How might Richard be more open to his family's needs, rather than trying to make them conform to his? Why do you think this movie -- a little indie discovered at the Sundance Film Festival -- did so well with audiences? What's it's appeal?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Little Miss Sunshine
What’s the Story?
The Hoover family decides to make the trip from Albuquerque to Southern California after starry-eyed daughter Olive (Abigail Breslin) unexpectedly scores a spot in the regional Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. The whole clan -- sunny Olive; anxious mom Sheryl (Toni Collette); aspiring motivational speaker dad Richard (Greg Kinnear); feisty, drug-using Grandpa (Alan Arkin); cynical teen Dwyane (Paul Dano); and gay, suicidal Proust scholar Uncle Frank (Steve Carell) -- piles into their old yellow Volkswagen bus (which has become the movie's signature image) and hits the road. Naturally, that road is full of all kinds of obstacles -- including car trouble, lots of bickering, and even an unexpected death. But in the process of working together to help Olive make it to the pageant, the Hoovers come to understand each other anew ... or at least appreciate the fact that no one else could possibly understand them except each other.
Is It Any Good?
It's true that the family road trip comedy isn't exactly a new genre; nor are quirky indie movies about dysfunctional families all that hard to come by. But somehow LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE manages to combine the two into something fresh, engaging, and often hysterically funny -- with a dash of "aw shucks" poignancy to boot. There's nothing radically new in terms of storytelling or character development, but the film nonetheless succeeds thanks to its excellent cast (husband-and-wife directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris lucked out, casting Carell just before he hit it really big with The 40-Year-Old Virgin) and funny, tight script. There aren't any wasted moments in this movie; even the smallest action -- Frank buying the dirty magazines, for example -- turns out to matter down the line.
And then there's the finale. Ever since Little Miss Sunshine premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival (and was purchased for a record $10.5 million), the big beauty pageant finish has been making audiences laugh until they cry -- which is pretty much how the Hoovers seem to approach life in general, so it all works out in the end.
Movie Details
Studio: Fox Searchlight, Directors: Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: 07/26/2006, DVD release: 12/19/2006
MPAA Rating: R for for language, some sex and drug content
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: 07/26/2006, DVD release: 12/19/2006
MPAA Rating: R for for language, some sex and drug content
Our Members Say
See all 69 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Negative role models
Amusing, but parental guidance needed for younger kids
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
PERFECT comedy, very quirky indie film, some iffy content
This is a great movie, with a very good cast and a FANTASTIC plot. It follows a dysfunctional family, The Hoovers, as they travel across America to get their 9 year old daughter Olive to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant where she is due to perform. Hilarity ensues. I know lots of people who thought this was a hokey American road trip/dysfunctional family film and didn't like it, but the hilarious, quirky humour and the great acting makes it stand out from the others as a proud and quirky independent film that should be recognized! Yes, there is some non graphic discussion of sex, a character is gay, and characters buy porn magazines (one of which is for gay men.)The language is salty, there are quite a few f*cks and other less offensive language (sh*t, ass, etc), a character tries to commit suicide, a character is depressed, a character takes drugs and (SPOILERS) dies as a result of it, and a young girl performs a sexual dance at a beauty contest. Although the characters are quirky, dysfunctional and troubled, the family overccomes their problems and in the end they realize that they can work together and have fun. It's a feel good film essentially, and the acting is great too! 5 stars and on for 12+
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Off 9- Iffy 10-12 On 13+
Liked it, but more in need of a PG-13 rating instead of an R one. This & Austin Powers should switch ratings. BTW, just saw it & it didn't kill me(look @ my age).
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Perfect for tweens if they understand the movie
I love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!! It teaches you that every family isn't perfect.
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
:)
Nothing's A PROBLEM....maybe the sex discussion is a little crude but they'll find it out sometime! GREAT MOVIE! BEST INDIE MOVIE OF ALL TIME TIED WITH JUNO...HAHA
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
loveeeddd it sosossoo muchhhh i dont think its innapprotaie for under 15s . i saw it when in was 12 hirliousssssss
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I rate this title on for age 11 and give it
great movie!
i loved this! i cant belive the age thing though. i first saw this when i was 11, and i thught it was totally appropite. whoever revied this ovsliy has never been to a middle school
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
i love it i'm 8
my mom only lets me watch pg movies i like the preview it's awsome
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Great comedy!!!
i found this a great family movie. i watched this with my oldest child and found no problems. there was some language but the f word was only used a few times.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
it's so great, but dysfunctional!!!!!!!!!
love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Brilliant!
it has a great theme, a troubled family on a road trip and has a great ending. me and my sister both loved this film and think it should be a good family film. the grandad swears a lot and takes drugs, only shown once. 5 stars!
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
This is a really good movie. (:
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
i cried and i luaghed
i really liked this movie. though it said quite a few bad words.... like the "f" word, it was a very good movie. there was some drugs in it... but it showed what could happen to you if you use it. it shows us that we allways have our family... and that our life isn't allways perfect. it also shows that you cant win everything... but atleast give it a try. it does have some sexual content in it so i dont encourage this movie for anyone under the age of 10. other than that is is an awesome movie.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
Loved it!
I don't think teens under 14-15 would even enjoy this flick, so not much to worry about there. I LOVED this movie and while the social behavior (stealing a body, suicide attempt) is zany or serious, the message and family dynamic is a great lesson for all families. I loved it! It's a great story of family support, being yourself, and accepting who you are.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
If you can get by the language, you'll love it.
Despite what some have written about this movie, I loved it, and so has everyone I've talked to. The boy (Dwanye) and girl (Olive) steal the movie from some very competant actors. You really care for these people throughout the film. Grampa (Alan Arkin) is a heroin addicted, sex crazed, nut, but his love for Olive and the others comes forth by the end of the film. The father battles his own failings all the while preaching his positive thinking program. The ending is a bit on the far fetched side, especially the "talent" competition at the "Little Miss Sunshine" pagent, but thankfully it's over fairly quick. This is a can't miss movie.
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I rate this title off for age 0 and give it
I vomited
This movie is like a haggis. It is something that many people have heard about, talked about and perhaps even tasted. But how many houses do you go in to and find haggis in the refrigerator. If you like oatmeal boiled in a sheeps stomach then you will like this movie. This is not an original screenplay...it's a bad knock off of National Lampoons Summer Vacation! Suitable for adults with the maturity of most 10 year olds.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
A for acting; F for values; C+ for entertainment
the tide of superficiality, coarseness and lack of conscience is pretty scary in our american culture...it continues to grow. That movie represents how far we have sunk into the coarseness and acceptance of crudity and crassness, and then some critics have the audacity to present it as comedy. Why are our young folks lacking values and direction???....well guess what, perhaps it is because we condone messages like that and don't have the courage to speak up and question others' values. It also tells us how hungry americans are for some fun and laughter ...and therefore will laugh at almost anything without thinking who it is hurting. It is NOT okay or funny when a perverted, drug addict grandfather tells his 15 year old grandson to fuck as many women as he can and when he influences his little grand daughter (who by the way, parents allowed to sleep in his room with him and did not even ask about what is he teaching her, yuck!!)...a perverted old coot who influences her by teaching her to dance in an almost lewd way so that he can thumb his nose at society...and then the family gets up on the stage and dances like she does to "save her"...guess who won? Yes, the dead Grandfather left his skewed values for us to find cute and funny. I'm sorry....that is not funny and when I have said to people "think about it" this little light of awakening seems to turn on. That family should have led her off the stage and comforted her and taken her to a dancing and acting school . I really am for happy endings and solutions. So that film leaves us with a sense of "Wow , that was funny!!" and then....wait a minute, it WAS a pretty serious subject and pretty dark. The funny part was the car and pushing it...and then that got old. When I have talked to about 7 people lately about that film , I say, tell me what was funny? And they begin to wake up and see that they are being brainwashed into condoning this. No wonder folks in other countries think we have lost it. Good theater has always been a forum for looking at good and evil and all that is in between and having good dialog...taking it to a deeper level to get past the superficial. If we Americans go down the tubes (and maybe we already have) it will be due to that lack of depth and meaning ...maybe we are trying to find it I am not afraid to try to wake up some of the younger ones before I die....and don't you be afraid either. We still have a lot of juice and people do listen.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 67% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 33% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
| 33% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 33% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 33% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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