Tools for this page
Print

American Graffiti

(1973, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Coming-of-age classic still a must-see for teens.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Drag racing. Drunk driving. Teens disrespect authority (cops are mocked, for example). Non-white children don't exist in this slice of early sixties America that George Lucas chooses to portray. One girl says she is not allowed to listen to Wolfman Jack because her parents (mistakenly) assume he is black.
  • Violence:

    Fisticuffs. Gunshots during a robbery.
  • Sex:

    Flashing bare bums. Back seat necking and petting.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One boy gets a stranger to buy alcohol at a liquor store and then gets so drunk that he throws up. He also drives after drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About American Graffiti

Parents need to know that this movie holds up beautifully for teens. Because it's set in the '60s, there is smoking and loads of drinking. There's a fistfight, some off screen gunshots, drag racing, and some language you might not want your kids using at the dinner table. Teens challenge authority, drink and drive, talk about sex, make out, and yes, there's the odd shot of the naked backside.

Read our full review by Randy White

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how older teens feel about leaving home, and moving away from everything they know. Which characters do you most identify with? Where do you expect to go after high school?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about American Graffiti?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    George Lucas, You Are a Genius!

    I'm telling you I read the book, which was like reading the screenplay because it had the directions and who was saying what. In the future I do mean to actually watch the film. I loved it!!!! I mean I have to see it, I am obsessed with the 50's and 60's.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Excellent classic

    If you like classic movies, American movies, or consider yourself a Lucas film, you owe it to yourself to see this film. It sometimes comes on TCM if for some reason you don;t feel like renting it (though I say sometimes because I saw it on TCM in early 2005, but know it has come on a few times after tat also).

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Advice for Parents

    How to Upload a Video to YouTube

    How to Upload a Video to YouTube

    Video creativity is easier than you think.

  • Book of the Week

    Shiver

    Shiver

    Does for werewolves what Twilight did for vampires.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Fun movie-based action game has constant but mild violence.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy