Tools for this page
Print

The Big Lebowski

(1998, Rated R, Comedy, Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore)
  • 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 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 17.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A wild ride for adults only.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 17–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A story of extortion and embezzlement set to the soundtrack of porn and drugs
  • Violence:

    Men threaten to cut off the Dude's penis; fighting between the Dude and some nihilists; a police chief throws a coffee cup at the Dude's head.
  • Sex:

    Some frontal nudity. The Dude and Maude have sex, but it's not graphic.
  • Language:

    Constant cursing, especially the f--k and s--t.
  • Consumerism:

    One grocery story is mentioned and pictured several times.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The Dude drinks and smokes pot while driving, and is constantly making drinks or smoking pot at other times.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Big Lebowski

Parents need to know that this movie is inappropriate for kids. The Dude is subject to a lot of violence. One group threatens to cut off his penis, while another threatens him by shoving his face in the toilet. A Malibu police chief hits him with a coffee cup. A woman's toe gets cut off (though not on screen), Walter wields a gun more than once, and Walter, the Dude, and Donny get in a fight with a group of nihilists. Women are most often treated as objects and there's some frontal female nudity. The Dude drinks and smokes pot while driving, and while doing everything else. There's lots of profanity as well.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the Dude's lifestyle. Is that something you aspire to? How would you handle a situation of mistaken identity? Would you listen to your friends the way the Dude listens to Walter?

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

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Big Lebowski?
  •  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. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    I'm a lebowski, your a lebowski

    This is a great movie. The coen brothers are the best sibling directors ever. Jeff Bridges does a great job. You dont mess with jesus.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

    great movie

    this is the coens masterpeice, waaaaay above and beyond fargo. but apart from the swearing its all very comedy and saying its not appropriate for kids is well an overstatement. most will be able to deal with it fine, and its awesome

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    A cohens, cussin' classic!

    A classic cohen brothers, very strong, frequent language if you check any content guide you will see that the film has over 250+ F-bombs, which I don't mind, language is language just the same to me there is no difference between dam n, hel l or the F-bomb (which I can't print on this website)

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    Great Movie W/ Some Issues!!

    Great movie with the only concern of the 200+ F-Words!! Hilarious film otherwise!!!

  5. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 5.0

    LALALALALALA THES BEST COMEDY EVER!

    Jeff Bridges and John Goodman give the performance of a life time and this was big time snubbed. This cult is an american classic!

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    hilarious adult comedy!!

    this was a great movie. It had pretty much constant swearing and some violence also some nudity and sex. Still very funny. If your my age watch it with an adult, maybe your dad like I did.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    absolutely HILARIOUS!

    This movie is a one of a kind. I thought it was great, really funny, and a really great plot. There's a lot of cursing in the movie (mostly the F-word), The Dude smokes pot, and drinks a lot. And the Dude may not be someone you want your little ones immitating. they also may have a hard time following the storyline . Great movie, for about 12-13 and up.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I laughed my head of at the Ferret part!

    Now this is a funny movie, but a bit edgy, so watch out for your kids parents.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Where the Wild Things Are

    Sometimes-dark adaptation focuses on friendship, loneliness.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Book of the Week

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Lips Touch Three Times

    Wildly inventive, wonderful fairy tales for mature teens.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

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
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name