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Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

(1989, Rated PG, Comedy, Starring Keanu Reeves, George Carlin, Alex Winter)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Silly time-capsule comedy ideal for older tweens.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Bill and Ted are high school losers who don't pay attention in class and literally require divine intervention to save their grades. Ted's dad treats him badly and yells at him. They steal Ted's dad's keys and let people out of jail and generally disobey their parents. But overall, the message is to be good to one another.
  • Violence:

    Lots of comic violence and no one gets hurt. Ted falls down the stairs of a medieval castle and Bill thinks Ted has been stabbed and killed. Bill is almost stabbed as well, but Ted knocks the assailant out. Bill and Ted are almost decapitated. Billy the Kidd causes a barroom brawl and later shoots a light out in modern-day San Dimas. Genghis Khan destroys a sporting goods store with a bat.
  • Sex:

    Lots of light-hearted sexual innuendo. Bill and Ted refer to all women as "babes" and take turns staring at Bill's mom's cleavage. Missy and Bill's dad make out in Bill's bedroom. Bill's dad is married to a much-younger trophy wife. Genghis Khan stops eating and starts making out with a servant girl. Sigmund Freud points his corndog suggestively.
  • Language:

    Sparse salty language, including "dick," "dickweed," and "fag."
  • Consumerism:

    Circle K, and the duo introduces historical figures to the delights of "mall culture."
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    One fight in an old Western bar.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure

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.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • 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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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • 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.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    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!

  3. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    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"!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    pah

    great movie, but 10+, this movie is a classicwho cares if it syas babes? more like 2+!!!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 1.0

    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.

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    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.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0

    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

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    My favorite movie!

    This is so funny the firt time i saw it i laughed, i cried, and i laughed somemore!

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    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.

  10. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    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"

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in North Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    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!

  13. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

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