Tools for this page
Print

The Cider House Rules

(2000, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Michael Caine, Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron)
  • 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 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Thought-provoking movie for teens and up.

updated 04.04.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Teamwork of diverse group.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    Deaths of characters, brief knife fight.
  • Sex :

    Nudity, sex, and sexual references, including incest.
  • Language:

    Mild.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Character abuses drugs, much smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Cider House Rules

Parents need to know that the movie includes incest, non-explicit scenes of abortions, nudity, drug abuse, and a non-explicit scene of an unmarried couple having sex. There are also some very sad character deaths, including a child.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about rules, how they are developed, when, if ever, breaking rules is justified, and, when it is justified, how important it is to be willing to take the consequences. Some characters in the movie seem to let life decide things for them, but others take the situation into their own hands, and it is worth discussing how to know when to act.
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Seen It? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Cider House Rules?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Find movies reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Up

    Up

    Pixar's stunning 3-D adventure is an upper for everyone.

  • Managing Media

    "Screens Off"

    "Screens Off"

    Ideas for limiting screentime during playtime.

  • Book of the Week

    Room One: A Mystery or Two

    Room One: A Mystery or Two

    Page-turner full of kind, thoughtful characters.

  • Pick of the Week

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Swing, Batter Batter

    Best baseball games for kids.

  • Download This

    European Playground

    European Playground

    Give kids a taste of Europe's languages and rhythms.