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Dirty Dancing

(1987, Rated PG-13, Drama, Starring Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Jerry Orbach)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    A hip-shaking guilty pleasure.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, family relationships, growing up
updated 11.18.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 12–14

The good stuff

  • Role models:

    Baby, through her three weeks with Johnny becomes aware of what she wants and who she wants in life, but she doesn't do it in the most productive way. Johnny is the bad boy with a heart of gold that falls in love. Both main characters have good and bad qualities, but they both grow for the better from their relationship. 

 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The staffers at the exclusive summer retreat are regarded as second-class citizens. Baby and her sister disobey their parents by sneaking around with boys. Baby asks her father for money, then uses it for Penny's abortion.

  • Violence:

    Johnny and Robbie fight after Robbie criticizes Baby.

  • Sex:

    Erotic dancing, main character loses her virginity, several scenes of teens in bed. Penny gets pregnant and has a dangerous abortion, with complications afterward.

  • Language:

    Occasional sexually and religiously themed language, ranging from mild to extreme.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Dirty Dancing

Parents need to know that this 1960s-set forbidden romance is a guilty pleasure, due to several campy scenes, flashy dance sequences, and appealing performances by its main characters. Although some parents may find the dancing a little too dirty, teenage viewers will be captivated by the flashy fantasy of star-crossed summer romance. Sexual references abound here beyond the dance moves: one character has a botched abortion, the main character loses her virginity, and another talks about her plans to go all the way. An older married woman propositions younger men on staff at the resort and sleeps with one.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the film's sexual themes. 
  • How does each family member feel about teenage sex? 
  • As a teenager, what would you do if you were pressured to have sex?
  • What do you feel about the conflict between Baby and her father?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    andyouaskwhy
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    loved it i miss patrick swayze rip patrick we will miss u!

    This review...

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  2. Adult Reviewer
    WonderfulTonight
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Love The movie

    I love this movie! The music is wonderful and fun, and the dancing is fantastic! It is a very very fun movie! Watch it! The sexual behavior is a bit iffy, but get over it!

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  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Miss6767
    Lives in Maine
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    AMAZING!

    Really good movie! other than some brief language and very sexual dancing, this movie is good for 12 and up

    This review...

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  4. Parent Reviewer
    here2help
    Lives in Delaware
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    Moronic plot, disgusting lack of moral qualms, paying for the murder of an unborn being glorified, vulgar dancing, statutory rape of main character.. barffff

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  5. Adult Reviewer
    moviemadness
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Great Summer Romance (Teens+)

    Baby and Patrick Swayze dance the night away in Dirty Dancing with some AWESOME dance moves! It's fun, campy, and a must-see for teens. Parents should note that all though there are no sex scenes, there are steamy, steamy dance moves and LOTS of french kissing. There is also a scary botched abortion. Bad guys, however, get their dues. 13+

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  6. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    tessiegirl
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    LOVED IT

    awesome movie! if you havent seen it you should. an awesome classic!

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  7. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    FashionDiva0569
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    GREAT MOVIE FOR GIRLS OF ANY AGE!!!

    I LOVE WATCHING IT W/ MY GRANDMA,AND MOM SINCE ITZ KINDA A CHICK FLICK I HAVE SEEN THIS MOVIE SO MANY TIMES!!! EVEN THOUGH BABY MAKES SOME BAD CHOICES SHE LEARNS FROM THEM,AND THATS THE IMPORTANT MORAL OF THIS MOVIE.REMEMBER: THERE IS SOME MATURE DIALOUGE IN THIS FILM MEANING SO,U MIGHT WANT TO SEE THIS ONE W/ YOUR KIDS IF THE AREN'T 13 OR OVER

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  8. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    geeksgetthegirl3
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Very well put together!!!

    I love this movie!!!!it is probabley apropriate for 12+ Verrrrrrrrrrry good!!

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  9. Adult Reviewer
    missbutty
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

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  10. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    369258147
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 2.0

    really bad

    Dirty Dancing was a movie for a 16 for a lot of sex scenes and fighting scenes.

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  11. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

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