Tools for this page
Print

The Money Pit

(1986, Rated PG, Comedy, Starring Tom Hanks, Shelley Long, Alexander Godunov)
  • 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 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Hanks is hilarious in classic '80s fix-it comedy.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    If your romantic relationship can withstand an awful home renovation, it'll be stronger than ever.
  • Violence:

    Hanks and Long are accidentally electrocuted, crushed, burned, and attacked by a raccoon, but it's all slapsticky violence.
  • Sex:

    Several shots of Walter and Anna kissing -- often in bed, including one scene where the construction workers are all watching. There are inappropriate, jokey comments about whether Anna should sleep with a contractor or her ex-husband for the sake of the renovations. Anna wakes up next to a shirtless Max. A worker tells Anna she's almost out of birth control pills.
  • Language:

    Would be PG-13 by today's standards with words like "whore," "bastard," "ass," "blood-sucking," "screw," etc. Three exclamations of "God-damned."
  • Consumerism:

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

    Several people drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes. Anna drinks so much one night that in the morning she can't recall what happened. Walter accuses Anna of being a drunk.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Money Pit

Parents need to know that this comedy, although PG, has several mature themes and conversations. The couple played by Tom Hanks and Shelley Long fool around in bed -- with their construction crew looking on in one case. They kiss many times throughout the movie and have conversations about sex, drinking and ending their relationship. Some of the comments may go over young kids' heads, however. The humor consists of Hanks (and in a few cases Long) getting hurt in a variety of elaborate ways during their hellish home renovation. If made today, this slapstick comedy would be rated PG-13.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about persevering despite many obstacles. Anna and Walter take turns bemoaning the purchase of their new home. How does the home improvement project change their relationship? Was buying the house a risk that paid off? Kids: would you want to live in the Money Pit house? Also, do you think Tom Hanks is better in comedies or dramas? Is there any evidence here that the comic Hanks would end up to be a big Oscar winner?

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 Money Pit?
  •  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. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    The Worst House in All of History...

    This movie is the ultimate bad-house movie, with what may be the worst house in movie history. However, it isn't that good of a movie. And, it's not okay for kids. There is language: "godd**n", "a*s", and "SOB". A man and his girlfriend are shown making out in bed with construction workers watching. The girlfriend then proceeds to sleep with her ex-husband while drunk (nothing shown), and her husband calls her a "w***e" when he finds out.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Perfect Tom Hanks Film!!

    This movie is HILARIOUS! I watched this with my mom and we were pretty much laughing through the whole thing. There were quite a few sexual situations/jokes that could have been done without, and some minor language, but as a whole, this was a great movie. My favorite scene was the bathtub falling thru the roof (I was laughing hysterically until I started crying, then I rewound it and watched it again.) I hope you enjoy this movie as much as I did!!

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.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Shiver

    Shiver

    Does for werewolves what Twilight did for vampires.

  • Pick of the Week

    Online Homework Help

    Online Homework Help

    Best Online Homework Helpers

  • Download This

    The Time of Our Lives

    The Time of Our Lives

    Walmart-exclusive mini-CD is edgy but kid-friendly.

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