almost every part is scary, and alot are violent. you shouldnt let tweens see it, and definitley not littler kids. the biggest issue is scariness, then violence. it does have alot of language too, and is very close to a R.
Signs
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Excellent, but has some extreme tension and peril.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Signs was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie has extreme tension and peril, though it's not graphic or gory. Some viewers will find it very scary. Some will be comforted by its ultimate conclusion, but others will find it disappointing, even sugary or superficial. They might even be offended at its deterministic take on things.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about whether they see patterns and purpose in what occurs around them and what it means to them. Where do people find their faith? What kind of person says that it doesn't feel right not to swing? They might also want to look at websites like this one and this one to find out more about efforts to contact life on other planets.
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Signs
What’s the Story?
Writer/producer/director M. Night Shyamalan's latest is a story of a crisis of faith, a wise child, and something out there that is very, very disturbing but ultimately part of a pattern that supports and embraces all of us. Graham Hess (Mel Gibson) is, a recent widower who lives with his two children and his brother (Joaquin Phoenix) on a farm in Pennsylvania. He had been a minister, but lost his faith when his wife was killed. He wakes up one night with a sense of dread. His children are not in bed. He runs out into the cornfield and his children show him that the stalks have been bent into a mysterious pattern. It can't have been made by a machine, because the stalks are not broken. And it can't have been done by hand, because the shapes are too perfectly even. It turns out that the strange signs have appeared all over the world. Graham wants to believe that the shapes are a prank or a hoax. He cannot bear the thought that his family could be vulnerable to more injury or loss.
Is It Any Good?
Gibson is outstanding in a role that calls for subtlety, maturity, and a mixture of vulnerability and strength. The children, played by Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin, are just right. They act like smart kids who know what loss is and are scared but also tantalized by what is going on around them.
Shyamalan's skills as a director are getting stronger and stronger. His use of the camera to tell the story is masterful. There is a moment when the screen goes completely black that had the audience gasping. He has clearly been paying attention to Alfred Hitchcock and Steven Spielberg, and has a few tricks of his own to contribute. His only mistake is in leaving too little to the imagination. Like his characters, he likes to have everything explained.
Movie Details
Studio: Touchstone Pictures, Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Run time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release: 08/02/2002, DVD release: 01/07/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for scariness
Run time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release: 08/02/2002, DVD release: 01/07/2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for scariness
Our Members Say
See all 37 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
This is one of the best age-appropiate alien thrillers.
This movie has a fantastic plot, and it has a few unexpected twists. Some extremely tense scenes, and sometimes quite humorus. **SPOILERS** On TV, some images of strange lights and one video of an alien walking infront of the camera briefly. Funny part was Phoenix COMPLETELY freaked out in a sort-of funny way. **SPOILERS OVER** One scene, a depressed girl at a pharmacy talks to Gibson about the aliens and says she needs to clear her mind, and goes off talking about nonsense, including how many times she swore. Phoenix runs around the house, suspecting a criminal, swearing and freaking out. Gibson swears once in that scene with the A-Word. If you don't like your kids to be exposed to swearing, this movie is a no-no. One scary scene includes the kid having an asthma attack.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
kids
as he dad tries to hide them from the aliens um there is one seen that is played over 2 or 3 times its a mexican birthday party and this kids walk like to a balcony the kids see whats look to be like a alien its a little hard to look at but i saw this movie when i was 3 and 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 i would not worry too much a bout it!!! there is a bloody seen that Mel Gibson cuts the fingers of a alien but not bad........hope this helped as i say moms and dads watch this before your child does
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
good for kids 11 to 13 because of violence and language
i think it is a good movie because it is scary, but not too scary. there is only a little bit of violence where an alien gets cut with a knife and a car crash. it is pretty scary, there is some parts that could give kids nightmares, and there is some bad words in it that come up at random moments. it is a good horror movie but kids might get bored by some of the talking.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
all ages
i loved this movie
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
13+
This is a great movie, but it has some very, very scary scenes. There is also some moderate language, and one brief s**ual joke. Not reccomended for children under 13.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Wonderful movie
I loved this movie! It had strong family-values, and good themes in it. It could be a bit frightening for younger viewers, however, so I don't recommend it for those under around 14. For those mature enough to handle it, though, this movie is excellent.
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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
about right for tweens.
I think it's iffy for age nine. I first saw one of the scarier parts when I was about six or seven and it scared me out of my socks. Then I saw it at age nine, all the way through, and loved it!
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Good Movie
love this movie i would let anyone watch it.
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Stay away from the little ones when watching it.
Well I watched this when I was REALLY little like 5. It scarred the heck out of me. I had nightmares. I watched it again like a year ago I watched again. It was good! Just don't be around the little kids when you watch it.
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Lives in IllinoisI rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
not violent really, just scarry
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Suspenceful!
This movie had me at the edge of my seat up until the end. I loved the suspense. This is a definite must see.
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
M. Night Shyamalan pulls out another winner with Signs. This movie is so powerful, so emotional, so awesome in general that I cry every time I see it! It does have some scary moments but that is another thing that makes it so great! I love this movie, and it is... oh, words cannot describe. M. Night is my favorite filmaker of all time. If you liked this then be sure to check out his hit: "The Sixth Sense" and my personal favorite which gets me sobbing because I love it so much and it is my #1 movie of all time: "The Village."
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I rate this title pause for age 13 and give it
Great movie, M. Night pulls out another winner!
This movie is high on peril and scariness, but also on plot and story. It is a much better alien invasion movie then I've ever seen. You don't know anymore than the characters do, which makes for a really tense atmosphere. Instead of following the entire world's problems, it follows one family through the events that happen. Due to the scariness, I suggest that noone under 13 see this. Even 13 year olds will find this movie to be scary, although that is why it will apeal to them.
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I rate this title pause for age 10 and give it
Meh...
This movie was an okay movie. I felt that the story should have more at the end. There were a few scenes that made me scream but not becuase it was scary but because it was sudden. I'd say 10 year olds and below will probably be frightened but anything above that should be a no problem.
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I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it
An excellent, but very intense movie!
Signs is one of my favorite alien invasion movies, and it is also one of the most scariest I've ever seen. Though there is little violence or gore, the feel of the movie keeps your heart elevated for nearly the whole movie. Sensitive 11 or 12 and 13 year olds should not watch this movie, and even non sensitive ones will find this movie scary. I reccomend this movie to kids 12 or 13 and up who like movies with tension
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Great Movie
This is on my must see list for everybody. Great Ending.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
a movie with deep roots
Signs is a homage to many of the fallowing films and literary works: War of the Worlds, The Birds, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Night of the living Dead. With the possible exeption of The Birds, it's better then all of them.
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I rate this title on for age 0 and give it
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 67% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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