Tools for this page
Sixteen Candles
-
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 16; suggested age 16. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Racy, drunken, hilarious '80s high school comedy.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 16 and Up
What to watch out for
-
Violence :
-
Sex :
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Sixteen Candles
Parents need to know that this is a hilarious high school comedy with sharply observed moments. The early '80s score will sound dated to some, but for others, it will be a walk down memory lane. But bear in mind that this is also an adult comedy with teen characters. The teens drink, have sex, and talk about birth control. Parents may want to exercise caution with more impressionable, and especially preteens or younger. But this smart exploration of adolescent life will be fun for teens and adults.
Read our full review by Randy White
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about Sam's insecurity about her body. How could her family have eased some of the anxiety of adolescence? Families may also want to discuss the stereotype of Long Duk Dong, and how that stereotype has changed today.
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
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
See all 8 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in FloridaI rate this title off for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Lives in FloridaI rate this title off for age 17 and give it
"PG" rating? This should be "R" or at least "PG-13"
We flipped the channel during a commercial to this movie which was on 'Encore'. It was rated PG which our 11 year can handle. However, the scene which came on was of female breast. Yes, full naked breast, nipples and all! In a close-up shot too! By the time I grabbed the remote to change the channel, it voomed out to show the girl in the shower...this scene showed a side view with 1 nipple showing and her naked butt. I was Horrified! Even my husband did a recheck on the rating for this movie and we were both shocked to see it was indeed listed as PG. Don't think this is appropriately rated. Nudity of any kind should not be rated with "PG".
- Lives in CaliforniaI rate this title off for age 17 and give it
BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in the sick way
I saw the first ten minutes of the movie and I turned it off. A naked body, several F-bombs, talk about PMS, and thats just the first ten minutes. But 80's movies are still fun!
- Lives in IdahoI rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it
12+?? Rated PG??
Just saw this movie and we were confused. WE thought the Netflix lable was just printed wrong but on the DVD sure enough PG! Weird.. Today a movie like this would be rated R. It's definitely not for tweens..older teens yes but not 12 year olds unless that's what you want your child to see. I personally wasn't impressed with the movie at all. I have alwasy heard stuff about it being a good movie and a classic that everyone's seen. It was sort of boring and sort of funny but definitely not HILARIOUS.
- Lives in MichiganI rate this title on for age 13 and give it
classic coming of age in the 80's film
The copy we have is rated PG which is a totally inappropriate rating. I would say it is appropriate for children 15 and older. Possibly 13 or 14 year olds if you're willing to take the time to discuss the various negatively portrayed themes and issues (abuse of alcohol & drugs, promiscuity, mistreatment of women etc). Otherwise, it's a really enjoyable movie, accurately capturing Molly Ringwald's characters teenage angst.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.
Already a member? Log in
Our Members Rate It
Have You Seen it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
