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Stand by Me

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Edgy coming-of-age story not for young kids.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship, growing up
updated 10.23.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Role models:

    Although they are not perfect and engage in dangerous pursuits, at heart the boys are good kids and loyal friends.

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The messages are pretty bleak; it shows growing up to be an often painful process.
  • Violence:

    A dead body is shown.
  • Sex:

    Sexual innuendo. The boys are curious about the opposite sex, and discuss girls in a crude but age-appropriate way.
  • Language:

    Very strong language.
  • Consumerism:

    References to both Winston's cigarettes, cherry PEZ, and Fruit Of The Loom underwear.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol and cigarette consumption by kids.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Stand by Me was written by Jelani Harper

Parents need to know that despite its preteen stars, this should by no means be considered a children's movie. Aside from the abundance of profanity, implied and displayed violence, and sexually suggestive material, the predominance of adult-oriented themes dealing with the disillusionment of adolescence requires a mature, adult-outlook. There is plenty of sexual innuendo and alcohol and cigarette consumption by kids. A dead body is shown. Acts of violence are both alluded to and shown on film. Stories about parental physical and emotional abuse are not shown but are mentioned frequently and are integral to the story.

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 the motives that compel the characters (adolescent children) to seek refuge in reckless behavior.
  • Discuss death -- whether it be a sibling or a stranger, and its effect on family members.
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More on Stand by Me

What’s the Story?

STAND BY ME (based on Stephen King's novella) revolves around four small-town 12-year-old boys who set out on a trek to find a dead body. The team overcomes oncoming trains, a disgusting bout with leeches, and the rival advances of a competing "gang" to collect the prize of seeing a dead body.

Is It Any Good?

The movie accurately depicts the painful process of maturation that has plagued both teens and preteens for ages. In many ways, the conclusion of the quest signifies the end of innocence (or at least childhood) for the principles, as the four boys are never quite the same after making their gruesome discovery.

The film's brilliance ultimately lies in its all-embracing adherence to the immutable rules of reality. Stand by Me goes to considerable lengths to identify the issues and accurately portray the pressures that lead to the disenchantment of teens everywhere. The boys' unyielding sense of camaraderie and irrepressible spirit of youth sees them through towering adversity that is ultimately admired, and at the same time abhorred.

Movie Details

Studio: Sony Pictures, Director: Rob Reiner
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: 1/1/1986, DVD release: 3/22/2005
MPAA Rating: R for language

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Perfect for children 12 and over

    I love the movie because it gives an example of what could happen in the real world and besides the kids are soo cute

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Not too bad

    these are 12 year old kids. The dead body isshown(which is really gross)They cuss A LOT. and they steal cigarettes

  3. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Look forward to watching it again when my son turns 13

    This is a great film. It's a heavy, and not appropriate for the age group it depicts. A great film for kids thirteen and up

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Amazing movie. only thing is the language very severe and often.You also see many 12 year olds smoking. On eof my favorite movies though.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    very good movie but lots of swearing

    I thought this movie was very good. But they said the f-word 10 times. 12 year old kids were smoking a lot too. but it was a very good movie for 10 and older.

  6. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    The only reason it's Rated R is for the swearing. Young 12 year old children smoke cigarettes and the sight of a dead body might scare little children, but it's a very tame movie.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    almost as good as little miss sunshine

    the kids stand up to each other and are strong friends. two boys end up pushing themselves to get a better education. strong laungae, but once again, not much worse that at an elemetary school. this is about kids entery junior high. also, these kids barley do any drugs compared to the pot heads and crack addicts that you see as early as 6th grade

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    This movie is amazing. There is some strong language and a quick view of a dead bloody face. Other than that this movie is a classic must see!

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    Best movie ever!!!!!

    my most favorite movie, like 7 f-words, otherwise an easy PG!

  10. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title pause for age 12 and give it 5.0

  11. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title off for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Slow, Not For Kids

    Stand By Me is full of heavy emotional issues (a boy's father wishes that he'd died instead of his brother), and some violence (a group sets out to find a dead boy). There is also swearing and bad social behaviour. The plot is a little slow, but older viewers will appreciate this.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    My favorite film of all time, period

    I have seen over 500 films in my lifetime, and this has been my favorite for 3 years (yes I saw it when I was nine, get over it!) I instantly fell in love with this film, and you will too!!!!! I really can't waste anymore time writing this review, I'm getting ready to watch for the 14th time. So, see this inspirational film about friendship (if you're over 12 of course, the language is pretty harsh.)

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    This is my favorite movie!!!

    This movie is rob reiners best but it has incredibly strong language mostly spoken mt preteens. the language is as follows f-ck,p-ssy,d-amn,hell,c-ck-knocker,and others the word c-ck-knocker is spoken by an older teen . this movie shows the value of friends and that you should stick together. Watch this movie!!!!!

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    A good movie

    The movie shows alots of kids drinking and smoking. There is a part in the movie that a kid pulls a knife on someone and then someone else pulls out a gun on another kid. The movies messages are O.K. I have read the book and the story line of the movie follow the story's quite well.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 3.0

    there was alot of bullying. the older guys were making threats to the younger boys about beating em up. the main charects (they were 12-13) smoked constantly and swore. I didn't think the actual body was to scary. it was just cut up and pale. I liked the movie because gordie and chris really stood by each other and I was sad that chris thought he couldn't sucseed in the world because of his family's bad reputation in the town.

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 5.0

    Great movie, but not-so-great characters

    This is a really good movie, but people may question the kids behaivor. They smoke excessively and drink. They also swear and talk about sex. However, this is rather realistic, because you hear things like these boys say in any give hallway in any middle school. Even though the boys aren't exactly good role models, they pull together to help each other when they need it.

  17. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 3.0

    NOT FOR KIDS!

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Tennessee
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

  20. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    intresting movie for older teens and up

    i dont think that ive seen any movie with more cursing then this besides pulp fiction and alpha dog

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