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Young Frankenstein

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Brooks' corniness yields plenty of belly laughs.

Themes in this movie include:   friendship, honesty
updated 09.21.09

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Though an obvious parody of the horror genre the film presents a much happier ending than Shelley's original tale. The monster is accepted by the villagers, the Dr. finally admits his heritage and everyone lives happily ever after.

What to watch out for

  • Role models:

    Characters are stereotyped exaggerations.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Bawdy humor and sexual innuendo, including a scene at the end that suggests Madeline Kahn's character has slept with the monster. Plus a few racy jokes: Frederick says "What great knockers" to Teri Garr's character, supposedly referring to the door's knockers.
  • Language:

    A few comically hurled curses.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Young Frankenstein was written by Scott G. Mignola

Parents need to know that kids will hear a lot of bawdy humor and sexual innuendo, including a scene at the end that suggests Madeline Kahn's character has slept with the monster. Frederick says "What great knockers" to Teri Garr's character, supposedly referring to the door's knockers.

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 parody. Is this film seemingly patterned after old horror films? How does it differ? Beneath the obvious ridiculing of old horror films, do you detect any sort of fondness for the genre?
  • Why was the monster originally rejected by the town's people?
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More on Young Frankenstein

What’s the Story?

After denouncing his grandfather's work as "doo doo," Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) receives word that he's inherited his famous ancestor's Transylvanian castle. There, with the help of his lab assistant Inga (Teri Garr) and pop-eyed hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman), he discovers a secret library containing his grandfather Victor's notes on how to bring the dead to life. The temptation is too great to pass up. In the renowned Frankenstein laboratory, young Frederick creates his own monster (Peter Boyle) and harnesses the power of an electrical storm to bring him to life.

Is It Any Good?

Mel Brooks fans will rejoice at the re-release of one of his funniest films. Sure the gags are lame, and the script is almost infantile, but if you thought YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN was funny in 1974, you're just as likely to get a kick out of it today. There's an unembarrassed corniness about the movie that generates plenty of belly laughs. The monster's "Puttin' on the Ritz" number will even squeeze smiles out of those not inclined towards Brooks' brand of humor.

The vaguely smutty jokes and sight gags will go over well with the teen crowd, but the comic talents at work here will appeal to all ages. Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, and Gene Hackman comprise a comedy's dream cast. Peter Boyle brings an unexpected touch of dignity to the monster, and Gene Wilder is as charming and manic as he was in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Movie Details

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Director: Mel Brooks
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/15/1974, DVD release: 9/5/2006
MPAA Rating: PG for parental guidance suggested

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0

    young frankenstien

    It is a good movie plus it's really funny

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 4.0

    gene wilder... what a classic!

    this in a hilarious fillm with a laugh a minute! suitable for all ages but younger kids might not get some of the humor. Gene wilder makes this film!

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Considering the raunchy humor in this film, I'm shocked at the number of people who think this is a family film. If you don't let your kids watch "Desperate Housewives", they shouldn't be watching this movie either. Aside from the raunchy humor, this movie is well-written and is filled with many witty moments and surprises. The acting is brilliant and the old-fashioned feel to it reminds me of "Pushing Daisies". All in all, I highly recommend "Young Frankenstein" for teens.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Considering the raunchy humor in this film, I'm shocked at the number of people who think this is a family film. If you don't let your kids watch "Desperate Housewives", they shouldn't be watching this movie either. Aside from the raunchy humor, this movie is well-written and is filled with many witty moments and surprises. The acting is brilliant and the old-fashioned feel to it reminds me of "Pushing Daisies". All in all, I highly recommend "Young Frankenstein" for teens.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    Hilarious

    "Young Frankenstein" is hilarious and a must-see for 12+.

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    Great Not Scary

    Really Great Movie Wasn't Scary Though

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I love this movie... it's a movie that basically makes fun of horror movies. It's hardly scary for anyone about 8 and up, and it's a movie to get everyone laughing.

  8. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Georgia
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    Must-See!!!

    hahahahaha i saw ths movie w/ my dad and my 7 yr old sis! me and my sis were in stitches it was THAT funny!!!

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    Gene Wilder is brilliant!

    This movie is HILARIOUS!! It mocks horror movies, but is not scary at all. The monster is friendly and lovable, and there are so many funny bits, like the horses freaking out when Frau Blucher is said, the "Don't put the candle back" scene, and the "HE WAS MY BOYFRIEND" part. This is not a great movie for young kids, because though it is not scary, they would not understand the jokes, and wouldn't think it was very funny. I would say that anyone over the age of 9 would understand enough of the jokes to like it. It's a fantastic movie, and anyone who can read this should see this movie.

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    FRONKOONSTEIN

    Hi I think that this movie is great ! It is pretty funny and I love the ... spoofiness alright thats not a word but WHO CARES ? Keep your mouth shut alright ? THANX ! Um, and I'd also like to recommend a REALLY funny movie : Robin Hood Men In Tights.

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

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Very funny...but quite a few sexual references. Only for kids 11+

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 0 and give it 5.0

    GO RENT THIS NOW!!!!!!!

    If you have not seen this, you must see it!!!!!!!!

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

    Very Funny Movie

    This movie is very funny, you'll remember it for a long time. Some stuff is a little racy, to much for children

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title pause for age 0 and give it 4.0

    Still funny

    One use of the word S*&^. No F words. Many of the inuendo jokes will go over a kids head until they know the meaning of more slang. The implied sex sceenes are again "implied." Likely as not they won't understand the implication, they will have seen far racier things on soaps or prime time TV.

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

    Very Surprised!

    I know I saw this movie years ago when I was a teenager but I didn't recall this much sex being thrown around. I was looking forward to watching an old funny movie. I was very surprised and disapoointed. The review I checked on was "soft" in it's descriptions. Even if it is done in play it is still too much. Madaline howls like a dog when it shows her looking down at his private parts as he is undoing his pants and then lays down on her and she sings out in joy. Then it shortly shows the two of them smoking, apparntly having had sex and then going at it again for the 7th time!? There is more of this through out the movie, too much and it just spoils it. It's just not a movie that a family would enjoy.

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