Handpicked by Our Editors

Matilda
Age 8+
5

Matilda

Why We Recommend It

Clever Matilda handles bullying kids and berating adults with fantastical solutions that bend slightly dark and surreal.

Read our full review
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Absolutely! While most movie reviews tell you about how good a movie is (we do that, too), our family movie reviews do more. Common Sense reviews give you what you need to know to make a great choice for your family. They also offer ways to talk to your kids about the movies they see. Our users tell us that our movie reviews even settle arguments about what's appropriate! So read, decide, and enjoy.

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Movies New in Theaters

showing: thriller
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The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that the second installment in the hugely popular Twilight saga is darker and a bit more violent than the first movie, but not enough to make it inappropriate for teens, especially those who've read the books. That said, the relationship ... read more

Age 13+
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
3
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The Box (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Cameron Diaz thriller from the director of Donnie Darko is based on a macabre premise: that human beings would rather win money than protect a stranger's life. It's too confusing and intense for tweens and young teens, and, in ... read more

Age 13+
The Box
1
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Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that amped-up violence and language make The Vampire's Assistant movie too mature for younger tween fans of the Cirque du Freak books it's based on. There are several disturbing scenes of vampires stabbing, punching, kicking, and ... read more

Age 12+
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
2
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Law Abiding Citizen (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that Law Abiding Citizen contains several scenes of extremely bloody violence -- in addition to the home invasion/robbery/attempted rape/murder sequence that it begins with, there's a brutal stabbing and a horrifying torture scene in ... read more

No Kids
Law Abiding Citizen
3
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Whiteout (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this wintry murder mystery based on a graphic novel involves grisly violence, including autopsy sequences, blood-spurting wounds, and more. There's also some adult material related to sexuality and drinking, but it's glossed over ... read more

Age 16+
Whiteout
2
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A Perfect Getaway (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this tense "trouble in paradise" thriller has lots of bloody violence, from fistfights and beatings to shootings, stabbings, and even mutilation of a murder victim (shown on screen). There's also some drinking and drug use, ... read more

Age 15+
A Perfect Getaway
3
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Homecoming (2009, Rated NR)
Parents Need to Know...

that teens may want to see this predictable (though frequently gory) thriller because it stars TV faves Mischa Barton and Jessica Stroup, but it's really not worth their time. Neither female character is a worthwhile role model, and the ... read more

Age 15+
Homecoming
1
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The Hurt Locker (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that although this war drama/thriller is full of very realistic, graphic violence and danger -- shootings, death by explosion, images of dead bodies -- the consequences of these acts are never taken lightly, and they're never depicted as ... read more

Age 16+
The Hurt Locker
5
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Angels & Demons (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adaptation of Dan Brown's pre-Da Vinci Code novel about ancient religious conspiracy theories and a secret society has more deaths than the first movie. The action starts with a gruesome murder and theft, and the violence ... read more

Age 14+
Angels & Demons
2
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Assassination of a High School President (0000, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that despite the high school setting, this movie is not appropriate for kids. Teens who have followed Mischa Barton's career might be interested, but the extreme language ("Do you still eat your mom's dirty tampons?"), alcohol ... read more

Age 16+
Assassination of a High School President
3
more new in theater
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New on DVD

showing: thriller
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State of Play (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Russell Crowe/Ben Affleck thriller is a mix of violence, political intrigue, and sexual innuendo -- all mature themes that are unlikely to appeal to young viewers. Characters steal, drink, smoke, and lie to the point where it's ... read more

Age 14+
State of Play
4
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Duplicity (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this caper film isn't a tween-friendly romantic comedy. Although it's both romantic and comedic, it's also a cerebral spy thriller with so many twists that even some adults will be confused. And although the main characters are ... read more

Age 14+
Duplicity
4
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Obsessed (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this Fatal Attraction-esque thriller is too edgy for young Beyonce fans. There's a lot of sexuality (lingerie scenes, aggressive pursuit, implied nudity), although no actual sex scenes. Except for the main male character, there are ... read more

Age 14+
Obsessed
2
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The International (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this thriller about financial corruption probably won't be on most teens' must-see list. Just as well: Not only is it full of wrenching action sequences and grimly realistic (and shocking) violence, but it also has a deeply cynical, ... read more

Age 16+
The International
3
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Valkyrie (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this tense World War II thriller based on a true story includes plenty of unflinchingly realistic, bloody violence (both on and off the battlefield), as well as several on-screen executions. The film includes extensive discussion of ... read more

Age 14+
Valkyrie
4
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Taken (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this "hard PG-13" thriller seems just a drop of blood or two away from an R rating. Not only is there a great deal of violence, but a disturbing subplot centers on young women being kidnapped into the seedy world of sex ... read more

Age 15+
Taken
2
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Donkey Punch (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this rough thriller is chock full of sex and violence and is definitely not for kids. The title itself refers to a violent sex act, and lots of sex is shown (as well as full-frontal nudity). There's also extensive drug use and ... read more

No Kids
Donkey Punch
3
twilight dvd.jpg
Twilight (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adaptation of author Stephenie Meyer's youth culture phenomenon Twilight was one of the most anticipated movies of 2008. Millions of kids 10 to 18 have read the books, and many more are familiar with them. Like the novel, the ... read more

Age 13+
Twilight
3
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Body of Lies (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this gripping-though-inconsistent spy/terrorism thriller is quite violent -- almost tenaciously so. There's torture, gunfights, and explosions, as well as a fair number of close-ups of bloody injuries and corpses. People are ... read more

Age 16+
Body of Lies
3
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Lakeview Terrace (2009, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that the plot of this film -- which has very strong content for a PG-13 -- is driven by escalating violence, cruelty, and racism (much of it directed toward a racially mixed couple). A policeman is portrayed as unbalanced, aggressive, and ... read more

Age 15+
Lakeview Terrace
2
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Righteous Kill (2009, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that from the very first scene at a police target range to the final sequence in which the killer is revealed, this crime thriller is all about guns, bullets, body count, serial murders, bloody victims, and vigilantism. The killer is on a ... read more

Age 16+
Righteous Kill
2
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Traitor (2008, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that this adult thriller revolves around lofty ideas and mature themes (including faith and terrorism) that may not interest kids, or even teens. The violence -- of which there's a fair amount, including an embassy bombing and gunfire ... read more

Age 15+
Traitor
3
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Deception (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this movie focuses on anonymous sexual gratification, money motivated blackmail, and murder. The male leads are involved in a sex club called the List, which pairs male and female executives for steamy encounters in high-class ... read more

No Kids
Deception
2
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Vantage Point (2008, Rated PG-13)
Parents Need to Know...

that some teens may be drawn to this political action adventure by its all-star cast of popular/award-wining actors (including Matthew Fox of Lost, Dennis Quaid, Sigourney Weaver, and Forest Whitaker). The film revolves around a terrorist ... read more

Age 14+
Vantage Point
2
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Untraceable (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this violent thriller features several long, disturbing scenes of torture -- bodies are bloodied, burned, dissolved in acid, and nearly decapitated by whirling blades. Other upsetting scenes feature Tasering, shooting, and a threat ... read more

Age 16+
Untraceable
1
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Lions for Lambs (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this political drama/thriller is too intense for tweens and younger teens. A frank (and somewhat didactic) examination of the cost of war both at home and on the battlefield, its arguments are both complicated and hard to digest. ... read more

Age 16+
Lions for Lambs
3
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P2 (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a gruesome thriller about sadistic captivity and male sexual obsession. Even with its tiny cast, it manages to squeeze in scenes of close-up mutilation and bloody savagery, thanks to murders of both people and a dog. The ... read more

Age 16+
P2
1
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Southland Tales (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that teens might be interested in this odd sci-fi dramedy from the director of Donnie Darko thanks to stars like Sarah Michelle Gellar, The Rock, and Seann William Scott. But it's gory, profane, and definitely not for kids. Guns are drawn ... read more

Age 17+
Southland Tales
1
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Sleuth (2007) (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that this sleek, adult-oriented thriller tackles mature themes -- infidelity, violence, murder -- from the get-go. Swear words (including "f--k") and other inflammatory language are hurled like weapons; later, actual weapons ... read more

Age 16+
Sleuth (2007)
4
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Awake (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that even though this grim thriller stars teen favorites Hayden Christensen and Jessica Alba, it isn't meant for kids. There are many scenes of bloody open-heart surgery, with some explicit sound effects (cutting, sawing, ribcage ... read more

Age 15+
Awake
1
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Michael Clayton (2008, Rated R)
Parents Need to Know...

that that although teens might be interested in this mature thriller thanks to star George Clooney, it's definitely aimed at adults. Fast-talking and complicated, it deals with complex issues like corporate corruption, toxic consumer ... read more

Age 16+
Michael Clayton
4
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