I think that this movie, which is appropriate for almost everyone in my opinion, has good messages though they do kiss and talk about love a lot.
Bedtime Stories
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Sandler tames his jokes for family-friendly fantasy flick.
Themes in this movie include: family relationships
updated 09.23.09
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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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 Bedtime Stories was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
Parents need to know that, unlike most Adam Sandler movies, this one is actually aimed at kids, so expect a lot of interest from elementary schoolers on up. The good news is that, also unlike most Sandler movies, there aren't any crass jokes, and both language ("butt kiss" is as wild as it gets) and sexuality (a couple of fairy-tale kisses and one brief scene of a clothed man and woman in a hot tub) are mild. The violence is also minor and mostly cartoonish, although there's some gunplay in the Wild West bedtime story.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about how this movie is different from most of Sandler's other films. He isn't known for making family-friendly films -- why do you think he decided to make this one? Is it a success without his signature crass jokes?
- Families can also discuss what makes a good fairy tale. How does the film itself, along with each bedtime story, follow the storyline of a traditional fairy tale?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Bedtime Stories
What’s the Story?
Adam Sandler plays Skeeter Bronson, a hotel handyman who agrees to babysit his newly divorced sister Wendy's (Courteney Cox) two kids -- with the help of Wendy's friend Jill (Kerri Russell) -- while she goes to an out-of-state job interview. While he's taking care of his niece and nephew, Skeeter begins a nightly tradition of telling bedtime stories the children contribute to, only to realize the next day that even outlandish aspects of the story are coming true. Seizing the opportunity, Skeeter uses the magical tales to get a shot at running the hotel his father once owned -- if he can prove himself worthier than the hotel's brown-nosing manager, Kendall (Guy Pearce).
Is It Any Good?
After a long list of crude movies that have kept Sandler secure in his reign as the king of drunken-frat boy comedies, this is his first real family film (his 2002 Hanukkah comedy Eight Crazy Nights is animated, but it's not for kids). The good news is that the movie, though not particularly original, is sure to crack up the kiddies (what other purpose does the bug-eyed guinea pig have?) -- and it's pleasant enough for parents to enjoy, too. And die-hard Sandler fans will even find a few of his signature touches -- his goofy scat-talking, a beautiful blond to ogle (Teresa Palmer), a silly sidekick (a scene-stealing Russell Brand), and even a Rob Schneider cameo.
That said, as a fantasy comedy, BEDTIME STORIES falls far short of a family classic. Cute? Yes. But memorable? Not really. It's no Princess Bride. What is remarkable is that, stripped of all his graphic humor, Sandler is capable of starring in a comedy that's appropriate for even young kids. And utlimately, it's hard not to be charmed by the message that you should never stop trying to make your dreams a reality.
Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Director: Adam Shankman
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/25/2008, DVD release: 4/7/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and mild language
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/25/2008, DVD release: 4/7/2009
MPAA Rating: PG for some mild rude humor and mild language
Our Members Say
See all 64 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- My highlights are:
Good movie, Good messages
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I rate this title off for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
BOORRIINNNGG
WAAYYY TOO MUCH SEX, THEY HAVE LIKE 16 KISSES
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I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
Not for prime time...maybe later
As I had noted in previous reviews of Sandler films, I used to not want to like him, but gave in to his genuine charm and likable nature which translates well on screen. That being said, this film is only "fair" with a bit too much of those adult themed jokes to be quite for young kids and too much for kids to be for adults who don't embrace their "childlike" side. It starts out with a feeling kind of like "The Princess Bride," in the "storytelling," but it moves into a rather tepid tale about the power of dreams and believing. Sandler plays his usual lovable, misunderstood character whose heart is always in the right place. You've seen it before and now, if you watch this, you will see it with Sandler and a PG rating. A cute watch. I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 7 or 8 frankly if not older. Some nice zingers, some pretty faces and some nice sight gags earns this little more than a three-star review...we will see about the sequel.
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I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
One of the few good Disney movies.
This movie was okay. It had a great story to it but the acting was insanely terrible. I would have liked it a little better if the acting was good.
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I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
Yawn.....
I had no problem watching this. It was not my favorite, but I don't hate it. It was just sorta boring to me....
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I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
crude humor movie is childish
i think this movie is rather childish and silly (but not in a good way) There's lots of crude humor and some language that is unsuitible for young kids like "butt kiss" "shut up" ect. I think most YOUNG kids will enjoy but older kids will find themselves a bit bored and dissapointed with some parts of the movie. There is also some vilonce that is unsuitable like: too kids almost get blown up, some vilonce during the bedtime stories (but most of the vilonce isnt for scares it's for laughs) so just bare in mind before you take really young kids to see it (6 and under) or much older kids to see it (9 and up) bare in mind that it isnt a very good movie to begin with and there is some questionable content.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Good movie
I saw this and it's one of my fav movies.
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Perfect Family Flick
This is one of my favorite movies!! I always watch it with my friends. I'm in middle school and I still love it! Perfect family flick!
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Perfect Family Flick
This is one of my favorite movies!! I always watch it with my friends. I'm in middle school and I still love it! Perfect family flick!
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
Classic Sandler!
Very good movie! My friends and I laughed up a storm with the famous Adam Sandler.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
great 4 all ages
I thought bedtime stories was a great movie with great messages it was also kinda funny
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
HEH HEH COOL MOVIE
Ha HA! Funny movie! nothing wrong with it appropriate for kids over 5 so the kids understand what they are saying... the mom is like a health freak...
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
Bedtime Stories is funny,and fun for the whole family!!!
Bedtime Stories is a funny movie and is something for the whole family. This movie stars Adam Sandler in his first great family film. I give this a four star rating because it is a hilarious film for the whole family to see. It is now out on DVD Today. So now you can enjoy this funny with the family today!!!
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
For a kids movie, well done!
A well put together movie! The plot? GREAT! The characters? GREAT! (you've gotta love bugsy) The actors? Great, Adam Sandler is hilarious! And Courtny Cox is in it too. What's not too love? To tell you the truth, before I saw this, I thought it was another stupid little kids movie. But it was fantastic! And don't think I say this about every movie, I'm hard to please. Just look at my other reviews! The only reason why I find it appropriate for 6+ is because kids younger then that might not understand it. I saw it with my 7 year old sister and she was talking about how she loved it a while after! You have to see this movie! Grade: A
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Educational
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
children friendly
some showy stuff but otherwise very good
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
Sandler you could do better...
This movie was just really bad. it was dumb and the the script is terrible! Im a HUGE fan of Adam Sandler but this just dosent cut it. I think he could do kids movies but NOT a Disney movie where the people rush the movie and write it so bad thinking that since it's for kids that they wont care.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Fun family flick for all ages
A sweet movie. I normally don't like Sandler's juvenile frat-boy humor but was impressed with this film. Mild language and adult behavior but much of it in the fantasy realm of the bedtime stories. My kids really liked the way the movie twisted the plot points in the stories in unexpected ways in "real" life. Some of the twists might be a little hard for younger ones to follow, but the fantasy elements are humorous enough to keep their attention. While Sandler's character is flawed, in the end he does the right thing to take care of his family even though it seems to be to his own detriment.
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I rate this title iffy for age 5 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Surprisingly cute.
To be honest, as far as concerns go, the official review on this site is pretty accurate. My husband and I wanted to see it, and after seeing a preview with the raining gumballs, so did my son. After checking here, I decided we would give it a shot. I thought he was bored watching it (and I thought it was reasonable a 5 year old would be a little bored), but he has watched it several more times since, and seems to be enjoying it more each time! I think all three of us enjoyed it more than we expected to. Oh, my husband and I were a little put off by the gluten-free cake jokes at the beginning, because my son can't eat gluten and has several serious allergies. But because of all the weird wheat-grass nonsense thrown in, we were able to play it off to him as the mom is just a bad cook with bad taste.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate language
Great Movie!!!!
I really enjoyed this movie!!!! It was fun and funny. There was some language such as people taking God's Name in vein. The story is very interesting and sweet. This is most certainly in my favorite top 20 movies!!!!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 29% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
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