First off, I rated this iffy because I couldn't rate it On. It is extremely scary by scaring you with suspenseful drama from the joker, and crashing-through-window scares. And don't even bother reading user The Joker's comment, he is lying. He could not possibly be 13 and watched it when he was ten. I would not recommend it for kids younger than 15. I noticed some negative effects when I asked some of my friends who their favorite character in the movie, and they both said the joker. " He's awesome! " They explained to me that because the Joker is so devious, tactical and planning, he was awesome. I liked the movie, but just one little recommendation. Don't watch this at night.
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The Dark Knight
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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 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Excellent sequel much darker, more violent than the first.
Themes in this movie include: revenge
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About The Dark Knight
Parents need to know that although this sequel to Batman Begins is an excellent movie, it's also much darker and more violent than the first one. Remember: Not all Batmen are created equal. Even though this movie is about a comic-book character, neither it nor its flawed hero and villain are aimed at younger kids or appropriate for them. The film is loaded with intense action, from bombs and bullets to martial-arts fighting and hand-to-hand combat. In addition to the hard-hitting action, expect some drinking and a bit of sexuality. And The Joker's nightmarish appearance has the potential to frighten viewers of all ages. Much of the movie's buzz surrounds actor Heath Ledger's excellent work in that villainous role -- his final completed part before his January 2008 death from an accidental drug overdose.
Read our full review by James Rocchi
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about the movie's violence. How does the film differentiate between "good" and "bad" uses of violence?
- What distinguishes Batman from The Joker? Both are angry and dark; why is one a hero and one a villain? Is the rule of law more important than the rule of force?
- What does it take to maintain order in the face of those who try to create chaos? Does keeping the public safe from harm justifying curtailing their right to privacy?
- Talk about the media coverage around Ledger's role in the film. How does a tragedy like his death affect a film's marketing and publicity?
Our Members Say
See all 196 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Actually, good for 14+...but too scary for smaller kids
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A powerful, brilliant movie about brilliance -- iffy for 9 but worth sharing anyway
I loved this movie, and my 9-year-old son enjoyed it, but I think the dark violence -- and especially the evil nature of the Joker character -- was too intense for him. The movie sparked a really positive discussion with him about the nature of intelligence and its role in making people do good or bad things.
- I rate this title off for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
NOOOOOOOO KIDS!!!!!!!
This movie is dark, meancing, violent, and just down right innapropiate. When I saw this movie in theaters, I was sickend by how many parents brought their little children. This movie is not for kids, it could pass for R if it had even the smallest amount of more bad content. Althugh this movie is amazing, not only is it the best superhero/comic book, movie out there but it is one of the best movies in history. In addition to the iolence the movie is so dark and has so much menace in it!
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
my all timw favorite a real clasic 11 and over
this is my all time favorite movie it going to be a classic foever heath ledger-the goker was might favorite there are alot of funny parts in this movie lots of action and drama worth buying 11 and over
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Too much suspense for younger kids.
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Whether you like comic books or not, this is a classic.
This is the master of all comic book stories. But the depth of the subtext in this movie is well above a pre-teen's head. Heck, most of the time, I was depressed myself. Obviously very violent. On the good note, there are some people in this movie who urge you to believe in the fact that people will choose good more often than not. A good message. Do not show this movie in its entirety to kids under 10. Its scary, the villian can't be understood, and there is some real sense of dread in here.
- I rate this title off for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
SCARY
i watched at least five minutes.., TOO SCARY! turned it off and returned it the next day
- I rate this title on for age 11 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Great for tweens
Are you guys mental? It is hardly violent and I watched it when I was ten!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
JOKER
my son wants to be the joker
- I rate this title on for age 16 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
The best in superhero movies, but the extensive murders...
This movie is insanely good. The downfall of many of these superhero movies is the script is terrible, but the script in this one states many philosophical issues, such as the difference between taking justice into your own hands and letting the law deal with it, and the which is better, telling someone something that would break their heart and spirit, but being truthful, or telling a lie, but saving their spirit? This movie brings out the best in superhero movies, with plenty of action, explosions, and fistfights, but with an intense script. However, the Joker kills about 20 people throughout the movie, whom we don't seem to care about. This makes human life seem almost meaningless--except for people who matter, like Batman, Commissioner Gordon, and the mayor.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Best BATMAN MOVIE IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!
Best movie of 2008 for me this movie is so amazing!!! it was the best movie i have ever seen then i saw watchmen and know watchmen and know that is my favorite movie.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
Fantastic dark sequel to Batman Begins, Heath Ledger really gets this movie going with his outstanding performance as the Joker. This movie was voted 9th on the IMDb Top 250 movies of all time.
- I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Violence...but not to graphic.
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
best 2008 film ever
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Awesome Movie !!
It's a great movie that is suspenseful and really cool . It's not very violent either . The worst things that happen are The Joker shoots people and they fall down quickly , no blood or anything . There's one or two strong curse words . Most of the things that happen that are graphic are off camera but you know it happened , they just don't show it .
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A young review
I might be 11, but this film is awesome!
- I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My highlights are:
excellent movie
An excellent performence by a bunch of gifted actors. Yes the movie can be violent at times but for what it stands for is the main thing.
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Great Movie, But Definitely for Teens and Adults! (spoiler alert!)
This was an excellent movie, and definitely a must-see for people who are old enough. However, it is a very intense movie and even the good guys don't pull their punches. The Joker, of course, was terrifying, but the villian who manages to reduce me, as an adult, into a giant puddle of tears was Two-Face. Not only were the burns that gave him his distinctive visage horrific, but the way that he just walks up and blows people away - even people who didn't do anything to him - and eventually kidnaps a family and holds a gun to a little boy's head while the boy's father cries and begs helplessly for his son's life was horrible and nightmare inducing for me and my mother both. I went to two showings and was horrified to find myself sitting behind little kids both times. The kids were crying hysterically within the first thirty minutes. Also, no one else has mentioned this so maybe I'm a little nuts but I thought I'd bring it up. Me and all my female friends have a hard time watching one scene between Rachel and the Joker - it's very menacing and there's a hint of sexual predation that was very hard to shake. I get sick to my stomach every time I watch that scene.
- I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Great Movie, But Definitely for Teens and Adults! (spoiler alert!)
This was an excellent movie, and definitely a must-see for people who are old enough. However, it is a very intense movie and even the good guys don't pull their punches. The Joker, of course, was terrifying, but the villian who manages to reduce me, as an adult, into a giant puddle of tears was Two-Face. Not only were the burns that gave him his distinctive visage horrific, but the way that he just walks up and blows people away - even people who didn't do anything to him - and eventually kidnaps a family and holds a gun to a little boy's head while the boy's father cries and begs helplessly for his son's life was horrible and nightmare inducing for me and my mother both. I went to two showings and was horrified to find myself sitting behind little kids both times. The kids were crying hysterically within the first thirty minutes. Also, no one else has mentioned this so maybe I'm a little nuts but I thought I'd bring it up. Me and all my female friends have a hard time watching one scene between Rachel and the Joker - it's very menacing and there's a hint of sexual predation that was very hard to shake. I get sick to my stomach every time I watch that scene.
- I rate this title off for age 13 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Violence is dark and evil
The movie was extremely violent. In the first 15 minutes, about a dozen people are shot. The violence is also heinous - the Joker sticks a pencil into a table and smashes a man's head into it for his "magic trick" of a disappearing pencil.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 77% | of parents say it's too violent |
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