Tools for this page
Print

Fantastic Four

  • 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 11, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Campy but often violent comic book movie.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 11–13

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Supervillain is typically evil; friends argue among themselves.
  • Violence:

    Comic bookish explosions, car crashes, and body slammings.
  • Sex:

    Sexual references.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Superheroes market their own action figures; a visit to a motocross arena features known brands (Dos Equis, ESPN, Coke), Burger King shows up.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some wine drinking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Fantastic Four

Parents need to know that the film includes loud and explosive violence. The astronauts' encounter with the radioactive cloud is rendered in frightening, fiery images, and the Thing's transformation from human to rock is potentially alarming. Fights between the superheroes and archenemy Dr. Doom show bodies slammed into or through walls and thrown out windows; the Human Torch engages in extreme sports (snowboarding and motocross) and implied sexual activity (following one encounter, he appears wearing only a girl's pink parka to cover his genitals), Susan wears cleavage-revealing outfits, and someone remarks on one superhero's elongated body parts. The film also includes a couple of multi-car crashes occur, several injuries that draw blood, and a scene where the police shoot at the Thing (bullets bounce off him).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how superpowers change the characters' lives, as they must decide how to use them, for public good, for personal gain, or to settle personal grudges. How are anxieties, competitions, and quarrels exacerbated by these changes? How is Susan's situation different from the men's, as she feels the need to mediate their arguments? What is the emotional effect when the Thing's wife abandons him? How do the four friends learn to appreciate their differences as well as their similar situations, as "freaks," celebrities, and heroes?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Fantastic Four?
  •  I think this movie is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 33 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Okay, but please watch it with them.

    I write this review as a parent, not critic. It was high time for a PG superhero movie release. I mean come on. Superheroes are the best for boys under 10. Finally a movie comes out that they can watch. Good stuff include the 4 heroes having a familial relationship and dealing with unwanted attention. Some of this will go over kids heads. The action is few and far between (something the sequel makes up for), but other than a couple very violent scenes with Doctor Doom, this movie is pretty fun.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    Not bad.

    I don't know why people don't like this movie, it is very good. Maybe not too action-packed, but still for super-hero fans.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Strangely, the PG-rated sequel was actually a little more violent then this one. Some scenes show people getting thrown into walls, and one innocent person gets thrown out of a door and lands on the sidewalk. In one scene, the bad guy hits another character with a bolt of electricity and it burns a hole through him (no blood is seen). The language is the main reason I'd give this a PG-13 rating. There was at least one "G" word, and several other expletives that should never be in a movie that's intended to appeal to kids.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title off for age 2 and give it 2.0

    BORING

    not enough action or things blowing up i really fell asleep watching this and i tryed to keep my eyes open for the 2 time.!!!!!!!!!!DO NOT WATCH GOOD FOR YOUNG KIDS!

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 2.0

    So-So

    Okay for preteens. Some iffy sex and violence, but nothing awful.

  6. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0

    Ok

    Not at all worth the try.

  7. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    funny

    I thought that this movie was movie funny but there were some action packed parts. This movie is fine for 8+.

  8. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Crummy

    This movie stinks like heck. Corny action. Also very boring.

  9. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Arkansas
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    I Just want people to know there was a swear word in the movie. Ben said it. I'm disappointed that it was not made available in the reviews.

  10. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    One of my favorites:

    This movie is real great! I am really looking forward to viewing the all-new Fantastic Four in theaters.

  12. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Good

  13. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0

    Big disappointment

    Growing up with the comic book, I was really disappointed with the movie. I can't really put it into words - just an overall lack of something.

  14. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 3.0

  15. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

  16. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    i laughed

    This movie is like watching superman on t.v. my kids loved it.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Best movie

    It was funny,violent,scary,fun.

  18. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0

    Great for super hero lovers

  19. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    i had a good time

    this movie has many exposions and the human torch thinks he is the man

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    it was great

    I say that it's good. It kind of reminds me of The incredibles if anybody has ever seen it.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Must See TV

    Glee

    Glee

    Edgy-but-quirky comedy's music, message will win teens over.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Game of the Week

    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name