Grease (PG, 1978)

common sense media says

Musical phenomenon is great fun, but a bit racy.


parents & educators say
  • 38% say sexual content is an issue
  • 27% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is full of somewhat racy material, although most of it isn't any more shocking than the content of today's teen flicks and television shows. Still, you might want to give it a quick "refresher" watch before showing it to kids under 13 to make sure you remember exactly what they'll be seeing.

Positive messages: Male characters view females as sex objects. One T-Bird claims that that "chicks" are "only good for one thing." Unpopular students are the butt of several jokes. Sandy and Danny act against their respective natures to try to impress each other.
Violence: While playing sports, Danny hits two students and snaps an umpire's mask. A T-Bird draws his switchblade in preparation for a rumble.
Sex: A character is briefly shown in her bra. Characters are seen making out. At the drive-in, Danny makes a pass at Sandy. Sexual activity is implied when two characters discuss a broken condom, resulting in Rizzo's fear she may be pregnant. Naked derrieres are seen when characters moon a passing car and, later, a television camera. The T-Birds discuss female anatomy, and one fellow peeks up the skirts of female students. The Pink Ladies dance around in their nighties mocking Sandy's virginity. The song "Greased Lightnin'" has strong sexual content, though the innuendo may go over the heads of younger viewers.
Language: Fairly mild, mostly of the sexual variety. Characters use an obscene finger gesture.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters smoke, drink, and spike the punch at the school dance.

More on Grease

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about how some things about high school are always the same, even if you're not singing about them in poodle skirts. Why do the Pink Ladies tease Sandy? Why does she feel like she needs to conform? What does Rizzo's song "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" convey about her personality?

What's the story?

What's the story?

This movie covers quintessential high school moments: the big pep rally, the school dance, worrying about image, and, of course, falling in love. Though viewers shouldn't expect a highly accurate portrayal of life in the 1950s, the relationships between characters will feel like familiar emotional ground to many viewers. When it comes to an entertaining mix of singing, dancing, and comedy, GREASE -- which won a People's Choice Award -- is hard to beat. Adolescents will especially enjoy seeing John Travolta in his early days (boy, can he dance!).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Grease was the word when this movie came out in 1978, and the word is still alive and well today, as evidenced by the movie's ever-growing legion of fans. In fact, it is the most profitable movie musical of all time, whose biggest hit, "Summer Nights," remains a standard at weddings, karaoke parties, and dances. Although the story is somewhat weak, the music and contagious energy more than make up for it, as do stellar performances by John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, and Jeff Conaway.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Ken Annakin
Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
Genre: Musical
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: June 16, 1978
DVD release: June 3, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some sexual content

This review was written by Kate Pluta
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 26 parent & educator reviews:
  • 38% say sexual content is an issue
  • 27% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

MomMcA
parent of 8 year old
 
fine for older kids, but not for tweens
While I loved this movie as a teen (I was around 11 when it came out) my parents were SURE to have a talk with me about the choices Sandy was making, and why she was being bullied. (it's pretty clear she must conform to being the sex toy of a boy.... in the late 70s this wasn't a hit with feminists I am guessing). Some 8 year olds in my daughter's circle of friends are in love with this film, and guess what bullying behavior they are mimicking? "Pink Ladies" at 8- going after my kid for not being sexy enough? no kidding. I suggest parents re-watch this classic in private before they have their kids trying to mimic it.

Mrs. Padilla
parent of 10 year old
 
Personally love it!

theflickchick
teen, 14 years old
 
good
the bad stuff: a lot of kissing and making out, some language, the S word on a song, teens smoking and drinking. the good stuff: no positive role models or messages, so i think the only good thing was the movie itself. the movie: OK if you don't like musicals, good if you do

UGA Mom
parent of 12 and 14 year old
 
Good for high schoolers
I saw this movie in the theaters when I was almost 15 and it was a little racy but of course I knew it all back then. Now, as a parent, I won't let my kids under 13 watch it. If your child listens to the dialogue there are several inappropriate mentions of sex, virginity, teen pregnancy and slutty girls. The only redeeming thing about Sandy changing in the end is that Danny tried to change for her as well.

moviemum
parent of 5 and 11 year old
 
Great Movie!
One of my favorites, but soooo inappropriate! But, buy the CD and liston We Go Together, You're The One That I Want, Hopelssly Devoted, and Summer Nights although you might consider it a bit iffy!

Dominicboo1
teen, 16 years old
 
Grease is the Word!
While a classic, Grease has some things that shouldn't be shown to those under ten. . However it does show some consequences of sexual habits by making Miss Rizzo think she's pregnant. Yet the songs are memorable and Sandy's very likeable and friendly to everyone.

 
It is a great movie, but only for older kids because: Sex: Many references to sex (nothing to over the top) and couples are seen making out. They also talk about virginity and broken condoms and a girl thinks she is pregnant. Language: Many uses of "crap" as well as a couple "hell"'s, and one "@$$". The song "Greased Lightning" says "s**t" t*t" and "p*ssy". Drugs: Lots of smoking and underaged drinking

b-ball girl 99
kid, 13 years old
 
Great
Great movie,and is just a fun movie about older teens goofing up high school.

converse_queen123
kid, 12 years old
 
not for younger kids but good for tweens
this is my favorite movie but it isnt appropriate for younger kids. some songs have suggestive content. such as summer nights. greased lightning, and look at me i'm sandra dee. the gym teacher also approves of danny smoking a certain amount pack of cigarettes a day. But over all it was great movie.

wergoo
kid, 13 years old
 
Great movie!
I love grease ! I have seen it 17 times. It is a great movie and I would suggest it. But I think there is a little too much sexy stuff, and some of language is questionable. Also it encourages girls to change for boys. Like I said before this is my favorite movie ever. It all depends on how mature your kids are. I watched Grease by myself because my mom thought I could handle it, but I'm not every kid out there.

arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
 
love this movie! the music is awesome.

Brandon4News
teen, 15 years old
 
Maybe the greatest musical of all time.
Sexual Content- 6/10 Language- 6/10 Drinking, drugs, smoking- 6.5/10 Overall Quality- 10/10

megie596
kid, 13 years old
 
i have seen this movie since i was 4 or younger it is not bad at all

amandaluvsyooh
teen, 15 years old
 
Favorite Movie since a toddler
I am currently 13 years old, and this has been my FAVORITE movie since I was 1 year old (no joke). Yes, it is inapropriate, but the characters are so easy to fall in love with. I love John Trovolta and Olivia Newton-John. Definitely not a waste of your time!

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
A ridiculously good time
I'll be frank about not liking musicals, but this has got to be one of the greatestr I've ever seen! It never takes itself that seriously, more of a satire of a musical really. It's a must-see movie for the whole fam.

JosieGrl
teen, 14 years old
 
good movie
I saw this when i was like five and i loved it. everything went straight over my head, now that i think about it. So if you do show kids this just tell them not to say or do whatever bad thing comes up in the movie.

movie07
adult
 
GREAT!
THE MOVIE (MUSICAL) IS GREAT! I WAS IN GREASE IN HIGH SCHOOL...THE MOVIE TEACHES SOME GOOD THINGS AND MEANINGS ABOUT LIFE AND GOING THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL TOO..EXCELLENT!

a10d38
teen, 14 years old
 
Any age i was 5:)
Obiously as you can see a lot of ppl have different oppinions but seriously this is my fav movie and my moms and grandmother's fav movie to... I first saw it when i was 4 years old seriosly at that age the word sex goes through one ear and out the other to younger age from baby to 9 years old it is just a good musical so i would say it is a great family movie now for 10 and above u may wanna watch out cuz characters have language such as jugs which means breast so ur child may think jugs mean somethin different cuz i remember i did till i got up into age also at the drive in scene danny is shown trying to touch sandy plus Rizzo and the other pink ladies r shown making fun of sandy's virginity and trying to get her to smoke and drink and also rizzo and kinnickie r shown makin out or even more than tht and after rizzo thimks she may be pregnant and other than that its great:)<3 hope this helps!

CandiceTalks
teen, 14 years old
 
Great movie!
Great movie, really great! I loved it so much. I rate it on for 12+, not because it's inappropriate for younger viewers, it's just that children under 12 might not understand most of the jokes/sensual scenes. Violence - Isn't really an issue, the worst is maybe an attempt at a fist fight. Sex - A character is briefly shown in her bra, characters are seen making out several times, at the drive-in a character makes a pass at another character, sexual words are spoken when two characters talk about a broken condom resulting in a character's fear that she may be pregnant, bare butts are seen when some characters moon a television camera, male characters discuss female anatomy, one male looks up the skirts of a female student, female characters dance around in their lingerie making fun of a character's virginity, the song "Greased Lightnin" has some mild sexual content.. Language - Mild. Just like "sh-t", "t-ts", "dammit", etc. Mostly sexual content. Drinking, smoking, drugs - Lots of the "cool" characters smoke and drink. At a slumber party, female characters persuade another female character to try some wine and to try smoking. She does.

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