Tools for this page
Print

The Sixth Sense

(1999, Rated PG-13, Thriller, Starring Toni Collette, Haley Joel Osment, Bruce Willis)
  • 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 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Great, but sometimes scarier than R-rated horror.

Themes in this movie include:   emotional abuse, family relationships, loss

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Issues of life, death and afterlife are dealt with in a smart, humanistic way. Depending on individual beliefs this could be comforting or disturbing. Regardless, however, the film deals with tremendous issues with sensitivity.
  • Role models:

    Cole is a smart and likable kid who is gifted and cursed with his ability to talk to the departed. The empathy the viewer feels for him makes his experiences all the more terrifying but his courage and growth through the film is commendable. Dr. Crowe's journey with Cole is multilayered but the complexity of their experiences does not deter from the trusting bond they forge.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Several scary surprises, some quite grisly. Child is stalked by the dead who want something from him; he looks terrified most of the time. A child is poisoned. Image of three people hanging in a school. A shooting and a suicide.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    "S--t" and a few lesser swear words.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Some tipsiness.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Sixth Sense

Parents need to know that this movie has some thoughtful and meaningful views on life and death that some viewers may find comforting, and others may find sad or disturbing. The ghosts that Cole sees are of people who died violently and they are gruesome, even shocking, in appearance; you'll see a shooting, a suicide, a poisoning, people hanging, and more. Some of the dead are children, one killed by her own mother.

Read our full review by Nell Minow

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about ghost stories. What makes this one particularly gripping? How does the director scare you without going for the over-the-top violence?
  • Families could lead into a discussion on loss. Have you lost someone important to you? How does the thought about losing someone make you feel? Where do people go when they die?
  • Families could talk about the importance of communication.

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

Our Members Say

Have you seen it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Sixth Sense?
  •  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 63 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Not too scary

    I love the movie and my 9 year old loved it too. The thing I do when my kids want to watch a scary movie is that we watch the behind the scenes stuff first so they know it is not real and no one gets hurt that it is all pretend.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

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

    This is a WONDERFUL movie, definitely worth watching, but not for the faint of heart or the young. It took me several days after seeing this movie to get it out of my head. The younger a child is, the more it would disturb the child, so I say no one under 15 should watch this movie.

  3. I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

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

    I've seen this movie, and it is a wonderful movie, masterfully made. M. Night Shyamalan did a wonderful job on this. Although, this movie contains extremely horrifying, disturbing, and sometimes graphic images that may severely shock younger kids for a good period of time. No one under 15 should watch this movie, in my opinion.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0

    Rather Scary

    This is an alright movie, though rather scary. I would only recommend it for mature teens. This is a masterfully made movie, however, though I wouldn't want to see it more then once.

  5. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

  6. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    Very good movie

    Very good movie, saw it when I was little. Had nightmares for weeks!

  7. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

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

    Genius

    Despite some of the frightening themes, the ethics shine through it like the sun.

  8. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I cried for ages!

    really good. Just the right amount of scary. really cute kid. Really sad and tear-jerking.

  9. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Horror or Funny??

    I liked this movie but it did have some scary parts but not as many as other horror movies I have seen. They do swear a few times during the movie. There is a bit of drinking but not that bad. But i thought the man was a good role model because he was helping some one and giving a helping hand. I like this movie just cause i like horror movies. It does have scary parts but not that many. It was a type of movie that you could laugh at during parts of it.

  10. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Good film.

    This is a very good well made film. It made M. Night Shamalayn famous. It's definitely too scary for the young ones but great for mature tweens and teens.

  11. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

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

    Tweens will like it; thoughtful but just the right amount of scary.

    Not really scary. But it is thought provoking and surprising (which may make young kids jump). Another recommendation: Artificial Intelligence.

  12. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    Good for teens of any age, but not for those under ten, at least

    A good movie for those with semi-weak stomachs. Some surprising twists, a bit too violent, but... hey. Can't go wrong with this!

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    thumbs up

    not too scary, good for a tweenies first horror movie, it was my first horror movie! great plot line and ending with a few little twists.

  14. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Iowa
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    Awesome Horror Film

    I thought this was a fairly good movie. I saw it when I was 12 and I didn't think it was all that scary. Just a little disturbing when the girl throws up. But other than that, a must see.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 3.0

    shweet

    i thought that this movie was alright. not scary at all. brief zombie showings but thats about it. the end was what made it great.

  16. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    i would let any one watch this movie.

    it was an ok movie there is a twist at the end kind of suprising.

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    An excellent movie, but know your child; a little haunting

    This movie is truly stunning. The writing is incredible, and I was impressed with the acting. There are some comforting views on death and on what the boy, Cole, experiences throughout the film. The movie may seem dark but Cole somehow touches the viewer with his bravery and acceptance, which adds a positive spin. However the first time you see it you may be nervous about what will happen next. To tell the truth I watched it wanting a scary movie when in fact I found it to be moving and enjoyable, but certainly not scary, and I am 13. This is NOT a SCARY movie. Some scenes, however, are truly frightening (i.e. Cole sees a family hanged in a hallway, which his therapist, played by Bruce Willis, does not see, a young girl, dead, vomits and scares Cole, a boy is shown with a huge gunshot wound to the head, and a woman, also dead, is bloody and frightening). A good family movie for kids 10 and up.

  19. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    No one under 10 ....!

    I have to say I hadn't thought about letting my kids see this but they have seen refernces too it in other movies so my husband rented it. There are some really grisly scenes that we had to cover their eyes for but all in all they did enjoy the suspence and thriller part of the movie. I love watching movies with my kids because it opens up a dialect. One it gets them using their critical thinking but it also helps them reflect on loved ones we have recently lost.

  20. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Great Horror/ Thriller movie

    There are grisly pictures of dead-alive people. People sware out of frustration. Suicide occures. But I still have to say, this was a really good movie.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Advice for Parents

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Are Your Kids Obsessed with Twilight & New Moon?

    Discussion pointers for parents of "twilighters."

  • Book of the Week

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • 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

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

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