The Sixth Sense (PG-13, 1999)

common sense media says

Great, but sometimes scarier than R-rated horror.


parents & educators say
  • 26% say violence is an issue

What parents need to know

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.

Positive 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.
Positive 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.
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 applicable.
Language: "S--t" and a few lesser swear words.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Some tipsiness.

More on The Sixth Sense

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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.

What's the story?

What's the story?

Bruce Willis plays Dr. Malcolm Crowe, a gifted therapist who specializes in children. The night he receives an award for his work, a former patient breaks into his house and shoots Dr. Crowe and then himself. Months later, Dr. Crowe is still very shaken. He feels that he can't communicate with his wife. He is treating just one patient, a boy named Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who reminds him of the patient he believes he failed. Malcolm gradually wins Cole's trust, and Cole confides that he sees "dead people." At first, Malcolm thinks this is a symptom of deep psychological disturbance, but then he comes to believe that Cole really does see the spirits of people who have died and he must find a way to make that experience less terrifying for him.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This is one of the rarest of movie treats, a thinking person's thriller that is genuinely haunting. You're lucky if you see a movie that you are still thinking about it hours later. Its ultimate conclusion is stunning but, in retrospect, inevitable. Parents should not be misled by the PG-13 rating. This movie is in some ways far scarier than the R-rated The Blair Witch Project. Parents should be cautious about allowing children under high school age to watch it, and should be prepared to talk to kids about the movie, because even teens may find it upsetting.

Osment is truly sensational, one of the finest performances ever given by a child. Willis complements him perfectly, and the interaction between the two of them is deeply touching. 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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Cast: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 106 minutes
Theatrical release: August 18, 1999
DVD release: March 28, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, scariness, and some grossness

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12
Based on 35 parent & educator reviews:
  • 26% say violence is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

bookluver17852
teen, 14 years old
 
great movie... some iffy violence though
I love this movie! It has great actors and a great plot. I don't think it is very viloent but there are moments that make you jump out of your seat though at though. There are no ther issues besides that. I really don't get how this was rate PG-13 it is deffinitly more like a PG movie. I suggest watching it twice if your younger because at some points it gets some what confusing. It has a great twist ending. I don't really consider it a horror movie. It is more like a drama. It deals with real life issues but with supernatural twists. It is a must see movie for all ages

jjz514
teen, 15 years old
 
Great scary flick for tweens and anyone above.
I just recently saw this movie, and loved it. There were a few parts that made me jump, but otherwise I thought this had a great message to help others, not be afraid, and believe in the supernatural. Overall it was a great film

SCS_Roblox
teen, 15 years old
 
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.

 
Creepy Movie Gone Too Far
This movie has some pretty intense, creepy scenes for younger children and teens. Not a movie for anyone under 16 unless they don't fear anything.

twilightfan2459
teen, 14 years old
 
Wow, what a good movie.Absolutley amazing. Not as scary as i thought it would be a few scary bits but nothing a twelve year old couldnt handle. Wow amazing twists thats all im gonna say ;D

ClearastheSea
teen, 16 years old
 
Perfect first horror film
Personally, I think this is a perfect first horror film for preteens interested in the genre. Some scenes are creepy, mainly because of the looks of some ghosts after they die, but most parents will agree it is not horrible. Kids will like this story, and be intrigued by its surprises.

 
good for 12+
I love this movie, its really cool , there are some scary parts in the movie but its only on thje people that the boy is seeing. It is not the scariest movie ever, but it is very cool to see in the end... its very suprising and u should definatly watch it!!!! , its really good... in the end ur going to be amazing and be like OMGG

nightslayer900
kid, 11 years old
 
Brill
i absolutely loved this film, the end nearly sent me to bed with tears i think it was a clever movie, it builds up tension and has a lot of surprises. I WAS AT THE EDGE OF MY SEAT!!!!!

MusicManShades
teen, 14 years old
 
Awesome horror flick
I honestly hope that's not the real MPAA rating. Grossness? Anyway, an AMAZING movie, really creepy, edge of your seat, and the ending is crazy. The whole movie is about dead people and spirits, and people walk around looking the way they did when they died. (Gunshot wounds, slit wrists, sickness) One scene in the beginning that's a little iffy. First, the couple gets drunk and goes upstairs, and start taking clothes off in a suggestive way, but is interrupted by a quite intense sequence. An insane man screams at the main character, played by Bruce Willis, and eventually fires a gun at him and shoots himself. My MPAA rating: PG-13 for some frightening images, intense thematic material, and brief sensuality.

Brandon4News
teen, 15 years old
 
Iconic horror film will be fine for older kids.
Violence- 7/10 Good Messages- 6/10 Good Role Models- 6/10 Overall Quality- 8.5/10

CRITIC007
teen, 17 years old
 
M. Nights best movie
Realllly Scary like legit scary. But the twist still rocks even today

Safemancam001
teen, 14 years old
 
Not for younger kids at all!
Good movie, but I got freaked out when I saw it.

sexyy99
teen, 14 years old
 
good movie for teens nd for nice dark evenings with friends
one of my fave movies it hink its really freaky im 13 nearly 14 but think children who arent overr 13 or arnt 13 shouldnt watchit cu after wards it makes u think really just lie the film flowers in the attic yo cant sto thinkin aboutit ! <3

Seminolefreak
teen, 14 years old
 
AWESOME MOVIE!!!! ONE OF THE BEST PLOT TWIST I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!
My MPAA Rating, PG-13:Some scary moments, language, mild sensuality, mild bloody violence, and disturbing moments

Purple_Bubbles_pop
teen, 14 years old
 
Great scares, all ages.
Great age appropriate movie that will still give anyone chills. awesome storyline, little violence, great characters and the perfect twist at the end of the film...

chillded banana
kid, 13 years old
 
A great film
the sixth sense is a wonderfull and thought provoking film that delivers some decent scares as well as positive messages and a great twist ending. I understand how certain scenes could scare some peole and the dead's wounds are fairly grim but the tension the the director builds up is amazing. The ending left me dumbstruck- i mean who know that was coming! This is not a film that gives you nightmares but it does scare you a lot while your watching it. Unlike many ghost films it treats the dead sympathetically.

star97
teen, 14 years old
 
Great movie!
LOVED IT!! This movie scared me, really scared, while I was watching it. By the end, my legs were shaking uncontrollably. Then the movie's over, and I'm perfectly fine. Great for tweens that don't want to be scared afterwords but plenty scared during it.

Jadenp
teen, 15 years old
 
great movie!
First off, the MPAA Rating listed here is incorrect. Are you kidding me? "scariness" and "grossness"!? MPAA is a lot more mature than that, that sounds like a 6 year old wrote it. The actual MPAA Rating is: PG-13 for intense thematic material and violent images. great movie!

Gaga4GaGa
kid, 13 years old
 
The Sixth Sense is scary, sweet, and superb!
Another one of Shyamalan's great flicks, this movie is awesome. Haley Joel Osment looks like a sad little puppy, you can't help but sympathize him. Some gore and a couple terrifying images, but all in all, not one you'd want to miss.

arthur16morgana
teen, 16 years old
 
okay
the showed us this in school. i was scared but it wasnt really too bad. not gorey but used the element of suprise

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