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Young Frankenstein (PG, 1974)

common sense media says

Brooks' corniness yields plenty of belly laughs.

parents & educators say
See all 27 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that kids will hear a lot of bawdy humor and sexual innuendo, including a scene at the end that suggests Madeline Kahn's character has slept with the monster. Frederick says "What great knockers" to Teri Garr's character, supposedly referring to the door's knockers.

Positive messages: Though an obvious parody of the horror genre the film presents a much happier
ending than Shelley's original tale. The monster is accepted by the
villagers, the Dr. finally admits his heritage and everyone lives
happily ever after.
Positive role models: Characters are stereotyped exaggerations.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Bawdy humor and sexual innuendo, including a scene at the end that suggests Madeline Kahn's character has slept with the monster. Plus a few racy jokes: Frederick says "What great knockers" to Teri Garr's character, supposedly referring to the door's knockers.
Language: A few comically hurled curses.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Young Frankenstein

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about parody. Is this film seemingly patterned after old horror films? How does it differ? Beneath the obvious ridiculing of old horror films, do you detect any sort of fondness for the genre?
  • Why was the monster originally rejected by the town's people?

What's the story?

What's the story?

After denouncing his grandfather's work as "doo doo," Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) receives word that he's inherited his famous ancestor's Transylvanian castle. There, with the help of his lab assistant Inga (Teri Garr) and pop-eyed hunchback Igor (Marty Feldman), he discovers a secret library containing his grandfather Victor's notes on how to bring the dead to life. The temptation is too great to pass up. In the renowned Frankenstein laboratory, young Frederick creates his own monster (Peter Boyle) and harnesses the power of an electrical storm to bring him to life.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Mel Brooks fans will rejoice at the re-release of one of his funniest films. Sure the gags are lame, and the script is almost infantile, but if you thought YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN was funny in 1974, you're just as likely to get a kick out of it today. There's an unembarrassed corniness about the movie that generates plenty of belly laughs. The monster's "Puttin' on the Ritz" number will even squeeze smiles out of those not inclined towards Brooks' brand of humor.

The vaguely smutty jokes and sight gags will go over well with the teen crowd, but the comic talents at work here will appeal to all ages. Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, and Gene Hackman comprise a comedy's dream cast. Peter Boyle brings an unexpected touch of dignity to the monster, and Gene Wilder is as charming and manic as he was in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Mel Brooks
Cast: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 105 minutes
Theatrical release: December 15, 1974
DVD release: September 5, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: parental guidance suggested
This review was written by Scott G. Mignola
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10

Most useful reviews by all members

SomeGirl
teen, 15 years old
6
 
gene wilder... what a classic!
this in a hilarious fillm with a laugh a minute! suitable for all ages but younger kids might not get some of the humor. Gene wilder makes this film!
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gospurs57
adult
13
 
Considering the raunchy humor in this film, I'm shocked at the number of people who think this is a family film. If you don't let your kids watch "Desperate Housewives", they shouldn't be watching this movie either. Aside from the raunchy humor, this movie is well-written and is filled with many witty moments and surprises. The acting is brilliant and the old-fashioned feel to it reminds me of "Pushing Daisies". All in all, I highly recommend "Young Frankenstein" for teens.
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MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
8
 
Very funny movie! Teenagers today might find it mundane, but children will love the silly characters!
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pimpdaddy21
teen, 16 years old
11
 
young frankenstien
It is a good movie plus it's really funny
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Katy0
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Hilarious
"Young Frankenstein" is hilarious and a must-see for 12+.
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mollyrookwood
teen, 15 years old
8
 
I love this movie... it's a movie that basically makes fun of horror movies. It's hardly scary for anyone about 8 and up, and it's a movie to get everyone laughing.
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ClassicCultRev ...
adult
10
 
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zerv
teen, 14 years old
12
 
forget your grandfather's mistake!
my grandfathers work was DODO!
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reallybusy
parent of 16 year old
13
 
Best treatment ever of The Battle Hymn of the Republic
This is another one not to take too seriously. This is Mel Brooks' very best, and there is not one off performance in this entire movie. Most of the humor is in the tiny gestures and facial expressions the cast is so good at, and the broad humor - like the sexual inneuendo - is so slapstick and silly that even the blusher in my family thinks it's hilarious. Hardly a week goes by without a reference to this movie in our household. It breaks my heart that so much of this cast is gone now. On my darkest days just the thought of Madeline Kahn singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic cracks me up.
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yotamdo
kid, 11 years old
8
 
A bucket of fun for the whole family!
This is not your average Mel Brooks movie. This is obviously his best film, but it is NOT scary. It DISTURBINGLY FUNNY!!!! This is the best comedy I saw. My two favorite scenes are the ones with the blind man and the meeting with BLUCHER!!!! Nieghhhhh! It's hard to believe that some people think that this movie is stupid. Don't be shy, rent this movie now! One of the movies strengths is great humor, hardly any language, hardly any violence, and the fact that is the biggest spoof of horror movies. And I thought this was scary! It was lucky I made myself watch this.
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Luna86
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Must-See!!!
hahahahaha i saw ths movie w/ my dad and my 7 yr old sis! me and my sis were in stitches it was THAT funny!!!
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dancingqueen13
adult
9
 
Gene Wilder is brilliant!
This movie is HILARIOUS!! It mocks horror movies, but is not scary at all. The monster is friendly and lovable, and there are so many funny bits, like the horses freaking out when Frau Blucher is said, the "Don't put the candle back" scene, and the "HE WAS MY BOYFRIEND" part. This is not a great movie for young kids, because though it is not scary, they would not understand the jokes, and wouldn't think it was very funny. I would say that anyone over the age of 9 would understand enough of the jokes to like it. It's a fantastic movie, and anyone who can read this should see this movie.
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beebizzy
adult
 
Very Surprised!
I know I saw this movie years ago when I was a teenager but I didn't recall this much sex being thrown around. I was looking forward to watching an old funny movie. I was very surprised and disapoointed. The review I checked on was "soft" in it's descriptions. Even if it is done in play it is still too much. Madaline howls like a dog when it shows her looking down at his private parts as he is undoing his pants and then lays down on her and she sings out in joy. Then it shortly shows the two of them smoking, apparntly having had sex and then going at it again for the 7th time!? There is more of this through out the movie, too much and it just spoils it. It's just not a movie that a family would enjoy.
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manooo_manooo
teen, 14 years old
7
 
Great Not Scary
Really Great Movie Wasn't Scary Though
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T.O. Parent
parent
10
 
7 years old probably too soon.
I watched this movie as a child and loved it. I watched it recently with my 7 and 10 year olds. 7 is just too young for Gene Wilder, who delivers a brilliant (but loud) performance as Dr. Frankenstein.
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woodielynn8
teen, 18 years old
10
 
i thought the movie was very funny and is great to watch
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Izawizashiza10
teen, 13 years old
8
 
FRONKOONSTEIN
Hi I think that this movie is great ! It is pretty funny and I love the ... spoofiness alright thats not a word but WHO CARES ? Keep your mouth shut alright ? THANX ! Um, and I'd also like to recommend a REALLY funny movie : Robin Hood Men In Tights.
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scissorluv971
teen, 14 years old
10
 
LOL! :D
I watched this with my seventh grade English class last year and it wasn't funny nor scary. It was DISTURBINGLY funny and Not scary in the least. I loved it and I think every one else did too. We didn't stop laughing for the entire time and the Algebra teacher even came in once and told us to can it because we were disrupting her class. The only time I've ever laughed harder was during Scream 4.... Maybe I didn't, I don't remember
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Sinfoniarc
parent
8
 
Put Ze Candle Back!
I'm not really sure as to what can be said for this timeless classic mockery of 1930s horror films. The only concern I have for showing this movie to my own children is simply that they won't get it. Some of the jokes are pretty easy to figure out, but if you're not acquainted with Boris Karloff or Bela Lugosi, this movie won't be as funny. Chances are, your kids will not be familiar with Irving Berlin's "Puttin' On The Ritz", parodied by Wilder and Boyle. As far as I'm concerned, what sexual innuendos exist will likely go over their head (as first seeing this when I myself was 8 years old, I didn't get them either). If you're familiar with Mel Brooks' films, this film is very mild by comparison to Blazing Saddles, Robin Hood: Men In Tights, or even Spaceballs, for that matter. It's rated PG and if you've read what Common Sense Media has to say about it, there's really not much else that I can add.
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Missa52
teen, 16 years old
14
 
Very good, lot of sexual humour
I watched this movie when I was fifteen and although I could handle the sexual content, I do not think it would be appropriate for anyone much younger than that. They probably would not understand much of the humour anyways. There is a bit of mild language.
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