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Malcolm in the Middle

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Frankie Muniz, Jane Kaczmarek, Bryan Cranston, Where to watch: Fox, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Quirky, off-the-wall family humor; OK for teens.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A diverse show: Malcolm's best friend is black and wheelchair-bound, and older brother Francis married an American Indian woman. Behaviorally, the comedy involves outrageous trouble caused by the boys or their father. Their mother tries to promote good behavior, but often through yelling and manipulating.
  • Violence:

    Lots of goofy roughhousing, sometimes resulting in injury. The brothers sometimes fight with each other and throw punches.
  • Sex:

    Occasional sex-related subject matter. Implied nudity now and then. The parents have a fairly lustful relationship.
  • Language:

    Some expletives and crude language ("damn," "ass," etc.).
  • Consumerism:

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

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Malcolm in the Middle

Parents need to know that this comedy series pushes the envelope on irreverence, and the humor can be crude or risqué. At the same time, Malcolm is an intelligent main character, facing many of the challenges of growing up and fitting in that your own kids may face. The show puts family dysfunction and sibling rivalry in the spotlight.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the unusual ways in which Malcolm's family expresses their love for each other. Does that hold true in your family? Are Lois' reactions and disciplinary tactics realistic? How does exaggeration make something funny?

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Our Members Say

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See all 53 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Perfect for tweens and dads

    I am addicted to this show and think it's really funny. Reese is a horrible role model and their mom is a stereotype for a mom.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    I rate this title off for age 8 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    NOT FOR LITTTLE KIDS

    IT IS OKAY BUT SOMETIMES I FEEEL IT IS TO INNAPROPIATE FOR A PG RATING

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

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

    AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TIMES 10

    I love this show. Started watching when it came on Nick At Night. It is like our family (seriously, My youngest brother is like Dewey, my other bother though is like Reese, I'm Malcom, my mom Lois, and my dad Hal). My brother 8 and 10 love this show along with my parents. It is halarious. The funnist episodes aare Halloween, If girls were boys, and flashback.

  4. I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    good show

    this isnt bad...

  5. I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

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

    A show I grew up with... Funny and Entertaining

    A typical show about a typical family which is hillarious. I love this show. I grew up watching Malcolm in the Middle and I watch it now every evening. It's a show that pushes boundaries rarely in my opinion. In case you're wondering, the violence is (comical) fighting between brothers, never getting more than a hit and falling down wrestling, which are boys, you see it every day! The language is "ass", "hell", and some other OCASSIONAL words that are almost never said, and the bad role model is Lois because she is bad for the comedy in it. She isn't THAT bad, but somebody that you may find iffy. The highlights are good messages about growing up because they are growing up and they learn a few values and lessons in the process. Also, good role models are people who make mistakes and mistakes are made, but forgiven, and realized that they are mistakes. Mistakes are also healed. Malcolm is a good role model for "middle children", and he helps them cope with the tough role. Overall, a hillarious comedy that I've always watched and you should, too!

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