
Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
Airheads
By Alistair Lawrence,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
'90s rock 'n' roll comedy has swearing, sexual references.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Airheads
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
AIRHEADS follows a failing rock band, led by Chazz (Brendan Fraser), who hold a radio station hostage to get themselves noticed.
Is It Any Good?
A critical and commercial flop, this rock 'n' roll comedy nonetheless features a cast of comedic talent who between them have enough screen presence and comic timing to carry its so-so screenplay. Decades later, Airheads also ticks a few nostalgia boxes. Rock music fans are likely to get a kick out of cameos from everyone from Motorhead frontman Lemmy to Rob Zombie to Beavis and Butthead. Elsewhere, anyone who tuned into Saturday Night Live in the '90s is sure to remember the early promise shown by the likes of Adam Sandler and Chris Farley, both of whom appear in supporting roles here.
In the lead, Fraser manages to balance Chazz's earnestness and selfishness, showing the light and shade of creative people who are desperate to "make it." His sketched-in relationship with love-interest Kayla (Amy Locane) is one of several things that date Airheads. But this is a movie that's trying to have a good time more than anything else, and for the most part it manages to live out a playful night of wish fulfillment.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the strong language in Airheads. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
Did the movie feel dated? How might the band have gone about things differently today? In what ways has social media and the internet replaced the role of music radio stations?
Discuss Chazz's ambition. How did it prompt him to act in unusual ways? Was the way he spoke about why he wanted to do something with his life relatable?
How were sex and relationships portrayed in the movie? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values on these subjects.
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 5, 1994
- On DVD or streaming: October 2, 2001
- Cast: Brendan Fraser , Steve Buscemi , Adam Sandler
- Director: Michael Lehmann
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Character Strengths: Integrity , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: crude dialogue and some sexuality
- Last updated: August 24, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Goofy Comedy Movies to Watch with Tweens and Teens
Cult Classics
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate