Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent animated adventure is no kiddie movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Beowulf
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 10 parent reviews
Based on 18 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie features excessive violence and sexual content, which many believe make it inappropriate for younger audiences, leading to calls for a re-evaluation of its PG-13 rating. While some reviewers appreciated the animation and story elements, the majority found it troubling due to inaccuracies compared to the original poem and graphic scenes that they felt could scar younger viewers.
- graphic content
- inappropriate rating
- animation praised
- story inaccuracies
- adult themes
- unsuitable for children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Based on the epic poem, Robert Zemeckis' motion-capture action adventure follows the heroic exploits of Beowulf (Ray WinstoneAnthony Hopkins) get rid of a murderous demon cursing his people. After disposing of the grotesque, pus-oozing Grendel (Crispin Glover) in a (literally) naked battle of hand-to-hand combat, Beowulf learns that the monster has an even more dangerous, shape-shifting mother (Angelina Jolie). Beowulf's hubris as a warrior is evident from his first appearance on screen. But every hero has an Achilles' heel, and Beowulf's is apparently a beautiful woman -- the perfectly cast Jolie -- who promises him wealth and power beyond imagination. Beowulf isn't the first warrior to give into her, and he probably won't be the last, either, since she's seemingly invincible when nude and dripping wet (her feet even take the form of stilettos).
Is It Any Good?
Once you get past BEOWULF's slightly creepy, ultra-realistic depiction of actors as animated figures, there's no denying that this film is entertaining. Improving on the revolutionary technology he used in The Polar Express, Zemeckis's film is an awe-inspiring achievement in animation. It's also in no way a film for kids, even if that's the first thought that many moviegoers might have when they see animated characters. The action is as bloody as anything Quentin Tarantino could conjure up.
Yet, for all of the movie's sweeping action and impressive technology, there's still something substantially more heart-quickening about flesh-and-blood action. Sure, then audiences wouldn't get to see Grendel squish as many heads and eat as many people (at least not in a PG-13 fashion), but there would've been an extra sense of excitement and not as many unintended laughs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether it's confusing for filmmakers to make and market an animated movie that's so violent and clearly not targeted to kids? Also, does the fact that the animation is so realistic make the violence more upsetting? Why or why not? Why do people tend to react differently to live-action mayhem than they do to similar content that's animated?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 15, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : March 15, 2022
- Cast : Angelina Jolie , Anthony Hopkins , Ray Winstone
- Director : Robert Zemeckis
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 113 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : intense sequences of violence including disturbing images, some sexual material and nudity.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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