Preteen girl looking at a cell phone with her parents

Family movie night? There's an app for that

Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.

Parents' Guide to

Cedar Rapids

By Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Raunchy comedy is packed with sex, drinking, and swearing.

Movie R 2011 86 minutes
Cedar Rapids Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 17+

Based on 4 parent reviews

age 17+

Helms just isn't a lead yet

Give him a few more years. He was a great co-lead in "The Hangover," a great supporting role in "We're the Millers," but Helms just isn't ready. He lends a definite, vulnerable likability to Tim Lippe, when he's not acting like a complete imbecile. But he is far from the problem. The problem honestly lies with the script. John C. Reilly has proven again and again his surreal, comedic worth, but this is his most annoying performance of all time. Almost everything that comes out of his mouth is vulgar, middle school humor. He does his best with what he's given. Anne Hache is decidedly enjoyable, a warm presence in a rather crass, sophomoric comedy. Helms and crew do go on wacky adventures in "Cedar Rapids," they just never amount to anything. Decisions characters make don't make sense. Helms is annoyingly naive. Too many distractions like this take away from the big picture. Skip "Cedar Rapids."
age 16+

cedar rapids

cedar rapids is a very awesome movie!

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Directed by Miguel Arteta CEDAR RAPIDS has a grungy, low-budget feel, but it's actually a perfect copy of Animal House's successful, decades'-old formula. Nerds cut loose, discover their true selves, and bring down hypocritical authority figures. The movie also uses its small-town setting more to ridicule its characters than to say anything funny or insightful about small-town life.

But while there's nothing surprising about the movie's story or plot, the characters are endearing and -- though not constantly funny, they're at least consistently funny. Cedar Rapids also has the fact that its characters are adults -- rather than teens -- setting it apart from other films in the Animal House mold. Although they may act like crazy college students, in their quiet moments, these are grown-ups with grown-up problems (divorce, loneliness, unsatisfying marriages, etc.). Overall, the movie has enough laughs and charm to ensure a good time ... for those mature enough to handle its content, that is.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: February 11, 2011
  • On DVD or streaming: June 21, 2011
  • Cast: Anne Heche , Ed Helms , John C. Reilly
  • Director: Miguel Arteta
  • Inclusion Information: Latino directors
  • Studio: Fox Searchlight
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Run time: 86 minutes
  • MPAA rating: R
  • MPAA explanation: crude and sexual content, language and drug use
  • Last updated: April 5, 2023

Inclusion information powered by

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.

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