Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vulgar but occasionally funny comedy gets pretty offensive.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dirty Grandpa
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 12 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say that this film contains an overwhelming amount of vulgar content, including excessive sexual references, drug use, and swearing, which make it inappropriate for younger audiences. While some viewers find humor in its raunchy style, many criticize it for its disturbing themes and suggest it should only be viewed by more mature teens, ideally with parental guidance.
- raunchy humor
- inappropriate content
- parental guidance recommended
- varies by maturity
- disturbing themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
It's a week before Jason's (Zac Efron) wedding, and unfortunately his grandmother has passed away -- prompting his grandfather, Dick (Robert DeNiro), to fixate on a strange odyssey: He wants to drive to Florida (from Atlanta), ostensibly see a friend. But really he just wants to find someone to sleep with after years of celibacy. And Dick has another motive too: He can't help but notice that his once-adventurous grandson has become a corporate drone in need of finding his true self.
Is It Any Good?
DIRTY GRANDPA is bold and in-your-face lascivious, which is almost admirable, but it tries too hard to find laughter in mostly offensive material that's also dated and predictable. Have we time-traveled back to the 1980s, when movies like Porky's reigned supreme? Were it not for the chemistry between DeNiro and Efron -- and Efron's general likability -- this movie would be a total no. It's a very thin line between irreverent and offensive, and Dirty Grandpa leans more toward the latter. (That said, it is refreshing it is to see DeNiro play another retiree who has some actual fire.)
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Dirty Grandpa's brand of humor. It relies on crass, sexually tinged humor for its laughs; do you think it crosses the line? Who decides where that line falls?
How does the movie portray drinking and drug use? Are there any realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
What do you think of the way the movie depicts Spring Break? How does it compare to other takes on this "rite of passage"? How accurate do you think it is?
Is the relationship between Dick and Jason believable? Are either of them intended to be role models?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 22, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : May 17, 2016
- Cast : Robert De Niro , Zac Efron , Julianne Hough
- Director : Dan Mazer
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude sexual content throughout, graphic nudity, and for language and drug use
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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