Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Good-natured 1990s comedy loaded with silly, low-brow humor.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
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Good Burger
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 49 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie is a funny and entertaining comedy, favored by many for its slapstick humor and memorable characters, particularly the comedic duo. However, it includes some mild profanity, sexual jokes, and questionable content that may be inappropriate for younger viewers, making it more suitable for ages 8 and up.
- funny and entertaining
- slapstick humor
- mild profanity
- suitable for older kids
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
GOOD BURGER employees Ed (Kel Mitchell) and Dexter (Kenan Thompson) might be naive and short-sighted, but that all changes when they learn that competitor Mondo Burger is moving in across the street with plans to put them out of business. Suddenly, they find themselves devising a cunning plot to save their burger joint and keep their jobs—if they can only outsmart the competition.
Is It Any Good?
This silly comedy has an absurdist charm. Good Burger centers around two teens who do whatever they can to get out of work—until they realize they might lose their jobs. Along the way, they end up proving that they have loyalty, a strong work ethic, and a moral compass after all, not to mention a lot of smarts.
That said, this low-brow romp unfortunately resorts to jokes about people who appear to have cognitive disabilities, even while those same people stumble their way into winning the day. But overall it's a lighthearted film that reinforces that it's worth the effort to do the right thing and take responsibility for your mistakes.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the treatment of employees in Good Burger. How are Ed and Dexter treated? What about the workers at Mondo Burger? How would you handle seeing a manager bully their employees?
Would you try to save a place where you worked, even if it didn't pay well or treat you very nicely? Why, or why not?
Do you know anyone with hidden talents? What are some talents you have that you didn't know you had, and how did you discover them?
How do characters show integrity, compassion, and empathy for others? Why are these important character strengths?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 25, 1997
- On DVD or streaming : August 29, 2017
- Cast : Kel Mitchell , Kenan Thompson , Sinbad , Abe Vigoda
- Director : Brian Robbins
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Home Media Distribution
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Integrity
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : Rated PG for language, some comic violence and mild sex-related humor
- Last updated : October 11, 2025
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