Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Crowd-pleasing '80s underdog sports comedy.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Major League
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 15 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a beloved '80s underdog sports comedy that delivers humor for both kids and adults, although parents should be cautious about its strong language and mild sexual content. Many reviewers recommend it for mature pre-teens and older, emphasizing the entertaining story and valuable lessons about teamwork and perseverance despite its R-rating.
- crowd-pleasing humor
- strong language
- suitable for teens
- themes of teamwork
- mild sexual content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
When the greedy widow of the Cleveland Indians' owner decides she'd rather relocate the team to Miami, she assembles an awful roster to ensure game attendance is at an all-time low. The team starters are a bunch of has-beens and never-will-bes like over-the-hill catcher Jake Taylor (Tom Berenger), "wild thing" rookie pitcher Rick Vaughn (Charlie Sheen) and cocky base-stealer Willy Mays Hayes (Wesley Snipes), none of whom knows they've been set up to lose. After an unexpected winning streak, the team discovers the owner's plans and vows to win at all costs -- even praying to the Afro-Cuban player's (Dennis Haysbert) voodoo god Jobu, who accepts fine rum and cigar offerings.
Is It Any Good?
Major League is a refreshingly fictional and light story about a very real team: the Cleveland Indians. It's a nice change from all the feel-good sports flicks that are usually historical dramas about the first team to overcome racism, poverty, or devastating odds.
Sheen shines as the rockin' closer with a lot of attitude. As his foil, Corbin Bernsen is perfectly vain as the all-business pro athlete who's cashing in off the field but is checked out on the field. Even 18 years after its original release, the movie is still a fun, lightweight sports flick. When Berenger leads the team to a predictable championship victory, it's impossible not to grin.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about determination and overcoming obstacles. What starts out as a group of "losers" without a chance turns into the little team that could. How does the owner's lack of confidence affect the players? Why is it so compelling to root for the underdog? Kids: name your favorite sports movies.
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 7, 1989
- On DVD or streaming : April 10, 2007
- Cast : Charlie Sheen , Corbin Bernsen , Tom Berenger
- Director : David S. Ward
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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