Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Samberg's funny but raunchy comedy skewers fame.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 19 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a hilarious and entertaining satire that features an array of raunchy humor, including explicit language, nudity, and drug use, making it more suitable for mature audiences. While many viewers appreciated the comedic elements and satirical take on celebrity culture, numerous reviews cautioned about its inappropriate content, potentially limiting its suitability for younger audiences.
- funny satire
- explicit content
- mature themes
- memorable music
- audience caution
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As the title, POPSTAR: NEVER STOP NEVER STOPPING would suggest, Conner Friel (Andy Samberg) is the hottest pop star in the country. He starts out as part of a beloved boy-band/rap group. But over time, Conner grows more popular than the rest, causing tension and, later, a band break-up. Now billed as Conner4Real, his first solo album is a massive success -- but all eyes quickly move to the follow-up, which is expected to smash records. But, sadly, given how rarely Conner gets honest feedback from all his "Yes" men, it's hard for him to see how bad it really is.
Is It Any Good?
It's pure fun to watch a movie in which the actors clearly enjoy being in it, especially Samberg, who taps into all of his cheeky charm. As Conner himself puts it, "Ever since I was born, I was dope." And this hilarious -- and raunchy -- comedy is, too. Building on Samberg's infectious energy, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping pokes fun at pretty much everything -- packaged pop stars, social media, celebrity culture (especially US Weekly-ready romances), EDM, tabloids, entertainment shows, award shows, tour sponsors, friendships -- and even itself. (The celebrities who make cameos -- including Seal, Michael Bolton, Usher, Nas, A$AP Rocky, Questlove, Mariah Carey, and more -- are willingly the butt of the jokes, too.)
The boy-band controversy verges on overlong and not entirely original, which may be the biggest quibble with Popstar. And the raunchiest parts are sometimes the un-funniest, or they go on too long. Still, Popstar has too much fizz to be brought down by these relatively minor complaints.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Popstar depicts sex and substance abuse -- is the film condoning or glorifying this kind of behavior? Why does that matter?
How does the movie portray the music business? Where's the line between branding and personality? What role does sex play in the world of pop music? Why do you think that is?
What's the appeal of over-the-top comedies like this one? Does humor need to revolve around sex, substances, or swearing in order to be funny? Why do you think different types of humor appeal to different audiences?
How does fame impact Conner, his friendships, and his professional development?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 3, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : September 13, 2016
- Cast : Andy Samberg , Imogen Poots , Maya Rudolph , Bill Hader
- Directors : Akiva Schaffer , Jorma Taccone
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some graphic nudity, language throughout, sexual content and drug use
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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