Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Vulgar comedy overshadows a genuine love story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ted
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 40 parent reviews
Parents say the film is filled with excessive profanity, crude humor, and inappropriate themes that are not suitable for younger audiences, with recommendations primarily for teens aged 14 and up. While some viewers found its humor funny and the friendship dynamic heartwarming, many criticized the film for its vulgarity and felt it lacked redeeming qualities, making it a challenging watch for families.
- vulgar humor
- not for kids
- suitable for teens
- excessive profanity
- mixed reviews
- inappropriate themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 170 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is hilarious and entertaining, showcasing the unique friendship between a man and his foul-mouthed teddy bear, but it is heavily laden with raunchy humor, profanity, drug use, and inappropriate sexual content, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. Despite its crude elements, many viewers appreciate the underlying messages about loyalty and growing up, although they caution that it is better suited for older teens and adults.
- hilarious friendship
- raunchy humor
- unsuitable for kids
- underlying messages
- adult themes
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
As a child, John Bennett (Bretton Manley) makes a Christmas wish for his new teddy bear, TED, to talk and be his best friend forever—and it comes true. Many years later, John (Mark Wahlberg) is now 35, and, though they're still best friends, Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) has become a bad influence. Together, John and Ted spend their time sitting on the couch, making jokes, watching movies, and smoking pot. John's girlfriend, Lori (Mila Kunis), likes Ted and loves John but would really like him to grow up. Unfortunately, John makes one mistake too many, just as an obsessed collector (Giovanni Ribisi) kidnaps Ted. Can John get his friend back and straighten out his life?
Is It Any Good?
MacFarlane's type of humor—pop culture references mixed with vulgar shock humor—will offend many and doesn't age well here. Ted's over-the-top comedy tries to capture the genuine heart of flawed characters. But even though the three leads care for one another, that positive theme gets overshadowed by crude language and sex-drenched jokes that never fully redeem them. Racial slurs, mean-spirited jokes that punch down at people, and limiting gender roles just aren't funny. They weren't in 2012, and they surely aren't now.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Ted depicts drug and alcohol use. Why do John and Ted smoke and drink so much? What are the real-life consequences of substance use/abuse? Are those consequences clear in the movie?
What does it mean to be a grown-up? How do the characters show that they're moving from being children to becoming responsible adults? Is it hard to take that step—to "throw away childish things" and become adults?
Does this movie reinforce stereotypes, or does it make fun of them?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 29, 2012
- On DVD or streaming : December 11, 2012
- Cast : Mark Wahlberg , Mila Kunis , Seth MacFarlane
- Director : Seth MacFarlane
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : crude and sexual content, pervasive language, and some drug use
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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