Parents' Guide to

Ted 2

By Jeffrey Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 17+

Vulgar little bear is back, with big ideas and crude humor.

Movie R 2015 115 minutes
Ted 2 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 17 parent reviews

SniiperRater
SniiperRater Adult
June 10, 2022
age 12+

Great for family and friends 🧸

This movie is so funny! I watched it with a friend and we laughed so hard! Ted is such a good movie! I don't know why people criticize Ted and Ted 2 so much... It's a great movie for family! The heartwarming teddy bear is great and really funny! I would recommend this for 12+, because of the sexual jokes and swearing, but if you have a child that age, you should really watch it! Great action/comedy with new roles and new stories! 🧸🧸🧸
3 people found this helpful.
YipT
YipT Parent of 11 and 13-year-old
September 17, 2022
age 11+
Love this movie watched with my kids they loved it
2 people found this helpful.
See all 17 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After the events of Ted, Ted (voiced by Seth MacFarlane), marries the love of his life, Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth). But when they try to adopt a child, the government becomes aware that Ted isn't technically a real person. He loses his job and all his personal documents, and his marriage is annulled. So he and best pal, John (Mark Wahlberg), hire a lawyer -- the pretty, pot-smoking Samantha (Amanda Seyfried) -- to contest the situation as a civil rights violation. John (who's now divorced) becomes attracted to Samantha along the way. But it's not an easy fight, and the trio must head to New York for reinforcements. Unfortunately, the creepy Donny (Giovanni Ribisi) has cooked up another evil plan to get a Ted of his own.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (17):
Kids say (29):

When Ted first came out, it surprised audiences by being touching as well as funny; the sequel one ups it by being funny and touching and boasting some big ideas. Written and directed by MacFarlane, TED 2 is extremely vulgar, filled with foul language and sexual innuendo, but it's not mean-spirited. It goes for comic rhythm rather than shock value, and the humor rises from the characters, their friendships, and their personalities.

True to MacFarlane's previous works, it's still filled with pop culture references, but they're much cleverer than usual; they're worked into the fabric of the well-structured story rather than just haphazardly dropped in. But the real extra touch here is the film's Mr. Smith Goes to Washington-like sense of social justice. There are impassioned speeches about civil rights, which are clearly meant to mirror (and comment upon) current political conversations. In other words, Ted 2 is smarter than the average summer comedy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Ted 2's strong sexual content. Why is sex so funny to these characters? How much sexual content in media is OK for kids?

  • Why do these characters drink and use drugs so frequently? Are they doing it for enjoyment or from need? What are the real-life consequences of substance use/abuse? Are those consequences clear in the movie?

  • Do you think that Ted qualifies as a person? What are the qualities of a real person? Does he or she need to be a role model? What are some other groups who, past or present, have sought equal rights in our society?

  • How did you feel about the bullies in the movie? Are they funny? Mean?

Movie Details

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