Parents' Guide to

The Princess Bride

By Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Witty, winsome fairy tale for the whole family.

Movie PG 1987 98 minutes
The Princess Bride Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 8+

Based on 95 parent reviews

DerpyLion
DerpyLion Parent of 8 and 10-year-old
October 6, 2020
age 8+

Fun Family Satire - but some cautions

Trigger warning: this movie includes a brief but quickly diverted attempted suicide, which is referenced three times. This is a classic movie I looked forward to sharing with my kids once they were old enough to understand what concepts this movie mocks (especially medieval Europe), and that all of it is intentionally over-the-top (rodents of unusual size, for instance). For my kids, that mean age 8-10. It provides some excellent conversation starters, from gender roles to vengeance and grudges, smarts vs wisdom, the value of diversity, substance abuse, abuse of power, and corruption. For the most part, this is presented in a light hearted way and provides a great segway to talk about these things. However, I didn't remember that there is an attempted suicide. A character deems that suicide is their only way out of a tough situation. This isn't addressed in a way that psychologists today recommend: normalizing the feelings but addressing the concerns and helping the individual have hope for the future. Instead, the support person in the movie fixes the situation the character feels doomed by. So I don't think they handled it well. If this is a challenge your family faces, it could be a trigger and counter-productive to the conversation you are having, or alternatively it could be a conversation starter. I just thought caregivers should be aware of this content, as it's not noted in the summary.
20 people found this helpful.
Julie G.
Julie G. Parent of 8-year-old
June 2, 2022
age 16+

Not for under 16!

This is NOT appropriate for 8 year olds as suggested. Disturbing scenes of cruelty and torture, talk of suicide, lots of discussions about killing others, and a bloody death/stabbing scene.

This title has:

Too much violence
5 people found this helpful.
See all 95 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In THE PRINCESS BRIDE, the most beautiful woman in the world, Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn), gets engaged to the cruel Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon) after she hears that her true love, Westley, was killed by the Dread Pirate Roberts. But before the wedding, she's kidnapped by a huge man with enormous strength (Andre the Giant), a master swordsman (Mandy Patinkin), and an evil genius (Wallace Shawn). A mysterious masked man (Cary Elwes) must defeat them all, and then escape with Buttercup through the treacherous Fire Swamp. When they're both captured by the prince and his six-fingered henchman, Count Rugen (Christopher Guest), they discover that not even death can get in the way of true love.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (95):
Kids say (188):

This witty modern fairy tale by William Goldman (screenwriter of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and All the President's Men) is resoundingly satisfying. Goldman's book is even better -- and lots of fun to read aloud (though the book's asides are more for adult readers). The motley cast of storybook characters is consistently hilarious, right down to the bit parts featuring the likes of Carol Kane and Billy Crystal as a bickering old witch and wizard, and Peter Cook as the Impressive Clergyman.

Simply put, The Princess Bride is stuffed full of every thrilling element of a classic romantic adventure -- princes, villains and evil geniuses, giants and giant creatures, sword fights, revenge, kidnapping, and a rescue on white horses -- and it coats them all in delicious humor.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what makes for a really good adventure/love story like The Princess Bride. Is it sword fights? Scary creatures? Handsome leading men and ladies?

  • How does this movie poke fun at some of the standard fairy-tale elements?

  • Is Buttercup a role model? What else could she have done other than wait for Wesley to rescue her? Is their relationship healthy? Realistic?

  • How do the characters in The Princess Bride demonstrate courage and perseverance? What about integrity and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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