Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Very popular and very violent Wyatt Earp story.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
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Tombstone
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a visually appealing and entertaining western with memorable characters, quotable dialogue, and lots of action, but it also features significant violence, strong language, and some sad moments that may impact sensitive viewers. While some find the movie suitable for teens, others feel its R-rating is unjustified due to the level of violence and suggest it may bore younger audiences.
- violent content
- quotable dialogue
- engaging characters
- emotional moments
- age-appropriate rating
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Former lawman Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) decides to retire in the growing town of Tombstone with his two brothers. There, they meet Wyatt's old friend Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer), a gunslinger with tuberculosis. The Earps plan to take it easy and make some money on a drinking/gambling establishment. Unfortunately, a band of violent criminals called the Cowboys starts to make trouble, and before long it becomes apparent that the Earps must take up their guns once again to help keep the peace. Meanwhile, a saucy showgirl (Dana Delany) has caught the married Wyatt's eye, causing even more trouble for him. Will Wyatt survive all this, plus a showdown with the malevolent sharpshooter Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn)?
Is It Any Good?
Tombstone will seem shockingly violent to those who already like Westerns, but for Rambo fans, it won't seem out of the ordinary. The movie has a few over-the-top moments, and there is perhaps too much story crammed into too little space, but it also has an energetic flow, and a genuinely rugged, exciting feel, unlike many of the more bloated, picturesque examples of the Western genre. Ultimately, it's Russell and Kilmer -- and their chemistry together -- that make this movie work.
Directed by George P. Cosmatos (Rambo: First Blood Part II), Tombstone had an inauspicious start when it was released to theaters without press screenings. Before long, however, fans were cheering over the terrific performances by Kurt Russell and especially Val Kilmer as the cool, verbose Doc Holliday. Though this wasn't enough to make the movie a hit, it has gained a solid fan following over the years. Many viewers generally prefer it to the much higher-profile Wyatt Earp (1994), released six months later.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the intense violence in the film. Was it necessary to tell the story? Was any of it gratuitous?
Why do you think the Western genre not as popular as it once was? Do you have a favorite Western?
The legendary hero Wyatt Earp has many flaws in this film. Do the flaws make him more interesting? Do they make him less of a hero?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 25, 1993
- On DVD or streaming : December 2, 1997
- Cast : Dana Delany , Kurt Russell , Val Kilmer
- Director : George Pan Cosmatos
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Hollywood Pictures
- Genre : Western
- Run time : 130 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong Western violence
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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