Parents' Guide to

The FBI Files

By Sierra Filucci, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Gripping but graphic: Real crimes solved here.

TV Discovery Channel Educational 1998
The FBI Files Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Jamie L.
Jamie L. Adult
April 2, 2023
age 6+
No, this program is not perfect for children but I think in most cases it isn't a bad idea to show them. I used to watch this show as a small child and loved it. It is extremely informative and a great lesson for kids about the dangers of the world. This show does hold a rating of PG so it is up to parents discretion but I don't think parents should keep their kids from this show.

This title has:

Educational value
Bananabear
Bananabear Parent of 9-year-old
September 13, 2020
age 16+

Rape, murder, and kidnapping

Listen, we all have our own value systems, i don't consider myself conservative, but this show scares me, and makes me question humanity. This is for an older audience who can grapple with the complexities of human nature and the legal system.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Much like its sister show The New Detectives, THE FBI FILES tells the story of real criminal investigations, using re-enactments to portray the details of each case. Though The FBI Files focuses on cases in which the FBI is the main investigatory organization, each case is tracked through its entirety, often beginning with local authorities. Investigators at all levels appear on camera to recall the elements of the case and the progression of the investigation. Along with re-enactments, in which some of the authorities appear alongside actors, episodes include interviews with victims, photos and video from the real case files, and descriptions and depictions of the forensic evidence collected.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (3 ):

The show's interviewees are always serious, but sometimes their solemnity inches too closely to dull. And though the re-enactments are sometimes believable, for the most part they're poorly portrayed. Those with a more twisted sense of humor might enjoy imagining how different the real scenes would be from those acted out onscreen -- the actors' portrayal often seems much milder than what the narrator describes. For instance, participants are often described as drinking alcohol for long periods of time, but the actors never appear drunk. And because cases handled by the FBI are often high profile and frequently involve very dangerous criminals, the cases featured on the show are often grisly and involve scary scenarios. Re-enactments sometimes show blood, bones, and teeth, as well as scenes of mild violence.

Fans of crime shows both real and fictional may enjoy The FBI Files' detailed descriptions of criminal investigations. Teens who can handle the gory elements and graphic descriptions might find the process fascinating, and the show does a good job keeping sensationalism in check.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about safety. How do teens and parents keep themselves safe from crime? Do shows like this make you feel more or less safe? How much is safety a state of mind rather than a quantifiable element? What can teens and parents do to reduce fear but increase safety? How does the crime-fighting depicted here differ from what you see in TV dramas like Without a Trace?

TV Details

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