The MPAA came up with an awesome rating system to figure out which movies are suitable for different age groups. They made it so kids over 12 can enjoy somewhat family-friendly movies marked as PG-13, while those under 17 are restricted to movies rated R. It’s a pretty cool system that usually works well, but back in the 90s, some movies were a bit sneaky.
The MPAA is super serious about rating movies, and sometimes directors have to make changes to get the rating they want. But every now and then, some questionable stuff slips through the cracks, and parents end up scratching their heads as they leave the theater with their upset kiddos. It’s usually because of violent or scary scenes, and boy, were there a lot of those in 90s movies!
Now, let’s dive into the exciting world of 90s action movies that were marketed as kid-friendly, but had content just as intense as R-rated films. If you remember a movie that made you regret bringing your little ones, show it some love. Let’s see which film rises to the top and becomes the ultimate champion of questionable content from the 90s!
1. Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is often considered the ultimate dinosaur movie. Directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Michael Crichton’s popular novel, it showcases incredible practical effects by the legendary Stan Winston. What’s remarkable is that these effects still hold up even today, unlike some of the other films in the franchise.
While Jurassic Park is a family-friendly movie overall, it’s important to remember that it revolves around escaped dinosaurs munching on people. Some scenes, in particular, can be quite scary for children. These include the T-Rex breaking free from its enclosure, the velociraptors chasing the kids in the kitchen, and the unsettling moment when Samuel L. Jackson’s arm is found in the power boot-up scene. According to Common Sense Media, the movie is suitable for children aged 12 and above, but parents should assess the suitability for their own kids since some of these intense scenes may be overwhelming for younger viewers.
2. The Mummy
Decades after Universal Pictures last released a mummy-related film, they surprised the world with The Mummy in 1999. This movie is often considered Brenden Fraser’s best action movie performance and it even kickstarted a franchise. While the subsequent sequels didn’t quite live up to the first one, they are still quite enjoyable to watch.
The story of the film revolves around the accidental resurrection of the titular monster, who is given an interesting backstory through a flashback. When the Mummy comes back to life, it is a repulsive, partially dried-up, and stumbling corpse. This is because it can rebuild its body into a more pleasing human form by taking bits from the men who inadvertently unleashed it upon the world. While some kids might find the Mummy scary, others might be disturbed by its tendency to rip out a man’s eyes and tongue. It’s worth noting that this is not shown on screen, but it can still be frightening for young viewers.
As the Mummy goes after the men who set it free, it removes various body parts and incorporates them into its own body. This leaves the men as desiccated husks, which might not be the most pleasant thing for kids to see. The movie received a PG-13 rating for its violence, and Common Sense Media agrees with this rating, even suggesting that it is suitable for children aged 12 and above.
3. Independence Day
Independence Day is a disaster film directed by Roland Emerich that offers a unique and thrilling experience. Unlike many other films, it relies on intricate models instead of CGI for its special effects, resulting in visually impressive explosions. Even by today’s standards, the practical effects hold up well, making it a truly entertaining movie. However, it’s worth noting that there are certain subplots and elements in the film that may be tough for some younger viewers, despite efforts to minimize bloodshed.
It’s understandable that the destruction of significant buildings and landmarks might be frightening for young children, but older kids tend to enjoy the spectacle. There is a particularly scary scene where one of the doctors is taken over by an alien, which can be quite unsettling for kids. Furthermore, as expected from a film of this nature, there is a lot of destruction depicted. According to Common Sense Media, the PG-13 rating is deemed appropriate for the age group, but it’s possible that some parents may have different opinions, especially concerning the interactions between aliens and humans.
4. Men In Black
In 1997, the Men in Black franchise took off with its debut film. Starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as the MiB agents, the movie follows their mission as they work underground to maintain order on Earth by dealing with unruly aliens. One particular alien threat they face is a bug, a colossal cockroach-like creature with intentions to annihilate the planet by getting hold of “the galaxy,” an energy source hidden on a cat’s collar.
The film portrays a lot of exaggerated violence, but it’s designed to be more comedic than scary, making it suitable for kids. The aggression is toned down, there’s no explicit human blood, and most of the gruesome scenes are suggested rather than shown. However, some children might find it unsettling to see an alien wearing an Edgar suit that progressively decomposes throughout the movie. Additionally, the climactic encounter with the massive bug could potentially give a few kids nightmares. Nonetheless, Common Sense Media believes that children aged 12 and above can handle it.
5. Twister
Twister is a summer blockbuster starring Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton as tornado hunters. They study tornadoes by confronting them head-on. The movie starts off with a chilling scene where Hunt’s character’s father gets sucked up by a twister, which might be scary for kids. But don’t worry, the film doesn’t have a lot of violence or dead bodies lying around after the storms.
However, there is one scene that might make some kids cringe. The so-called villain of the movie decides to chase a tornado on a dangerous path. From a distance, you can see his truck being lifted up in the air. Suddenly, a ladder comes flying towards the truck, crashing through the windshield and killing him instantly. The truck then crashes to the ground in a fiery explosion.
According to Common Sense Media, the movie is alright for kids aged 14 and up, but they think the PG-13 rating is too lenient.
6. Rush Hour
In Rush Hour, Chris Tucker and Jackie Chan team up in an action-packed comedy that perfectly captures the essence of a buddy cop film. The story revolves around the abduction of a Chinese diplomat’s daughter from Hong Kong. To solve the case, Chief Inspector Lee, played by Chan, is sent to the United States and reluctantly paired with Detective James Carter, portrayed by Tucker. Needless to say, their initial chemistry is less than stellar.
Carter, being the lone wolf that he is, doesn’t want to collaborate with anyone. On the other hand, Lee’s sole focus is locating and rescuing the young girl. While the movie primarily falls under the comedy genre, it also includes plenty of intense fights and gunplay, often with guns pointed directly at people’s faces. The severity of the kidnapping and the fear experienced by the separated little girl may be unsettling for younger children.
According to Common Sense Media, Rush Hour is deemed suitable for viewers aged 14 and above. Nonetheless, the film showcases the exceptional talents of its two leads, making it an entertaining and thrilling watch for those who appreciate a good buddy cop flick.
7. Jumanji
Jumanji holds a special place in the hearts of many as one of Robin Williams’ most cherished films. It’s not only a beloved classic, but also impressively intricate and well-constructed. While Williams was involved in numerous children’s movies throughout his career, Jumanji stands out. This movie kickstarted a franchise, although it took a long 22 years for a new installment to hit the screens. Nevertheless, it all began with the original, where Williams portrays the character of Alan Parrish, a young boy who gets sucked into the Jumanji board game.
Trapped inside the game for a staggering 26 years, Alan emerges from his unexpected journey having adapted to his new surroundings. However, the game must be played to its conclusion in order to bring an end to the adventure. Enter Van Pelt, a hunter released from the game, who proves to be quite a despicable character. His sole purpose is to hunt down Alan, and this is where the film’s darker elements come into play. Van Pelt relentlessly pursues Alan throughout the city, armed with an elephant gun that he fires at him multiple times. It’s worth noting that the intensity of these sequences may not be suitable for younger viewers. Even though the film carries a PG rating, Common Sense Media suggests that it may not be appropriate for children under the age of nine.
8. The Mask Of Zorro
The Mask of Zorro, released in 1998, played a significant role in catapulting Antonio Banderas to international stardom, while also propelling Catherine Zeta-Jones to superstardom. It is undoubtedly one of the standout installments in the Zorro franchise, boasting a star-studded cast with Anthony Hopkins portraying the original Zorro, Don Diego de la Vega. As expected, the film is filled with thrilling action sequences, exhilarating swordfights, and even some subtle sexual innuendo that may fly over the heads of younger viewers.
While the innuendo may not be a major concern for kids, there are a few adult themes in the movie that might deter some parents from bringing their children along. Additionally, the intensity of the swordplay could be a bit too rough for certain audiences. Although there is some gore and death depicted throughout the story, it is not excessively graphic. Common Sense Media deems the PG-13 rating appropriate, suggesting that children aged 12 and above can enjoy the film without any issues.
9. GoldenEye
GoldenEye, starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, is widely regarded as one of the best films in the franchise. It came out six years after the previous title, making it a fresh experience for a new generation of moviegoers. As expected from a Bond film, GoldenEye was rated PG-13 due to its action-packed and chaotic sequences. Some of the deaths depicted in the movie were more graphic, particularly towards the end.
One character whose demise stands out is Boris Grishenko, played by Alan Cumming. His death scene is quite over-the-top and almost cartoonish, but it can still be unsettling for children. Boris is doused in liquid nitrogen, which freezes him to death instantly. Additionally, there are numerous villains who meet their end through gunfights and explosive encounters. Given that Sean Bean portrays the main antagonist, audiences can anticipate a particularly gruesome fate for his character. Common Sense Media suggests that the film is suitable for viewers aged 13 and above, but parents might hold differing opinions on its appropriateness for younger audiences.
10. Last Action Hero
Last Action Hero, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, is a hilarious parody of popular action movies. The story revolves around Danny Madigan, a ten-year-old boy who is a huge fan of Jack Slater movies. Excited to watch the newest installment before its official release, Danny receives a magical ticket that transports him into the film. From there, the movie cleverly mocks and satirizes the clichés and absurdities of the action genre.
As the film progresses, it takes an unexpected turn when the action shifts back to the real world. Here, the movie’s villain sets his sights on terminating Danny, leading to intense and explosive action sequences filled with gunfights. However, things get pretty intense when Danny himself gets injured and faces a near-fatal situation. This particular scene pushes the boundaries of a PG-13 rating, delving into more mature and graphic content.
Considering the content and intensity of the film, it’s worth noting that Common Sense Media suggests it is more appropriate for viewers aged 15 and up. The movie includes chaotic scenes, references to drug use, and the realistic and frightening nature of the real-world sequences.
