Can I Take My 12 Year Old to a PG-13 Movie?

Understanding the PG-13 Rating

The PG-13 rating — short for “Parental Guidance-13” — is a classification created by the Motion Picture Association (MPA). It signals that some content may not be suitable for children under 13, and that parental discretion is strongly advised. But here’s the key: it’s not a legal restriction. It’s a recommendation.

That means, yes, you can take your 12-year-old to a PG-13 movie. No one's going to stop you at the theater entrance. However, whether you should — that’s where things get a bit more nuanced.

What's Actually in a PG-13 Movie?

Language, Violence, and Themes

PG-13 films can include:

• Mild to moderate profanity (a single F-bomb is usually the max)

• Non-gratuitous violence — think superhero fights, action sequences, or sci-fi battles

• Mature themes like death, identity, or relationships

• Occasional suggestive content (usually brief and subtle)

For example, movies like Spider-Man: No Way Home or Black Panther fall under PG-13 — they're generally fine for tweens, but some scenes may be intense.

Not All PG-13s Are Equal

One PG-13 film might be full of fast-paced adventure with a few scary moments (Jurassic World), while another might dive into darker themes (The Dark Knight gets real intense). So, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Definitely worth checking out reviews or watching trailers before committing.

Honestly, even as adults we sometimes go, "Wait, that was PG-13?"

Parental Judgment Is Key

You Know Your Kid Best

Age is just a number, right? Some 12-year-olds are pretty mature, while others might still get rattled by loud noises or sad scenes.

If your child:

• Has watched intense stuff before and handled it well

• Can discuss complex emotions or themes

• Knows fiction from reality

…then chances are, they’ll be totally fine with most PG-13 movies.

On the flip side, if they tend to get nightmares or feel anxious after watching certain content, maybe hold off or pre-screen the movie first. Or even better — watch it together.

Watch Together, Talk After

Sometimes a PG-13 film can open the door to good conversations. If there's a tough scene or mature theme, it's an opportunity to talk through it. Especially at age 12 — they’re at a cool moment in life where they're thinking more critically, asking questions, and forming opinions.

Weirdly enough, one friend told me her son learned more about ethics from The Avengers than from school. Go figure.

Are There Any Restrictions?

Legally? Nope

Theaters in the U.S. (and most other places, like France, FYI) don't prohibit 12-year-olds from attending PG-13 films with a parent or guardian. There's no ID check, no form to sign. You're good to go.

The only real legal hurdles kick in with R-rated or NC-17 movies — where under-17s are restricted unless accompanied by an adult, or barred altogether.

Theater Policies Can Vary

That said, some theaters might have their own house rules. A handful of chains (especially smaller or family-centric ones) may ask for a parent to accompany anyone under 13, even if it’s not legally required. Doesn’t happen often, but hey — check online or call ahead if you're unsure.

Tips Before Taking a 12-Year-Old to a PG-13 Movie

• Check ratings breakdowns: Sites like Common Sense Media or IMDb parents’ guides give a full rundown of language, violence, and themes.

• Preview trailers: Trailers can give you a quick vibe check on tone and pacing.

• Talk it over: Ask your kid if they feel comfortable with the movie. It helps them build self-awareness.

• Have an exit plan: If it turns out to be too much, be ready to bounce. (It’s not a failure — it’s parenting.)

Final Thoughts: Trust Your Gut

So, can you take your 12-year-old to a PG-13 movie? Absolutely. Will it be the right move every time? Not necessarily.

It really comes down to knowing your kid, the specific movie in question, and being ready to guide them through any tricky moments. The rating is just a heads-up — not a hard rule. So go ahead, enjoy the movie night... just maybe skip The Matrix for now.

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

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How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.