Get ready for an old-fashioned action adventure movie. Disney’s Jungle Cruise is now available to stream on Disney+. But is Jungle Cruise appropriate for younger children? I’m answering that question and more in my spoiler free Jungle Cruise parents guide. With a PG-13 rating that mostly includes violence and thematic moments, here’s what parents need to know about Jungle Cruise.
Photo courtesy of Disney.
Disney’s Jungle Cruise: A Parents Guide
Following in the footsteps of Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise is the latest Disney ride to become a motion picture. In the movie, Dr. Lily Houghton (played by Emily Blunt) and her brother MacGregor (played by Jack Whitehall) hire a skipper named Frank (played by Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson) to help them navigate the Amazon in search of a mystical tree with healing powers. Like the popular Disney ride that it’s based on, does the movie play it safe when it comes to audience goers of all ages? Here’s what parents need to know about the Jungle Cruise age rating.
What is Jungle Cruise Rated?
Jungle Cruise is rated PG-13, which means that some material is not suitable for children under the age of 13. For example, it may contain violence, nudity, sensuality, and/or brief language. Here, the movie doesn’t contain any sexual content except for two brief kisses and a sexual innuendo that most kids will not understand. However, while it does contain (very little) language, it mostly contains violence and thematic elements. More about that below.
Photo courtesy of Disney.
Language
I only caught one curse word in the entire movie and the word is “he*l.” A character almost says another curse word “oh sh….” but doesn’t complete the phrase. Other than that, characters use words like buffoon. So this movie doesn’t really contain any profanity.
Violence and Thematic Elements
This is why the Jungle Cruise age rating is primarily PG-13. Because it’s an action adventure movie, people get punched, kicked (in sensitive places no less), stabbed, bitten by snakes, stung by bees and bitten by piranhas. Also, one character is completely crushed by falling rocks. It sounds gruesome, but a lot of these scenes are slapstick in nature and over the top, very much like the corny jokes that are said by the skippers on the actual Disney ride.
Nevertheless, there are some squeamish moments that can be scary to younger kids, especially the scenes involving snakes and stabbings. There are also some scenes that are not comedic at all; mostly occurring in flashback sequences involving conquistadors. Additionally, this movie reminded me a lot of Pirates of the Caribbean because some of the scenes have supernatural elements to them.
In full disclosure, my 8 year old son watched the movie with me and really enjoyed it. However, he loves these types of movies and has watched all the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. As a parent, you’ll definitely want to use your discretion, though.
Overall Thoughts
There are two movies that I desperately wanted to see this year, and Jungle Cruise was one of them. As a fan of the ride, I absolutely LOVED this movie. From the corny jokes to the great chemistry between the main leads, and the fun adventure along the way, this is one boat that you won’t want to miss. Pun absolutely intended 😉
If you want to celebrate the movie’s release at home, click here for my free Jungle Cruise activity pages!
About Jungle Cruise
Join fan favorites Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt for the adventure of a lifetime on Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” a rollicking thrill-ride down the Amazon with wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff and intrepid researcher Dr. Lily Houghton. Lily travels from London, England to the Amazon jungle and enlists Frank’s questionable services to guide her downriver on La Quila—his ramshackle-but-charming boat. She is determined to uncover an ancient tree with unparalleled healing abilities—possessing the power to change the future of medicine. Thrust on this epic quest together, the unlikely duo encounters innumerable dangers and supernatural forces, all lurking in the deceptive beauty of the lush rainforest. But as the secrets of the lost tree unfold, the stakes reach even higher for Lily and Frank and their fate—and mankind’s—hangs in the balance.
Sounds like a great movie. I enjoyed reading the blog.