Turning Red: A Parents Guide

Disney and Pixar’s latest collaboration, Turning Red will be available to stream on Disney+ beginning March 11, 2022.   A movie that is basically about a young girl going through puberty, is Turning Red appropriate for younger children?  I’m answering that question and more in my spoiler free Turning Red parents guide.  With a PG rating that mostly includes thematic elements, language and suggestive content, here’s what parents need to know about Turning Red.

Disney’s Turning Red: A Parents Guide

In Turning Red, Mei Lee (voiced by Rosalie Chiang) isn’t your typical teenager.  That’s because she turns into a red panda whenever she feels strong emotions.  Add into the mix an overbearing mom, three quirky friends, and a popular boy band coming to town, it’s no wonder that Mei Lee’s emotions are running high throughout this film.  Here’s what parents need to know about the Turning Red age rating.

What is Turning Red Rated? 

Turning Red is rated PG, which means that some material might not be suitable for younger kids.  For example, it may contain suggestive dialogue, mild violence, very little sexual content and/or some inappropriate language.  As a result, parental guidance is suggested.  Here, the movie mostly contains suggestive content and thematic elements.  More about that below.

Language/Suggestive Content

There aren’t any curse words in this movie.  One character uses the word “loser” and that seems to be as bad it gets.  However, there is some suggestive content.  For example, Mei Lee seems to alternate crushes on different boys throughout the movie (especially one of the members of her favorite boy band).  There is especially one embarrassing moment for her when her mom discovers her notebook where she fantasizes about one of her crushes.  The suggestive content is exactly what it implies – suggestive.  

Thematic Elements

This is basically a coming-of-age story.  As a result, most of the thematic elements center around that particular theme.  It’s primarily about how Mei Lee navigates the relationship with her mom and her friends while trying to cope with her new condition (i.e. turning into a red panda when she feels strong emotions). It’s very much a metaphor for life, especially for those going through puberty.  There are also references to Mei Lee possibly starting her period (and using menstrual pads), which also ties in with the puberty theme.

However, younger children (not going through that particular phase in life) might not be able to understand what’s going on.  And one of the scenes at the end of the move could potentially be scary for younger kids as some of the characters are put in perilous situations.

Overall Thoughts

Younger kids (pre-tween) will probably enjoy it but I don’t think they will understand it.  I’d say that the target audience for this movie are tweens and their families.  As for me, I liked this movie but I didn’t love it.  I usually love Pixar movies (like Toy Story, Up, Coco and Inside Out) because they tug at my heartstrings.  But, I didn’t feel a strong emotional attachment to this particular movie. 

If you’re looking for another family friendly movie to watch on Disney+, click here for my review of Flora & Ulysses.

About Turning Red

Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” introduces Mei Lee (voice of Rosalie Chiang), a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming (voice of Sandra Oh), is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda! Directed by Academy Award® winner Domee Shi (Pixar short “Bao”) and produced by Lindsey Collins “Turning Red launches exclusively on Disney+ on March 11, 2022.