What age is Shazam! appropriate for?

Shazam! is rated PG-13 and PopcornCheck recommends it for ages 10+, based on reading the actual screenplay. The film includes disturbing imagery like young Thaddeus witnessing his father killed by the Seven Deadly Sins in a car accident, Dr. Sivana's grotesque supervillain transformation, and strong language including 'shit' (x7) and 'bitch' (x1).

Does Shazam! have swearing or bad language?

Shazam! has Moderate language. 'Shit' is used 7 times and 'ass' 5 times throughout the film

Shazam! has Moderate violence. Young Thaddeus witnesses his father being attacked and killed by the Seven Deadly Sins in a car accident, shown as a genuinely disturbing flashback

Is Shazam! scary for children?

Shazam! has Moderate scary scenes. Opening scene shows young Thaddeus in a castle surrounded by demonic statues whose eyes seem to follow him while voices tempt him toward evil

Is Shazam! OK for Kids?

Name: Shazam!
Director: David F. Sandberg
Genre: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Released: 2019
Duration: 132 min
Cast: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Adam Brody

ActionComedyFantasy

10+

PG-13⭐ 7.0 / 102019 · 2h 12m

David F. Sandberg

Where to Watch

United States

Stream

Rent

Rent or Buy on Amazon

Streaming data by JustWatch

What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay

🗡️Violence

Extreme▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Cartoon / Comedic

Action & Peril

Injuries & Death Shown

Graphic & Disturbing

Young Thaddeus witnesses his father being attacked and killed by the Seven Deadly Sins in a car accident, shown as a genuinely disturbing flashback
Billy gets into a physical schoolyard fight with Brett and his friends
Dr. Sivana, possessed by demonic entities, fights Billy in an extended supervillain battle with magical powers
The final battle has Billy and his transformed foster siblings fighting the Seven Deadly Sins and Dr. Sivana simultaneously
Darla improvises weapons, throwing lamps and household items at Dr. Sivana during the climax
Billy punches Dr. Sivana in the groin during their first confrontation, played for comedy
Darla and other characters are explicitly threatened with death by the demonic Sins
Most combat is cartoonish superhero action with lightning effects rather than graphic injury; only the opening car accident carries real weight and dread

💬Language

Moderate▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mild Words

(damn, hell)

Moderate

(ass, b**ch)

Strong

(sh*t)

Extreme

(f**k)

'S**t' is used 7 times and 'a**' 5 times throughout the film
'Hell' (3), 'da**' (2), 'cr*p' (3), and 'dumb' (2) appear as milder exclamations
One use each of 'b**ch' and 'dipshit'
No f-words or c-words detected in the script

👻Scary Scenes

Extreme▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mildly Tense

Startling Moments

Genuinely Scary

Deeply Disturbing

Opening scene shows young Thaddeus in a castle surrounded by demonic statues whose eyes seem to follow him while voices tempt him toward evil
Dr. Sivana's transformation into a superhuman villain involves grotesque physical changes as the Seven Deadly Sins possess him
The Seven Deadly Sins are portrayed as monstrous, threatening demonic entities throughout the film
Billy is chased through a magical temple with his foster family in constant danger of death
Multiple jump-scare moments occur when demons appear suddenly
Dr. Sivana directly threatens to kill young Darla unless Billy surrenders his powers, a tense standoff
Scary moments are ultimately resolved through Billy and his foster siblings working together and triumphing as a team

💕Romance

Very Mild▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Crushes & Holding Hands

Kissing & Dating

Suggestive

Sexual Content

Billy shows brief concern and care for his foster sister Mary when he saves her from an accident
This is described as only a minor 'crush'-level moment with minimal romantic weight
No kissing, dating, or sexual content of any kind appears in the film

🍺Substances

Mild▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mentioned in Passing

Shown Casually

Featured Prominently

Glorified or Abused

Billy and Freddy use Billy's adult superhero appearance to purchase beer at a convenience store, and the transaction is completed
A passing reference is made to unnamed people being 'on drugs' as an explanation for criminal behavior
Darla mentions that sodas are restricted after dark in the group home, a lighthearted household rule rather than substance abuse
Substance use is brief and played for comedy rather than glorified

⚡Stimulation

Moderate▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Gently Engaging

Exciting

Intense

Overwhelming

The extended final battle sequence uses rapid cuts between multiple fights, explosions, and magical effects lasting several minutes
A high-energy montage set to 'Don't Stop Me Now' shows Billy testing his new superpowers
Billy catching a bus mid-air is shot with dramatic music and crowd reactions for an exciting, adrenaline-filled moment
A carnival chase scene features a demon pursuing children through a crowded, chaotic fairground
Sensory-sensitive children may find the climactic battle overwhelming due to its length and rapid pacing

Shazam! — Heads Up for Parents

Despite its lighthearted superhero tone, the opening scene is unexpectedly dark — young Thaddeus witnesses his father killed by the Seven Deadly Sins in a car accident inside a disturbing castle filled with demonic statues, which may be more intense than parents expect from a PG-13 superhero comedy.

About Shazam!

A troubled teenage foster kid named Billy Batson is magically granted the powers of an ancient wizard and transforms into an adult superhero whenever he says 'Shazam!' The film mixes comedic superhero action with a genuine story about foster care and found family, while Billy also battles Dr. Sivana, a villain empowered by demonic entities called the Seven Deadly Sins.

👨‍👧

Best watched together

Younger children under 10 may be frightened by the opening car accident, Dr. Sivana's grotesque transformation, and the demonic Seven Deadly Sins, while the presence of words like 'shit' and 'bitch' and a beer-purchasing scene warrant a parent's presence to help contextualize the content for kids under 10-12.

Family Takeaways from Shazam!

What it gets right

✓The film gives a warm, respectful portrayal of foster care through Rosa and Victor, who explain they were foster children themselves and genuinely want to give Billy a loving home
✓Billy's arc from pushing people away to apologizing to Freddy and embracing his foster siblings models real emotional growth and accountability

Shazam! Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes

●Traditional family values

Billy's journey from foster care to finding his true family with the Vasquez family is the emotional core of the film. The story emphasizes that family is about love, support, and belonging rather than blood relations, with Billy ultimately choosing to share his powers with his foster siblings.

Cast:Zachary LeviMark StrongAsher AngelJack Dylan GrazerAdam Brody