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Ferris Bueller's Day Off poster

Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off OK for Kids?

Comedy
13+
PG-13⭐ IMDb 7.8 / 101986 · 1h 43m
John Hughes● Script verified
See all movies for 13-year-olds

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United States

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What's In It

Based on the actual screenplay
🗡️Violence
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
4
Cartoon / Comedic
2
Action & Peril
0
Injuries & Death Shown
0
Graphic & Disturbing
  • Ferris lightly slaps Cameron in the car during an argument about picking up Sloane, played for comedic effect.
  • Cameron deliberately crashes the Ferrari through the garage wall in an angry, emotional outburst, followed by the car reversing rapidly out of the garage.
  • Rooney comically kicks through the door at the Bueller house and loses his shoe, then is bitten/chased by the family dog.
  • No characters are seriously injured or killed on screen; all violence is either slapstick/cartoonish or a single dramatic property-destruction moment played for emotional impact rather than graphic harm.
  • No weapons are used in the film.
💬Language
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Mild Words
(damn, hell)
5
Moderate
(ass, b**ch)
31
Strong
(sh*t)
0
Extreme
(f**k)
  • Strong language is frequent: 's**t' (12 times), 'a**' (8 times), 'a**hole' (3 times), 'b**ch' (3 times), 'bulls**t' (2 times), and 'godda**' (3 times).
  • Moderate language includes 'cr*p' (2 times), 'p**s' (2 times), and 'sucks' (1 time).
  • Mild language includes 'da**' (2 times).
  • No f-words or c-words are present in the script.
  • The cumulative frequency of strong words makes this a significant consideration for parents of younger viewers, despite the film's otherwise light tone.
👻Scary Scenes
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
3
Mildly Tense
2
Startling Moments
0
Genuinely Scary
0
Deeply Disturbing
  • Rooney repeatedly appears at the Bueller house, kicking through the door in a startling, comedic manner rather than genuinely threatening.
  • Cameron's catatonic breakdown in the bathroom, where he appears unresponsive, is tense and emotionally heavy rather than frightening in a horror sense.
  • Jeanie is shown trapped and anxious at the police station, worried about her brother, adding tension but no real danger.
  • Cameron's second breakdown, triggered by realizing the odometer miles on the Ferrari, is emotionally intense but resolves with him gaining perspective, not lasting distress.
  • Rooney's final arrival at the house intending to confront Ferris is startling but resolves comedically when he is humiliated rather than causing harm.
💕Romance
Moderate▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
2
Crushes & Holding Hands
1
Kissing & Dating
2
Suggestive
0
Sexual Content
  • Ferris expresses ongoing affection for his girlfriend Sloane throughout the day, shown through dialogue and shared experiences.
  • Ferris and Sloane share a brief kiss in front of the school.
  • Cameron asks if he can marry Sloane and says he wants to be with her forever, played as a light, humorous moment.
  • Jeanie meets a boy at the police station who asks for her number and jokingly says he'll marry her.
  • There is a reference to Sloane changing clothes by a jacuzzi, with Cameron admitting he saw her, implying mild suggestiveness but nothing shown on screen.
🍺Substances
Mild▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
3
Mentioned in Passing
1
Shown Casually
0
Featured Prominently
0
Glorified or Abused
  • Herpes is referenced in a joke by Jeanie during a phone call, mentioned only in passing dialogue.
  • Drugs are referenced when Cameron is in the police station and another detainee mentions being there for drug-related reasons; not shown or glorified.
  • Pepto Bismol is mentioned casually as a stomach remedy.
  • Aspirin is referenced as a home remedy.
  • No actual drug or alcohol use is shown on screen.
⚡Stimulation
Extreme▼
Moments in the script, mildest → most intense
0
Gently Engaging
1
Exciting
3
Intense
1
Overwhelming
  • The parade float sequence is a high-energy, sensory-packed scene with Ferris performing amid a full marching band.
  • The Ferrari drive through downtown Chicago includes fast driving and near-misses with traffic, creating an exciting but not overwhelming sequence.
  • The Sears Tower observation deck scene involves high-altitude visuals looking down at the city, which may be intense for viewers sensitive to heights.
  • The restaurant scene builds tension through a confrontation with the maître d', phone calls, and the threat of police involvement.
  • Cameron's breakdown and catatonic episode is an emotionally overwhelming sequence that may be intense for sensitive viewers, though it resolves positively.

Parents also checked

Ferris Bueller's Day Off — Heads Up for Parents

Despite its light comedic tone, the film contains a surprisingly high volume of strong profanity (words like 's**t,' 'a**,' 'a**hole,' and 'b**ch' used dozens of times combined), which may catch parents off guard given the movie's family-friendly reputation as a teen classic.

About Ferris Bueller's Day Off

Ferris Bueller's Day Off is a comedic coming-of-age story about a charismatic high schooler who fakes illness to skip school and spends the day in Chicago with his girlfriend Sloane and anxious best friend Cameron. Along the way they crash a parade, sneak into a fancy restaurant, visit an art museum, and deal with Cameron's emotional breakdown over his father's prized Ferrari. The tone is light, fast-paced, and ultimately heartfelt, with themes of seizing the day and standing up to authority.

👨‍👧
Best watched together
Younger teens (ages 11-13) would benefit from a parent watching alongside them to discuss the frequent strong language and Cameron's intense emotional breakdown scenes, even though the overall content is otherwise appropriate for a general coming-of-age story.

Family Takeaways from Ferris Bueller's Day Off

What it gets right

  • ✓The film portrays Cameron's growth from fear and anxiety to standing up to his father and accepting responsibility after the Ferrari crash.
  • ✓The final scene shows the family reuniting with genuine care for Ferris's wellbeing, emphasizing that underlying family bonds matter despite conflict.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Values & Themes
●Traditional family values

The entire film is built around Ferris helping Cameron overcome his father's emotional abuse and neglect, while also strengthening his own family bonds. The day off becomes a journey of healing family relationships and standing up for what matters most.

Cast:Matthew BroderickAlan RuckMia SaraJeffrey JonesJennifer Grey

Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off Appropriate for Your Child's Age?

✗Age 5: Not recommended for 5-year-olds
✗Age 8: Not recommended for 8-year-olds
✗Age 10: Not recommended for 10-year-olds
✗Age 12: Not recommended for 12-year-olds
✓Age 13: Generally appropriate for 13-year-olds
✓Age 15: Generally appropriate for 15-year-olds
✓Age 17: Generally appropriate for 17-year-olds

Individual children may vary — use your judgment.

Parents also ask about Ferris Bueller's Day Off

  • Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off appropriate for a 13-year-old?
  • Does Ferris Bueller's Day Off have violence?
  • Is Ferris Bueller's Day Off OK for kids?
  • What is the age rating for Ferris Bueller's Day Off?

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