What age is Spartacus appropriate for?

Spartacus is rated PG-13 and PopcornCheck recommends it for ages 13+, based on reading the actual screenplay. The film includes graphic content like a slave hamstringing a guard with his teeth, gladiators fighting to the death (Draba vs. Spartacus), and a devastating final image of 6,000 crucified slaves lining the Appian Way, culminating in Spartacus's own crucifixion.

Does Spartacus have swearing or bad language?

Spartacus has Mild language. Characters say 'damn' (x2), 'hell' (x1), and 'bastard' (x1).

Is Spartacus violent?

Spartacus has Extreme violence. A slave hamstrings a guard with his teeth during a mine uprising, a brutal and graphic moment.

Is Spartacus scary for children?

Spartacus has Moderate scary scenes. Slaves face the threat of starvation as punishment, a disturbing depiction of cruelty toward the powerless.

Is Spartacus OK for Kids?

Name: Spartacus
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Genre: History, Drama, Adventure
Released: 1960
Duration: 197 min
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov

HistoryDramaAdventure

13+

PG-13⭐ 7.9 / 101960 · 3h 17m

Stanley Kubrick

Where to Watch

United States

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

A slave hamstrings a guard with his teeth during a mine uprising, a brutal and graphic moment.
Draba and Spartacus are forced to fight to the death in the gladiatorial arena as entertainment for Roman nobles.
Rebelling slaves kill the guard Marcellus, and the revolt spreads into looting, robbing, and burning of estates.
The climactic battle between Spartacus's slave army and Roman legions results in thousands of deaths shown on screen.
The film ends with 6,000 crucified slaves lining the Appian Way and Spartacus himself dying slowly on a cross.
Spartacus is flogged multiple times throughout the film as punishment.
Weapons include swords, whips, and crucifixion as a form of execution; the overall tone treats violence as a tragic consequence of oppression rather than something glorified.

💬Language

Very Mild▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mild Words

(damn, hell)

Moderate

(ass, b**ch)

Strong

(sh*t)

Extreme

(f**k)

Characters say 'da**' (x2), 'hell' (x1), and 'b**tard' (x1).
No f-words, c-words, or slurs of any kind are present.
Overall language is mild and infrequent, consistent with a 1960s historical epic.

👻Scary Scenes

Extreme▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mildly Tense

Startling Moments

Genuinely Scary

Deeply Disturbing

Slaves face the threat of starvation as punishment, a disturbing depiction of cruelty toward the powerless.
Children are shown being separated from their parents during the chaos of slave revolts.
The film's final act shows a mass crucifixion of 6,000 bodies lining the road, a disturbing and somber image.
Spartacus's slave army is shown trapped between three Roman armies, creating sustained tension before the final battle.
The most disturbing scene shows Spartacus slowly dying on the cross while watching his wife Varinia below; this is resolved with quiet dignity rather than horror, but is emotionally heavy.

💕Romance

Moderate▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Crushes & Holding Hands

Kissing & Dating

Suggestive

Sexual Content

Spartacus and Varinia are given time together as a 'reward' for gladiators, with a suggestive undertone.
The couple embraces and kisses multiple times throughout the film, including intimate moments before the final battle.
There is an implied sexual relationship between Spartacus and Varinia, though nothing explicit is shown.
Crassus attempts to seduce Varinia in his household and expresses romantic/possessive interest in her, framed as predatory rather than romantic.

🍺Substances

Mild▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mentioned in Passing

Shown Casually

Featured Prominently

Glorified or Abused

Wine is drunk casually at banquets and celebrations throughout the film.
Gracchus is shown drinking wine while conducting political business.
Soldiers and gladiators are shown drinking wine in casual social settings.
There is a brief mention of a woman brewing poisons, referenced but not shown.

⚡Stimulation

Extreme▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Gently Engaging

Exciting

Intense

Overwhelming

Extended, detailed gladiatorial combat sequences are choreographed with rising tension.
The slave rebellion and escape from Capua is fast-paced and chaotic.
Multiple large-scale battle sequences between the slave army and Roman legions are intense and prolonged.
The final crucifixion sequence is described as overwhelming in its emotional and visual weight.
Spy scenes and political intrigue in Rome provide exciting but less overwhelming stimulation; sensory-sensitive children may struggle with the battle and crucifixion sequences.

Spartacus — Heads Up for Parents

Despite its historical epic reputation, the film's climax features a genuinely disturbing image of 6,000 crucified slaves lining the Appian Way, followed by Spartacus's own slow death on the cross while he watches his wife below — a heavier and more graphic ending than many parents may expect.

About Spartacus

Spartacus tells the true story of a Roman slave who is trained as a gladiator, sparks a massive slave rebellion after refusing to kill a fellow fighter, and leads a growing army of freed slaves in a doomed fight against the Roman Republic. It is an epic historical drama with brutal violence, political intrigue, and a tragic but hopeful ending about human dignity and sacrifice.

👨‍👧

Best watched together

The film's heavy themes of slavery, political violence, and the disturbing mass crucifixion scene at the end are best discussed with a parent present, especially for viewers under 15 who may need context for the historical violence and Crassus's predatory pursuit of Varinia.

Family Takeaways from Spartacus

What it gets right

✓The film shows Spartacus training freed slaves into a disciplined army built on shared purpose rather than mere vengeance, illustrating constructive leadership.
✓Gracchus's choice to help Varinia and her child escape despite personal risk shows that quiet acts of moral courage matter even within a corrupt system.

Spartacus Cultural & Values Guide

Cultural & Values Guide

Faith & Religion

●Christian themes

Spartacus's crucifixion scene directly parallels Christ's sacrifice, and his willingness to die for his followers' freedom carries explicit Christian martyrdom symbolism. The film presents themes of salvation through suffering that would resonate with Christian audiences.

Cast:Kirk DouglasLaurence OlivierJean SimmonsCharles LaughtonPeter Ustinov