What age is Big appropriate for?

Big is rated PG and PopcornCheck recommends it for ages 10+, based on reading the actual screenplay. The film includes an implied sexual encounter between adult Josh and Susan (Scene 46, where Josh says 'I get to be on top'), scattered strong language including one use of 'fuck' and two uses of 'shit', and a tense sequence where Josh's mother panics believing her son has vanished (Scene 10, Scene 13).

Does Big have swearing or bad language?

Big has Moderate language. Strong language includes 'damn' (3 times), 'shit' (2 times), 'bastard' (1 time), and a single use of 'fuck'

Big has Mild violence. Paul punches Josh during a heated argument over cheating in a handball game (Scene 50)

Is Big scary for children?

Big has Mild scary scenes. Josh's mother has a terrified reaction upon discovering that a strange adult man claims to be her son, played for real emotional tension (Scene 10)

Is Big OK for Kids?

Name: Big
Director: Penny Marshall
Genre: Fantasy, Drama, Comedy
Released: 1988
Duration: 104 min
Cast: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Jared Rushton

FantasyDramaComedy

10+

PG⭐ 7.3 / 101988 · 1h 44m

Penny Marshall

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

Mild▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Cartoon / Comedic

Action & Peril

Injuries & Death Shown

Graphic & Disturbing

Paul punches Josh during a heated argument over cheating in a handball game (Scene 50)
In a video game fantasy sequence at the start of the film, an ice wizard delivers a fatal blow with an ice scepter — this is cartoonish and stylized, not realistic (Scene 1)
Billy mentions a schoolyard bully, Robert Diceman, threatening to 'rip your head off,' referenced in dialogue rather than shown (Scene 68)
No weapons are used in real-world violence beyond the fantasy ice scepter; no character deaths occur in the live-action story
Overall violence is minimal, brief, and mostly comedic or referenced rather than depicted graphically

💬Language

Moderate▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mild Words

(damn, hell)

Moderate

(ass, b**ch)

Strong

(sh*t)

Extreme

(f**k)

Strong language includes 'da**' (3 times), 's**t' (2 times), 'b**tard' (1 time), and a single use of 'f**k'
Moderate language includes 'godda**' (4 times) and 'hell' (1 time)
No slurs or extreme repeated profanity are present, but the single use of 'f**k' and two uses of 's**t' push the language above what younger children should be exposed to unsupervised
Language is scattered throughout adult/workplace dialogue rather than concentrated in one scene

👻Scary Scenes

Mild▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mildly Tense

Startling Moments

Genuinely Scary

Deeply Disturbing

Josh's mother has a terrified reaction upon discovering that a strange adult man claims to be her son, played for real emotional tension (Scene 10)
Police are called to respond to a missing child report, and the mother's panic is depicted with genuine distress (Scene 13)
A startling moment occurs when young Josh is turned away from a carnival ride for not being tall enough, an awkward and mildly upsetting rejection rather than frightening imagery (Scene 7)
No monsters, jump scares, or horror imagery are present; scary moments are grounded in family panic and resolve within the story
Overall scariness is emotional/tense rather than horror-based

💕Romance

Extreme▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Crushes & Holding Hands

Kissing & Dating

Suggestive

Sexual Content

Early innocent crush material: Billy and Josh discuss whether classmate Cynthia Benson likes Josh (Scenes 3-5), and Cynthia approaches Josh with implied romantic interest at the carnival (Scene 7)
Susan takes adult Josh to her apartment where they dance together at night, described as suggestive but not explicit (Scenes 45, 57)
A clearly implied sexual encounter occurs between Susan and adult Josh, including Susan asking if she should stay the night and Josh's line 'I get to be on top' (Scene 46)
Susan reflects on lying in bed thinking about Josh, adding an emotionally vulnerable, suggestive dimension to the relationship (Scene 58)
Their relationship is shown developing romantically across many scenes (Scenes 44-62), with kissing referenced but not graphically depicted

🍺Substances

Mild▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Mentioned in Passing

Shown Casually

Featured Prominently

Glorified or Abused

Billy steals money from his father's emergency fund drawer to help Josh, shown casually and not glamorized (Scene 14)
MR. M orders a scotch at a party, and Susan suggests to Josh, 'Have a couple drinks. It's a party,' both shown casually in a social setting (Scene 41)
Josh mentions smoking once when asked about cigarettes at his new job, a brief passing reference (Scene 25)
Billy casually suggests getting beers to celebrate Josh's birthday (Scene 54)
A reference to Xanax medication is made in connection with emotional distress (Scene 46)
None of these instances glorify substance use; they are brief, casual, or mentioned only in dialogue

⚡Stimulation

Extreme▼

Moments in the script, mildest → most intense

Gently Engaging

Exciting

Intense

Overwhelming

Josh's discovery of the magical Zoltar wish-granting machine at the carnival is an exciting, upbeat sequence (Scene 8)
Josh's multi-day search through New York City to find the Zoltar machine again is depicted as an intense, fast-moving journey (Scenes 14-22)
Josh's rapid rise and professional success at the toy company is energetic and exciting (Scenes 24-35)
The escalating romantic relationship between Josh and Susan builds intensity across many scenes (Scenes 44-67)
The most overwhelming moment is Josh's emotional confrontation with the conflict between his adult responsibilities and his childhood identity (Scene 69)
Pacing is generally comfortable for most children, with only the climax reaching an emotionally overwhelming intensity rather than sensory overload

Big — Heads Up for Parents

Despite its family-friendly reputation, parents should be aware that Scene 46 contains a clearly implied sexual encounter between Susan and adult Josh, including Susan asking if she should stay the night and Josh's line 'I get to be on top' — a moment more explicit than many expect from this film.

About Big

Big is a fantasy-comedy about 12-year-old Josh Baskin, who makes a wish on a mysterious carnival machine called Zoltar and wakes up the next day in the body of a grown man. Josh navigates adult life in New York City—getting a job at a toy company, falling into a relationship with a coworker named Susan, and testing his friendship with his best friend Billy—all while trying to find his way back to being a kid. The tone is warm, funny, and bittersweet, exploring what's gained and lost in growing up.

👨‍👧

Best watched together

Kids under 12 will benefit from a parent present to help contextualize the implied sexual relationship between Susan and Josh (Scene 46) and the scattered strong language including 'fuck' and 'shit,' as well as to discuss the film's themes about growing up too fast.

Family Takeaways from Big

What it gets right

✓The film shows genuine, warm friendship dynamics between Josh and Billy, including real conflict and reconciliation over loyalty (Scenes 3-5, 12, 68)
✓Josh's reconnection with his mother at the end offers an emotionally honest portrayal of a parent's love and relief (Scene 79)