As moviegoers of all ages gear up for Captain Marvel, many parents may find themselves asking whether the film is suitable for young viewers. There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the movie considering it’s the first Marvel installment led by a female superhero: Carol Danvers, whose superhero name is Captain Marvel, is played by actress Brie Larson.

For those unfamiliar with the character, Captain Marvel is a human-alien hybrid with a long comic book history. The latest film focuses on Carol Danvers, an ex-fighter pilot who joins an alien military team called Starforce. Her DNA was fused with that of an alien species (Kree) during an accident which gave her superhuman strength, energy projection, and the power of flight. Danvers heads back home to learn more about her past just as Earth gets caught in the middle of a war between two alien races.

Larson has made it a point to share the reasoning behind taking on the character. She wanted to give young viewers, especially girls, another hero to look up to on the big screen. Marvel has made it a priority to gear the film towards girls as they vow to include more female heroes in their super lineup. Even though there’s a goal to make this movie accessible to as many viewers as possible, Captain Marvel may not be suitable for all ages who intend to see the movie. Much of it depends on the maturity and emotional levels of each child. Parents will have to judge based on what their own child can handle.

Captain Marvel Is Rated PG-13: Here’s Why

According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Captain Marvel has an official PG-13 rating. The rating suggests that the film might not be suitable for younger viewers (anybody under 13 must be accompanied by an adult guardian) based on “sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive language.” It’s important to note that movie ratings are just guidelines and viewers are encouraged to make their own judgments, especially when it comes to bringing along children. All of the movies within the Marvel Cinematic Universe are PG-13, meaning previous films can be a good measure of suitability (although note that some are more kid-friendly than others). Outside of the U.S., Captain Marvel has been given a 12A by the BBFC, meaning it’s suitable for children under 12 if with a responsible adult.

Captain Marvel Movie Violence

Superhero movies are notorious for their heavy use of action sequences and fight scenes. Captain Marvel is no different; there is a lot of fighting, although it’s important to note it’s fantasy. With the presence of aliens and an intergalactic war, Captain Marvel’s violent battles are all removed from reality. The blood displayed is even blue and green due to the non-human species involved.

There is also quite a bit of weapon use in Captain Marvel, but again that too is mostly presented through the fantasy setting. Some of the fast-paced scenes could be intense for young viewers, and seeing the film in 3D or IMAX could also affect the movie-going experience for younger audiences.

Captain Marvel Movie Swearing

The rating system for Captain Marvel notes the use of “brief suggestive language.” The use of swearing throughout the movie is very mild and many younger viewers will be too distracted by the plot to even notice the use of swear words. Again, the use of personal parental discretion is the best advice when it comes to Marvel movies.

Next: Captain Marvel: Every Update You Need To Know

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