Parents' Guide to

Shazam!

Movie PG-13 2019 132 minutes
Shazam! Poster Image: Shazam leans against the edge of the frame, holding a phone and blowing a bubble

Common Sense Media Review

Sandie Angulo Chen By Sandie Angulo Chen , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 11+

Superhero comedy is charming, with some scary/violent parts.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 11+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 13+

Based on 180 parent reviews

age 10+

SO TORN: Most family friendly superhero movie, except....

This is the most heartwarming and human superhero movie. It's laugh-out-loud hilarious! It has no blood, mostly cartoon violence. The main character is an orphan who finally finds a family, and slight spoiler: his ultimate power basically winds-up to be friendship and sharing. It sounds cheesy but it was very well played! This is much more family friendly than things like Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy. UGH - BUT I CANNOT LEAVE IT LIKE THAT. The problem is the board room scene with the demons: YIKES. It was such a contrast to the rest of the movie. No blood, but just pure frightening evil and death. I showed this to my 8yo and 12yo sons, and I paused it ahead of that scene and said the next scene was scary, and demons aren't real, which they know dang well. I told them what was going to happen. We got through the scene, and the rest was laughing and family fun. If you want to skip the scene and say "hey kids, I didn't approve of this scene" then do it and enjoy the rest of the movie. Frankly, this is called parenting. The world is a dangerous and scary place, and we must judge when and how to introduce it to your kids. Don't give the movie an R rating when it has really good messages. As for the "strip club" thing - you never see the inside, or anything inappropriate. It's a gag for the adults and my ids didn't even get it. I explained to my 12yo that "That's the kind of bar where they show naked ladies." and his eyes lit up like "OMG that's a thing?!?" and now he is a bit wiser. Your choice if you want to explain that. I'd rather hear it it from me and we get a laugh about it than to learn it on the street.
age 12+

Great to watch and rewatch!

A delightful film about how superhero movies are supposed to make you feel when you strip back the CGI and the explosions. A film that doesn't take itself too seriously except in the message department. A villain who has been hurt repeatedly. A bit more violent than I first expected, but a tight script and wonderful moments of fun. This film definitely brings fun back to the superhero genre, not brooding and not talking about the fate of the world...explicitly. A film about found family and complex decisions. Worth watching and rewatching.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (180 ):
Kids say (211 ):

This refreshingly delightful, lighthearted entry in the DC Extended Universe has enough charm for the whole family thanks to standout performances, broad humor, and positive messages. Considering the angst of many other DC-based thrillers, Shazam! is downright adorable, despite occasional moments of darkness. Angel and Grazer have a brotherly chemistry that Levi replicates with Grazer when he's Shazam. The storyline offers a rare look at a loving, stable foster family that consists of encouraging parents Rosa (Marta Milans) and Victor Vasquez (Cooper Andrews) and a house full of kids, from college-bound senior Mary (Grace Fulton) and gaming enthusiast Eugene (Ian Chen) to quiet Pedro (Jovan Armand) and adoring/adorable young Darla (Faithe Herman). Billy, who resents being a foster kid, may not see how amazing this family is, but audiences will.

Strong makes Sivana a formidable villain who has family issues of his own. His backstory somewhat humanizes him, even as his present-day actions show off his ruthless, power-hungry nature. With the exception of Envy, the Seven Deadly Sins aren't dwelled upon for their characteristics and are just grotesque monsters unleashed by Sivana. There's a climactic battle, of course, but this is no tear-jerking story; it's an uplifting one. Billy and Freddy learn what Shazam is capable of and why a supportive family is the most valuable superpower of all. When the foster siblings unite to take on bullies, they can't be defeated, and that's a happy message indeed.

Movie Details

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