Current:Home > ContactParents' guide to 'Deadpool & Wolverine': Is new Marvel movie appropriate for kids? -MoneyStream
Parents' guide to 'Deadpool & Wolverine': Is new Marvel movie appropriate for kids?
Poinbank Exchange View
Date:2025-04-10 18:50:05
What he does best, Wolverine has said, isn't very nice. You might want to keep that in mind if you're thinking of making "Deadpool & Wolverine" (in theaters Friday) a family movie night.
Over the past couple of decades, dozens of movies featuring Marvel Comics characters from X-Men to the Avengers to Spider-Man have been bringing together old fans while making new ones.
And while you might be looking forward to reuniting with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, or just can't wait to see what Disney-owned Marvel is going to do with this latest installment of its expansive cinematic universe as the studio folds in the franchises acquired from 20th Century Fox, don't shrug off that R rating.
Here's what parents need to know about Marvel's "Deadpool & Wolverine":
What is the new Deadpool movie about?
"Deadpool & Wolverine," directed by Shawn Levy, is a sequel to "Deadpool" (2016) and Deadpool 2" (2018).
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The film brings together Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) and Wolverine (Jackman) as they reluctantly team up to face down foes, try to make up for past mistakes and hopefully — amid the action and nonstop jokes — save the world.
Why is 'Deadpool & Wolverine' rated R?
The Motion Picture Association gave "Deadpool & Wolverine" an R rating for "strong bloody violence and language throughout, gore and sexual references." It wasn't kidding.
This movie is two hours and seven minutes of quips and lots of heart, yes, but also severed appendages, savage and unflinching fights, foul jokes, sexual innuendo and enough f-bombs to make Samuel L. Jackson blush.
The two previous Deadpool movies also had R ratings, so it's unsurprising this third installment does, too, even under Disney.
The company's CEO “Bob Iger had said very early on that the other Deadpools were R, so this could be R," Marvel president Kevin Feige told Deadline Monday at the movie's premiere in New York. "And we weren’t going to undo any of the great work Ryan had done in those first movies. So that was never in question."
Watch Party newsletter:Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox
It is OK to take kids to see 'Deadpool & Wolverine'?
In short: no. To paraphrase Wolverine, you picked the wrong movie, bub.
If you've seen the first two "Deadpool" films, this one matches them in terms of topics and tone. If you missed them, that may explain why you're wondering if this one is OK for the little ones or even most teens. It really isn't. The movie may be fine for supervised older teens, though parents should be prepared for uncomfortable scenes and having to explain the explicit and mature topics.
Disney owns the "Deadpool" franchise now, but that doesn't mean this sequel is suddenly gentler or family friendly. In just the first few minutes, there is blood everywhere and maybe three butt or penis jokes.
The movie has scenes of brutal violence, drug abuse, casual suicidal ideation and many masturbation- and sex-related conversations.
So no, the movie is not appropriate for children, no matter how much your kids love Marvel movies or comic books or superheroes. The jokes will go over their head and some of the scenes may be confusing, jarring and even frightening.
Enjoy this one responsibly with other adults.
veryGood! (1)
Related
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Sean Diddy Combs' Alleged Texts Sent After Cassie Attack Revealed in Sex Trafficking Case
- Houston officer shot responding to home invasion call; 3 arrested: Police
- Found: The Best Free People Deals Under $50, Featuring Savings Up to 92% Off & Styles Starting at Just $6
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Brittany Cartwright Admits She Got This Cosmetic Procedure Before Divorcing Jax Taylor
- Watch: Astros' Jose Altuve strips down to argue with umpire over missed call
- Brewers clinch NL Central Division title with Cubs' loss to A's
- The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
- Families of Americans detained in China share their pain and urge US to get them home
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- See Jamie Lynn Spears' Teen Daughter Maddie Watson All Dressed Up for Homecoming Court
- Blue's Clues Host Steve Burns Addresses Death Hoax
- America’s political system is under stress as voters and their leaders navigate unfamiliar terrain
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for ‘SNL’ season 50
- Tulane’s public health school secures major gift to expand
- Tyson Foods Sued Over Emissions Reduction Promises
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
FAA investigating after Delta passengers report bleeding ears and noses
Drake London’s shooting celebration violated longstanding NFL rules against violent gestures
Powerball winning numbers for September 18: Jackpot rises to $176 million
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
The Daily Money: Will the Fed go big or small?
5 people perished on OceanGate's doomed Titan sub. Will we soon know why?
Get a Designer Michael Kors $498 Handbag for $99 & More Luxury Deals Under $100