What age would you should ‘your kids’ Robocop?

[Nitefly]

Just for funsies.

There’s lots of films that took away our childhood innocence… for me the two that really alarmed me were Jurassic Park (seeing that severed arm) and Robocop (… ‘nuff said!). I’ve also heard of children in 2024 screaming of being upset for weeks re: the T-Rex… so it’s still very frightening for some.

But when would you should your own children some of these classic childhood ruining films? To what extent is seeing their horror, and passing on the cycle, worth it? Obviously, it depends on the kid but we can generalise.

Feel free to add your own films but here’s a short list…

Robocop: this is probably 12 years old minimum!

Jurassic Park: 8 years old

Raiders of the Lost Ark (face melting goodness): 8 years old

Jaws (dat eyeball): 8 years old

Or have any of you made the mistake of thinking your kids could handle it and they couldn’t?

Discuss, etc!

 

[BUDFORCE]

Aliens = 10 max.

Don't deny them that experience at a young age.

I think I was 8 when I first watched it.

 

[JonRGV250]

Debbie does Dallas - I was probably 12 or so, and didn’t do me any harm (much)
Nightmare on Elm St - 15
American werewolf in London - 12

 

[throwaway4372]

I'll add two:

Mars Attacks (1996) - This movie is rated 12, I would have been 11/12 at the time, I think the alien was pretty scary for a 12 movie, should be a 15 in my book.

Audition (1999) - Randomly watching late night movies as a teenager I ended up watching Audition, I had no idea what it was. Turns out it's a very scary horror movie, 18 rated. This is when I learnt that I don't enjoy horror movies.

General comments:

I think 12A/12 movies are fine from about age 8.

I think 15 is reasonable, but some 18 should be 15 instead.

The 18 rating is defined as "Adults should be free to choose their own entertainment", which isn't very helpful. Robocop shouldn't be in the same category as horror or porn.

 

[Sirrel Squirrel]

My dad let me watch Aliens when I was about 5, it's still my favourite film of all time and I turned out OK

 

[Nitefly]

@throwaway4372 Mars Attacks is based on a 50s bubblegum collectible card series where the images on the cards were outrageous for the time… and are still pretty shocking now, especially considering they were aimed at children! More shocking than the film tbh.

Warning for cartoon violence:

Spoiler: Mars Attacks examples

Also, I agree with the sentiments that maybe a child’s mind is where some of these films are most effective… maybe that can inspire or lead to interests in some cases! We all turned out OK… I think

 

[the shadow]

Reynolds himself told the New York Times, “My 9-year-old watched the movie with me and my mom, who’s in her late 70s, and it was just one of the best moments of this whole experience for me.” While Deadpool & Wolverine is violent, it’s arguably not as violent as previous chapters.

 

[Raymond Lin]

I watched Aliens with my mum age 8 or 9. I remember having to read Chinese subtitles on TV.

I think I saw T2 age 11.

I must have seen Robotcop when I was 9 or 10. Since I also seen that with subtitles.

I think these days, a teenager can handle watching Robotcop.

 

[something daft already!!]

I accidentally allowed my kids when they were quite young watch bad santa, not realising who adult it was. I thought it was a kids film lol.

 

[Rroff]

My dad let me watch Aliens when I was about 5, it's still my favourite film of all time and I turned out OK

Similar - I can't remember what age, I think it was about 13, I saw Aliens but I was a lot younger than the rating and I loved it - I found other horror, etc. movies scary at that age but for some reason I was alright with Aliens.