Is Romeo + Juliet appropriate for children?

# Romeo + Juliet Parental Guide Director Baz Luhrmann's modernized Shakespeare adaptation features strong sexual content and moderate violence that pushes the PG-13 rating's limits. While visually stylish, the film includes intense scenes and mature themes better suited for older teens. Consider your child's maturity level carefully before viewing.

What age is Romeo + Juliet suitable for?

Our verdict for Romeo + Juliet is: Not recommended. See the age grid on this page for specific recommendations by age group.

Is Romeo + Juliet safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Moderate

🗣️

Language / Profanity

Mild

🔞

Sexual Content

Strong

👻

Horror / Scary

Mild

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

1996

Rating

PG-13

Genre

Drama, Romance

Synopsis

In director Baz Luhrmann's contemporary take on William Shakespeare's classic tragedy, the Montagues and Capulets have moved their ongoing feud to the sweltering suburb of Verona Beach, where Romeo and Juliet fall in love and secretly wed. Though the film is visually modern, the bard's dialogue remains.

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio

Romeo

Claire Danes

Juliet

Jesse Bradford

Balthasar

Vondie Curtis-Hall

Captain Prince

Full cast on IMDb ›

Age suitability

Under 6

Not yet

Ages 6–8

Not recommended

Ages 9–12

Not recommended

Ages 13+

Not recommended

Where to watch

🎬 Find on Amazon

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Parents also checked

The Shawshank Redemption

Not recommended

Forrest Gump

Not recommended

Ratings based on MPAA/TV classification and TMDB metadata. Updated March 2026.
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