Is The Walking Dead appropriate for children?

# The Pursuit of Happyness - Parental Guide This PG-13 drama follows a father and son navigating homelessness and financial hardship while pursuing a career opportunity. While the film has mild language and some intense scenes depicting poverty and struggle, its uplifting message about perseverance makes it suitable for older children, though younger viewers may find the hardship scenes emotionally heavy.

What age is The Walking Dead suitable for?

Our verdict for The Walking Dead is: Not recommended. See the age grid on this page for specific recommendations by age group.

Is The Walking Dead safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Strong

🗣️

Language / Profanity

Strong

🔞

Sexual Content

Moderate

👻

Horror / Scary

Moderate

About this TV show

Type

TV Show

Released

2006

Rating

TV-MA

Genre

Action & Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Synopsis

A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.

Cast

Lauren Cohan

Maggie Greene

Norman Reedus

Daryl Dixon

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Negan Smith

Melissa McBride

Carol Peletier

Full cast on IMDb ›

Stimulus level

Very high stimulus

This show contains extremely graphic violence, intense horror elements, rapid scene cuts, and disturbing imagery — it is absolutely not appropriate for infants or toddlers and is designed for adult audiences.

Stimulus rating reflects pacing, visual complexity, and sensory intensity — factors associated with attention development in children under 3. Learn more

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

Ratings based on MPAA/TV classification and TMDB metadata. Updated March 2026.
Every child is different — always preview content for your family's specific needs.