Is the New "Barbie" Movie Appropriate For Kids? Here's What Parents Should Know

Barbie, the beloved childhood icon, has been given a live-action makeover in a new movie that's unlike the Barbie stories of the past. Instead, the doll we grew up with comes to life in a brand-new cinematic adventure directed by Greta Gerwig, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken.

Barbie (the doll) is fit for all ages. But is the new "Barbie" movie appropriate for kids? Here's what you should know about the "Barbie" movie plot and how the movie, which is now in theaters and newly streaming on Prime Video, is faring among parents and experts. This way, you can make an informed decision before you take the kids to the theater or let them watch from home.

"Barbie" runs for one hour and 54 minutes, according to IMDb, or 114 minutes. That alone is a sign that this movie isn't geared toward little ones. Kids' movies tend to be shorter, no more than 100 minutes, to accommodate their shorter attention spans.

The "Barbie" movie is rated PG-13, which means (literally): "Parental Guidance: some material may be inappropriate for children under 13." It's meant to be a strong caution for parents to consider when deciding whether to let their kids see a movie. For "Barbie" specifically, the movie has been rated PG-13 due to "suggestive references" and "brief language."

One of the biggest differences between the new movie and earlier Barbie movies like "Barbie and the Secret Door," "The Princess & the Popstar," and "A Fashion Fairytale" is that Gerwig's "Barbie" is not animated. These are real people.

And unlike live-action remakes of kids' films like "The Little Mermaid," which retain the animated original's themes and sense of fantasy, "Barbie" depicts characters in real-world situations, dealing with real-world problems — the characters grapple with dating, aging, beauty standards, and harassment. The plot is centered on Barbie's existential crisis, which is a pretty heavy topic in and of itself.

All this to say, the plot is more adult than Barbie movies of the past. It includes playful humor that might appeal to all audiences, but this movie is geared toward a more grown-up audience.

From the trailer alone, we see Barbie getting her butt slapped on the beach, punching a man in the face, and appearing to get arrested with Ken.

IMDb reports that the movie contains several sexual innuendos and references to the characters' (lack of) genitals. "One scene shows Ken asking Barbie if he can stay over as they're 'girlfriend and boyfriend.' When Barbie asks 'to do what?' Ken pauses before saying 'I'm actually not sure,'" Danny Brogan, executive editor at Common Sense Media, told Yahoo! Life.

It's a line that may go over kids' heads — but that also means that, at the end of the day, the movie may not be particularly funny or interesting to them.

There's also some violence (but nothing overly frightening; no blood, gore, or any weapons are used) and some mild risqué language, including one bleeped-out use of the mf-word. The movie also has some more grown-up jokes (like a joke that centers on the word "beach" and jokes about beauty standards and the patriarchy). However, like the joke about being boyfriend/girlfriend, these jokes are very likely to go over the head of someone who is younger without leaving any holes in the plotline.

"I think Gerwig has included all this mature content knowing that a large portion of the audience will be millennials and members of Generation Z — people who grew up with Barbie during the '80s, '90s, and '00s — looking for that nostalgia but also to be entertained," Brogan told Yahoo! Life.

Personally, I went to see the movie with my 16-year-old, and I felt it was perfectly appropriate for her in terms of the message of the movie and the jokes. She was old enough to understand the storyline's humor, nostalgia, and positive messages. I wouldn't hesitate to allow my 14-year-old to watch the movie, either. However, I would have pause in allowing my 9-year-old to watch the movie, but only because I don't think they would find it interesting, and the jokes would go above their head.

With that info in mind, the PG-13 rating seems accurate — this isn't a movie for tweens and younger, not necessarily because of the content, but because much of it might be over their heads and not as entertaining.

Dr. Amanda Gummer, child psychologist, parenting expert, and founder of The Good Play Guide, tells POPSUGAR that parents should consider what other movies their kids have seen and look at the marketing material of the "Barbie" movie to get a feel for if it's appropriate for their kid. "A good place to start is to consider how your child has reacted to other similarly rated films," Dr. Gummer says. "Past experiences are great to consider their readiness for PG-13 content."

She continues, "Have a look at the pre-marketing materials and trailers and think about the different themes, language, potential violence levels, and sexual content [that] might appear. Think about what your child likes to do or watch and what they are already exposed to, as some children can be more sensitive to certain topics than others."

Dr. Gummer also suggests watching the movie together with your kid, so you can talk about what you saw after the film. "If you decide your child is ready to watch, then why not watch it together and allocate some time after to grab a milkshake and chat about what you've seen?" she suggests. "This allows you to provide context, answer questions, and have fun talking things through."

The movie does cover some big topics like feminism, beauty standards, body image, harassment, and patriarchy, which might be heavy for some younger teens, or they can be a good jumping-off point for important conversations. "Why not start a conversation about beauty standards and talk about how different standards can influence a person's self-esteem and body image and how harassment is unacceptable and can hurt others?" Dr. Gummer suggests. "The 'Barbie' movie and its inclusive and positive positioning is a wonderful springboard to have discussions around a supportive environment. The film covers topics such as friendship, openness, and inclusivity, so it's a great springboard to start conversations with your children and promote healthy values."

Dr. Gummer says she's "excited" about the movie hitting the big screens because it allows parents to talk to preteens and teens about important topics. "For me, it represents a positive move that can serve as a great role model for older children, as it provides essential values and encourages conversation around different themes," she says. "Through the diverse range of personalities and characters in the movie, there is a great opportunity to discuss inclusivity, acceptance, and the value of individuality — all really important topics today and helpful as children understand and appreciate the differences in others."

Ultimately, you know your kid best. If you have checked out the plotline and read some reviews and are still not sure if now is the right time for your kid to see "Barbie," stick to one of the animated stories instead. The live-action movie will always be there in a few months or years when the timing is right.

"Barbie" opened in theaters nationwide on July 21.