Practical Magic is a 1998 American romantic comedy film that was given a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). This rating is given to films that may contain material that is not suitable for children under the age of 13. There are several reasons why Practical Magic received this rating. Firstly, the film deals with themes of witchcraft and magic, which can be intense or scary for younger audiences. The movie depicts characters casting spells, using potions, and engaging in supernatural activities, which may be confusing or distressing for children. The MPAA considers this content to be more appropriate for teenagers and older viewers who can better understand and handle these themes.

Practical Magic

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Quirky, uneven romcom with some witchy violence.

The MPAA considers this content to be more appropriate for teenagers and older viewers who can better understand and handle these themes. Additionally, Practical Magic contains some mild violence and depictions of dark magic. There are scenes in which characters engage in physical altercations and use magic to harm or control others.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Some strong positive messages about family and the

Sally and Gillian are independent women who will d

Themes of loss, tension, and violence throughout.

A few scenes of passionate kissing and groping. Th

Gillian is called a "slut" and kids sing

The girls share a night of drinking margaritas and

Parents need to know that this romantic fantasy includes some passionate kissing and groping, as well as sexual references. Themes of loss, tension, and violence are throughout (including a scary scene when a boyfriend tries to painfully brand his girlfriend and semi-comic scenes of death). Some parents might be…

Positive Messages

Some strong positive messages about family and the bond of sisterhood. Some mixed messages about powerful women and sexuality. Other themes include the idea that hate and prejudice comes from fear of the unknown and unfamiliarity.

Positive Role Models

Sally and Gillian are independent women who will do anything for family. Gillian, a free spirit, drinks and smokes cigarettes. She also uses magic to get a boy to love her. This ploy gets her into trouble, forcing her to learn a tough lesson in the end. Sally is a loyal and loving sibling who will go to great lengths to help and protect her sister. Both women show great strength and refuse to be taken advantage of.

Violence & Scariness

Themes of loss, tension, and violence throughout. Jimmy hits, chokes, and attempts to "brand" Gillian as his possession. Sally smashes a frying pan over Jimmy's head as self defense, killing him. Semi-comical scenes of peril.

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Sex, Romance & Nudity

A few scenes of passionate kissing and groping. There is also sexy suggestive dancing, sexual innuendos, and references to women being promiscuous adulterers.

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Language

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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The girls share a night of drinking margaritas and taking tequila shots. Jimmy is an alcoholic who drinks all day. The more he drinks the more aggressive and violent he becomes. Some of the characters smoke, including Gillian.

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Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this romantic fantasy includes some passionate kissing and groping, as well as sexual references. Themes of loss, tension, and violence are throughout (including a scary scene when a boyfriend tries to painfully brand his girlfriend and semi-comic scenes of death). Some parents might be concerned about the theme of witchcraft (benign or otherwise), which include scenes of bringing a man back to life and spiritual possession. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.

These moments of violence, while not overly graphic, may be unsettling for younger viewers and are therefore deemed more suitable for older audiences. Furthermore, the film includes some sexual content and innuendos. There are romantic relationships and references to sexual activity throughout the movie. While these elements are not explicit or graphic, they contribute to the overall mature themes and content of Practical Magic, warranting a PG-13 rating. Lastly, the film touches on topics such as death, loss, and grief. The main characters face the death of family members and grapple with the emotional impact of these losses. These themes can be heavy and potentially distressing for young children. The MPAA considers such topics to require a higher level of maturity and understanding, hence the PG-13 rating. In conclusion, Practical Magic is rated PG-13 due to its depiction of witchcraft and magic, mild violence, sexual content, and portrayal of mature themes. The rating ensures that the film is viewed by an appropriate audience who can better comprehend and handle these elements..

Reviews for "The effects of Practical Magic's PG-13 rating on its longevity as a cult classic"

1. Samantha - 2 stars

Unfortunately, "Why is practical magic rated pg 13" did not meet my expectations. I was initially drawn to the film due to its intriguing title and stellar cast, but ultimately found the storyline to be lackluster. The plot seemed scattered and disjointed, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Additionally, I found the pacing to be quite slow, which made the already underwhelming plot feel even more tedious. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and would not recommend this movie to others.

2. Chris - 1 star

I found "Why is practical magic rated pg 13" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was incredibly predictable and lacked any real depth or substance. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, which made it difficult for me to care about their struggles or outcomes. Furthermore, the performances felt forced and unnatural, adding to the overall lack of authenticity in the film. I was hoping for a gripping and thought-provoking movie, but unfortunately, "Why is practical magic rated pg 13" fell short in every aspect. I would not recommend it to anyone.

3. Jennifer - 2 stars

"Why is practical magic rated pg 13" failed to capture my interest from the start. The story felt overly simplistic and lacked any real complexity or depth. The dialogue was cheesy and contrived, making it difficult for me to take the film seriously. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed and underdeveloped. Overall, I was left feeling indifferent towards this movie, as it failed to leave a lasting impression on me. I would not recommend "Why is practical magic rated pg 13" to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging film.

Exploring the reasons behind Practical Magic's PG-13 rating backlash