Raising Mean Girls age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Mean Girls age rating: the 2004 film is rated PG-13 in the US for sexual content, language and some teen partying, per the MPA rating as listed by Apple TV. The UK's BBFC rates it 12A in cinemas and 12 at home, for moderate language, sex and drugs references, and Germany's FSK rates it 6, per kino.de and other German listings. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists it for ages 13 and up. The 2024 musical film is also PG-13 in the US and 12A in the UK.
Mean Girls at a glance
- ✓Official rating above age 7
MPA: PG-13 (2004 and 2024 films) - –Violence in rating descriptors
BBFC: mild comic violence only - –Scary content in rating descriptors
None in MPA or BBFC descriptors - ✓Bad language in rating descriptors
MPA: language; BBFC: moderate language - ✓Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
MPA: sexual content, some teen partying - ✓Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
BBFC: 12A (FSK: 6)
Each flag is a yes-or-no fact from the sources on this page. The number is a count of flags, not a safety score. How we count. Rating reasons marked mild, very mild, or brief don't count.
| Type | Teen comedy film (2004) written by Tina Fey; a musical remake came out in 2024 source |
|---|---|
| US (MPA) | PG-13 (parents strongly cautioned; some material may be inappropriate under 13) — sexual content, language and some teen partying source |
| UK (BBFC) | 12A in cinemas (no one under 12 unless with an adult), 12 at home — moderate language, sex and drugs references source |
| Germany (FSK) | 6 (from age 6), per kino.de and other German listings source |
| Common Sense Media | 13+ — crude jokes, sexual references, underage drinking |
| 2024 musical film | MPA PG-13 (strong language, sexual material, teen drinking); BBFC 12A; FSK 6; Common Sense Media 13+ |
Checked October 2026. Ratings and settings change; check the official source before you decide. What do these ratings mean?
Facts for parents, not medical or legal advice. If you're worried about your child, talk to your pediatrician.
What Mean Girls is about
Mean Girls is a 2004 teen comedy directed by Mark Waters from a screenplay by Tina Fey, starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams. Cady Heron, 16, starts at a US public high school after years of homeschooling in Africa. She makes friends with two outsiders, and together they plan revenge on Regina George, leader of a popular clique called the Plastics. It came out in US theaters on April 30, 2004. A musical version, based on the Broadway show, came out in January 2024.
Mean Girls age rating: what's in it
Short answer: PG-13 in the US, 12A in the UK, 6 in Germany.
- US (MPA): PG-13, sexual content, language and some teen partying.
- UK (BBFC): 12A in cinemas, 12 at home; moderate language, sex and drugs references.
- Germany (FSK): 6, per kino.de and other German listings.
- Common Sense Media: 13+.
The BBFC describes insults such as "bitch" and "slut," occasional discriminatory terms, comic sex references including a sex-ed class about sexually transmitted diseases, and a teacher falsely accused of selling drugs to students. It notes bullying, including homophobic language, which the film clearly condemns. Common Sense Media also notes underage drinking.
What is the Mean Girls musical (2024) rated?
Short answer: PG-13 in the US, for strong language, sexual material and teen drinking, per Rotten Tomatoes.
The BBFC rates it 12A, for moderate sex references, language and discrimination, and Germany's FSK rates it 6, per kino.de and other German listings. Common Sense Media lists it for 13+ and notes swearing and racy moments. In this version, the teens have phones and social media. Tina Fey wrote the screenplay again, and Angourie Rice plays Cady.
The habit kids may copy: the Burn Book
Cady and the Plastics write insulting remarks about classmates and teachers in a scrapbook they call the Burn Book.
Try tonight: who was left out?
At dinner, ask about one game at school today. Then ask: "Was anyone left out? What could you say to them tomorrow?" Pick one friendly sentence together. In our program, this is the lesson "Stepping In": noticing when someone's left out or hurt.
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FAQ
What is Mean Girls rated?
The 2004 film is PG-13 in the US for sexual content, language and some teen partying, per Apple TV's listing of the MPA rating. It's 12A in UK cinemas and 6 in Germany.
What age is Mean Girls for?
The US rating, PG-13, cautions parents about children under 13. Common Sense Media lists both the 2004 film and the 2024 musical for ages 13 and up.
Is the 2024 Mean Girls musical PG-13?
Yes. It's PG-13 for strong language, sexual material and teen drinking. The BBFC rates it 12A.
Why is Mean Girls rated 12A in the UK?
The BBFC lists moderate language, sex references and drugs references, plus occasional discriminatory terms.
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