Raising Shrek rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know
Shrek rating: all four Shrek films and both Puss in Boots films are rated PG in the US, parental guidance suggested with no age limit. The original Shrek (2001) is PG for mild language and some crude humor; it's U in the UK and 0 in Germany. The flags on this page are for that first film. Shrek 5 is scheduled for June 30, 2027.
Shrek (the films) at a glance
- –Official rating above age 7
Shrek (2001): MPA PG; BBFC U; FSK 0 - –Violence in rating descriptors
BBFC: mild comic violence only - –Scary content in rating descriptors
No scary descriptor (Shrek, 2001) - –Bad language in rating descriptors
MPA: mild language only - –Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
None in descriptors (Shrek, 2001) - –Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
Shrek (2001): BBFC U; FSK 0
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 | DreamWorks animated films about an ogre, based on William Steig's book Shrek! |
|---|---|
| Shrek (2001), US (MPA) | PG (parental guidance suggested; no age limit) — mild language and some crude humor source |
| Shrek (2001), UK (BBFC) | U (universal; suitable for all) — very mild bad language, mild comic violence source |
| Shrek (2001), Germany (FSK) | 0 (no age restriction), per Filmstarts source |
| Sequels, US (MPA) | Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After, both Puss in Boots films: all PG source |
| Common Sense Media | Shrek (2001): 6+ — crude humor, mild language, adult innuendo |
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 Shrek is about
Shrek is an animated DreamWorks film about a grumpy ogre who sets out to rescue Princess Fiona, with a talking donkey at his side. It's based on William Steig's picture book Shrek!, according to Common Sense Media. The series has four main films (2001–2010), two Puss in Boots spin-offs (2011 and 2022), and a fifth film scheduled for 2027.
Shrek rating: every film
Short answer: All six films are PG in the US.
- Shrek (2001): PG, mild language and some crude humor.
- Shrek 2 (2004): PG, some crude humor, a brief substance reference, and some suggestive content.
- Shrek the Third (2007): PG, some crude humor, suggestive content, and swashbuckling action.
- Shrek Forever After (2010): PG, mild action, some rude humor, and brief language.
- Puss in Boots (2011): PG, some adventure action and mild rude humor.
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022): PG, action/violence, rude humor/language, and some scary moments.
In the UK, Shrek 2 and The Last Wish are PG; the others are U.
Shrek age rating: what's in the first film
Short answer: Mild language, crude humor, and innuendo aimed at adults.
The BBFC lists very mild bad language; a donkey putting out a fire by urinating on it; the ogre's bottom; farting and belching; and a spooky castle with skeletons on the walls and a fire-breathing dragon. Common Sense Media notes jokes, such as Shrek wondering if Lord Farquaad is "compensating for something," that are likely to go over young kids' heads. Germany's FSK rates it 0 and Shrek Forever After 6.
Is there a Shrek 5?
Short answer: Yes. It's scheduled for US theaters on June 30, 2027, as of October 2026, and isn't rated yet. More in our Shrek 5 guide.
The habit kids may copy: judging by looks
In Shrek, villagers come after the ogre with pitchforks and torches because of what he is. Common Sense Media lists looking beyond appearances among the film's messages.
Try tonight: scary, or just looks scary?
Look at a picture of a dragon or a monster together. Ask: "Is it scary, or does it just look scary? How could we find out?" In our program, this is the lesson "True or Made Up": checking a fear against the facts.
Why you can trust this page: the main facts link to their sources, a separate reviewer checks each page before it goes live, and the date shows when we last checked. How we review · Report an error
FAQ
What is Shrek rated?
Shrek (2001) is rated PG in the US for mild language and some crude humor. It's U in the UK and 0 in Germany.
What is the Shrek age rating in the UK?
The BBFC rates Shrek, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After, and Puss in Boots U; Shrek 2 and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish are PG.
What is Shrek 2 rated?
PG in the US for some crude humor, a brief substance reference, and some suggestive content. The BBFC reclassified it PG in 2022.
Is there bad language in Shrek?
The BBFC lists a few very mild swear words in the first film. The MPA describes the language as mild.
More from “Is it good for kids?”
Teaching Empathy to Children: Empathy Activities for Ages 4–7
Empathy activities for kids ages 4–7: at age 5, empathy is largely perspective-taking, and it can be practiced with stories, one good question, and three moves.
Read next →Raising Stoics is a 12-week program for ages 5–6, built on Stoic philosophy and developmental psychology. One lesson is "True or Made Up": checking a fear against the facts.