Raising Stoics

Tom and Jerry age rating: what parents of kids 4–7 should know

Tom and Jerry age rating: Apple TV's US listing rates the classic Tom and Jerry cartoon collection TV-PG, meaning parental guidance suggested, and Tom and Jerry in New York (2021) is TV-PG too. The newest series, set in Singapore (2023), is TV-G on HBO Max in the US, and the 2021 movie is rated PG by the MPA. The UK's BBFC rated Tom & Jerry in New York U. Common Sense Media, an independent nonprofit, lists the classic cartoons for ages 5 and up and notes guns, knives, saws, axes and explosives used with little lasting consequence.

Help your child handle big feelings. A 12-week program for kids 5–6: 20 minutes, twice a week.
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Tom and Jerry at a glance

0 flags6
Risk flags0 of 6Official age rating: TV-PG (Tom and Jerry (Apple TV US store): TV-PG)
  • –Official rating above age 7
    Apple TV US: TV-PG; BBFC: U
  • –Violence in rating descriptors
    No descriptors listed; BBFC U (not counted)
  • –Scary content in rating descriptors
    No descriptors listed; BBFC U
  • –Bad language in rating descriptors
    No descriptors listed; BBFC U
  • –Sexual content, drugs, or alcohol in rating descriptors
    No descriptors listed; BBFC U
  • –Rated 12 or higher in the UK or Germany
    BBFC: U

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.

TypeCat-and-mouse cartoons created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera at MGM in 1940 source
US (TV rating)TV-PG (parental guidance suggested) for the classic Tom and Jerry collection and for Tom and Jerry in New York, per Apple TV US source
Newest series (US)Tom and Jerry (2023, set in Singapore): TV-G (general audience), per HBO Max US source
US (MPA), moviesTom and Jerry (2021): PG for cartoon violence, rude humor and brief language; Forbidden Compass: PG for action/violence source
UK (BBFC)U (universal; suitable for all) for Tom & Jerry in New York (2021), violence source
Common Sense Media5+ for the classic TV collection (an independent nonprofit's age guidance); parents say 6+

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 is Tom and Jerry?

Short answer: A cartoon series about a cat, Tom, who keeps trying to catch a mouse, Jerry, created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.

It's best known for its 161 theatrical shorts made by MGM, per Wikipedia. Warner Bros. now owns the characters. Newer versions include Tom and Jerry in New York, which premiered on HBO Max on July 1, 2021, a 2023 series set in Singapore, and several movies.

Tom and Jerry age rating: what's in it

Short answer: TV-PG for the classic cartoons in the US, TV-G for the 2023 series, U in the UK.

  • US (Apple TV): classic collection TV-PG; Tom and Jerry in New York TV-PG.
  • US (HBO Max): the 2023 series TV-G.
  • US (MPA): Tom and Jerry (2021) PG; Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass PG.
  • UK (BBFC): Tom & Jerry in New York U, violence.

Common Sense Media notes cartoon weapons used "with little to no lasting consequence," and that Jerry smokes a cigarette and Tom a cigar, typical of the era the shorts were made in.

Is Tom and Jerry for kids?

Short answer: The official ratings range from TV-G to TV-PG in the US, and U in the UK; Common Sense Media lists the classic cartoons for 5+ and Tom and Jerry in New York for 6+.

For the New York series, Common Sense Media lists electrocutions and broken teeth, and Tom kissing and cuddling his girlfriend.

The habit kids may copy: getting even

Common Sense Media describes Tom and Jerry as "very competitive and vindictive, often baiting each other with the intent to harm," all played for laughs.

Try tonight: another way for Tom

After an episode, act out a small chase with stuffed animals. Pause when Tom gets tricked and ask: "Tom wants to get even. What else could he do?" Let your child pick between two ideas, like asking for help or walking away. In our program, this is the lesson "Two Roads": noticing that there's a choice.

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 Tom and Jerry rated?

Apple TV's US listing rates the classic cartoons TV-PG. The 2023 series is TV-G on HBO Max, and Tom & Jerry in New York is U in the UK.

What age is Tom and Jerry for?

There's no official age limit for TV-PG. Common Sense Media lists the classic cartoons for ages 5 and up.

What is the Tom and Jerry movie rated?

Tom and Jerry (2021) is rated PG by the MPA for cartoon violence, rude humor and brief language.

When was Tom and Jerry made?

William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created it at MGM in 1940, per Wikipedia.

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Raising Stoics is a 12-week program for ages 5–6, built on Stoic philosophy and developmental psychology. One lesson is "Two Roads": noticing that there's a choice.

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