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Movie · Drama · 2000 · R

Erin Brockovich: parents' guide

15+our pick

Best for ages 15 and up. Rated R for language.

An inspiring, crowd-pleasing true story for teens about a broke single mother who talks her way into a job at a law office and uncovers a utility company poisoning a town's water. Most of the movie is investigation, legal maneuvering and Erin's struggle to balance work, a new boyfriend and her three kids. The R is for language: Erin swears constantly, with many f-words. Sex is implied rather than shown, and she jokes crudely about how she got her information. There is no real violence beyond a car crash, though townspeople describe cancers and other illnesses. We suggest 15 for the language.

What's in it

Violence

Mild

Very little. In the opening, a driver runs an intersection and slams into the side of Erin's car. Arguments get heated, but no one is hurt on screen after that.

Language

Strong

Frequent. Plugged In counted nearly 50 f- and s-words combined, many from Erin and some in front of children. Also a--hole, s--thead, bitch, pissed, damn, goddamn and misuse of Jesus' name.

Sex and nudity

Moderate

Erin and her biker neighbor start a relationship, with scenes in bed before and after implied sex and no nudity. She wears low-cut clothes, and she jokes that she got signatures by performing oral sex.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Moderate

Adults drink beer in a few scenes, and Erin smokes a cigarette once. No drug use is shown.

Scary or intense scenes

Mild

No scary scenes, but residents, including children, suffer cancers, tumors and other illnesses from contaminated water, with brief glimpses of symptoms. Dead animals are seen near the plant, a death from chemical exposure is mentioned, and Erin is briefly wary of a stranger.

Worth talking about

Erin has no law degree, yet her persistence and empathy win people's trust. What made her so effective, and what did her success cost her and her children?

Where to stream →

On our lists

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, the MPA, Wikipedia, bbfc.co.uk. The age is our judgment, not an official rating, and every family draws its lines differently: read the notes, not just the number. Spotted something we missed? Tell us. How we rate.