Movie · Fantasy, Action · 2011 · PG-13

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2: parents' guide

12+our pick

Best for ages 12 and up. Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence and frightening images.

The emotional, battle-heavy finale of the Harry Potter series, best for families who have followed the story from the start. Most of the film is a war at Hogwarts with a very high body count, including several beloved characters whose bodies are shown, many of them young. One character's death by snake attack is bloody, a memory shows a mother killed while shielding her baby, and Harry chooses to walk toward his own death. Language and romance stay light. The grief and the long stretch of intensity make 12 a sensible starting age.

What's in it

Violence

Moderate

A long battle with spells, blades and giants kills dozens, many offscreen, but bodies of students lie across the grounds. A snake bites a man repeatedly with blood on his neck, villains burst apart, goblins are slain, and a werewolf crouches over a dead student.

Language

Mild

Mostly British slang such as "bloody," "prat" and "blimey," plus a few uses of "hell." One mother shouts "Not my daughter, you bitch!" at a villain.

Sex and nudity

Mild

Ron and Hermione share a passionate first kiss, Harry and Ginny kiss briefly, and a married couple holds hands before the battle. Hermione's wet clothing shows a little cleavage. No nudity.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Mild

Almost nothing: Aberforth Dumbledore pours what looks like wine into a goblet in one scene. No drunkenness, smoking or drug references.

Scary or intense scenes

Strong

Sustained dread from Death Eaters, Dementors, giant spiders and a dragon. Disturbing images include a bloody, newborn-like creature, rows of dead students and teachers, a family grieving over a son, and a memory of Harry's mother lying dead beside her crying baby.

Sensitive topics

  • Death of a parent
  • Death of a child

Worth talking about

Snape's story looks very different once his memories are revealed. How can we judge someone fairly when we only see part of what they do?

Where to stream →

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, bbfc.co.uk, movieguide.org. 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.