Hidden Figures: parents' guide
Best for ages 8 and up. Rated PG for thematic elements and some language.
An uplifting, fact-based drama that works well for family viewing, especially with kids old enough to follow some history. It follows three Black women whose math skills helped NASA launch its first crewed orbital flights while they faced segregation and sexism at work. The racism is everyday and humiliating, from separate bathrooms to a separate coffee pot, rather than violent. Expect about 20 mild swear words, a few kisses and a scene where friends get tipsy at a party. Age 8 reflects how mild the content is; younger kids may find the long running time and office setting slow.
What's in it
Violence
MildNo fighting or injuries. Archival footage shows rockets exploding, a TV report mentions a firebombed Freedom Riders bus, and a frustrated boss knocks down a 'Colored' restroom sign. A capsule's heat shield breaks apart during a test.
Language
MildMild but steady: roughly 15 uses of 'damn' and about half a dozen of 'hell,' plus 'bastard' and a few misuses of God's and Jesus' names. 'Colored' signs and the period term 'Negro' reflect the era's racism.
Sex and nudity
MildKatherine and the officer courting her share a heated kiss after washing dishes, and he later proposes. Mary and her husband kiss and tease, and she openly admires the astronauts' looks. No nudity or sexual situations.
Drinking, drugs and smoking
MildDorothy pours drinks for friends at her home, and Mary enjoys hers enough to get teased about how drunk she is. One review also notes some smoking typical of the era. No drugs.
Scary or intense scenes
MildTension comes mainly from John Glenn's flight, when the capsule might burn up on reentry. Katherine is a widow raising three daughters, and her late husband is remembered with sadness. Little else is upsetting.
Sensitive topics
- Racism
Worth talking about
Each woman finds a different way to push back against unfair rules, from going to court to quietly learning new skills. Ask your teen which approach they admire most and what each one risked.
On our lists
Similar picks around 8+
Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, movieguide.org, moviemom.com, qwipster.net, the-numbers.com, childrenandmedia.org.au. 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.