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Movie · Fantasy, Action · 2019 · PG

The Kid Who Would Be King: parents' guide

9+our pick

Best for ages 9 and up. Rated PG for fantasy action violence, scary images, thematic elements including some bullying, and language.

A spirited fantasy adventure for families whose kids can handle creepy villains. A bullied 12-year-old in modern England pulls a sword from a stone and must lead his best friend and two former bullies against the sorceress Morgana. The fights are frequent and loud: fiery undead knights on horseback hunt the kids at night, and a final battle at their school has sword fights and creatures losing their heads, though without blood. Morgana's shift into a winged, demon-like monster can scare younger viewers. Language is mild, and a young Merlin briefly appears naked with his bottom obscured. Age 9 reflects the scary imagery and long action.

What's in it

Violence

Moderate

Many fantasy battles: flaming undead knights smash windows, set fires and toss kids aside, and the school battle has sword fights and beheaded creatures that crumble away. Alex runs the sorceress through. An animated prologue battle shows a little blood; otherwise bloodless.

Language

Mild

Mild and infrequent: one 'damn,' one 'hell,' about half a dozen 'oh my God' exclamations, and insults like 'stupid' and 'ignorant buffoon.' Merlin uses quaint oaths such as 'God's socks.'

Sex and nudity

Mild

No romance. A teenage Merlin first arrives naked and walks across a field and into a shop, with fog, blurring and camera angles hiding him. The villain wakes wrapped only in clinging vines. Nothing sexual.

Drinking, drugs and smoking

Mild

No drinking or drugs on screen. Alex learns his absent father struggled with alcoholism, which helps explain why he left. Merlin's revival potions use silly made-up ingredients, not drugs.

Scary or intense scenes

Moderate

Undead knights with burning eyes burst from the ground and chase the kids, and Morgana transforms into a winged, demonic creature. Evil trees and a dark forest add creepiness. Bullying and Alex's longing for his absent father are emotional.

Sensitive topics

  • Bullying

Worth talking about

Alex has to turn the bullies who tormented him into knights he can trust. Talk about whether enemies can become friends and what it takes to forgive someone.

Where to stream →

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Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Plugged In, movieguide.org, moviemom.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.