When Harry Met Sally...: parents' guide
Best for ages 15 and up. Rated R.
A witty, talky romantic comedy best for mid-teens and up, because its subject is almost entirely sex and relationships. Harry and Sally spend twelve years arguing about whether men and women can be just friends. Nothing graphic happens: there's no violence, nudity or drug use, and the one night they sleep together is handled discreetly. But frank conversation about sex runs through the whole film, including the famous scene where Sally loudly fakes an orgasm in a deli, and there are a few f-words and s-words. The R rating, constant sex talk and language are why we suggest 15.
What's in it
Violence
NoneNo violence or peril of any kind; the conflicts are arguments, breakups and hurt feelings between friends.
Language
ModerateOccasional strong language, including a few f-words and s-words, mixed into otherwise conversational dialogue. Noticeable but not constant.
Sex and nudity
ModerateConstant frank talk about sex, hookups and fantasies; a famous deli scene in which a woman loudly fakes an orgasm to make a point; the two leads sleep together once, handled discreetly, seen only with bare shoulders in bed.
Drinking, drugs and smoking
MildAdults drink socially at parties, dinners and a wedding reception; nobody is shown drunk, and there is no drug use.
Scary or intense scenes
NoneNothing scary. The emotional stakes are a divorce, a broken engagement and a falling-out between close friends.
Worth talking about
Harry insists men and women can't be friends because attraction always gets in the way. Do you agree, and does the movie prove him right or wrong?
On our lists
Similar picks around 15+
Checked October 13th, 2026 against Common Sense Media, Wikipedia, bbfc.co.uk, ageratingjuju.com, the MPA. 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.