Top 10 G Rated Movies that Should Be Rated PG

A G rating can make you expect a movie to be gentle enough for nearly any audience, but some films test that assumption with surprisingly dark material. You may encounter frightening villains, intense danger, death, disturbing themes, or jokes aimed well above the heads of younger viewers. In cases like these, the question is not whether a movie is good, but whether its content fits the rating printed on the box.

This list gives you a chance to judge the movies that seem better suited to a PG rating based on the scenes, themes, and subject matter they contain.

The Top Ten

Toy Story 3

Has many adult-themed jokes involving Barbie and Ken. The purple teddy bear tries to kill the heroes. Andy outgrows his toys. Big Baby is bullied by the purple bear.

Has inappropriate jokes. Lotso Bear is a very cruel villain. The furnace scene is intense.

Has many adult-themed jokes. Should be rated "R" or "PG-13" if you fast-forward through the innuendos.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Quasimodo is bullied at the feast of fools. Esmeralda is almost forced to marry Frollo. Phoebus is shot by an arrow. The biological mother of Quasimodo is killed in the prologue. The judge kills ants. Quasimodo is implied to be biracial (romani mother and caucasian father). Frollo is very strict towards Quasimodo. Phoebus saves a family from a burning house. Frollo dies after falling from Notre Dame.

Very dark film. Quasimodo is bullied at the Feast of Fools. Phoebus is shot with an arrow. Esmeralda is almost burned at the stake. Frollo is very strict toward Quasimodo. Quasimodo's biological mother is killed by Frollo.
Cars 2
The Lion King

This film would be either "PG" or "PG-13" by 2026 standards due to thematic elements.
The Princess and the Frog
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Aladdin

Aladdin almost drowns. Jafar tries to marry Jasmine. Iago (parrot) force feeds the sultan crackers. Jafar briefly becomes sultan. Has a few mature jokes. The sultan is hypnotized by Jafar. The apple vendor tries to cut off Jasmine's hand or arm for stealing an apple to feed a poor male child. Prince Achmed tries to whip a male and female child who were either siblings or cousins. Abu (monkey) initially refused to share bread with the same children.

Aladdin has 3 or 4 attempts on his life. The apple vendor almost cuts off Jasmine's hand or arm. Jafar hypnotizes the Sultan, abuses his pet parrot, Iago, and tries to force Jasmine to marry him. Both Aladdin and Jasmine have deceased mothers. The blue Genie used to have mean masters.
Beauty and the Beast

Darker film than Aladdin (1992). Both Adam (the Beast) and Gaston are arrogant hotheads. The enchantress has a morally grey personality. Feral wolves live in the forest. Gaston steals Belle's book and throws it in the mud.

Very dark film. Wolves try to kill Belle and Maurice. Gaston tries to kiss Belle without permission. Too much screaming and yelling. Inappropriate for autistic viewers.
Hercules
Ringing Bell

Very sad film. Sheep are killed by wolves.

Sheep and lambs are killed by wolves.

The Newcomers

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A Bug's Life

Hopper tries to kill Flick, Atta and Dot on many occasions. Flick and Dot are bullied by the other Ants.

This should be "PG13" or "R" due to the scenes where Hopper tries to feed Dot to Thumper.
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Cars

The Contenders

One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)

The puppies are nearly killed by the bad guys.

Not recommended for children and teenagers.
Cars 3

It was released when I thought the G rating was no longer relevant.
Finding Nemo

Nemo's mother and older siblings are killed by a barracuda. Nemo is kidnapped by a scuba diver. Dory is stung by jellyfish. Marlin and Dory are nearly eaten by sharks and a whale.
Toy Story
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

Darker than the 2005 film.
The Secret of NIMH

This is rated G? Wow.
Jesus Christ Superstar
PAW Patrol: The Movie
The Adventures of Mark Twain
The Land Before Time
An American Tail
The Longest Day
2001: A Space Odyssey
The Andromeda Strain
Tora! Tora! Tora!