TV series · 2016 · Action & Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Is Stranger Things OK for kids?

Q: Is Stranger Things OK for kids?

Not a fit. Under the Kids preset it goes over the limits: nudity is mild, sexual content is moderate, sexualised imagery is mild and 6 more.

Q: Is Stranger Things OK for teenagers?

Not a fit. Under the Teen-safe preset it goes over the limits: sexual content is moderate, profanity is severe, violence & gore is severe and 1 more.

When a young boy vanishes, a small town uncovers a mystery involving secret experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one strange little girl.

At a glance

Kids preset · gentle limits for younger children

Not a fit

Under the Kids preset it goes over the limits: nudity is mild, sexual content is moderate, sexualised imagery is mild and 6 more.

Teen-safe preset · room for action and drama, nothing explicit

Not a fit

Under the Teen-safe preset it goes over the limits: sexual content is moderate, profanity is severe, violence & gore is severe and 1 more.

Every family draws the line differently. Set your own rules and see whether Stranger Things fits yours, topic by topic. Free.

Set your own rules

What's in it, topic by topic

Sexual & romantic

NudityMild
No female nudity; only a girl in a bra, shirtless males and a man in underwear.
Sources: imdb.com, commonsensemedia.org
Sexual contentModerate
Recurring sexual jokes, a masturbation reference and oral sex joke; no sex scenes shown.
Sources: imdb.com
Sexualised imageryMild
Women occasionally in revealing outfits, a bikini photo; nothing lingering or frequent.
Sources: imdb.com
Kissing & romanceModerate
Many kisses, teens making out and adults kissing passionately; romance is a recurring thread.
Sources: imdb.com

Language & behaviour

ProfanitySevere
Frequent strong language including f-word, s-word (about 15 in one episode) and a slur.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org, imdb.com
Vulgarity & crude humourMild
Only non-sexual crude items cited: a boy peeing his pants and a vomiting hangover scene.
Sources: imdb.com
Verbal abuse & bullyingMild
A slur used as an insult and general disrespect toward adults; no sustained abuse described.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org, pluggedin.com
Discrimination & hateMild
An anti-gay slur used as an insult and 'coming out' used as a weapon in the final season.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org
Disrespectful behaviour & role modelsModerate
Plugged In says kids and teens disrespect adults 'something awful'; consequences not detailed.
Sources: pluggedin.com
Dangerous imitable actsMild
Teens shotgun beers and use drugs; no dangerous stunts described.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org

Violence & intensity

Violence & goreSevere
Bloody, gory deaths including children, exploding rats, mass murder, guns and monster attacks.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org
Frightening & intense scenesSevere
IMDb rates scares Severe; monster attacks, possession, melted faces and kidnapped children.
Sources: imdb.com, commonsensemedia.org
Self-harm & suicideNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
Death & griefModerate
A missing child presumed dead and a body shown; trauma and loss recur. Sources did not mention animals.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org
Alcohol, drugs & smokingModerate
Teens shotgun beers, smoke, sell cannabis, offer ketamine; adults drink to excess.
Sources: commonsensemedia.org

Topics some families want to know about

LGBTQ+ representationSupporting
LGBTQ+ characters introduced over the seasons, a thematic thread in the final season; a brief same-sex kiss.
Sources: imdb.com, commonsensemedia.org
Religious contentBackground
Only Dungeons & Dragons and in-show parents voicing spiritual concerns; no worship or clergy described.
Sources: pluggedin.com
Occult & magicCentral
Supernatural forces, possession and monsters are central; fantasy horror, not an occult practice.
Sources: pluggedin.com, imdb.com
Political & ideological themesNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
Products & advertisingNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
Sources: pluggedin.com
Messages & valuesNo info
We couldn't find enough about this topic yet.
Sources: pluggedin.com, commonsensemedia.org

Rated 30 Oct 2026 by our research.

How we rate

We read parent guides, reviews and official ratings for every title and rate 21 topics, from kissing and profanity to violence, frightening scenes, substance use and the messages a story leaves behind, each with a reason and its sources. Our team verifies what the sources leave out. You set a limit per topic, and every title gets a clear verdict against your rules, not someone else's age label.