Avengers: Infinity War is finally here and audiences are flocking to watch Thanos take on Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but is it suitable for kids? Marvel movies have become a staple part of the cinema experience for many, and the release of Avengers: Infinity War marks the coming together of everyone who’s anyone in the MCU. But with it being touted as the darkest MCU offering to date, is it suitable for younger children to see in theaters, or are they likely to become upset or scared?

Avengers: Infinity War has been classified as PG-13, which means that anyone under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. The official BBFC guide warns of “frequent scenes of moderate fantasy violence,” which includes the use of shooting from fantasy weapons, along with punches, kicks and blows from other weapons. The guide also points out one particular scene of torture, albeit of a fantastical nature and not realistic.

In terms of language, there’s no real worry; a few mild cuss words are dropped in here and there, but anything harsh is cut off. There is one scene where a hero flips off the villain, but it’s very much played for laughs.

Violence is also on the same side. Kids are, generally speaking, able to deal pretty well with fantasy violence. It’s detachment, plain and simple; they know, even from a young age, that what they see on screen, taking place on far-flung planets, is not going to happen in their everyday existence. This means they can watch without becoming overly distressed or upset. If watching the same level of violence being played out in a realistic scenario, such as in a suburban street, their reaction would likely be very different.

The issues for taking young kids to Avengers: Infinity War comes with the themes of the movie. Given the grand scale of the movie, it’s not a spoiler to say that kids will see some of their favorite superheroes in extreme peril at various points, and also see them making decisions that might compromise their god-like status among kids. That can cause concern for the very young, who view their heroes as infallible, but it can also prompt some good discussion afterward.

Avengers: Infinity War also deals with the fear of loss and death in very forward ways. Again, these are themes that could well stay with sensitive kids long after the movie has ended, but with some comfort and reassurance, they should be okay. Ultimately, if the kids in your life are seven or over, they should be fine. That said, you know your child and if they are of a very sensitive disposition, you might like to wait until it’s on home release. Please bear in mind, also, that with another year to wait until Avengers 4, it could feel like forever until they get to see the story resolved.

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