Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is making a smash at the box office. Crowds of fans are going to see this new MCU blockbuster on the big screen. However, there have been some viewers which felt the subject matter in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 might’ve been a little much for a PG-13 movie.
The film does contain some dark elements, including Rocket’s origin story, which delves into animal abuse territory – leading to some questioning the rating. There are even some parents that believe this was too much unexpected dark content for their children to be exposed to.
Though it’s worth noting that the MPAA gave Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 a PG-13 rating for the following reasons:
“Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, strong language, suggestive/drug references and thematic elements”
As such, parents should still be able to ascertain whether or not they want their young children to be exposed to such content. But some feel that the PG-13 rating, being that every other MCU film has one, is being a little too difficult to read into. Here are some of the comments:
So Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3 definitely earned its PG-13 rating and I would advise caution if you’re planning on taking kids under 13. It is violent, dark and brutal. They definitely push the PG-13 rating as far as possible. Disturbing imagery and thematic elements.
— Oversoul Gaming (@oversoul53) May 5, 2023
Just got back from Guardians 3 and it definitely pushes it’s rating, won’t go into spoilers but there’s animal cruelty,tons of violence,gore and quite alot of swearing for Disney/Marvel.Not for the very young or easily upset. Me and my 13 year old loved it.
— Adam Bridges (@AdamBridges79) May 5, 2023
saw guardians 3
how the fuck did they get away with a 12 rating
if you’ve seen it you know exactly what scene is making me question this— Kayden 💚💙 (@lilkadeyx3) May 5, 2023
Maybe it was just cause James Gunn is leaving the MCU, but it really felt like Guardians vol 3 really pushed the boat out as far as rating/gore. By far the most expletive and graphic MCU project so far.
It worked tho!
— Loz (@LiveLaughLoz) May 5, 2023
Saw Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3 in IMAX. This is a good movie, it’s fun, gory and sad. A very very strong warning, this is NOT a kids movie. There are some very disturbing scenes with animals. This scenes are very hard to watch. #guardiansofthegalaxy pic.twitter.com/2A1Qx9gBox
— Stephanie Emma & DD (@stephey_emma) May 7, 2023
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOLUME 3 is one of the most hardcore PG-13 rated movies I’ve ever seen. Some very dark, intense and disturbing dramatic material in this film. Compared to the first two entries, this one is definitely not for younger kids. https://t.co/eHTEyKIit6
— Nick Da Silva (@NJD316) May 8, 2023
How did guardians of the galaxy 3 get a PG-13 rating lmfao holy shit this movie is terrifying
— Sam (@samwightt) May 8, 2023
I think Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3 pushed the hell out of that PG-13 rating. About as brutal as a film can be without being rated R.
— Stebo|Cameo Szn (@stebogameboy) May 8, 2023
Just went to go see the new Guardians of the Galaxy movie. That film shouldn’t of been a 12A (PG-13), it was waaay too violent for a Marvel movie. I loved the movie in every way but many scenes took me by surprise to how violent they were
— LuckTheWolf (@LuckTheWolf) May 7, 2023
With the whole discussion around the graphic content of Guardians of the Galaxy 3, I just wanna say this probably wouldn’t have happened if PG didn’t become G and PG13 became the new PG.
— Wince Media (@WMashups) May 7, 2023
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOLUME 3 is one of the most hardcore PG-13 rated movies I’ve ever seen. Some very dark, intense and disturbing dramatic material in this film. Compared to the first two entries, this one is definitely not for younger kids. https://t.co/eHTEyKIit6
— Nick Da Silva (@NJD316) May 8, 2023
James gunn really pished the limits of PG-13. Some parts of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 feels like it was straight out of a horror movie. IMO the best Marvel movie since Endgame.
— TaringBabi (@taringbabi32) May 5, 2023
Really liked Guardians of the Galaxy 3. But man, it should have been rated R. It’s actually so intense and violent and it’s way worse than the normal “pushing” that marvel normally does. I just don’t think PG-13 is enough.
— Jehuty (@jehutyxiv) May 8, 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a great and overall beautiful movie, but parents may want to reconsider taking kids to this. Its surprisingly & unnecessarily dark & violent for a Guardians movie, features child slavery, animal abuse and torture, and skirts Rated R territory.
— Todd (@Todd_316) May 7, 2023
My apologies to everyone else in the theater, because this middle-aged woman was bawling at Guardians of the Galaxy 3.
Watch the film with caution if you are sensitive about animals or have children.
— Kat Tretina (@KatTretina) May 8, 2023
Guardians of the Galaxy was dark, disturbing, & totally unacceptable for children. I’m glad I didn’t bring my kids. Children in the theater were crying & freaked out. It has severe animal cruelty, violence and the f word. Movies hit differently when you have kids. 👎 @Guardians
— Amber Roberts (@ambernn_) May 7, 2023
Welp Guardians of the Galaxy sure did traumatize me
— JOJI is desperate for TOTK (@JustJojiCafe) May 5, 2023
i friggin’ hated Guardians of the Galaxy 3. deeply disturbing & sad 😔 😟 what’s even the point of some of that imagery?! bummed me out, man.
— sweet potato (@sierracanbe) May 6, 2023
It’s worth noting that the PG-13 rating was given after films had to work between PG and R ratings. It certainly made for some incredibly intense PG films – including Jaws, Gremlins, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom – so PG-13 has been a wonderful addition in that regard. But now some parents seem to be disappointed that films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are still handling dark subject matter because they’re PG-13. It’s an interesting situation but one unlikely to change. It seems like parents just need to pay more attention as to why a certain movie is rated PG-13.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is currently playing in theaters. Fans can stay tuned to ScreenGeek for additional Marvel news as we have it.