The Christmas Chronicles parent guide: Why is the movie rated PG-13?

Kids love watching Christmas movies where young people help to save Christmas. Kids love to imagine themselves being the ones to help Santa save Christmas for everyone. That’s that imaginative element that helps them believe in Santa for just that little bit longer, and The Christmas Chronicles certainly offers that.

This is a great Netflix Original Movie, with a sequel out to continue the journey. It’s a story about two children who don’t feel the magic of Christmas all that much. At least, the eldest of the two doesn’t. However, when Santa ends up in trouble in their city, they’ll need to find a way to get the reindeer back in the sky.

A lot of Christmas movies are rating PG, but that’s not the case for this one. The Christmas Chronicles is rating PG-13, but why and does that mean you can’t watch it with the younger kids?

Why is The Christmas Chronicles rated PG-13?

The rating is linked to some of the suggestive elements to the story. Santa is played by Kurt Russell. With that in mind, you probably know what type of Santa you’re going to get. He’s nothing like Billy Bob Thornton’s Santa, but there are some moments that will make adults chuckle. Of course, most of those elements go over the heads of the kids, so it’s still safe to watch with them.

Some of the elements may also be a little scary for children. There are struggles mid-air, which can leave children scared about what could happen to Santa. Will he be around to even finish off his Christmas Eve deliveries? Some of the characters climb telephone poles, and there’s a moment where one character steals a car. This isn’t your funny, cute Christmas movie that your seven-year-old is going to be used to watching.

As or language, there is a little bit. The curse words are nothing too series. We’re looking at “hell” and “damn,” but I do know some people who don’t like those words. However, with the way the world is now your kids have likely heard those words out in the world.

There are some great messages throughout the movie. There’s also a great musical number that is going to get all the kids up dancing. While it is a PG-13 movie, it’s still something for younger members of the household to watch. I know because my seven-year-old was only a toddler watching it and I still remember her shouting at the screen in hopes that Santa would win the day.

The Christmas Chronicles is available to stream on Netflix.