Is ‘Wicked’ for kids? What to know about PG rating

“The Wizard of Oz” is a proven family musical classic.

More than 80 years later, “Wicked,” a prequel to the beloved film based on the Broadway musical of the same name, hits theaters on November 22.

But is “Wicked” — which follows the origin story of the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good — also family-friendly?

“Wicked” was rated PG, meaning parental guidance is suggested and some material may not be suitable for young children.

Here’s what you need to know about the kid-friendliness of “Wicked.”

Is ‘Wicked’ for kids?

Yes, “Wicked” is for kids, director Jon M. Chu told TODAY.com.

Chu says two of his five children, ages 7 and 5, have seen “Wicked.”

“My 3-year-old hasn’t seen it yet, but I’m taking her,” he adds.

“Wicked” is rated PG for “some frightening action, thematic material and brief suggestive material.”

For parents of young children, Chu notes: Watch out for the flying monkeys.

Towards the end of “Wicked,” viewers learn the backstory of The Wicked Witch of the West’s famous minions, her flying monkeys. Instead of costumed actors like in “The Wizard of Oz,” “Wicked” uses computer-generated imagery for the monkeys (and all the other animals in the film, including a lion cub, bear and goat).

Chu says the monkeys are “definitely not as creepy” as they were in “The Wizard of Oz.” But one Washington Post review of the film claims the flying monkeys are more terrifying with CGI, parents are warned, “this is not a movie for very young children.”

In terms of thematic and brief suggestive material, the film contains some romance. There is an on-screen kiss and an implied sexual encounter in one of the film’s first scenes.

What age is ‘Wicked’ suitable for?

Common Sense Media rates the film as appropriate for children ages 10 and up, citing “(light) jump-scares” involving the flying monkeys, the Wizard of Oz’s giant avatar head, and the bullying experienced by Cynthia Erivo’s character Elphaba.

The film is also long, taking 2 hours and 40 minutes in theaters, without previews.

The original Broadway musical on which the film is based is recommended for ages 8 and up, and children under 5 are not admitted, according to “Wicked” the musical’s website. The 1995 book that inspired the musical, Gregory Maguire’s “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch,” is not for children and includes swearing, sex, violence and more mature themes.

Chu generally describes his 2024 “Wicked” film as “accessible.”

“It’s about a relationship, and that relationship is nuanced — we’ll see if the kids pick up on that,” Chu says, referring to the complex friendship between Elphaba (Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande).

“I think they’re going to fall in love with this friendship and this world. And there’s a lot of things to look at and fall in love with,” says Chu. “But ultimately, I think they’re going to love these two friends. And I think that as a young person, when you meet new friends, I think everything connects with them as well.”