Parents' Guide to

Mrs. Doubtfire

By F. Faust, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

You'll laugh, you'll cry. Best divorce movie.

Movie PG-13 1993 125 minutes
Mrs. Doubtfire Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 11+

Based on 41 parent reviews

Spencer H.
Spencer H. Adult
June 10, 2020
age 13+

Excellent but not for pre-teens and younger

This is considered one of the late Robin William's best movies for a reason. He is absolutely fantastic. This has a wonderful screenplay and acting and direction. However similar with Back to the Future, the fact our society thinks this is a "family movie' I think is insane. I watched it at a very young age but this is not a film for small children or families with small children. There is language (GD, the s word, a--hole, b---h b-----d, and more.) There are sexual references towards the end which although very funny are not suitable for a family film. Although the divorce is handled in a loving way towards the end with a great message and although the film is overall a comedy it gets very sad towards the end, even I almost cry towards the end even more so how as the wonderful Robin is no longer with us, and children may get sad and upset until the happy ending. For teenagers mature enough to understand the subject matter and get the humor it is a good choice but remember it is rated PG-13 for a reason and not a good choice for young tykes. It is important to prepare your kids that although it is a very funny movie and one of the great American comedies, the core of the story is actually rather heartbreaking and has very poignant insight to divorce. Things work out for the best in the end but it is a bit of a sad journey before you get there. Laugh and cry with one of the greatest comedic talents in the world, and be prepared for kids to cope with the content.
LoveMykids1
LoveMykids1 Adult
April 3, 2021
age 7+

GREAT MATURE KID MOVIE

Look I am not going to be one of the parents who does not set boundaries and just says that this is appropriate for all ages for example one parent said that Annabelle was ok for 3+ which is rediculus for one more example thier was a parent saying that austin powers was a "GREAT SHOW FOR TODDLERS" . this movie is a great movie and dilivers postive messesges and great role models thier is some sexy stuff but it is limited like for example AKA robin williams asks his brother to turn him into a women and he hugged him but ovrall this movie is OK for ages 6+
See all 41 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MRS. DOUBTFIRE, loving-but-eccentric dad Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is devastated when his wife, Miranda (Sally Field) files for a divorce and gets custody of the kids. Regular visits with his three children aren't enough, so when he hears that Miranda is looking for a nanny/housekeeper, he gets his make-up artist brother (Harvey Fierstein) to transform him into a matronly old woman. Posing as the veddy proper Mrs. Iphegenia Doubtfire, Daniel gets the position and quickly wins over the kids. But his double-life ruse gets complicated when Miranda starts dating the dashing, debonair Stu (Pierce Brosnan).

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (41 ):
Kids say (132 ):

This is one of those great movies that grow better over time. Director Chris Columbus uses the hilarious Robin Williams to his fullest. Williams clowns around, talks a mile a minute, drops pop culture references, and does vocal impersonations that might have little to do with the story but that leaven what would otherwise be too painful and poignant for some kids.

What raises Mrs. Doubtfire above other movies about separation is the care it takes in dealing with real human problems. Though it provides a basis for a comedy, the issue of divorce and custody is treated seriously. Irresponsible Daniel grows from the experience of looking at the world from a woman's point of view.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the impact of divorce in families. Do you think Mrs. Doubtfire deals with the topic realistically?

  • Why is Daniel seen as too irresponsible to have custody? Do your kids think that's fair? What about the working mom -- does the fact that she works full time and makes more money than Daniel make her a "better" parent?

  • How do the characters in Mrs. Doubtfire demonstrate self-control and gratitude? Why are these important character strengths?

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