Wondering if The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is ok for kids? Surprisingly they turn down the crass a smidge and have made a special to put even the worst grinches in the holiday spirit. While there are still some things to watch for, here’s what parents need to know in this Parents Guide to The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Parents Guide
When Kraglin tells Mantis and Drax a story of how Yondu ruined Christmas for Peter Quill when he was a boy, Mantis wants to make Christmas really special for him this year. Peter has been especially sad since Gamora left. They get the idea to decorate and also give Peter a fantastic Christmas gift – Kevin Bacon! They travel to earth, kidnap Kevin, steal some holiday decor, and also find themselves in a pickle with the police.
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Age Rating: Is it Kid Friendly?
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special is rated TV-14 for language and suggestive references which means some content may not be suitable for kids under 14.
Language
There is some language in The GotG Holiday Special including three uses of damn and a use of sh*t. There are also phrases like “piss me off,” crap, and stupid.
Mature Content
There is some violence including use of guns and a kidnapping, but it’s pretty mild. A character punches another character and also throws down a Christmas tree.
When telling the story of Yondu and Peter at Christmas, Yondu gets really angry and yells. This may be upsetting to some children. Although the scene is animated, it can be emotional.
Themes of grief and loss are addressed.
Characters drink alcohol including going to a bar and drinking shots. They make questionable choices.
Some of the lyrics in the songs include references to Mrs. Claus working a pole, stabbing out Santa’s eyes, and putting dung in socks.
Is The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special Appropriate for Kids Under 14?
The Guardians of the Galaxy have never been known for their sensitivity or refinement. In fact, the Guardians of the Galaxy movies are usually some of the least kid friendly Marvel movies. However, The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday special was still a bit irreverent, but toned down some of the crassness and made it a holiday special families can watch together. If you have little ones who are still believers in Santa Claus, then it may ruin the idea of him in the songs.
Is The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special ok for kids? The runtime of 44 minutes is perfect for kids, and I’d recommend it for ages 10 years and older due to some inappropriate content. But if you have younger Guardians fans, then they should be fine.
It’s silly, funny, and yes, a bit crass, but in the end, the sentiment and holiday cheer got me in the feels. Pom Klementieff and Dave Bautista are a ho-ho-larious comedic duo, and it was their time to shine instead of being the background Guardians. Messages of family, love, and sacrifice solidified the holiday spirit.
The whole Kevin Bacon bit was zany, and it was a little lost on me, but you can’t hate Kevin Bacon. Rock those Christmas PJs and gather your family together to watch the most non-sucky holiday special. Your family will have a blast watching The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special!
The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special streams on Disney+ on November 25!
