Parents' Guide to

WarGames

By Randy White, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Suspenseful Cold War tale with teen gamer in control.

Movie PG 1983 114 minutes
WarGames 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 7 parent reviews

NeversideFaerie
NeversideFaerie Adult
September 3, 2017
age 11+

Thrilling, thought-provoking and very clever!

This is one of the few films I know of that is filled with action and suspense, yet has little to no violence. Rather, the film earns its rating because of intense scenes and a fair amount of bad language. Though this movie may be dated by now, its message still stands strong and the subject matter is great for promoting discussions between parents and children. It is immensely fun to watch together too - the story is utterly gripping and will have you on the edge of your seat!
Sammy M.
Sammy M. Parent
October 22, 2016
age 14+

This movie has lots of swearing. I made the mistake of showing it to my nephew. If you want to keep your kid away from profanity avoid this movie. It has s**t, d**n, a** hole, and p***k. It also has sexual references.
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

America comes to the brink of World War III when a teenager accidentally hacks into a military computer. The story begins when computer gamer David (Matthew Broderick) accidentally cracks into the Pentagon's computer system and starts to play the game Global Thermonuclear War. But the game is real, and the fate of the world is at stake, leaving David, his friend Jennifer (Ally Sheedy), and government official McKittrick (Dabney Coleman) are in a race to stop the Pentagon computer from bombing Russia.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (16 ):

Although dated in appearance, this clever and suspenseful movie questions both an overreliance on technology and the Reagan-era defense policy. This movie makes a strong case against nuclear war, portraying it as a game of brinksmanship with no winners. It also warns against leaving the responsibility of starting a nuclear war to artificial intelligence technology. The final sequence dramatizes these dangers with simulated explosions on wall-sized screens.

Nevertheless, WarGames manages to have fun with a very serious topic. The overall atmosphere of the movie is playful, as kids ride their bikes from house to house while the fate of the world rests in their hands. The Pacman-era technology may seem hokey by today's standards, but the military command center, with its multiple screens, is still impressive. Ironically, much of the "computer" simulation was accomplished with good old-fashioned animation. The movie anticipates various technological advances, most notably the explosion of the Internet. Teens interested in computers and game theory will find much to enjoy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Cold War history. Also, while the movie is dated, it might be provide a way to talk about the current war and to ask your kids about their own fears.

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