Ages 5+

NPH plays Patrick Winslow, a stressed-out advertising executive who ends up with tiny blue creatures living in his New York apartment. These movies are... fine. They're not going to win any awards, but they're genuinely designed for elementary schoolers and younger.

What works: The humor is slapstick and silly enough for young kids, NPH brings his usual charm, and there's nothing here that'll make you cringe. Hank Azaria as Gargamel is delightfully over-the-top.

What doesn't: These movies are aggressively mediocre. The CGI Smurfs in the real world thing feels dated now, and the plots are predictable. But hey, if you need 90 minutes of something safe for a 6-year-old's birthday party? You could do worse.

Ages 8+

This one's a recent Disney+ family comedy where NPH plays a wedding planner dealing with chaos. It's got that classic Disney Channel movie energy—wholesome, predictable, and designed to not offend anyone's grandmother.

The verdict: Perfectly pleasant background noise for a rainy Saturday. Nothing memorable, but nothing problematic either.

Ages 8+

This is the crown jewel of NPH's family content. He plays Count Olaf, the villainous actor trying to steal the Baudelaire orphans' fortune, and he is phenomenal. The show is dark, witty, beautifully designed, and treats kids like they're intelligent humans who can handle complex vocabulary and morally gray situations.

Why it works: The show respects its audience. Yes, it's about orphans being pursued by a murderous relative, but it's done with such style and humor that it never feels gratuitously dark. NPH gets to showcase his range—he's doing accents, disguises, musical numbers, and genuine menace all at once.

Age considerations: The books were written for middle schoolers, and the show follows suit. Younger kids (under 8) might find it genuinely scary. There are deaths (mostly off-screen), peril, and themes of loss and injustice. But for 9-12 year olds? This is perfect. It's the kind of show that sparked a generation's love of Lemony Snicket's books in the first place.

Parent tip: Watch the first episode with your kid to gauge their reaction. If they're into it, you've got 25 episodes of genuinely entertaining family viewing ahead.

Ages 13+

NPH plays a therapist in this fourth Matrix movie, and while he's great in it, this is really more of a teen-and-up situation. The violence is stylized but present, and honestly, if your kid hasn't seen the original Matrix trilogy, they'll be completely lost. This is more of a "watch with your high schooler who's into philosophy and action movies" pick.

Ages 10+

This is the show that made NPH famous—a 16-year-old doctor navigating medical school and teenage life. It's dated now (the computer diary scenes are hilariously retro), but it's actually pretty wholesome by today's standards.

The catch: It deals with some heavy medical topics—death, illness, ethical dilemmas—in a way that might be intense for younger kids. But for tweens interested in medicine or just curious about what TV was like in the early '90s, it's a fascinating time capsule.

Ages 12+

This cult classic web series features NPH as a wannabe supervillain who sings about his feelings. It's only 42 minutes total, and it's genuinely clever and funny.

Why the age rating? There's some violence (a main character dies), and the humor is more sophisticated—it's satire about superhero tropes and toxic masculinity, even if it doesn't explicitly call it that. Middle schoolers who are into musicals and Marvel movies will probably love it.

Ages 16+ (and even that's generous)

This is the big one parents ask about. NPH's Barney Stinson is legendary, and kids hear about the show constantly. But here's the thing: this is not a family show.

Barney Stinson is a walking red flag. Yes, he's funny. Yes, NPH plays him with incredible charisma. But the character's entire personality is built around manipulating women into sleeping with him, lying constantly, and treating relationships as a game to be won. The show presents this as comedic, and while there's eventually some character growth, we're talking nine seasons of "The Playbook" and elaborate schemes.

The broader issues: HIMYM is full of sexual content, drinking culture, and relationship dynamics that have aged poorly. The show's treatment of women, LGBTQ+ characters, and consent is... not great by 2025 standards. There's also the infamous ending that retroactively makes the whole series feel like a waste of time (no spoilers, but if you know, you know).

Real talk: If your 16-year-old is determined to watch it, they probably will. But it's worth having a conversation about how the show's "bro culture" humor reflects attitudes from 20 years ago that we've moved past. It's a time capsule of mid-2000s sitcom culture, for better and (mostly) worse.

Ages 18+

NPH plays a newly single gay man navigating the New York dating scene in his 40s. It's a perfectly fine adult comedy, but it's explicitly sexual and deals with adult relationship issues. This is a "watch after the kids go to bed" show, full stop.

Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and its sequels: NPH plays a wild, drug-fueled version of himself in these R-rated stoner comedies. They're funny if you're a college student, but they're absolutely not for kids. Heavy drug use, sexual content, and crude humor throughout.

Gone Girl: NPH is great in this psychological thriller, but it's dark, violent, and intensely adult. Save this for your own movie night.

Ages 5-7: Stick with The Smurfs movies. They're silly, colorful, and safe.

Ages 8-12: A Series of Unfortunate Events is the sweet spot. It's sophisticated enough to hold their attention and respects their intelligence.

Ages 13-15: Doctor Horrible and The Matrix Resurrections work here, depending on their maturity level and interest in the genres.

Ages 16+: If they're pushing to watch How I Met Your Mother, have a conversation about why Barney's behavior is problematic even if it's played for laughs. Media literacy matters.

NPH is openly gay and married with kids, which makes him a great representation figure in Hollywood. His personal life is wholesome and family-oriented, which is a funny contrast to some of his most famous roles (looking at you, Barney Stinson).

He's also a huge Broadway fan and has hosted the Tonys multiple times, so if your kids love musicals, watching him host awards shows can be a fun, family-friendly way to see him perform.

Neil Patrick Harris's career is a perfect example of why you can't just assume an actor's work is all the same rating. He's been in genuinely great kids' content (A Series of Unfortunate Events), mediocre but safe family movies (The Smurfs), and decidedly adult entertainment (How I Met Your Mother, Uncoupled).

The safest bet for family viewing? Start with A Series of Unfortunate Events. It's the rare kids' show that's actually well-made, respects its audience, and gives NPH room to show off his considerable talents. Plus, it might get your kids into reading the books, which is always a win.

And if your teenager is begging to watch How I Met Your Mother because everyone at school is talking about it? Maybe suggest alternatives to How I Met Your Mother that are actually funny without the toxic masculinity. There are better sitcoms out there that have aged more gracefully.