Here's what you need to know before deciding if this is family movie night material:

Sexual Content & Innuendo: This is probably the biggest concern. There's a fair amount of sexual innuendo throughout, including jokes about anatomy during a medical exam scene that goes on way too long. There's a scene where the characters encounter a woman in the desert who's presented as a sexual object, and various double entendres that will either go over younger kids' heads or make you cringe. No nudity, but the PG rating from 1985 allowed for a lot more suggestive content than you'd see in a PG movie today.

Language: Mild profanity scattered throughout—nothing worse than "hell" or "damn," but it's frequent enough to notice. By today's standards, this would still squeak by with a PG, but it's worth noting.

Violence: Slapstick and cartoonish for the most part. Characters get hit, fall down, and there's some shooting with ray guns and conventional weapons, but nothing graphic or bloody. The violence is played for laughs, though there are a few scenes where characters die (again, not graphically).

Stereotypes & Dated Humor: This is where the movie really shows its age. Soviet characters are portrayed as bumbling villains in ways that lean on Cold War stereotypes. There are also some uncomfortable moments around women being objectified and some humor that just doesn't land in 2026. The movie was trying to parody spy thrillers, but some of the jokes feel more cringey than clever now.

Substance Use: Smoking appears throughout (it's the 80s), and there's some drinking, but nothing excessive or glamorized.

If your family has been exploring 80s movies, your kids might be curious about this one, especially if they've enjoyed other Chevy Chase films like National Lampoon's Vacation or Dan Aykroyd in Ghostbusters.

The physical comedy is genuinely funny in places—Chase and Aykroyd have good chemistry, and there are some legitimately clever sight gags. The movie also features a memorable theme song by Paul McCartney that your kids might recognize.

For middle schoolers studying the Cold War, this could be an interesting (if not entirely accurate) cultural artifact. It captures the anxiety and absurdity of the nuclear arms race in a way that's more accessible than a documentary, though you'll definitely want to have conversations about what's exaggerated for comedy versus historical reality.

Ages 8-11: Too mature. The sexual innuendo, even if it goes over their heads, combined with the dated humor and Cold War context they won't understand, makes this a skip for elementary schoolers. There are much better family comedies for this age group.

Ages 12-14: This is your sweet spot if you're going to watch it at all. Middle schoolers who appreciate older comedies and can handle some crude humor will get the most out of it. They're also old enough to discuss the historical context and why some of the humor hasn't aged well. Watch it together so you can fast-forward through the more uncomfortable bits or pause to talk about why certain jokes were considered acceptable in 1985 but aren't today.

Ages 15+: Teens who are into film history or 80s pop culture might find it interesting as a time capsule, but honestly, it's not essential viewing. If they're exploring classic comedies, steer them toward Ferris Bueller's Day Off or The Princess Bride first.

It's not as funny as you remember: If you loved this as a kid, be prepared for it to not hold up. The pacing is slow by modern standards, many jokes fall flat, and the plot is pretty thin. Your kids might be bored, and you might be embarrassed by parts you didn't remember.

The PG rating is misleading: This got a PG in 1985, but if it were released today, it would likely get a PG-13. The MPAA's standards have shifted, and what was considered acceptable for general audiences has changed. Don't assume PG means it's fine for your 8-year-old.

It's a teaching moment about media literacy: This movie is actually a great jumping-off point for discussions about how comedy ages, how cultural attitudes shift, and why representation matters. If you do watch it with older kids, use it as an opportunity to talk about stereotypes, how women were portrayed in 80s comedies, and what we've learned since then.

There are better spy spoofs: If your kids are interested in spy comedies, consider Johnny English, the Spy Kids series, or even Get Smart (the 2008 version). They're more family-friendly and hold up better.

If you're looking for movies with a similar vibe but more appropriate content:

Spies Like Us is a mediocre 80s comedy that hasn't aged particularly well. The PG rating is misleading by today's standards, and there's enough sexual innuendo and dated humor to make it uncomfortable for younger viewers and potentially awkward for parents watching with teens.

If you're feeling nostalgic and your kids are 12+, it could be a fun "watch what Mom/Dad loved as a kid" experience, but go in with realistic expectations. Use it as an opportunity to talk about how media and cultural attitudes change over time.

But honestly? There are dozens of better 80s movies for family viewing that have held up better and offer more value for your time. Unless your kid is specifically studying Cold War culture or doing a deep dive into 80s comedy, this one can probably stay in the vault.

Final recommendation: Ages 12+ with parental co-viewing, but not essential viewing for anyone. If your kids want spy comedy, point them toward Johnny English or the Spy Kids franchise instead.