TL;DR: Tyler Perry’s latest Netflix drop, Joe’s College Road Trip, is not your standard "Madea" family outing. It’s rated R for a reason—think heavy language, mature sexual humor, and some pretty raw generational conflict. While it has some great takeaways about independence and the "empty nest" transition, this is strictly for the high school crowd and up.
If you’re looking for family-friendly alternatives for movie night, check out The Mitchells vs. the Machines or the classic College Road Trip with Martin Lawrence.
We’ve all been there: you’re scrolling through Netflix on a Tuesday night, the kids are finally (mostly) quiet, and you see a new Tyler Perry movie trending at #1. Usually, that means some slapstick humor, a bit of church-infused wisdom, and maybe Madea threatening someone with a chainsaw. It’s a formula we know.
But Joe’s College Road Trip hits a bit differently. Released in early 2026, this film centers on "Joe"—a character Perry has played before, but who is now front and center as the grumpy, unfiltered patriarch taking his grandson on a cross-country tour of HBCUs.
Here is the no-BS breakdown of what you’re actually getting into before you hit play with the kids in the room.
The plot is straightforward: A high-achieving high school senior is ready to head off to college and find his independence. His grandfather, Joe, decides he’s the only one who can "properly" prepare the boy for the real world. What follows is a chaotic drive across the country.
Unlike the PG-13 movies Perry is famous for, this is a hard R. We’re talking about a script that doesn’t hold back on profanity, and the humor leans heavily into "locker room" territory. It’s essentially Tyler Perry’s version of a raunchy road trip comedy, mixed with his signature brand of family melodrama.
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At Screenwise, we’re seeing a trend where "legacy" creators (folks our parents liked) are moving toward more adult-oriented content on streaming platforms to keep up with changing tastes. Because Perry is so synonymous with "family entertainment" in many households, there’s a real risk of parents putting this on for a 10-year-old, assuming it’s safe, only to be met with a barrage of F-bombs five minutes in.
According to our latest community data, about 22% of middle schoolers have already seen clips of this movie via TikTok or YouTube Shorts, often stripped of the "R-rated" context. Your kids might be asking to see it because the "Joe" character is currently a massive meme for his "Old Head" rants about Gen Z.
The Generational Conflict
The movie actually does a decent job of exploring the friction between "Old School" parenting (discipline, respect, tradition) and the modern world (mental health awareness, digital careers, individual autonomy). It’s a conversation many of us are having in real life, especially as our kids get older and start questioning why we do things the way we do.
Ages 0-13: Hard No. The language alone is enough to make a sailor blush. Beyond that, the themes of adult relationships and the specific type of "Joe" humor are just going to go over their heads or lead to some very awkward questions you aren't ready to answer while eating popcorn.
Ages 14-16: Parent’s Choice (with a warning). If your teen is already watching shows like Euphoria or Sex Education, the content here won't shock them. However, you might want to watch it with them to talk through some of the more "toxic" advice Joe gives his grandson.
Ages 17+: Green Light. By this age, they’re basically the ones the movie is making fun of. It can actually be a pretty funny watch with an older teen who is currently stressing about college applications and their own "grandpa Joe" in the family.
- Language: It is constant. If you have a "no-cursing" rule in the house, this movie will break it within the first three minutes.
- Sexual Innuendo: While there’s no graphic nudity, the dialogue is very suggestive. Joe spends a lot of time talking about his "glory days" in a way that is definitely not Sunday-school friendly.
- Depiction of Authority: Joe is a "rules are for other people" kind of guy. He’s lovable in a grumpy way, but he’s not exactly a role model for law-abiding behavior.
- Generational Stereotypes: The movie leans hard into "Gen Z is soft" tropes. If your kid is sensitive about being told their generation is "ruining everything," this might be a frustrating watch for them.
If your teen has already seen it (or you decide to watch it together), use it as a bridge to talk about the future:
- On Independence: "Joe thinks the only way to be a man is to do exactly what he says. How do you balance listening to family advice with making your own choices?"
- On Respect: "Joe is pretty disrespectful to people he doesn't agree with. Is that just 'being real,' or is it a problem?"
- On College Pressure: "The grandson in the movie is terrified of picking the wrong school. Do you feel that same pressure?"
If you were hoping for a movie that captures the spirit of growing up and moving on without the R-rated baggage, try these instead:
- The Mitchells vs. the Machines: Possibly the best "kid going to college" movie ever made. It’s hilarious, visually stunning, and actually understands digital culture.
- Lady Bird: For older teens (it's R-rated but for "real life" reasons, not raunchy humor), this is a beautiful look at the mother-daughter dynamic during senior year.
- College Road Trip (2008): If you want the exact same plot as the Tyler Perry movie but safe for a 7-year-old, this G-rated Disney version is your best bet.
Joe’s College Road Trip is Tyler Perry's attempt to branch out into the "edgy" streaming world. It’s funny if you like his style, but it’s a massive departure from his "family-first" reputation.
Check your Netflix parental controls to make sure your younger kids don't accidentally stumble into Joe's world. This is one for the parents' "after hours" watchlist, or a conversation starter for those of us with kids who are already halfway out the door to university.
Check out our guide on the best movies for high school seniors
Next Steps:
- Check your teen's Netflix profile to see if R-rated content is restricted.
- If they’ve seen it, ask them what they thought about the "Joe" character—you might be surprised by how much they relate to the grandson's frustration!
- Take our Screenwise Family Survey to see how your family's movie-night habits compare to other intentional parents in your community.