How intense is the violence for a PG movie?

It was made before the PG-13 rating existed, so it pushes the limits of PG. Expect gunfights, explosions, characters getting shot, machete threats, and a memorable climax where a crocodile bites off a man's hand.

Is there explicit sexual content or nudity?

There is no full nudity, but there is heavy sexual tension, kissing, implied overnight intimacy between the leads, and frequent sexual innuendo in the dialogue.

Will modern kids find this 1984 movie too slow?

Rarely. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the film keeps a relentless pace full of practical stunts, mudslides, car chases, and quick-witted comedy that feels surprisingly modern.

Are there dated cultural stereotypes to talk through?

Yes. The movie's depiction of Colombia relies heavily on 1980s Hollywood tropes—corrupt military officials, drug cartels, and impoverished villagers. It's a helpful talking point for discussing how older movies used generic foreign backdrops for adventure stories.

Romancing the Stone – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Romancing the Stone

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1984

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A timid romance novelist gets plunged into a Colombian jungle adventure with a cynical bird smuggler to trade a treasure map for her kidnapped sister.

6.9/10

86%

70%

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Romancing the Stone

movie

PG, 1984

68%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A timid romance novelist gets plunged into a Colombian jungle adventure with a cynical bird smuggler to trade a treasure map for her kidnapped sister.

6.9

86%

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6.9/10

86%

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Screenwise Verdict

Before The Lost City or Jumanji, Robert Zemeckis delivered this sharp, slightly chaotic 80s action romance that still knows how to move. Kathleen Turner stars as Joan Wilder, a quiet romance author who has to head into the jungle to hand over a treasure map for her kidnapped sister, reluctantly teaming up with Michael Douglas's cynical exotic bird exporter along the way.

It carries that mid-80s PG rating energy—meaning it hit theaters right before PG-13 was created. Expect gun battles, crocodile attacks, casual drug crop campfires, and plenty of sexual innuendo. If a middle-schooler wants something beyond glossy modern green-screen action, this old-school stunt-heavy adventure holds up remarkably well.

Age Fit

Best for kids 12 and up who can handle 1980s-era PG edge, which includes gunfights, creature violence, and light sexual banter. Too intense for younger elementary kids, but a fun step up for middle schoolers ready for classic action cinema.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic 80s adventure tone with light romance, but includes mild profanity, heavy sexual innuendo, and casual drug references.

Imaginative

Pits a shut-in romance novelist inside her own pulpy adventure story, complete with treasure maps, jungle escapes, and clever set pieces.

Safe

Slipped in right before the PG-13 rating existed. Features bloody animal attacks, gun violence, machete fights, and mild profanity.

Enriching

Strong character arc for a female protagonist who grows from an anxious recluse into a capable, courageous adventurer.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Fast-paced adventure direction from Robert Zemeckis right before he made Back to the Future.
Kathleen Turner's lead performance delivers a genuine arc from sheltered Manhattan homebody to confident action hero.
Sparkling lead chemistry between Turner and Michael Douglas that keeps the banter quick and sharp throughout the jungle trek.

⚠

What to Watch For

Vintage PG edge: Released months before the PG-13 rating was created, so expect profanity ('shit', 'bastard'), sexual double entendres, and a scene where characters burn a field of marijuana to stay warm.
Jungle violence and gore: Includes automatic weapon shootouts, machete threats, and a villain getting his hand bitten off by a crocodile.

Conversation Starters

"Joan starts off terrified of leaving New York—what was the exact moment she stopped waiting for someone else to save her?"
"How does the film contrast Joan's cheesy fantasy novels with the messy, unglamorous reality of real jungle survival?"
"Jack acts pretty cynical when they first meet. Was he actually going to leave Joan behind, or was he just posturing?"

Deep Dive

Why It Still Holds Up

Romancing the Stone works because it takes its heroine's inner life seriously before throwing her down a muddy hillside. Joan Wilder isn't an elite agent or a trained fighter; she's an introverted writer who cries at her own manuscript endings. Watching her navigate corrupt military officers, treacherous mudslides, and Danny DeVito's bumbling villainy relies on wits and momentum rather than superpowers.

The Pre-PG-13 Reality Check

The MPAA introduced PG-13 in July 1984, meaning this March release packed content that would easily land a PG-13 today. Parents introducing modern kids to 80s catalog titles often forget how wild 'PG' used to be. Expect bad guys meeting graphic ends, liberal profanity, and explicit adult tension. If your family enjoys Indiana Jones or National Treasure, this is the direct lineage worth checking out.