Monsters University
Monsters University
Your feedback improves this guide
Your feedback highlights guides that need a second look and keeps the rating trustworthy.
Does this age rating seem accurate to you?
Sign in to vote
Watch-outs
What this film brings
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
2/5
Moderate
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Monsters University is a lively family animated comedy set in a funny, colorful monster world, with a campus atmosphere and a strong competition storyline. The main sensitive elements are stylized scares, physical challenge sequences, chases, student humiliation, and sustained pressure around success and failure. The intensity stays moderate and highly cartoonish, with no realistic injuries or adult content, but several scenes may still unsettle very young viewers, especially those involving darkness, monsters trying to be scary, and the large creature in the woods. The story also includes repeated teasing and social exclusion, which may land strongly with children who are sensitive to embarrassment or bullying. For most children, the film becomes easier to follow and genuinely engaging around age 6, especially if an adult is present to reassure them that the scary moments are played for adventure and comedy, and that the core message is about friendship, perseverance, and self worth.
Synopsis
A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University — when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.
Difficult scenes
The Scare Games include several challenge scenes where the characters are in apparent danger, even though the tone stays cartoonish. There is an obstacle course through sewers with glowing venomous creatures, along with moments when contestants risk being caught or eliminated, which can create real tension for younger children. One library sequence builds suspense through silence, surveillance, and fear of being noticed. The librarian suddenly becomes very threatening when the students make noise, with a visual shift and a short chase that may startle children who are sensitive to abrupt changes in faces or behavior. The Oozma Kappa team is mocked and humiliated by more popular students, especially during a party that turns into a public prank. This scene is not scary in a traditional sense, but it can be upsetting for children who are sensitive to social rejection because the characters are openly laughed at and embarrassed. Later in the film, a trip into the human world leads to a darker sequence at a summer camp. The monsters try to scare real humans, then a large forest creature appears in the dark and triggers a more intense chase than the rest of the movie, making this the most likely scene to unsettle younger viewers.
Where to watch
No verified platform for the US market yet. We keep this section updated as availability changes.
Availability checked on Apr 01, 2026
About this title
- Format
- Feature film
- Year
- 2013
- Runtime
- 1h 44m
- Countries
- United States of America
- Original language
- EN
- Studios
- Pixar
Content barometer
Violence
2/5
Moderate
Fear
2/5
A few scenes
Sexuality
0/5
None
Language
1/5
Mild
Narrative complexity
2/5
Moderate
Adult themes
0/5
None
Expert review
Monsters University is a lively family animated comedy set in a funny, colorful monster world, with a campus atmosphere and a strong competition storyline. The main sensitive elements are stylized scares, physical challenge sequences, chases, student humiliation, and sustained pressure around success and failure. The intensity stays moderate and highly cartoonish, with no realistic injuries or adult content, but several scenes may still unsettle very young viewers, especially those involving darkness, monsters trying to be scary, and the large creature in the woods. The story also includes repeated teasing and social exclusion, which may land strongly with children who are sensitive to embarrassment or bullying. For most children, the film becomes easier to follow and genuinely engaging around age 6, especially if an adult is present to reassure them that the scary moments are played for adventure and comedy, and that the core message is about friendship, perseverance, and self worth.
Synopsis
A look at the relationship between Mike and Sulley during their days at Monsters University — when they weren't necessarily the best of friends.
Difficult scenes
The Scare Games include several challenge scenes where the characters are in apparent danger, even though the tone stays cartoonish. There is an obstacle course through sewers with glowing venomous creatures, along with moments when contestants risk being caught or eliminated, which can create real tension for younger children. One library sequence builds suspense through silence, surveillance, and fear of being noticed. The librarian suddenly becomes very threatening when the students make noise, with a visual shift and a short chase that may startle children who are sensitive to abrupt changes in faces or behavior. The Oozma Kappa team is mocked and humiliated by more popular students, especially during a party that turns into a public prank. This scene is not scary in a traditional sense, but it can be upsetting for children who are sensitive to social rejection because the characters are openly laughed at and embarrassed. Later in the film, a trip into the human world leads to a darker sequence at a summer camp. The monsters try to scare real humans, then a large forest creature appears in the dark and triggers a more intense chase than the rest of the movie, making this the most likely scene to unsettle younger viewers.