Is Ben-Hur appropriate for children?

# Ben-Hur Parental Guide Ben-Hur is a classic epic adventure set in ancient Rome with no violence, language, or sexual content—making it entirely appropriate for children. The story follows a Jewish merchant wrongly imprisoned who later seeks redemption, offering themes of forgiveness and faith that can spark meaningful family discussions.

What age is Ben-Hur suitable for?

Our verdict for Ben-Hur is: Generally safe. See the age grid on this page for specific recommendations by age group.

Is Ben-Hur safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

None

🗣️

Language / Profanity

None

🔞

Sexual Content

None

👻

Horror / Scary

None

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

1959

Rating

Genre

History, Drama, Adventure

Synopsis

In ancient Judea, Jewish merchant Judah Ben-Hur opposes the Roman occupation. When he is falsely accused by a Roman childhood friend-turned-overlord, Judah Ben-Hur is sent to the galleys and his family is imprisoned.

Cast

Charlton Heston

Judah Ben-Hur

Stephen Boyd

Messala

Hugh Griffith

Scheich Ildirim

Jack Hawkins

Quintus Arrius

Full cast on IMDb ›

Age suitability

Under 6

Yes

Ages 6–8

Yes

Ages 9–12

Yes

Ages 13+

Yes

Where to watch

🎬 Find on Amazon

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Parents also checked

Ratings based on MPAA/TV classification and TMDB metadata. Updated March 2026.
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