Is Paulie appropriate for children?

**Paulie** is a heartwarming family adventure about a talking parrot reuniting with his owner, featuring an excellent cast and mild, family-friendly content. There's no violence, inappropriate language, or scary scenes, making it generally safe for children of most ages. The emotional storyline about friendship and loyalty may resonate particularly well with older children.

What age is Paulie suitable for?

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

Is Paulie safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Mild

🗣️

Language / Profanity

None

🔞

Sexual Content

None

👻

Horror / Scary

None

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

1998

Rating

Genre

Drama, Comedy, Family, Adventure

Synopsis

Paulie, a talking parrot, recounts his travels looking for his original owner to a Russian janitor who helps him to the end of his journey.

Cast

Gena Rowlands

Ivy

Tony Shalhoub

Misha Vilyenkov

Cheech Marin

Ignacio

Bruce Davison

Dr. Reingold

Full cast on IMDb ›

Stimulus level

Low stimulus

A 1998 live-action film with conversational storytelling and natural pacing, though some adventure sequences and talking-animal effects may provide moderate sensory stimulation for the youngest viewers.

Stimulus rating reflects pacing, visual complexity, and sensory intensity — factors associated with attention development in children under 3. Learn more

Age suitability

Under 6

Not yet

Ages 6–8

With parent

Ages 9–12

Yes

Ages 13+

Yes

Where to watch

🎬 Find on Amazon

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Parents also checked

The Shawshank Redemption

Not recommended

Forrest Gump

Not recommended

Ratings based on MPAA/TV classification and TMDB metadata. Updated March 2026.
Every child is different — always preview content for your family's specific needs.