Is The Notebook appropriate for children?

# The Notebook - Parental Guide *The Notebook* is a romantic drama featuring strong sexual content and mature themes about love, loss, and Alzheimer's disease. While the PG-13 rating allows children 13+, the emotional intensity and intimate scenes make it better suited for older teens and adults. Consider your child's maturity level and comfort with romantic content.

What age is The Notebook suitable for?

Our verdict for The Notebook is: Not recommended. See the age grid on this page for specific recommendations by age group.

Is The Notebook safe for children? | ScreenWise Parent Guide

Content breakdown

🔫

Violence

Moderate

🗣️

Language / Profanity

Mild

🔞

Sexual Content

Strong

👻

Horror / Scary

Mild

About this movie

Type

Movie

Released

2004

Rating

PG-13

Genre

Romance, Drama

Synopsis

An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimer's. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.

Cast

Ryan Gosling

Noah Calhoun

Rachel McAdams

Allie Hamilton

Gena Rowlands

Older Allie

James Garner

Older Noah "Duke"

Full cast on IMDb ›

Age suitability

Under 6

Not yet

Ages 6–8

Not recommended

Ages 9–12

Not recommended

Ages 13+

Not recommended

Where to watch

🎬 Find on Amazon

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Parents also checked

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

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.