Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Battleship

film

Battleship

2012

When mankind beams a radio signal into space, a reply comes from ‘Planet G’, in the form of several alien crafts that splash down in the waters off Hawaii. Lieutenant Alex Hopper is a weapons officer assigned to the USS John Paul Jones, part of an international naval coalition which becomes the world's last hope for survival as they engage the hostile alien force of unimaginable strength. While taking on the invaders, Hopper must also try to live up to the potential that his brother, and his fiancée's father—an Admiral—expect of him.

Ages 13+Source checked

Why this age? Frequent combat, explosions, military destruction, deaths, frightening alien attacks, and sustained peril make this best suited to teens, despite limited gore and sexual content. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Violence5/5
  • Death of a character4/5
  • Frightening scenes4/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity3/5
  • Diverse representation3/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising3/5
Why this rating?

The film is explicitly based on the Hasbro Battleship board game and prominently features military hardware and branded real-world naval equipment.

Death of a character4/5
Why this rating?

Major military vessels are destroyed with crews aboard; named characters die, including Alex's brother, and deaths affect the survivors.

Graphic injury2/5
Why this rating?

Brief glimpses of injuries and alien physiology, but generally kept to standard action-movie levels.

Strong language3/5
Why this rating?

Military action-film dialogue includes recurring moderate profanity and crude expressions, but no indication of slurs or extreme language.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Alex and Sam are in a relationship, with a marriage proposal and family approval subplot, but romance is secondary to the war story.

Frightening scenes4/5
Why this rating?

Hostile aliens, attacks on civilians and military forces, isolation, frightening creatures, and repeated life-threatening situations create sustained tension.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal; some casual flirting and romantic subplots.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Adults occasionally drink socially; the available evidence does not suggest drug use, heavy misuse, or glamorization as a major theme.

Violence5/5
Why this rating?

Central to the film: naval combat, gunfire, missiles, explosions, alien attacks, fighter strikes, and characters killed in battle.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly face overwhelming alien forces, accept dangerous responsibilities, rescue others, and continue despite severe losses.

Creativity & curiosity3/5
Why this rating?

Characters solve problems creatively by using tsunami buoys, sunlight, retired veterans, improvised equipment, and unconventional tactics.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

The multinational naval coalition includes American, Japanese, and Australian personnel, with varied ages and military experiences.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Features basic depictions of naval operations and military hardware.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Emphasis on international cooperation and camaraderie between sailors.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Emphasizes responsibility, teamwork, perseverance, leadership, honoring service, sacrifice, and earning redemption through responsible action.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Military personnel show courage, cooperation, and sacrifice, though Alex begins as reckless and some solutions rely on destructive force.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story handle conflict or violence? Did the characters have other choices?
  3. Which choice in Battleship would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Battleship, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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