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Blackfish

Movie 2013 83 min Documentary Checked by Dan S · 21 Oct 2026
Official Rating PG-13 ClearAge 14+

No Australia rating available — showing United States

Why our age differs

Official is US PG-13. We say 14+ because repeated talk of deaths and graphic witness accounts land heavier than a typical US PG-13 nature film

What we flagged

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Violence
Strong
Frightening
Moderate
Language
Mild

Our take

Blackfish examines what happened to captive orcas and the people who worked with them. It includes real deaths, descriptions of injuries and distressing footage of the animals. We would start at 14 and talk about it afterwards.

Uplifting themes

Whistleblowers and scientists push for safer treatment of animals. The message is activist, not comforting Trainers who speak out and investigators who listen model courage. SeaWorld executives are questioned sharply Clear history of captivity, orca biology, and corporate policy makes a strong civics and science discussion starter

Story (may spoil tone)

Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.

What we flagged

View all categories

Violence
Strong
Frightening
Moderate
Language
Mild

Details

Violence Strong Archive footage and witness accounts describe orca attacks, drowning, a…

Archive footage and witness accounts describe orca attacks, drowning, and blood in pools. The violence is documentary, not staged, and repeats across cases

Language Mild Expect strong language in interviews, including A few damn and hell lin…

Expect strong language in interviews, including A few damn and hell lines. Most upsetting content is factual narration

Frightening Moderate Distressed whales, dark tanks, and sudden attack footage can unsettle s…

Distressed whales, dark tanks, and sudden attack footage can unsettle sensitive viewers. Dread builds from knowing what happened to trainers

Gore / death / weapons Mild Blood and injury are discussed and partly shown in news clips. It is no…

Blood and injury are discussed and partly shown in news clips. It is not a gore reel

Mental health Mild Former trainers describe guilt, trauma, and denial after attacks. The f…

Former trainers describe guilt, trauma, and denial after attacks. The focus stays on institutional choices

Grief / bereavement Strong Families and colleagues mourn Dawn and earlier victims throughout. Loss…

Families and colleagues mourn Dawn and earlier victims throughout. Loss drives the legal and ethical argument

Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.

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Talk after watching

  • Trainers loved the whales yet feared them. How can someone care for an animal and still question the system?
  • The film argues captivity changed Tilikum's behavior. What responsibility do audiences have after watching?