Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Hot Tub Time Machine is like a college party weekend, filled to the rim with profanity, sex and sex talk, as well as drugs, alcohol, and a little fighting. Several sex scenes, which include topless women and some bare male bottoms, as well as near constant profanity (from "f--k" to "p----y"), make this a decidedly adult movie. One big joke involves the possibility of a straight man performing a sex act on his straight male friend. Some comedic drug and alcohol scenes, along with the film's focus on men re-evaluating their middle-age lives, also pushes it into mature territory. Older teens might enjoy the movie, but it's definitely intended for adults who remember the 1980s and grew up enjoying these kinds of teen party movies, especially those starring John Cusack (Better Off Dead, The Sure Thing, etc.).
Sexual
Content
Aside from plenty of flirting, kissing, sexual innuendo, some naked male backsides, and some visual jokes about oral sex, there are two sex acts. One character has sex in a tub with a girl, but stops because he feels guilty about being married (although this is the past and he's not technically married yet). There is full frontal female nudity in this scene. In another scene, a character has unprotected sex with a woman (the point is to get her pregnant so that her grown son can continue to exist in the present), though no nudity is visible. A third sex act almost happens, a three-way between two guys and a woman, and the scene contains female frontal nudity and a naked male backside, as well as jokes about other parts of the anatomy.
Violence
The movie has a good amount of shouting and arguing, plus an ongoing series of mild fist fights with a bully.
Language
This movie features almost constant swearing from beginning to end, including, most frequently, "f--k" and all its different variations. Other foul language and innuendo includes "s--t," "dick," "penis," "vagina," "p---y," "ass," "balls," "Jesus," "bitch," "slut," and many more.
Social
Behavior
Despite the ultimate positive message -- that people have the power to change their situations -- the movie is filled with gags about drugs, fighting, and objectification of women that make its lesser messages something to note.
Consumerism
Many period products and brands, circa 1986 are shown and referenced, mostly for humor, including MTV, Sony Walkman, and Jansport. Pepsi is shown and referenced. And a Russian-made "Red Bull" knock off is essential to the plot. It's not actually "Red Bull," but the real "Red Bull" is referenced in comparison.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
These adult characters drink a great deal (beer, scotch, vodka, etc.) and do plenty of drugs, but it's mostly for humor. Many different kinds of drugs, from cocaine to Ritalin, are referenced and/or shown. One character eats psychedelic mushrooms, but they seem to have no effect. The same character also smokes pot from a bong. One scene should be noted: early in the film, a character nearly dies after drinking and driving and then parking in his garage with his car engine running. He is (jokingly?) referred to as an alcoholic.
