Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that despite its high nostalgia factor and preteen stars, Stand by Me should by no means be considered a children's movie. It has a ton of strong language (including "f--k" and "s--t"), implied and displayed violence, and sexual references/crude jokes, and it also deals with adult-oriented themes -- including the disillusionment of adolescence. Kids and teens also smoke and drink, and a dead body is shown. Stories about parental physical and emotional abuse aren't shown but are mentioned frequently and are key to the story. There's also an extremely memorable (and extremely gross) scene involving mass vomiting during an eating contest.
Sexual
Content
Innuendo (references to masturbation, getting laid) and crude jokes. The boys are curious about the opposite sex and discuss girls in a crude but age-appropriate way.
Violence
A dead body is shown; references to other violent acts (including a father hurting his son and another dad shooting a gun). Some peril (a train approaching while boys on the tracks) and threats. Scuffling/wrestling.
Language
Many uses of "f--k," plus "s--t," "a--hole," "t-ts," "d--k," and more, almost all by teen boys.
Social
Behavior
The movie shows that growing up is an often-painful process. That said, the boys' friendship is a powerful force in their lives, and the movie has a strong nostalgic appeal.
Consumerism
References to Winston's cigarettes, cherry PEZ, and Fruit of the Loom underwear.
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
Underage kids drink and smoke; a teen drives while drinking.
