Common Sense Media Review
By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?
age 13+
Engaging but edgy update of Taming of the Shrew.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
some
One teen gives up smoking to attract someone. An out-of-control high school party shows many teens drinking. The main character throws up after drinking and dancing on a table.
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Language
some
Occasional uses of "s--t," "bitch," "balls," and "crack whore." "Oh my God" and "Jesus" as exclamations. Sexual innuendo, such as "package" and "quivering member."
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Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
See Also10 Things I Hate About You movie review (1999) | Roger Ebert10 Things I Hate About You10 Things I Hate About You | Rotten Tomatoes10 Things I Hate About You (1999)References to sex and genitalia, including drawings and an exaggerated exposure by a teen boy using a bratwurst. Kat flashes her breasts at a teacher as a diversion (nothing shown). A high school senior discusses an experience she regretted with a boy as a freshman. A teacher writes implied sexual content on a computer, musing out loud words like "swollen" and "turgid."
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Positive Role Models
a lot
Young women show strong self-esteem, unafraid to stand out from the crowd. Kat has the courage to be vulnerable and share her feelings. She and her overprotective father have a tough time communicating but eventually come to understand each other.
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Positive Messages
a lot
The movie promotes the importance of remaining true to yourself and not falling to peer pressure, despite what other people might think. At the same time, it encourages vulnerability and allowing loved ones to help support and uplift you when you need it. Themes of love, courage, and strength.
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Diverse Representations
a little
Directed by a man and written by two women, the movie is a feminist retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. Young women show strong self-esteem, unafraid to stand out from the crowd. Though characters do follow a few clichés, such as "the popular girl," "nerdy best friend," and a "bad boy," they don't fall into gender roles or major stereotypes. The main cast is mostly White, with one Black supporting character who toes the line of the Black best friend cliché.
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Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that 10 Things I Hate About You is a classic teen romcom based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew starring Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger. It has many references to sex, including a student pretending to expose himself in the lunchroom using a bratwurst, another student flashing her breasts at a teacher as a diversion (nothing shown), plus discussions around high school sexual experiences. There's a wild party with teen drinking and smoking, and characters briefly reference drug use. But the movie shows the importance of remaining true to yourself and not falling to peer pressure, with young women especially demonstrating strong self-esteem and having the courage to be vulnerable. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
10 Things I Hate About You
Parent and Kid Reviews
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- Parents say (28)
- Kids say (107)
age 13+
Based on 28 parent reviews
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
June 10, 2022
age 14+
First half is normalized negativity...second half is ok...Ledger is great!
Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, David Krumholtz and the not my favorite Julia Stiles all work together fairly seamlessly to provide a teen film experience on the level of Fast Times at Ridgemont High with Shakespeare. Unfortunately the film relies a lot on a slew of normalized negativity thrown at Stiles' character in the first half of the film. Ledger of course though oozes charisma and a lot of promise that he could do so much more.
Carrie P. Adult
May 20, 2021
age 16+
Too much mention of sex
The opening scene there is a teacher writing an erotica novel and the text she is writing is visible on the screen. Throughout the first ten minutes alone she mentions this novel and sexual terms. She also makes sexual comments towards the teens regarding their anatomy.
See all 28 parent reviews
What's the Story?
In 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, Bianca (Larisa Oleynik), a high school sophomore, longs for a social life and romance. But her father won't let her date until her older sister, Kat (Julia Stiles), does. In an attempt to woo Bianca, Cameron James (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) tries to get Patrick Verona (Heath Ledger) to go out with Kat. Patrick is game to help his friend out, but the challenge winds up being more than he'd anticipated.
Is It Any Good?
Our review:
Parents say (28):
Kids say (107):
This romcom benefits from fresh, smart dialogue and talented young performers, including Stiles, Ledger, and Gordon-Levitt in some of their earliest roles. Based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, 10 Things I Hate About You shines thanks to its punchy lead heroine, an endearing "bad boy with a heart of gold," and comedian Larry Miller who's terrific as the girls' overprotective father. Adding to the fun are the film's unreliable teachers, including a guidance counselor more concerned with writing a steamy novel than with the behavior and well-being of her students. While the film still has clichés found in most high school movies—familiar cliques, wild parties, and White upper-middle-class characters living in big houses—its young stars make it more than the sum of its parts.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the portrayal of teen life in 10 Things I Hate About You. Is it realistic?
How are drinking and smoking portrayed in the movie? Are they glamorized, or are the potential negative consequences shown?
Would you consider 10 Things I Hate About You more feminist than The Taming of the Shrew? Why, or why not?
In what ways do characters in the film demonstrate courage? Why is this an important character strength?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 31, 1999
- On DVD or streaming: October 12, 1999
- Cast: Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles
- Director: Gil Junger
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Female writers
- Studio: Touchstone Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: Great Girl Role Models, High School
- Character Strengths: Courage
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: crude sex-related humor and dialogue, alcohol and drug-related scenes, all involving teens
- Last updated: August 13, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
10 Things I Hate About You
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