The Grinch age rating: How old do you have to be to watch The Grinch movie?

The Grinch movie is heading to cinemas in an early start to the holiday season, just the kind of timing the Grinch himself would hate.

But for all the non-scrooges out there, the November 9 release date is a perfect way to begin Christmas – even if the holiday is almost months away.

The 2018 movie comes replete with a star-studded cast, magical CGI, and of course, humour.

Based on the Dr Seuss story, The Grinch movie will undoubtedly warm hearts – both young and old.

How old do you have to be to watch The Grinch?

Luckily for families with tiny tots, The Grinch is rated U.

The USA equivalent is a G rating, which stands for general.

In the UK, the U rating is defined by the British Board of Film Classification as:

“A U film should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over, although it is impossible to predict what might upset any particular child.

U films should be set within a positive framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror.

“If a work is particularly suitable for pre-school children, this will be indicated in the BBFCinsight.”

The insight provided by BBFC describes brief violence and mild bad language as potentially upsetting to very small children.

“There are a number of comic slapstick incidents, as well as some brief and swiftly resolved moments of threat,” the BBFC says.

The language referenced includes uses of ‘jeez’ and ‘heck’.

One of the taglines reads: “Resting Grinch Face” alluding to the pop-culture term ‘resting bitch face’, a piece of humour likely to go over children’s heads but land well with adults.

Additionally, the BBFC makes mention of a brief allusion to drug use.

“There is an implied drug reference when a man says, ‘I don’t know what’s in this cake, but I think I just saw Santa Claus!'” the BBFC adds.

There is no warning for photosensitivity and epilepsy.

The Grinch will be available in 3D, so it is also important to remember how this will impact small children.

The plot of The Grinch is described by Universal PIctures as: “The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet.

“His main source of aggravation comes during Christmastime when his neighbours in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang.

“When the Whos decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realizes there is one way to gain peace and quiet. With help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to pose as Santa Claus, steal Christmas and silence the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all.”

The voice cast of The Grinch stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Rashida Jones, Kenan Thompson, Cameron Seely, Pharrell Williams, and Angela Lansbury.

The Grinch is out on November 9, 2018.