A Christmas Story

Parents need to know that A Christmas Story has become a must-see holiday classic. Its 1940s setting offers an appealing sense of nostalgia, and it really gets what it means to be a kid at Christmas. That said, both kids and adults use and discuss strong language ("ass," "son of a bitch"), and one famous scene involves young Ralphie using the "F" word (though viewers hear the word "fudge"). Afterward, he's punished for swearing by having his mouth washed out with soap. Ralphie is also bullied and beats up his nemesis, then cries afterward. One child sticks his tongue on a flagpole on a dare and needs the fire department to unstick him. A scene set in a Chinese restaurant includes dated stereotypes about Asian people and their pronunciation of English.