The rating is a guess, not a guarantee. Two shows can carry the same TV-14 label and have almost nothing in common content-wise. However, VidAngel helps you to know what’s actually in something before it plays and allows you to skip what you don’t want to see or hear.

Don’t just take our word; here’s what the data looks like across 14 popular TV-14 shows:

F-Words in TV-14 Shows

Same rating. Very different language.

The Summer I Turned Pretty averages 11 f-words per episode. Meanwhile, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has zero. Both are teen romances rated TV-14.

TV-14 Nudity Counts

Some of these will surprise you.

*79 nudity instances in Stranger Things — though to be fair, most are “creature buttocks.” Still, why is there any nudity?

TV-14 Sexual Content Counts

This is where the range gets hardest to ignore.

Friday Night Lights carries 218 instances of sexual content, including sex with brief nudity on screen. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before however, has just 6. Yet both are rated TV-14.

The Rating Tells You the Category. VidAngel Tells You the Content.

A TV-14 label means the show was reviewed and placed in a bucket. However, it doesn’t tell you whether you’re looking at 0 f-words or 284. Sexual content showing up once or 218 times? The rating won’t tell you that either. And it definitely doesn’t give you any control over what your family actually sees.

That’s what VidAngel is for.

You pick what you don’t want to see or hear—language, nudity, sexual content, and violence—and VidAngel automatically filters out those moments as you watch. The episode keeps playing. You just decide what stays in it.

No pre-screening and no need for hovering of the remote anymore. Just confident, informed, genuinely enjoyable movie nights.

Ready to get started?

Here’s how to get started with VidAngel:

1. Sign up for VidAngel
2. Set your default filters based on what you typically want to skip
3. Customize for each show depending on who’s watching
4. Press play and actually enjoy movie night

New to VidAngel? Learn how VidAngel filtering works

The post What Does TV-14 Actually Mean? appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

Kids screen time at home goes up when school’s out. That’s just reality — not a parenting failure. The question isn’t whether they’re going to watch something. The question is whether you actually feel okay about what’s playing while you’re making lunch, answering emails, or doing anything else that requires your attention for more than four minutes.

For a lot of parents, the honest answer is: not always.

The Problem With “Mostly Fine”

Most of what kids want to watch is mostly fine. But “mostly fine” is doing a lot of work in that sentence.

It means you’ve seen enough of the show to feel reasonably okay about it. It means you haven’t heard anything alarming from other parents. It means the rating seems about right for the age.

What it doesn’t mean is that you actually know what’s in every episode. Or that the language in episode seven isn’t a surprise. Or that the show your nine-year-old is watching in the other room is exactly the version you’d choose if you were sitting right there.

There’s a gap between “probably fine” and “I know what’s playing.” VidAngel closes that gap.

Set It Before You Press Play

VidAngel works with your existing streaming services — Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Peacock, and more — to let you filter what plays before your kids ever see it. Profanity, sexual content, nudity, violence — 100+ customizable filters you set once and they run automatically.

You’re not hovering. You’re not doing a mental risk assessment every time they pick something new. You set the filters based on your kids, your house, your standards — and then you go make lunch without the background anxiety.

What It Looks Like at Oakley’s House

Content creator Oakley Peterson (@nothingdownaboutit) keeps it real about what screen time actually looks like when kids are home — which is to say, more than usual, and that’s okay. VidAngel is how she makes peace with it. Real filters, real shows, real family.

More Screen Time. Less Second-Guessing.

You don’t have to earn a break. You just have to press play on something you actually feel good about.

The post Kids Screen Time at Home: How to Feel Good About What’s Playing appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

The Frustrating Pattern Every Streaming Fan Knows

You know the feeling. Someone recommends a show. The reviews are glowing. The story sounds incredible.

You start watching…and then that scene happens.

Maybe it’s an explicit scene that catches you off guard. Perhaps it’s language that doesn’t match the vibe you were promised. It could be it’s just more than you signed up for.

So you bail. Another “not for me” added to the list.

When Great Stories Come With Problematic Content

Here’s what’s frustrating: too often, great shows come with parts you don’t want.

Bridgerton

Bridgerton has captured millions of viewers with its Regency-era romance, stunning costumes, and intricate family drama. The series delivers sharp wit, compelling characters, and production values that rival feature films.

But the explicit intimate scenes scattered throughout each season create an awkward barrier for many viewers. They want the period drama without the steamier content.

The Night Manager

The Night Manager delivers edge-of-your-seat espionage with Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie. This cat-and-mouse thriller adapted from John le Carré’s novel features stunning international locations and morally complex characters.

But explicit sexual content and graphic violence create barriers for viewers. They want the spy thriller tension without the mature content.

Landman

Landman showcases the high-stakes world of West Texas oil rigs through Taylor Sheridan’s signature storytelling. Billy Bob Thornton’s commanding performance anchors this series. It captures the dangers, economics, and personal dramas of the modern oil industry with authenticity.

But constant profanity and sexual content make it difficult to recommend. This happens despite its compelling exploration of American industry.

Fallout

Fallout brings the beloved video game franchise to life with stunning post-apocalyptic visuals. The series features dark humor that perfectly captures the game’s spirit. It balances action, mystery, and satire while expanding the Fallout universe in exciting ways.

But extreme violence, strong language, and sexual content create obstacles. Viewers want the retro-futuristic adventure without the graphic content.

Outlander

Outlander offers one of television’s most epic love stories. It blends time travel, Scottish history, and sweeping romance across centuries. The chemistry between Claire and Jamie anchors a narrative rich with political intrigue and historical detail.

But graphic sexual content and intense violence appear frequently throughout the series. This forces viewers to choose between missing out on brilliant storytelling or sitting through scenes that cross their comfort level.

Stranger Things

Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon with its nostalgic 80s setting, lovable characters, and thrilling supernatural mysteries. The Duffer Brothers created a masterclass in suspense that appeals to multiple generations.

But the series includes strong language, horror elements, and mature themes. These intensify with each season, making family viewing complicated despite its broad appeal.

How VidAngel’s Filters Change Everything

Here’s what changes with filtering: you’re not stuck choosing between great storytelling and your comfort level.

Filter Popular Shows Your Way

VidAngel lets you customize what you watch:

Bridgerton‘s Regency romance and stunning costumes stay intact. Filter the explicit scenes.

The Night Manager becomes a spy thriller with tension you can actually enjoy. Keep all the suspense; skip the graphic content.

Landman showcases Taylor Sheridan’s storytelling. Filter the constant profanity and sexual content.

Fallout brings retro-futuristic adventure. Skip the extreme violence and graphic content.

Outlander keeps its epic love story. Filter the graphic sexual content and intense violence.

Stranger Things becomes family viewing again. Filter the strong language and intense horror elements.

You Decide What “Not for Me” Actually Means

“Not for me” doesn’t have to mean “I have to skip this entire show.” With VidAngel, it can mean “I’ll skip these specific moments.”

You control what stays and what goes. Filter language, skip explicit scenes, or mute specific words. The choice is yours.

Don’t settle for shows that are “almost” right for you.VidAngel lets you watch popular streaming movies and TV shows on your terms. Filter content from Netflix, Prime Video, Paramount+, Apple TV, Peacock, and more.

Ready to love your movies again?

Here’s how to get started with VidAngel:

1. Sign up for VidAngel
2. Set your default filters based on what you typically want to skip
3. Customize for each show depending on who’s watching
4. Press play and actually enjoy movie night

New to VidAngel? Learn how VidAngel filtering works

The post How to Love Your Movies and Shows Again appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

You’re scrolling through streaming options, and something catches your eye. But before you hit play, the real question hits: Is this actually appropriate for my family? What about just for me?

Welcome to the modern streaming dilemma. You’ve got more content than you could watch in three lifetimes, but somehow picking something to watch tonight feels like defusing a bomb.

The Traditional “Is This OK to Watch?” Checklist

Most folks follow the same routine:

✓ Check the rating
✓ Read a parent guide (or three)
✓ Look up the themes and “content warnings”
✓ Cross your fingers

Then you settle in to watch—thumb hovering over the remote like you’ve just been promoted to Chief Quality Control Officer of your own living room.

The Problem with Movie and TV Ratings

Here’s the thing: even when you do all the homework, you’re still basically guessing.

TV-14 could have zero F-words (Stranger Things season 1) or 40 F-words (The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1). Same rating. Wildly different content.

An R rating could mean “some intense themes” or it could mean wall-to-wall profanity that would make a sailor blush.

And those parent guides? They’re written for everyone. What five random internet strangers consider “mild sexual content” might be your “When did Grandma get here?!” You won’t know until you’re already watching—and by then, it’s too late.

So you end up watching nervously, ready to bail at the first unexpected “Well that escalated quickly” moment, instead of actually enjoying what you’re watching.

A Better Way to Decide What to Watch

What if you didn’t have to guess?

VidAngel flips the entire process. Instead of researching what might be in a show and hoping for the best, you get to see exactly what’s there—and then decide what stays and what goes.

No more guesswork. No more remote-hovering. Just informed decisions based on your preferences, your mood, and who’s in the room with you.

Real Example: How to Decide If Steal Is Right for You

Let’s look at a real show: Steal Season 1

The premise: A typical day at Lochmill Capital is upended when armed thieves burst in and force Zara and her best friend Luke to execute their demands. In the aftermath, conflicted detective Rhys races against time to find out who stole £4 billion pounds of people’s pensions and why.

Sounds exciting and intense. But is it appropriate for you? Let’s compare approaches.

Traditional Approach:

✓ Step 1: Check the rating: TV-MA
Okay, so… mature audiences. That could mean anything.

✓ Step 2: Read a parents guide:

• 5 of 16 found sex & nudity “mild”
• 4 of 6 found violence “severe”
• 3 of 6 found profanity “severe”

Wait—do you trust those 5 of 16 people’s opinions on what “mild” sexual content looks like?
Because we sure don’t.

✓ Step 3: Make your best guess: “Maybe fine for me but not the teens?”

✓ Step 4: Press play and hope you guessed right

The VidAngel Approach:

Know exactly what’s in the show before you watch:

Total filters available: 331 (avg. 55 per episode)

• 133 F-words (not “some profanity”—133 specific instances)
• 24 instances of blasphemy
• 3 instances of sex and nudity (with basic descriptions)
• 89 instances of violence/blood/gore (categorized with descriptions)
• and more

Now you can make an informed decision.

Skip what you don’t want to see or hear. Press play.

The Real Difference

Here’s what it comes down to:

Traditional approach: Vague warnings + strangers’ opinions + your best guess + crossed fingers = watching nervously with your thumb on the remote

VidAngel approach: Exact data + your preferences + your control = actually enjoying what you watch

With VidAngel, you’re not just deciding if something is right for you. You’re deciding how you want to watch it.

• Want the suspense of Steal without the F-words? Done.
• Okay with some violence but not the graphic stuff? Your call.
• Different standards for date night vs. family movie night? Adjust as needed.

Stop guessing. Start watching—on your terms.

Ready to Stop Guessing?

Here’s how to get started with VidAngel:

1. Sign up for VidAngel
2. Set your default filters based on what you typically want to skip
3. Customize for each show depending on who’s watching
4. Press play and actually enjoy movie night

New to VidAngel? Learn how VidAngel filtering works

The post How to Decide If a Show Is Appropriate appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

That means you can explore everything VidAngel has to offer completely risk-free. Watch, filter, and customize your viewing experience for an entire month, and if it’s not the right fit, you can request a full refund.

Plus, when you share VidAngel with friends and family through our Referral Program, you can even earn free months of service.

Try VidAngel Risk-Free

Here’s how our 30-day money-back guarantee works:

1. Subscribe at vidangel.com for $9.99/month.
2. Explore all our filtering features and link your streaming services (like Netflix, Prime Video, or Peacock).
3. Watch filtered movies and shows for up to 30 days.
4. Request a refund anytime within your first 30 days if VidAngel isn’t the right fit.

For details, check out our full Refund Policy.

Note: The 30-day money-back guarantee applies only to subscriptions made through our website. If you subscribe through Roku, iOS, or Android app stores, those platforms’ refund policies apply instead.

Get Free Months by Sharing VidAngel

Love VidAngel? Share it with your friends and family and earn free months through our Referral Program:

• Your friends get their first month free.
• You get a free month for each friend who subscribes.
• There’s no limit to how many free months you can earn.

It’s our way of saying thank you for helping others discover family-friendly streaming. Learn more: How Can I Share VidAngel?

Ready to Get Started?

Head to vidangel.com and start your risk-free membership today.
Within minutes, you’ll be watching your favorite shows and movies—with the content filtered exactly how you want it.

The post Does VidAngel Offer a Free Trial? appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• How to watch Netflix with VidAngel filters
• Which Netflix plans work with VidAngel
• How ads affect playback
• What to do if your Netflix show won’t play

How to Watch Netflix Titles on VidAngel

1. Subscribe to VidAngel at vidangel.com.
2. Link your Netflix account under Account Settings on the VidAngel website or mobile app (Link Streaming Services).
3. Stay on the VidAngel platform to find a Netflix title—browse our Popular on Netflix category for top picks.
4. Set your filters and start watching: all the good stuff, none of the bad.

Need help setting up? Check out our guide: How to Get Started with VidAngel.

Which Netflix Plans Link to VidAngel?

VidAngel connects to all Netflix subscription plans—but there’s one important detail:

• The Standard with Ads plan does not work on Roku or while casting.
• You’ll need to upgrade to the Standard (ad-free) or Premium plan, or simply watch on a different supported device.

To check your Netflix plan:

1. Go to netflix.com/account.
2. Click your profile icon in the upper-right corner.
3. Select Account from the drop-down menu.
4. Look under Membership Details to view or change your plan.

Can I Filter Ads from Netflix?

VidAngel filters the content of your shows—not the advertisements themselves.
To learn how ads work while watching on ad-supported plans, visit: How Do Ads Work with VidAngel?

Having Trouble Watching Netflix on VidAngel?

If your show won’t play, check these quick fixes:

• Netflix’s Standard with Ads plan does not work on Roku or casting devices.
• Not all Netflix titles are available on the ad-supported plan—this is a Netflix restriction.
• For other playback issues, visit our Troubleshooting section for detailed support.

Once you’re set up, you’ll be filtering Netflix like a pro—streaming your favorite stories the way you want to see them.

The post How to Filter Netflix Shows with VidAngel appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

This means you can finally filter your favorite Prime movies and shows right inside the VidAngel app. Whether you’re skipping profanity in Jack Ryan or fast-forwarding past the violence in Reacher, VidAngel lets you watch what you want—your way.

Before we dive in, here’s what we’ll cover:

• How to watch Amazon Prime Video with VidAngel filters
• How to upgrade to watch ad-free
• Which Amazon Prime Add-on Channels connect with VidAngel
• What to do if your show won’t play

How to Watch Prime Video with Ads on VidAngel

1. Subscribe to VidAngel at vidangel.com
2. Link your Amazon account in your VidAngel Account Settings.
   • You can do this from the VidAngel website or mobile app under Link Streaming Services.
3. Stay on the VidAngel platform to find a Prime Video title.
   • Browse the Popular on Amazon Prime category to get started.
4. Choose your filters and watch—all the good stuff, none of the bad.

Note: Prime with ads does not work on the VidAngel Roku app or while casting. You’ll need to upgrade to ad-free or watch on another supported device.

Need setup help? Check out our guide: How to Get Started with VidAngel.

How to Watch Amazon Prime Without Ads

If you upgrade your Prime Video subscription to ad-free, you can:

• Watch VidAngel content through the Roku app or while casting
• Enjoy your Prime titles without ads—on both Amazon and VidAngel

Here’s how to check or upgrade your Prime Video plan:

1. Go to your Amazon Prime Account & Settings
2. Sign in to your Amazon account
3. Select Prime Video from the top menu bar
4. Click your profile icon, then Account & Settings
5. Choose Go ad free

If your Memberships & Subscriptions page doesn’t say “Ad free,” you’re still on the default Prime plan that includes ads.

Can You Filter Ads Themselves?

VidAngel filters the content of your show or movie—not the ads. To understand how ads appear or function during playback, visit our article: How do ads work with VidAngel?

Amazon Prime Add-on Channels That Work with VidAngel

VidAngel can also filter content from these Amazon Add-on Channels (when subscribed through your Prime account):

• Paramount+
• STARZ
• PBS Masterpiece
• BritBox
• AMC+
• MGM+

If you subscribe to any of these services outside Amazon (for example, directly through the app), VidAngel won’t be able to link that subscription.

You can link Paramount+ in two ways:

• As an Amazon Add-on Channel
• As a standalone subscription directly to Paramount+

Learn more: Differences Between Paramount+ (Standalone) vs. Amazon Paramount+.

To confirm your service is through Amazon Prime Channels, check this guide: Confirm the Service Is Through Amazon Prime.

Having Trouble Watching Prime on VidAngel?

If your show won’t play, check the following:

• Prime with ads won’t work on the VidAngel Roku app or casting.
• Upgrading Prime to ad-free won’t remove ads from other Amazon Add-on Channels like Paramount+ or AMC+.
• If playback still fails, visit our Troubleshooting section for detailed steps.

Once you’re connected, you’ll be filtering Prime Video like a pro.

The post How to Filter Amazon Prime Video with VidAngel appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

For $9.99/month or $99.99/year (that’s the best deal, saving you $20 annually), you’ll get full access to VidAngel’s filters and our library of licensed family-friendly content. You can cancel anytime, and your account will stay active through the end of your billing cycle.

VidAngel Subscription Plans

PLAN	PRICE	ACCESS	PROMO CODES	NOTES
Monthly	$9.99 / month	Full filtering for all supported movies and TV shows	Can use	Cancel anytime
Annual	$99.99 / year	Full filtering for all supported movies and TV shows	Limited use	Equivalent to $8.33/month (save $20/year!)

VidAngel occasionally tests pricing and packaging to better serve our customers. Options may vary depending on how and where you sign up.

What’s Included in a VidAngel Subscription

Both monthly and annual plans include unlimited filter usage and access to licensed VidAngel content, including select shows and movies from Angel Studios.

To get the most out of your subscription, you’ll also need active streaming subscriptions like Apple TV+, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and/or Amazon Prime Video. Once you link them to your VidAngel account, you can watch many of those titles directly in the VidAngel app—with filters applied.

Are There Discounts or Promo Codes?

If you’re looking for the best value, the annual plan is already discounted compared to the monthly option.

But if you love a good deal, keep an eye out—we occasionally run limited-time promotions. Promo codes can be applied to new subscriptions only (not active ones). Learn how to use them here: How do I add a promo code?

Still Have Questions?

If you’re unsure about your charges or want a breakdown of your billing history, visit: Explanation of Charges.

And as always, our Support Angels are happy to help—just click the chat bubble on the VidAngel app or website.

VidAngel occasionally tests pricing and packaging to better serve our customers. Options may vary depending on how and where you sign up.

The post How Much Does VidAngel Cost? appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

But it was rated PG! If PG-13 is deemed “okay” for kids 13 years of age and older, shouldn’t PG be kosher for your eight-year-old? Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.  

PG means “parental guidance” advised, which the general public typically assumes this movie would be suitable for viewers of all ages. The MPA film rating site states, “May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.”

By nature, movie ratings just seem too ambiguous. Thousands upon thousands of movies are supposed to fit neatly within the realms of this rating system, essentially pigeonholed into just a handful of buckets. A room full of strangers get together, view a movie, and label it with a rating. Based on that rating, viewers oftentimes take the ratings at face value. PG-13 should be okay for teenagers, PG should be okay for elementary-school-aged children, and so on.

You have so many great resources at your fingertips, like Movie Guide, Common Sense Media, Parents IMDB, and so forth, to help you grasp whether a movie is suitable for your family. VidAngel allows you to make sure the movie is suitable for your family moment-by-moment. We provide a list of filters of profane language and graphic scenes before ever pressing play. You can press play with confidence during your next movie night, knowing your family will enjoy the movie.

A movie might have a lousy storyline and plot; we can’t fix that. That’s between you, the writers, and the directors themselves. We CAN help with the inappropriate parts, though. Find movies for your family to love without worrying about stumbling upon parts you don’t.

The post Why Movie Ratings Don’t Matter appeared first on VidAngel Blog.

Can you trust TV and movie ratings? Frankly, probably not. Do you happen to know the actual difference between TV-MA and TV-14? Do you know what it takes for a series to be considered TV-MA? Or what’s the difference between PG-13 and PG? What type of content turns a PG-13 movie into a rated-R movie? Do you know what movies are rated PG?

According to the MPA (The Motion Picture Association), a PG-13 motion picture may exceed the PG rating in theme, violence, nudity, sensuality, language, adult activities, or other elements but does not reach the restricted R category. Clear as mud. Rated-R movies, in the view of the board, contain some adult material like adult themes, hard language, and nudity. They heed this warning on their site about Rated-R films, “Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the film before taking their young children with them.”

Let’s try and tackle PG. PG means “parental guidance” advised, which the general public typically assumes this movie would be suitable for viewers of all ages. The MPA film rating site states, “May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.” What’s considered young? Your might-look-at-a-strawberry-never-touches-a-veggie six-year-old or your eager-to-grow-up pre-teen?

We did a quick inventory of what shows are rated PG on VidAngel. Grease, Footloose, Top Gun, and The Great Outdoors, just to name a few. Classics. That’s right, Grease, with that iconic song about “Summer Loving,” is right up your ten-year-old’s alley. Or how about the 65 counts of profanity in Footloose, including an F-bomb. Perfect for family movie night. No? Or the 92 counts of profanity from Top Gun. Or as a parent realizing your 8-year-old is watching a couple in bed together… oopsies. That might be suitable for some ages but maybe not all ages.

By nature, the ratings are too ambiguous. There are thousands of movies and TV shows that are being placed into a handful of buckets, making it impossible to have someone else’s standards for what is or isn’t appropriate for your family to perfectly align with yours. With VidAngel, you don’t need to put your trust in a group of strangers outside your home when it comes to your movies and TV shows. You can decide what is and is not appropriate for your children.

The post FAQ: Can you trust TV and movie ratings? appeared first on VidAngel Blog.