Kindergarten Cop: Is It a Hit, Flop, or OK for Kids

Few comedies from the 1990s still spark as much debate as Kindergarten Cop, a goofy action-comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a tough cop who goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher. Beneath the laughs lies a film that parents still argue about: is it actually appropriate for kids?

Release year: 1990 · Genre: Action comedy · Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger · Plot: A police officer goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher

Six key facts, one pattern: Kindergarten Cop was a commercial powerhouse that critics were lukewarm about.

Is Kindergarten Cop a hit or flop?

Box office performance

• Kindergarten Cop grossed $201,957,688 worldwide, according to IMDb (film database). That’s nearly eight times its estimated $15 million budget.
• It earned $91,457,688 in the U.S. and Canada, and $7,918,560 in its opening weekend (IMDb).
• It was the second-highest-grossing film during the week of January 8, 1991, behind Home Alone (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

The implication: Financially, it’s a clear hit. The film made back its budget many times over.

Critical reception (Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb)

• Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 50% critic score, with the consensus calling it “a mild comedy” (Rotten Tomatoes (movie review aggregator)).
• IMDb users rate it 6.2/10 (IMDb (film database)).

The pattern: Critics were divided, but audiences gave it a solid pass.

Is it worth watching?

Box office says yes, critics say maybe. For fans of 90s comedies or Schwarzenegger’s lighter work, it’s a fun trip. For those seeking high art, look elsewhere. For a deeper look at the numbers, see our article on Kindergarten Cop: Box Office, Age Rating, Cast & Worth Watching.

The takeaway: For a lighthearted 90s comedy, it delivers laughs, but don’t expect critical acclaim.

Is Kindergarten Cop ok for kids?

Age appropriateness

• The MPAA rating is PG-13, meaning the film may be inappropriate for children under 13 (AFI Catalog (American Film Institute)).
• MCA Universal told exhibitors the film was for ages 13 and up (Movieguide (Christian film review site)).

Inappropriate scenes (violence, language)

• Mild violence: a few fistfights and a gunshot off-screen. Language includes some mild profanity.
• The most polarizing scene involves a child abuser (played by Richard Tyson) threatening his son. The tension is real and may scare younger viewers.

The catch: The film’s tone shifts sharply from comedy to drama, and the abusive father subplot is intense.

What parents say

“The scene with the ferret was endearing. The scene with the child abuser was enraging.”

— Reddit user on r/90s

The trade-off: If your child is sensitive to domestic violence themes, skip this one. For tweens who can handle it, the movie offers laughs and a valiant central performance.

What this means: The decision hinges on your child’s maturity and sensitivity to intense themes.

Did any of the kids from Kindergarten Cop become famous?

Notable child actors

• Miko Hughes played Jordan Crisp, the son of the abusive father. He later appeared in Wes Craven’s New Nightmare and Pet Sematary (Rotten Tomatoes (movie review aggregator)).
• Other child actors, such as Sarah Rose Karr (Emma), had limited roles afterward.

What they did after the film

Miko Hughes pursued a career in horror and indie films. Most of the other kids left acting entirely. The film didn’t launch a child star assembly line.

Why this matters: The nostalgia factor is strong, but few of the original cast members stayed in the spotlight.

How old was Arnold Schwarzenegger during Kindergarten Cop?

Schwarzenegger’s age at release

• Arnold Schwarzenegger was born July 30, 1947. Kindergarten Cop was released on December 21, 1990, making him 43 years old during filming (Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia)).

His career at the time

Schwarzenegger was already a megastar after Terminator 2 (1991) and Total Recall (1990). Kindergarten Cop showed his comedic range, building on the success of Twins (1988).

The pattern: At 43, Schwarzenegger was at his peak physical and commercial prime, able to pivot between action and comedy.

Why didn’t Arnold Schwarzenegger do Kindergarten Cop 2?

Sequel details

• Kindergarten Cop 2 was released in 2016 as a direct-to-video (or direct-to-DVD) follow-up. It features an all-new cast and story (IMDb (film database)).
• Common Sense Media calls it “not a sequel in the strict sense” (Common Sense Media (parent-focused review site)).

Schwarzenegger’s involvement

Schwarzenegger was not involved. The lead role went to Dolph Lundgren.

Reception of Kindergarten Cop 2

The sequel holds a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is widely considered a cash grab.

The implication: Schwarzenegger likely saw no creative or financial reason to return. The original stands alone.

The pattern: A clear signal that the original remains untouchable.

The catch: The upsides are real, but the downsides may outweigh them for families with sensitive children.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as John Kimble (AFI Catalog (American Film Institute))
• Film released in 1990 (AFI Catalog (American Film Institute))
• Genre is action comedy (IMDb (film database))
• Rated PG-13 (AFI Catalog (American Film Institute))

What’s unclear

• Whether the film is a hit or flop depends on perspective (box office vs. critical reception)
• Whether it is appropriate for a specific child depends on their sensitivity to violence and abuse themes
• Whether the ferret scene is too scary for some kids
• Whether the film’s comedic tone offsets the darker elements for all viewers
• Whether the film is worth watching solely for nostalgia

The pattern: The film’s legacy is defined by its contradictions.

What parents and critics say

“The scene with the ferret was endearing. The scene with the child abuser was enraging.”

— Reddit user on r/90s

“Kindergarten Cop 2 is not a sequel in the strict sense because it has all-new characters and a whole new story.”

— Common Sense Media (parent-focused review site)

The catch: The choice ultimately rests on your child’s readiness.

For parents in the U.S. debating whether to show Kindergarten Cop to their kids, the choice is clear: if you’re looking for a mindless 90s comedy for a 13-year-old, it’s fine. But if you want a family film for all ages, skip it. The child abuse scene alone makes it unsuitable for younger children, and the mixed critical reception means it’s not a must-see for adults either. Stick with the 1990 original starring Schwarzenegger and let nostalgia be your guide.

For a deeper look at the film’s production and legacy, check out this full guide to the 1990 classic.

Frequently asked questions