Summary

• Strays is an R-rated movie with language, sexual content, and drug use, making it inappropriate for children.
• The movie pushes the boundaries of humor with adult-focused jokes and crude language, including sexual references made by the dogs.
• Strays revolves around the dogs seeking revenge on Reggie's former owner by attacking his genitals, showcasing its raunchy and explicit nature.

Strays' R-rating promises a raunchy animal-led adventure, and here is exactly why Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx's movie earned this rating. The more adult rating and content of Universal's 2023 movie became evident ever since the first footage was released. Strays follows a group of stray dogs led by Will Ferrell's Border Collie named Reggie and Jamie Foxx's Boston Terrier named Bug as they forces to get revenge on Reggie's former human owner. Although the movie uses real dogs to bring man's best friends to life, the adventure they go on is far from family-friendly.

Universal was consistent in keeping Strays' R-rating at the focal point of the marketing campaign leading up to the movie's release. However, there might still be some confusion about whom the target audience is and whether the dog movie is appropriate for children. After all, the majority of Hollywood movies featuring talking dogs in the lead roles are aimed at kids and families. Strays is far from that type of movie based on the premise alone, but its R-rated contents take it to the next level. Here is a Strays parents guide and explanation of its R-rating.

Why Strays Is Rated R: Language, Sexual Content, & Drug Use

Strays' R-rating is tied to the language, sexual content, drug use, and more that is featured throughout the runtime. The Motion Picture Association officially classified the movie as one that is appropriate for adults, requiring anyone 17 years old or younger to be accompanied by an adult to see the movie in theaters. Although that guideline is tougher to enforce when Strays releases on streaming, the reasoning for the MPA's decision does not change. The reason why Strays is rated R is due to "pervasive language, crude and sexual content, and drug use" according to the MPA.

The guidelines that the MPA operates by perfectly explain Strays' R-rating due to what it contains. The comedic pairings of Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Ilsa Fisher, Randall Park, Will Forte, and others present the movie with an opportunity to push the boundaries of its humor, while the adult focus means not holding back on repeated f-bombs and other forms of profanity or use of inappropriate language. This includes everything from sexual references made by the dogs to them getting high.

How Raunchy Strays Is & Why It's Not Suitable For Kids

Strays is incredibly raunchy thanks to its R-rating, which makes it not suitable for kids. The entire movie revolves around the dogs trying to find Reggie's former owner so they can attack his genitals. With that premise and the Strays voice cast allowed to improvise as much vulgarity as they want, the 2023 R-rated comedy very much delivers on its rating. While there is no explicit nudity, Strays still manages to be very raunchy thanks to the sexual references made by the dogs and the way they talk throughout the movie.