Paul (2011)

Paul parents guide

Nothing past what an R promises: moderate sex and nudity, and some violence.

Scare

Not scary

Jump scares

None noted

Gore

No gore

Violence

Some violence

Some fighting or peril.

Sex and nudity

Moderate

Moderate means a sex scene or nudity on screen, even brief, or sexual violence that is described or implied but never shown.

Language

Strong

Frequent strong profanity or slurs.

How we rate: an AI reads what is known about each title and tags it 0 to 3; we check the tags against a hand-rated set and correct them by hand when readers tell us. Estimates, not a scene-by-scene review. Spot a mistake? Tell us.

What is Paul about?

For the past 60 years, a space-traveling smart-ass named Paul has been locked up in a top-secret military base, advising world leaders about his kind. But when he worries he’s outlived his usefulness and the dissection table is drawing uncomfortably close, Paul escapes on the first RV that passes by his compound in Area 51. Fortunately, it contains the two earthlings who are most likely to rescue and harbor an alien on the run.

Cast and crew

More like Paul

• Back to the Future (1985)Dry wit · whimsical · comfort watch · briskA whimsical adventure sends a teenager back to the fifties, sparking nostalgic, feel-good, witty chaos.
• Men in Black (1997)Dry wit · campy · family watch · briskA secret agency polices alien activity on Earth, balancing witty banter with campy sci-fi action.
• Galaxy Quest (1999)Dry wit · campy · comfort watch · briskHas-been actors are mistaken for space heroes, leading to a brisk, whimsical, and witty adventure.
• Free Guy (2021)Big broad humor · whimsical · family watch · briskA cheerful bank teller living in a video game decides to become the hero of his own whimsical, uplifting story.
• Thor: Ragnarok (2017)Big broad humor · epic · party watch · strong violenceAn imprisoned god races to save his world, battling a ruthless threat with broad humor and campy, epic action.
• Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)Big broad humor · epic · date night · strong violenceAn abducted Earthling and his ragtag crew of misfits chase a powerful orb across the galaxy.
• The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)Big broad humor · whimsical · comfort watch · briskBriskly paced, this wholesome, campy adventure delivers feel-good, broad humor across the galaxy.
• Back to the Future Part III (1990)Wholesome humor · whimsical · comfort watch · briskTime-traveling friends find themselves stranded in the 1880s, facing romantic entanglements and cowboy showdowns.

Paul is on our Aliens, Raunchy, Comedy on Peacock and Sci-fi on Peacock lists.

More like this feeling

Prompts we typed into CouchRot, and the lists that share its tags.

• “funny but not stupid, under two hours”
• “a fun halloween movie, not too scary”
• “a movie that will make me cry”

Lists with the same feel: Comfort watches and Party.