Matchbox The Movie is a 2026 action-comedy adventure inspired by the famous Mattel Matchbox toy cars. The movie is directed by Sam Hargrave and written by David Coggeshall. It stars John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, Arturo Castro, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, Golshifteh Farahani, and Randeep Hooda.
The story follows Sean, an undercover CIA agent who returns to his hometown and reconnects with his childhood friends. Their reunion quickly turns into a dangerous international mission when they become involved in a plot that threatens the world. The movie mixes friendship, comedy, espionage, car action, and large-scale adventure.
Matchbox The Movie will be released globally on October 9, 2026, on Apple TV. The movie has a runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes (126 minutes). Apple describes it as an action-packed, globe-trotting adventure, while the official U.S. rating is PG-13 for sequences of violence/action and language.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Matchbox The Movie |
| Genre | Action, Comedy, Adventure |
| Director/Writer | Sam Hargrave / David Coggeshall |
| Starring | John Cena, Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Teyonah Parris, Arturo Castro, Danai Gurira, Corey Stoll, Bill Camp, Golshifteh Farahani, Randeep Hooda |
| Runtime | 126 minutes |
| Age Rating | PG-13 |
| Release Date | October 9, 2026 |
| Distributor | Apple Original Films / Apple TV |
Matchbox The Movie Age Rating
Matchbox The Movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence/action and language. The rating fits the movie’s fast-paced action, dangerous situations, fights, car stunts, explosions, and other scenes of peril. The movie also contains some profanity, which is part of the official reason for the PG-13 rating.
The film is built as a mainstream action adventure rather than a graphic or bloody thriller. The violence can be intense, but the available information indicates that it is presented in the style of a large action movie. Parents should also know that the story involves an international threat and a dangerous pursuit, which may feel intense for younger children.
A PG-13 rating means parents are strongly cautioned because some material may not be suitable for children under 13. Parents should consider the child’s age, maturity, and comfort with action violence before allowing them to watch.
Is Matchbox The Movie Suitable for Kids?
Matchbox The Movie is best suited for teenagers and adults rather than young children. The movie has a fun adventure setup and a connection to the Matchbox toy brand, but the actual story is much more action-focused. It includes dangerous missions, fights, weapons, car chases, explosions, and other intense situations.
Children who are sensitive to action violence or frightening scenes may find parts of the movie too intense. Teenagers aged 13 and older are more likely to handle the content comfortably, although parents may still want to check the movie’s action level before watching with younger teens.
Overall, Matchbox The Movie is best suited for ages 13 and up, which matches its PG-13 rating.
Age-by-Suitability Table
| Age Group | Suitability |
|---|---|
| Ages 3-7 | No, not suitable for young children. |
| Ages 8-12 | No, not recommended for this age group. |
| Teens (13-15) | Viewer discretion advised. |
| Teens (16-17) | Yes, with caution. |
| Adults | Yes, suitable for mature audiences. |
Matchbox The Movie Parents Guide
- Sex & Nudity: There is no indication that sexual content or nudity is a major part of Matchbox The Movie. The movie focuses mainly on action, comedy, friendship, espionage, and adventure. Mild romantic moments or flirting may be present, but sexual content is not listed as part of the official PG-13 rating reason.
- Violence & Gore: Violence and action are the main content concerns. The movie features dangerous missions, fights, weapons, car chases, crashes, explosions, and characters facing serious threats. The story also involves an international plot that puts the characters in danger. The violence is expected to be action-movie style rather than graphic horror, with no indication that gore is a major focus.
- Profanity: Language is one of the official reasons for the PG-13 rating. Viewers can expect some profanity and strong language during stressful or action-heavy moments. The language is not the main focus of the movie, but parents should expect occasional words that may not be suitable for younger children.
- Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking: Alcohol use may appear in the movie, and Apple lists alcohol consumption among its content advisories on some regional versions of the Apple TV listing. Substance use does not appear to be a central part of the story.
- Frightening & Intense Scenes: Matchbox The Movie contains several situations that may be intense for younger viewers. Characters become involved in a dangerous international pursuit and face threats while trying to save the world. Fast car sequences, explosions, weapons, fights, and life-threatening situations may frighten children who are sensitive to action movies.
Tips for Parents
Parents should consider watching the official trailer before deciding whether Matchbox The Movie is right for their child. The movie may look like a family-friendly film because it is based on Matchbox toys, but its PG-13 rating reflects a much more mature action-adventure story.
For younger teens, parents may want to talk about the difference between movie stunts and real-world driving or violence. It can also be helpful to explain the spy and international-threat elements if younger viewers have questions about the story.
Matchbox The Movie Official Trailer
The official trailer for Matchbox The Movie is available through Apple TV Press and gives parents a better idea of the movie’s action, comedy, car sequences, and overall tone.
Matchbox The Movie will premiere globally on October 9, 2026, on Apple TV. The movie is an Apple Original Film from Apple Original Films, with Mattel Studios and Skydance Media involved in the production.
The movie has a listed runtime of 2 hours and 6 minutes and carries a PG-13 rating in the United States. Apple TV’s listing gives the rating reason as sequences of violence/action and language.
FAQs
Q1: What is the age rating for Matchbox The Movie?
Matchbox The Movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence/action and language. The rating means parents should use caution when allowing children under 13 to watch it.
Q2: Is Matchbox The Movie suitable for kids?
Matchbox The Movie is not recommended for young children. Its action violence, dangerous situations, weapons, car sequences, explosions, and language make it more appropriate for teenagers and adults.
Q3: How violent is Matchbox The Movie?
Matchbox The Movie contains frequent action and violence, including dangerous missions, fights, weapons, car chases, crashes, and explosions. The violence is presented as action-adventure material rather than graphic gore.
Q4: Does Matchbox The Movie contain strong language?
Yes. Matchbox The Movie contains profanity, and language is specifically included in the movie’s official PG-13 rating reason.
Q5: Where can I watch Matchbox The Movie?
Matchbox The Movie will premiere globally on Apple TV on October 9, 2026. The movie stars John Cena, Jessica Biel, and Sam Richardson and is directed by Sam Hargrave.