Family movie night without the swearing

You have four realistic options. You can look for an edited version, use parental controls, watch the film yourself first, or use a filter that mutes the swearing as you watch. Each solves a different part of the problem. Many families combine two. Here is what each one does, and where it falls short.

Option 1: An edited or clean version

Some films have a cleaner cut. That can work well. But the choice is small, and it is not available for most films. Check what was changed before you press play.

Solves: language in the few titles that have a cut. Does not solve: everything else.

Option 2: Parental controls

These block titles by age rating. They are good for keeping young children away from adult films. But a rating is one label for the whole film. A PG-13 film can still have swearing in it. Our page on parental controls versus a profanity filter goes into this.

Solves: what can be started. Does not solve: words inside a film you allow.

Option 3: Watch it ahead of time

Watching first is free. You also learn what else is in the film. But it costs you a whole evening. It does not help if the film is long, new, or one of many.

Our title-by-title guides can help you decide. They show the language level of specific films, from our own subtitle analysis.

Solves: surprises, if you watch the whole film first. Does not solve: your time.

Option 4: A filter that mutes the swearing

A profanity filter lowers the sound for a moment when a swear word is spoken. The picture keeps playing. Nothing is cut or skipped. You choose how strict it is.

Solves: spoken language in a title you have already chosen. Does not solve: violence, nudity, or a line that slips through. It depends on subtitles.

Where Family Filter TV fits

Family Filter TV is Option 4. It mutes spoken profanity while the picture keeps playing. It has four levels: Off, Mild, Family and Strict. It works on Android TV and Google TV sets and boxes, with an Android phone. There is also an early-beta Windows companion.

It speaks to words only. It does not filter violence or nudity. It works for English titles for now. Muting is best effort, so a line may slip through. It is for parents who want to stay in charge of the film, not to replace their own judgement.

You can try it free for 14 days. After that it is US$14.99 a year. See which TVs work and then set it up in about five minutes.

A simple plan for movie night

Pick the film. Check its rating and our title guide.
Choose a filter level that suits your children.
Sit with the youngest ones for the first few minutes.
Talk about anything that surprised you afterwards.

Questions

How can I watch a film without the swearing?

You can use an edited version if one exists, use parental controls to pick suitable ratings, watch ahead yourself, or use a filter that mutes spoken profanity. Many families combine two.

Do parental controls remove swearing?

No. They block titles by age rating. They do not change the words inside a title you allow.

Does a mute filter cut scenes?

No. Family Filter TV mutes the sound for a moment. The picture keeps playing.

Will a filter catch all the swearing?

No. It depends on subtitles, and muting is best effort, so a line may slip through. It filters speech only, not violence or nudity.

Which TVs does Family Filter TV work on?

Android TV and Google TV sets and boxes, with an Android phone. Check your TV on our page Will it work on my TV?

What does Family Filter TV cost?

There is a 14-day free trial, then US$14.99 a year.

Next steps

Download Family Filter TV Quick start guide Will it work on my TV?