What is a Content Guide?
Before you press play, the Content Guide gives you a quick, honest look at what's in a title. All the context you need to decide if it's a movie night yes—before you're already 20 minutes in.
What's in a Content Guide
Content Guides appear directly on the title page for select movies and shows. Here's what you'll find:
- What it's about—A short, scannable summary of the story. No spoilers, just the setup.
- What's in it—A transparent breakdown of filtered content by category (language, nudity, violence, etc.) so you know exactly what VidAngel can help you skip or mute.
- Themes, Tones & Storylines—Emotional and narrative signals to help you decide if this is your kind of show. Is it slow-burn or action-packed? Lighthearted or heavy? This section helps you find out before you're three episodes in.
| IMPORTANT: Themes, Tones & Storylines are informational—they describe what's in the story, not something you can filter out. |
Where to find it
Content Guides are available on the web and mobile app. Just navigate to a title's page and look for the Content Guide section below the title details.
NOTE: Not every title has a Content Guide yet—we're still building them out and adding more all the time. If a title you're looking for doesn't have one, check back soon!
How Content Guides work with your Filters
Content Guides and Filters are two different tools that work great together.
Filters let you skip or mute specific content while you watch. Content Guides give you upfront context to help you decide whether to watch—and with which filters.
The key distinction is between what VidAngel describes and what VidAngel filters. Themes, Tones & Storylines describe the narrative and emotional content woven throughout a story (things like Institutional Abuse, Conspiracy, or LGBTQ+ Storylines). These are themes, not discrete scenes, so they cannot be filtered. For a full picture of what VidAngel can and can't filter, see our Filter Guidelines.
Think of it this way: the Content Guide tells you what kind of story you're walking into. Your Filters decide what you actually see and hear along the way.
See for yourself
Check out our Content Guides on some titles you might know (and maybe already love).
Our Content Guide for Stranger Things season 1 flags themes like Supernatural Horror, Violent Narratives, and Institutional Abuse—context that helps you decide if the show is right for your family. Meanwhile, your Filters can handle the specific stuff: muting profanity, skipping violence and gore, and cutting scenes with frightening imagery.
Our Content Guide for Bridgerton season 3 identifies themes like LGBTQ+ Storylines, Sexual Themes & Situations, and Female Agency—giving you a clear picture of the season's tone before you start. Your Filters can then take care of the specific moments: kissing, sexual content, and language.
Our Content Guide for Reacher season 2 flags themes like Gritty Crime & Procedural, Betrayal from Within, and Torture/Interrogation—giving you a heads-up on the show's intensity before you start. Your Filters can handle the specific stuff: muting heavy profanity, skipping graphic violence, and cutting objectionable or disturbing content.