The Notebook

NZ release: 14 October 2004

Adult themes Rated on: 27 February 2025

the notebook

What’s it about?

The Notebook is a romantic drama about Noah and Allie, two young lovers from different backgrounds who are separated by circumstances but never stop loving each other.

The facts

  • Directed by Nick Cassavetes
  • Starring Ryan Gosling (La La Land) and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls)
  • English language
  • Runtime: 124 minutes

Why did it get this rating?

This film game was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body. You can find out more about cross-rating here.

Adult themes

The Notebook contains a few intimate scenes that are passionate but not overly explicit. Scenes include an emotional, rain-soaked kiss, undressing and embracing, and a lot of sex is implied, like a typical romantic drama, but nothing is shown.

The film is deeply emotional, as it explores love, loss, and memory, and has a heartbreaking yet sweet ending.

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.  

Further information

Recent featured decisions

28 August 2026

Suicide, offensive language, and violence

When his eight-year-old son is abducted, a widowed crime writer turns to his estranged father for help – only to discover a connection with the decades-old case of a convicted serial killer known as "The Whisper Man”.

Read more

05 August 2026

Violence, offensive language & content that may disturb

In a post-apocalyptic world, a virus wipes out humanity. Survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers. Protagonist Hig, a pilot, survived the flu but lost his wife.

Read more