Best of the Best is a 2026 American coming-of-age comedy about collegiate Bollywood-fusion dance. The film is directed by Lena Khan and written by Hasan Minhaj and Prashanth Venkataramanujam.
It stars Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Maya, Priyanka Kedia as Anjali, Hasan Minhaj, and an ensemble of dancers and comedic performers.
The story follows lifelong friends Maya and Anjali as they begin freshman year at UCLA and join a competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team.
Their dream of winning a national championship brings intense rehearsals, rivalries, academic pressure, family expectations, and growing tension between the friends.
The film explores friendship, ambition, college life, and the pressures of competitive performance. Best of the Best is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026.
Best of the Best Age Rating
Best of the Best is rated PG-13 for strong language, sexual material, some teen drinking, drug material and brief smoking. This means parents should expect several mature elements that may not be appropriate for younger viewers. The film is aimed primarily at teens and adults rather than children. Its college setting also allows for references to relationships, partying, substance use, and adult situations.
Violence & Peril
Violence does not appear to be a major focus of Best of the Best. The story is built around dance competitions, friendships, rivalries, and college pressures rather than physical conflict. Competitive arguments and emotionally tense confrontations may occur as the dancers deal with pressure and competition. Parents should expect more social and emotional conflict than action violence.
Language
Language is a significant concern because the film’s official PG-13 rating specifically cites strong language. Viewers can expect profanity during arguments, jokes, stressful situations, or conversations between college students. The language is likely more frequent and mature than what parents would expect from a family-oriented teen comedy. Parents who prefer films with little or no profanity should be aware of this content.
Mature Themes
The film contains several mature themes that explain its PG-13 rating. Sexual material is present, although the story is not primarily sexual in nature. There are also references or scenes involving teen drinking, drug material, and brief smoking. The college environment may include parties, relationships, peer pressure, and discussions about sex or substance use. Parents should also expect themes involving family expectations, academic stress, competition, jealousy, friendship problems, and the pressure to succeed.
Is Best of the Best Suitable for Teens?
Ages 13–14: With Guidance. Younger teens may find the dance competition and friendship story appealing. However, strong language, sexual material, drinking, drug content, and smoking make parental guidance advisable.
Ages 15–17: Yes, With Guidance. Older teenagers are the film’s most natural audience. The mature content is consistent with its PG-13 rating, but parents should still consider their teen’s sensitivity to sexual references, profanity, and substance use.
Ages 18+: Yes. Adults should have no major difficulty with the film’s content. The college setting and mature themes are primarily designed for a teenage and adult audience.
Final recommendation: Best of the Best is best suited for ages 15 and older, with parental guidance for younger teens.
What Parents Can Do
- Talk about substance use: Explain that drinking, drugs, and smoking can appear in college environments without presenting them as harmless choices.
- Discuss competition and friendship: The story can open conversations about ambition, jealousy, teamwork, and handling pressure without damaging relationships.
- Prepare younger teens for mature content: Let them know the film contains strong language and sexual material before watching it together.
Official Trailer
FAQs
Q: What is the age rating for Best of the Best?
Best of the Best is rated PG-13 for strong language, sexual material, some teen drinking, drug material and brief smoking.
Q: Is Best of the Best suitable for kids?
It is not recommended for young children because of strong language, sexual material, drinking, drug content, and smoking.
Q: Is Best of the Best suitable for teenagers?
Yes, particularly for older teens. Parents should still be aware of the film’s mature content and college-party themes.
Q: Does Best of the Best have violence or scary scenes?
Violence is not a major concern. The film focuses more on dance competition, friendship conflicts, rivalry, and emotional pressure.
Q: Does Best of the Best contain sexual content or nudity?
The PG-13 rating specifically mentions sexual material. Parents should expect sexual references or situations, although sexuality is not the central focus of the story.
Q: Where can I watch Best of the Best?
A: Best of the Best is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on September 18, 2026.