I always love watching this movie. They probably aren't the best role models, but this movie is entertaining and actually not scary.
The Addams Family
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Dark comedy with macabre humor for teens.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–14
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of The Addams Family was written by Melissa Camacho
Parents need to know that while this film is based on the classic 1960s sitcom, it's a much darker comedy with more sophisticated humor. While the movie is fun, it contains violent images and strong sexual innuendo. It also contains scenes featuring the use of various weapons and torture devices. Parents also need to know that while the characters are likeable, their behavior is sometimes mean spirited. Wednesday Addams' sadistic nature is rather disturbing. Parents should exercise caution and may want to preview before allowing tweens to watch.
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More on The Addams Family
What’s the Story?
Inspired by the cartoon characters of Charles Addams and based on the classic 1960s television series, THE ADDAMS FAMILY re-introduces the world to the Addamses, a ghoulishly demented family who embraces the morbid side of life. The Addams clan includes cigar-smoking, child-like dad Gomez (Raul Julia); elegant, vampish mom Morticia (Anjelica Huston); weird son Pugsley (Jimmy Workman) and somber, frighteningly sadistic daughter Wednesday (Christina Ricci). Living in the mansion with them are Grandmama (Judith Malina), Lurch the butler (Carel Struycken), and the ever-present Thing, a free-standing hand that has no body but possesses a personality of its own. After hearing Gomez pining for his estranged brother, the beloved Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd), the Addamses' attorney cooks up a scheme to steal the family fortune. As a result, the family gets caught up in a swindle full of misadventures and ghoulish fun.
Is It Any Good?
The Addamses are a tight-knit family who clearly care about one another, but they lack the same kind of charm and generosity featured in the original 1964 TV series. The characters, while looking remarkably like their classic counterparts, are darker and at times mean-spirited. Also unsettling are the extremes to which Wednesday goes to inflict pain on her brother, including strapping him into an electric chair and joyfully flipping the switch.
While the movie fails to recapture the quirky spookiness and charm of the original TV series, it's actually fun to watch. The dialogue is quick witted, and there are plenty of funny (albeit macabre) moments. But the movie also contains its share of sexual innuendo, violence, and freaky imagery that's inappropriate for younger viewers.
Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures, Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/22/1991, DVD release: 2/22/2000
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for macabre humor.
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: 11/22/1991, DVD release: 2/22/2000
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for macabre humor.
Our Members Say
See 6 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Negative role models
Perfect Halloween movie for kids
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I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
I so love this movie, and have done so for a long time! But, for I feel looking back, I shouldn't have been allowed to view it until I was older. Here's why: This movie can be very dark and the messages aren't always good ones. The violence between the family members and between the family and outsiders can be quite frightening for children. The sexual content is more than children need to know about, most of it will as CS said 'go over their head,' but perceptive children might catch on. There is a bit of consumerism as well as language, but language wise well...this is pg-13. Their is some smoking and alcohol consumption. Overall, I think this movie is iffy for 13+
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- My highlights are:
Great Movie!!!
This was a great movie for kids. Besides how the Addams Family look rich, this is a great movie for kids.
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Kids ages: 3, 6, 8, 12, 15, 18
I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
Family Time.
Deffinitely good for a laugh, although maybe to dark for the younger child.
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I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
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I rate this title iffy and give it
i had a stomach cramps from laughing so much!
gomez was a dream husband meets tim burton. morticia(his wife)was a gem. wednesday and pugsly(the childern)made me laugh. hurch(the butler)was creepy looking. uncle fester was hysterical. i've been watching the addams family since day 1 and it never gets old. 3 out of 5.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 67% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 67% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
| 33% | of parents don't feel there are good role models |
| 33% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
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