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The Addams Family (PG-13, 1991)

common sense media says

Dark comedy with macabre humor for teens.

parents & educators say
  • 100% say violence is an issue
  • 67% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
See all 8 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: There's a clear love of family and love for children. But some of the Addamses' antics appear mean-spirited. The children are often rude, and their rivalry is often a bit too intense.
Violence: Knives, swords, and other medieval weapons are frequently visible, but their use is rarely seen; a torture device is used on Morticia (to her pleasure), and Pugsley is strapped into an electric chair. A hand gun is visibly pointed at Gomez. The children, especially Wednesday, use weapons and other sources of pain to try to hurt each other as part of their everyday play. In the end no one gets hurt (although it's unclear if the bad guys are dead at the end).
Sex: Strong sexual innuendo, especially between Gomez and Morticia. The couple can be heard having an orgasm while in public. There are several subtle references to sadomasochism, and a quick reference to child molestation relating to Uncle Fester. Much of this will go over the head of young viewers.
Language: Quite mild for PG-13, including "damn" and "hell."
Consumerism: Clear visible ads for Tombstone Pizza and Fedex. Sally Jessy Raphael is briefly featured.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Gomez is occasionally seen smoking a cigar. Brief adult consumption of hard alcohol.
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More on The Addams Family

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about family relationships. What's it like to have a close family? When does sibling rivalry go too far? How are family differences settled? Families can also talk about the differences that occur when classic TV series are remade. Why are some things the same while others are presented differently?

What's the story?

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?

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 themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Cast: Anjelica Huston, Christina Ricci, Raul Julia
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 110 minutes
Theatrical release: November 22, 1991
DVD release: February 22, 2000
MPAA Rating: PG-13
This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 100% say violence is an issue
  • 67% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
  • 67% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue
  • 33% say they noticed product placement
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

NicoleReeves
parent of 3 , 7 , 9 , 12 , 16 , and 18 year old
8
 
Family Time.
Deffinitely good for a laugh, although maybe to dark for the younger child.
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PatrickGraham
kid, 11 years old
7
 
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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milograamans
adult
11
 
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (10)
MovieLover4Lyfe
adult
13
 
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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star97
teen, 14 years old
10
 
PG-13 accurate
I liked it. it's funny and just a little scary.
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (9)
girl4natwolff
teen, 14 years old
8
 
I saw it when I was 7 years old!
The sexy stuff goes right over kid's heads. It's funny!
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (9) | read my mind (9)
tangled
teen, 14 years old
8
 
Perfect Halloween movie for kids
I always love watching this movie. They probably aren't the best role models, but this movie is entertaining and actually not scary.
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wednesdayaddams
teen, 18 years old
 
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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