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Parents' Guide to

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Action- and creature-packed Potter sequel.

Movie PG 2002 161 minutes
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 59 parent reviews

Vermillion23
Vermillion23 Adult
April 9, 2021
age 10+

Bloody Boo Hoo

Some advise to parents. There's a place called IMDB where you can look up the contents of a movie before letting your kid watch it. Don't blame movies for your mistakes and give it a low rating just because it's a bit more daring. It's your problem if you let your kid watch something blindly. If a child is in the middle of watching something and you find it's too much for them, most parents will turn it off and forget about it. That's fine, it was a mistake, but seriously? Own up to it instead of coming on here seething and ranting like the film industry owes you something. It makes you look petulant and childish. Now that that's over with, here is my review. Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone has a great story, message and it was very well done. It has a great cast as well with the addition of Jason Isaacs and Kenneth Branagh, who both did fabulous performances as their rotten characters. The story itself is awesome, but when I re-watch this one, I watch it for these two. It is dark and scary as most people say, but that's what I like about it. The gothic tone and aesthetic makes it so much more mysterious, and the scares are just wicked fun for me. I love this movie and I think it's underrated. Since there isn't a rating system for the "What should other families know about this ?" section, I'll rate each one. Great Message: Beware of Narcissists. Friendship, love and being kind to others is important. 7/10 Great Role Models: There is a heavy theme of "Never meet your role models" in this movie. One of the main Deuteragonists is a prime example of a role model who is actually a fraud. In contrast, Harry Potter is a great role model. 8/10 Too Much Violence: This installment is considerably darker than its predecessor. It delves deeper into abusive relationships as well as slavery and mistreatment of slaves. There is also creature violence and monsters that may scare children. The ending may be considered a bit too violent for child audiences. It gets considerably bloody for a movie aimed at older kids, so make sure to prepare if you let your kid watch it. 5/10 Too Much Sex: There is a character in this who women and young girls find attractive. They mostly swoon over him and it's never implied to be sexual. 0/10 Too Much Swearing: Swearing is mild with the worst being the popular British phrase "bloody hell." There's also a made-up derogatory slur, "Moodblood," that is introduced. There's bullying in this that involves name-calling. 2/10 Too Much Consumerism: Again, I don't really get this one. Is it for in the movie or the movie itself? ??/10 Too Much Drinking/Drugs/Smoking: Muffins are laced with a sleeping potion. The Durlsey's drink champagne during a dinner party. 2/10

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much violence
3 people found this helpful.
Lotty6
Lotty6 Parent of 6 and 12-year-old
August 3, 2021
age 8+

qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm John

the second potter movei is a little bit more intense the the first one there are spiders chasing Ron and harry in a flying car the flying car also goes in a tree and nearly gets destroyed students are petrified but there is no blood and gore shown harry is chased by a huge snake and once snake nearly eats harry and stabs the snake and then stabs himself with the snaks tooth and there is some blood and gore shown and then harry stabs a book so he can kill the bad guy b---dy h--l
2 people found this helpful.
See all 59 parent reviews

What's the Story?

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS is more pure magic for young Potter fans who like adventure over the darker themes in the series. Flying cars, giant spiders and snakes, and faster and larger-than-life Quidditch matches keep the story moving as Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and friends soar through their second year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As this installment begins, Harry gets a visit at the Dursleys' from a house elf named Dobby (voiced by Toby Jones), who warns Harry that someone is trying to harm him. After a hair-raising trip with Ron (Rupert Grint), Harry arrives at Hogwarts, where there are new classes, new challenges, and a somewhat suspicious, extremely narcissistic new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher named Gilderoy Lockhart (Kenneth Branagh). Harry is the only one who can hear a strange voice echoing through the halls, and he's in the wrong place at the wrong time when some very bad and scary things happen. It seems that Hogwarts has a Chamber of Secrets that hasn't been opened for 50 years. Somewhere in that chamber is a dangerous creature just waiting for the right person to let it out. Many people suspect that Harry is that person, and he wonders whether they're right. The two adults Harry trusts most, Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) and Dumbledore (Richard Harris), are removed from the school, and if someone doesn't stop the creature, Hogwarts may be closed for good. As always, it will take Hermione (Emma Watson)'s research skills, Ron's courage, and Harry's heart to save the day.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (59 ):
Kids say (258 ):

Kids will find this chapter a thrilling and utterly satisfying experience. That applies both to those looking for a meticulous realization of the beloved book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and those who watch the film knowing only the first movie -- or even those with no knowledge of Harry Potter at all. The child actors are growing up, and they seem more comfortable in their roles here, bringing more depth and subtlety to their acting. And Branagh is wildly funny as Lockhart. There are also some magnificent cast additions, especially Jason Isaacs, coolly cruel as Lucius Malfoy, the father of Harry's foe, Draco (Tom Felton).

Every frame of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is filled with wonder, especially Diagon Alley and the moving photos and portraits. There's a wealth of detail and delight to entrance viewers -- so much that they'll likely leave wanting more, even after a running time of 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about year two at Hogwarts and what Harry learns about himself in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. How is it different from his first year?

  • What traits are helping Harry become a hero figure? Why must he face his enemy alone?

  • What do we find out about Tom Riddle and his diary later in the series that make them so important?

  • How does this movie compare to the book it is based on? What makes a good adaptation? Were there parts in the book that weren't in the movie that should have been?

  • How do the characters in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets demonstrate teamwork, perseverance, and courage? Why are these important character strengths?

Movie Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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