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High School Musical

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    A modern-day Grease for tweens.

Themes in this movie include:   dating/crushes, friendship, peer pressure

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    No direct educational content, but kids will probably learn lots of song lyrics!
  • Messages:

    Strong, clear positive messages about being true to yourself and reaching outside your comfort zone.
  • Role models:

    The female lead is praised and appreciated for her academic ability. One central character tries to cheat but eventually sees the error of her ways. The cast is diverse. Troy and his dad exchange some heated words, but they reach an understanding that works for both of them.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Mild flirting, with the teenage leads almost sharing a kiss in the final scene. There's one kiss on the cheek, and Efron is shirtless in one scene.
  • Language:

    "Shake your booty" pops up in song lyrics.
  • Consumerism:

    Part of a gigantic marketing machine fueled by Disney.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About High School Musical

Parents need to know that this made-for-TV movie is hugely popular with tweens -- and has spawned its own marketing empire, from CDs to clothes to video games. Its sanitized depiction of high school may not ring true to older teens, but tweens will get strong messages about acceptance and being true to yourself -- as well as about supporting your friends when they want to try something new. A father-son relationship is tested when the boy asserts his independence, and there are some near-kisses between the lead couple, but overall this is tame stuff.

Read our full review by Lucy Maher

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about peer pressure and how to resist it. How can teens stand up to friends who belittle their choices or talents?
  • Are the movie's characters good role models? What do you think the filmmakers want kids to take away from watching this movie?
  • Why is it important to try new things?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about High School Musical?
  •  I think this movie is

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See all 183 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Fun for whole family

    Our 5 year old has been singing these songs for over a year. she loves this movie and the other High School Musicals as well

  2. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    My daughter loves it theres on sex no bad language its great

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Wyoming
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    No way!

    Sorry, the movie is all about popular JUNK! Please don't waste your time watching this unrealistic movie that is worthless!

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Wyoming
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    No way!

    Sorry, the movie is all about popular JUNK! Please don't waste your time watching this unrealistic movie that is worthless!

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Wyoming
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    No way!

    Sorry, the movie is all about popular JUNK! Please don't waste your time watching this unrealistic movie that is worthless!

  6. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Lives in Wyoming
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    No way!

    Sorry, the movie is all about popular JUNK! Please don't waste your time watching this unrealistic movie that is worthless!

  7. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    HSM ROCKS!

    This movie was the bomb! My husband Jeffery brought this home to watch after we got home from my daughter's pageant! The songs are really catchy- I might even choreograph a talent routine to one for the girls' next pageant. Also, Zac Efron is adorable! The only bad part was the catty Sharpay who constantly puts down the other characters and tries to discourage them from following their dreams. Other than that SUPER GOOD!

  8. I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    12+ Great Learning Experience

    i personally think this movie was GREAT!! I mean ya the dances and singing int the middle of class it the musical part of the movie. I think that it really does give you a glimpse of High School Your going to have jealous girls and a lil bit of heart break but thats just life for you.. I think if anyuthing watching these videos should really help teens cause it teaches you that no matter what friends are forever and if you truely love someone and its meant to be they will be back!

  9. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 4.0

    No way!!

    Great for kids between 6-10 but not teens or me 12 I went to see the 3rd one and when someone mentioned Zac Efron (yuck) in the film all the girls were screaming it was scary!!!

  10. I rate this title off for age 10 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Negative role models

    I really dislike it. this is not realistic.

  11. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    Don't waste your time

    Sure, this movie is great for tweens, but for us teens, it is completely overrated! The whole "OMG Zac Efron is soooo hot" thing is really dumb. And also, a.) Who really likes High School anyway, b.) Who breaks out in song in class, and c.)I'm sure there's a school where nerds are also cool too. (I should know..... I think I'm considered a nerd and I don't think anyone in our group is part of the "OMG popular" group. HSM is a great leveler!

  12. I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    NO NO NO NO NO

    All 3 of these movies are really bad for kids under 15!! I only let my 15 & 17 year olds watch it once. I was thinking about letting my 13 year old watch it but I decided no there's too much flirting and kissing and dating--ICK!! So no no no no no no no no no.....

  13. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 0.0

    wow....:(

    This movie is just, wow... Sure it's good for little girls (and i guess odd piticular little boys) but I'm pretty convinced it could brain wash your child. I mean It's truly stupid. It's like "OMG lets break out in song during science class!" I mean come on. Lets be serious with ourselves. I totally believe in children having imaginations, but what's wrong with the simple disney princess movies? We've gone a little to far.

  14. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 6 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    !

    It is great. HSM is the best out of HSM2 and HSM3. I thought it was great for all ages. I loved it because it wasn't too predictable. I mean, obviously you knew Troy and Gabriella would end up together, but everything else wasn't predicted. It was very enjoyable.

  15. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    A+

    it is great for kids and adults too! it has good role models and a nice plot! disney's first successful hit to date!

  16. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    Lives in California
    I rate this title off for age 8 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Nope, Nope, Nope.

    XP XP DUMB XP XP

  17. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism

    Pretty lame

    Ugh. I hate the high school musical series. I just can't see how singing about your high school experience is gonna make it any better! Now, you may be wonde4ring why I put sex down as one of them. Sharpay wears some low-cut dresses and is constantly trying to "catch" troy. Also, sharpay is one of those girls who "must always be perfect" and, in my opinion, is a spoiled brat!!!!! For a family movie its okay, but pretty lame.

  18. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0

    its more for 4 yerolds to understand

  19. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Negative message

    Took my mind off!

    I thought this was a really awesome movie! Compared to the other two this was better..! i wanted some kiss scenes and stuff but it didn't come..That was a bit you know annoying but i just loved this movie. Can never ever forget the great movie! Love it to hell!

  20. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

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