Mad Monster Party

Movie review by Brian Costello, Common Sense Media
Mad Monster Party Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 6+

Campy stop-motion animated fun with ghoulish imagery.

NR 2009 94 minutes
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Parents say

age 6+

Based on 3 reviews

Kids say

age 8+

Based on 3 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this silly 1960's Rankin/Bass animation movie has the occasional round of cartoon violence, plus lots of spooky imagery (skulls, ghouls, etc.). Monsters at a party hold full wine glasses and a character makes a subtle reference to hangovers. There's some sultry female characters, plus moments of quasi-romantic kissing -- but on the whole, Mad Monster Party is kitschy, campy fun for adults and kids alike.

Community Reviews

MsHuggins
MsHuggins Adult
October 30, 2015
age 13+

Value Concerns: Domestic Violence & Suicide

I like this little show a lot. I get a big nostalgic hit from it. But like a lot of things from another era, this show is from 1967, there are some outdated values that can give you a twinge or two. The lead female is like a Bond girl from the 60s. She's on the wrong side until the male lead slaps her around, then she falls in love, then she risks her safety for his. The male lead makes a comment about killing himself. Some of the adult humor is veiled and even cute enough to fly and to make it fun for adults, but I think a caution about the slapping and the suicide comment need to be included in reviews so that parents are prepared for it if they choose to show this movie to their kids.

This title has:

Too much violence
1 person found this helpful.
Dad F.
Dad F. Adult
October 12, 2016
age 2+

Campy Fun and Amazing Animation!

The storyline touches on families of diverse backgrounds, the concepts of what is right or wrong, love, and humor. With a diverse cast that doesn't quite trust one another, yet is bound by a familial theme, the movie shows how very different people can come to work together and how, if they can't come together for good things can often go terribly wrong. All this with a spectrum of humor from slapstick to subtlety. What a classic gem!

This title has:

Great messages
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Dr. Frankenstein (Boris Karloff) creates a potion that is able to destroy all matter it comes in contact with. He decides to retire and turn the business over to his nephew Felix (Allen Swift). Frankenstein throws a retirement party attended by an all-star cast of monsters, including the Monster's Mate (Phyllis Diller) and the sexy Francesca (Gale Garnett). As Felix arrives at the castle, the other monsters scheme to steal the matter-destroying potion, as the clumsy and asthmatic Felix mulls over whether or not to take over the family business.

Is It Any Good?

Fans of the kind of quirky novelty humor that reached its zenith in the mid-1960s will love MAD MONSTER PARTY. It's a collection of monsters (created in the inimitable Rankin/Bass animation that should be familiar to anyone who has seen the TV adaptation of Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer) attending a party, singing, and engaging in an endless succession of sight-gags. The performance by the houseband, "Little Tibia and the Fibias," is especially enjoyable for fans of 1960's rock and roll in particular.

Co-written by Mad Magazine co-founder Harvey Kurtzman and a strong influence on Tim Burton, Mad Monster Party should be great fun for adults who grew up with this kind of animation, and for kids with a ghoulish sense of humor.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about live animation. How were these characters brought to life, and how is it different from animation seen in other cartoons and movies?

  • How can you tell this movie was made several decades ago? Is it the animation? The jokes? The characters?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

For kids who love monsters

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