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Animaniacs

(Rated TV-G, Children, cartoons, & animation, Starring Rob Paulsen, Tress MacNeille, Jess Harnell, Where to watch: WB, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Clever 'toon is bursting with fun for kids and adults.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The Animaniacs make a sport of breaking the rules, often to the chagrin of unsuspecting supporting characters. But some skits have an educational quality, as with musical numbers that put lists like the countries of the world and the U.S. presidents to song.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Many of the slapstick skits use cartoon violence for humor, and none of the multiple crashes, explosions, or blunt force traumas cause realistic injury. Some storylines include scenes of war or historic battles, where characters use guns, swords, and other weapons.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Buxom female characters wear tight dresses that accentuate their curves, and some dialogue includes mild innuendo or double entendre. Dot is prone to starry-eyed flirting with handsome guys.
  • Language:

    No cursing, but occasional name-calling like “jerkface.”
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Animaniacs

Parents need to know that this cartoon has something for everyone, blending over-the-top comedy and outrageous adventures that are sure to please the kiddies with smart satire and hilarious cultural references that teens and adults will love. There's a fair amount of humorous cartoon violence (explosions, collisions, punches, and the like), the occasional double entendre, and lots of fun found in mild misbehavior, but none of it is likely to affect kids. And the show does features segments with an educational flair, such as songs that teach about the solar system, U.S. history, and world geography.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how this cartoon compares to others kids have seen. Kids: What do you like about this show? Do you enjoy the characters’ adventures? Do you think this show intends to teach you anything? If so, what? How would you compare this cartoon to some of your other favorites? How does its style differ from theirs? Which do you like better? Why?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    Perfect for anyone that likes laughing their butts off and learning a thing or two.

    This is the only show I know of where everyone, kids, teens and adults can ALL have fun and actually LEARN things!!!!!!!!!!!! The voice work is incredible, the cultural references are through the roof, the music is fantastic, and don't even get me started on how unbelievably well-written the whole show is. Why aren't shows like this made anymore????

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title iffy for age 4 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative role models

    funny show for 4 or 5 and up

    iffy for 4+: MILD CARTOON VIOLENCE

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 4.0

    Really cute

    This tv show should be 6+. Listen up parents out there!!! There is nothing wrong with this tv show. You can let your 5 or 6 year old kid watch this. There is some violence in it, but nothing that you wouldn't see in Bugs Bunny. All it is is just cuteness. There is some innuendo, but it's not an issue.

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