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Home Movies (Cartoon Network)

common sense media says

Witty animated show about young filmmaker is best for teens.

parents & educators say
  • 75% say language is an issue
See all 13 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this series about a boy who likes to make movies with his best friends is animated, it often explores relatively mature topics about families, marriage, and divorce. There’s not too much in the way of swearing, sex, or violence, but the jokes and themes might not be very entertaining for young viewers. The main character, Brendon, lives with his single mom, while his friend Jason seems to have little contact with his parents. The kids themselves must often bend a few rules in order to plan and shoot the scenes for their movies.

Positive messages: The series portrays Brendon’s filmmaking efforts as worthy and artistic ventures, requiring creativity, imagination, and focus. That said, it also delves into complex family issues, touching on divorce, absent and neglectful parents, and the complicated relations within blended families.
Positive role models: Brendon and his friends are devoted to making movies, and they sometimes neglect their schoolwork to focus on filming. They're also willing to sneak into places to film scenes and break rules in pursuit of getting the shot. Their parents run the gamut from very involved and supportive to completely absent.
Violence: Moderate cartoon antics that fall short of actual fighting.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Characters call each other “stupid” and say “shut up" and "ass." Some references to bodily functions, as characters sometimes “gotta pee” or throw up.
Consumerism: Some episodes have references to well-known movies.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: One of the adult characters has a drinking problem.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Home Movies

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about divorce. What do you think about the way Brendon’s single mom is portrayed? What about his dad and step-mother? Does this seem like an accurate look at divorce? If your parents are divorced, or if you have friends whose parents are divorced, does this show get it right?
  • What do you think about Brendon’s devotion to making movies? Is he showing an early interest in the craft, or is he a bit too focused on his hobby?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Brendon (voiced by HOME MOVIES creator/writer Brendon Small) is a budding filmmaker at age 8. Along with his best friends Jason (H. Jon Benjamin) and Melissa (Melissa Bardin Galsky), he’s constantly planning his next shoot, talking about dialogue, or filming a scene. This clever animated series shows the lengths that a persistent young artist is willing to go to pursue his craft, even if it sometimes means ignoring homework or bending a few rules to gain access to just the right location for a key sequence.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

While Home Movies (which originally aired from 1999-2004) is about three young kids, the show's jokes and situations are clearly aimed at an older audience. When the series isn't focused on Brendon’s films, it also touches on family relationships. Brendon lives with his single mom and adopted sister and sometimes interacts with his dad and stepmother. Jason and Melissa also seem to have vaguely dysfunctional relationships with their parents (although, really, who doesn’t?).

In this series, the kids have to deal with many of the same issues as real-world kids -- including divorce, under-employed parents, and watching their single parents negotiate the dating world. Brendon’s entertaining films offer the trio an entertaining and creative escape and sometimes seem like a metaphor for needing to escape.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-14
Network: Cartoon Network
Cast: Brendon Small, H. Jon Benjamin, Melissa Bardin Galsky
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Cartoon Network
This review was written by Will Wade
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 75% say language is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

23momof3
parent of 5 , 6 , and 8 year old
6
 
My daughter watches this show and i have no problem with it.
My daughter watches this show and i have no problem with it. There are very few consens for me the do use words like ass but that is the only cuss word i have heard. I have not heard of any sexuality at all in this show. That is very hard to find and it is a nice show.
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chrisrobot360
kid, 8 years old
7
 
Theme Song and Brendon Lost
the music is awsome for kids.Brendon lost his camrea because he didnt do good on his tes from the History episode
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ssrex
teen, 15 years old
10
 
My name is Brendan Petty. The main character and creator of the show is named Brendon Small. I find that funny all on it's own. The show is my dad's fav.
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F-Zero studios
teen, 14 years old
10
 
perfect for tweens
awesome dude! this is tv-14?
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ohya
parent of 14 year old
12
 
show is rated TV-PG,not TV-14
decent
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HamsterSandwich
adult
10
 
Witty, Clever, and Yet, Highly Underrated
Home Movies is a dialog-driven animated program that aired on Adult Swim. Coach McGuirk, (If that you spell it) is drunk, lazy, and neglectful, but, is quite humorous, and won't leave much of an impression on little kids. All of the humor is quick and subtle, but, extremely clever. It will amuse most teens, and make adults snicker. This underrated program most certainly deserves the four stars I give it.
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Myflight
kid, 12 years old
9
 
Huh? These ratings confuse me
Wow, are they serious? Tv-14? It's like, no worse than the simpsons.
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WhatTheyMissed
parent
12
 
Program rated correctly.
Program does properly deserve TV-PG rating. Thank you, Cartoon Network, for this.
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Starwarsguy
kid, 10 years old
11
 
Real funny show!
Really good show but they deal with some pretty serious issues. Brendon is a good role model
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pseudonym46231
kid, 13 years old
10
 
I watch it every chance I get!
I like this show. It's witty and funny yet mature. Makes the least use of the Adult Swim censor bleep. Later seasons are more mature than the first.
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mpearmai
kid, 12 years old
9
 
Home Movies
Okay... I think this is ok for 9 and up I've heard the curses but i think the strongest words are beeped.
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Coolnone
teen, 15 years old
13
 
Best for teenagers
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ibarncat
teen, 17 years old
8
 
The influence of Klasky-Csupo is obvious
Please do not think that the title refers to the show's animation. Instead, it refers to the show's writing style. This is a very funny and often surprisingly deep show. It portrays the events in the childhood of a boy aspiring to become the next Steven Spielberg. The viewer can see from the clips in his movies that, like any real producer of films, he's had good films and bad films. But on top of making movies, he also deals with problems with his friends and his divorced mother and his coach. The only thing questionable about this show is the language, which can get a bit overboard for young kids. But the innuendos are very light and very infrequent, and there is no violence to speak of whatsoever.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines