Boo! A Madea Halloween

Movie review by S. Jhoanna Robledo, Common Sense Media
Boo! A Madea Halloween Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 13+

Madea franchise is getting so tired it's scary.

PG-13 2016 103 minutes
Rate movie

Parents say

age 15+

Based on 18 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 11 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate movie

Did we miss something on diversity?

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.

A Lot or a Little?

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

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Tyler Perry's signature character is back for another holiday-themed comedy in Boo! A Madea Halloween. This time around, Madea (Perry) has to keep an eye on a 17-year-old girl who's determined to sneak out to a frat party. But the outspoken and usually unshakeable lady gets spooked by ghosts, zombies, and other frights. It fits right into Madea's other misadventures -- which means you can expect strong language ("s--t," "bitch," etc.) and sexual references (suggestive comments, skimpy Halloween costumes). Characters get punched in the face, and there's some drug use (marijuana) and implied drinking. Underneath it all, of course, is Madea's patented tough-love approach to imparting life lessons.

Community Reviews

Cooldog42
Cooldog42 Adult
May 16, 2022
age 14+

It just wasn't funny

My boyfriend and I watched Madea Halloween thinking it was going to be funny, but it was just not funny. I especially didn't find the joking about child abuse funny, as disciplining children was one of the main messages of this movie. I just couldn't even watch it to the end. At the end of the movie, jokes about sexual assault in prison are even made to 2 minors. This is coming from a fan of Madea movies. I normally love Madea movies, but this one just wasn't it. The teenage child had issues from a divorce that apparently were never talked about, resulting in her bad behavior. Instead of taking her to therapy or having a heart to heart about it, the father decides to prank her by faking a murder of one of her friends and faking an arrest for sneaking out to a party. What I saw was a teenager with a legitimate reason to be upset (the divorce) being put through more emotional damage. Parents please talk to your children. The whole plot of the movie was preventable by an open line of communication.

This title has:

Too much violence
truth-hurts4583
truth-hurts4583 Adult
April 18, 2020
age 12+

Give it a chance

Even though some of the movie is a bit inappropriate it’s still a great movie. People aren’t really giving it a chance and making a big deal off of some parts. The movie talks about the importance of kids listening and acting like children which is very important.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 18 parent reviews

What's the Story?

It's Halloween, and 17-year-old Tiffany (Diamond White) is determined to go to a raucous frat party with her friends. Her dad, Brian (Tyler Perry), is just as determined that she not go anywhere near the place. So he calls in Madea (also Perry) to stay the night and help keep an eye on Tiffany. But when she disappears, and the house is invaded by ghosts and ghouls, it's up to Madea to save the day in BOO! A MADEA HALLOWEEN -- if she can manage not to get too spooked herself.

Is It Any Good?

This inert installment in the Madea franchise is proof that Perry may have just hit a wall -- or is phoning it in. Though past Madea films have garnered decidedly mixed reviews, they were often still laced with enough can't-help-but-laugh jokes to keep fans returning for yet another dose of Madea's tough-love "wisdom."

But Boo! A Madea Halloween has very few zingers that actually land and enough cliches -- "bro" frat boys, insolent teenagers, college kids with no clue -- to fill a whole series of movies. And the supposedly "scary funny" parts are neither scary nor funny. Which isn't to say that Boo! doesn't have a few small charms: The main character herself is still as spunky and winning as ever. Too bad she doesn't have much to work with here.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Madea movies are so popular. What's the character's appeal? How does Boo! A Madea Halloween compare to previous movies?

  • One of the characters really likes to smoke pot. Do you think the film glamorizes her habit?

  • How does the film deal with parenting and communication? What do you think about Brian's relationship with Tiffany? Does she respect him? What kind of parenting advice does Madea give Brian, and how does it differ from his own ideas of raising children?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

Themes & Topics

Browse titles with similar subject matter.

  • Cartoon picture of a gift wrapped up
    Holidays
    See all
  • Cartoon picture of a ghost and vampire
    Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
    See all

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate