Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ho-hum Halloween tween film is fine for older kids.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Halloweentown High
What's the Story?
Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown), a young witch, is convinced humans and otherworldy creatures can get along perfectly well in the real world. She wagers that her assertion is true, which lands her with a passel of monsters attending her high school to see if she's right. But what's on the line is her magical powers, which just may be too big of a bet. Especially when a war of words at a mall dissembles into chaos, and the Knight of the Iron Dagger makes an appearance.
Is It Any Good?
What is the legendary Debbie Reynolds doing in this mediocre movie? Although in truth, she was in the previous two Halloweentown films in the Disney-produced trilogy. The special effects are so rudimentary as to be laughable, the plot, hair-thin. (It's hard to imagine Disney making a movie with awful special effects, given its history, but when you see the monsters divest themselves of their human costumes, you'll understand.) And though Reynolds is, of course, a pro, biting into her role with relish, nearly everyone else is hokey. They act as if they're on a high school stage, which, in a way, they are.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the message beneath the allegorical monsters vs. humans debate: Just because two people are different, is it automatically true that they can't get along or appreciate each other?
Why do most movies tap into the scary side of Halloween? Is there another side?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 4, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : September 13, 2005
- Cast : Debbie Reynolds , Judith Hoag , Kimberly J. Brown
- Director : Mark A.Z. Dippe
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 86 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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