Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beetlejuice wannabe with potty talk, a bit of heart.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Little Monsters
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 15 parent reviews
Parents say that while some viewers enjoyed the nostalgic aspect of the film, many expressed concerns over its content, deeming it inappropriate for children due to strong language, scary imagery, and themes of child abuse. The movie's portrayal of monsters, adult relationships, and a dark atmosphere led others to suggest it should come with a stronger rating than PG, highlighting that it leaves troubling impressions on young audiences.
- inappropriate content
- strong language
- scary imagery
- troubling themes
- mixed opinions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 10 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Brian's (Fred Savage) family has just relocated to a new town, where he has no friends and spends his nights trying to drown out the sound of his parents fighting. Things start to go wonky around the house and he is blamed for them. But it's not his fault that the remote control is missing, or that his bike was left out in the driveway -- there is a devilish monster under his bed named Maurice (Howie Mandel) who is eager to bring Brian into his wacked out monster world. Through challenges and chaos, the kid and the monster forge a friendship that proves memorable to them both.
Is It Any Good?
For a movie about monsters, this flick has a bit of heart. It captures the loneliness of a kid who has moved to a new town and whose parents are in a bad way. But some of the arguments and cursing from the parents beg the question of whether their participation is really necessary to the plot of the film, or just an attempt to anchor it in a gritty reality.
Kids and tweens might appreciate the feisty and juvenile behavior that Howie Mandel's Maurice brings to the screen, but viewers who have seen Beetlejuice will see more than a little resemblance to Michael Keaton's famous ghoul. He does warm up as the movie progresses, but adults might find the characterization little more than an irritant with a penchant for pulling down people's pants. Thanks to the creepy sets, spooky masks, and Fred Savage's candid portrayal of an 11-year-old kid, this movie deserves a small spot in the comedic monster movie pantheon.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about childhood fears. What scares you the most? Something hiding under the bed? What makes the idea of monsters scary? Did you find Maurice scary?
At what age is watching scary movies fun? Have you ever wished you hadn't seen something? How did you get the scary images or thoughts out of your mind?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 6, 1989
- On DVD or streaming : April 6, 2005
- Cast : Daniel Stern , Fred Savage , Howie Mandel
- Director : Richard Greenberg
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship
- Run time : 105 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : adult situations/language, violence
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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