Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Comic book creepiness, jazzy tunes, and fab cast.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Little Shop of Horrors
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 25 parent reviews
Parents say that this film, while entertaining with excellent performances and catchy musical numbers, contains significant violence and adult themes that make it unsuitable for young children. Many reviewers noted the film's dark humor, as well as its outdated and problematic portrayals of relationships, suggesting it could be more appropriate for mature audiences who can handle its content.
- violence
- adult themes
- dark humor
- entertaining performances
- unsuitable for children
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 70 kid reviews
Kids say this film is a blend of dark comedy and catchy songs, making it an entertaining watch, though it contains some unsettling themes such as violence and abuse, particularly related to the dentist character. While some viewers found it suitable for older children, others cautioned against exposing younger kids to its darker elements.
- dark comedy
- catchy songs
- parental guidance
- unsettling themes
- not for young kids
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is a little twisted, through and through, which makes for a creepy, and very entertaining, musical. It is set on "Skid Row," a dreary and depressed section of "Downtown," where on a grubby corner sits a little flower shop owned by Mr. Mushnik. He is assisted by a buxom blonde named Audrey and his tenant, Seymour, who seems to do everything wrong. One day, an unexpected solar eclipse catches the residents of the city unaware. Shortly thereafter, Seymour finds a fascinating plant on his shopping route that he adopts. Business is bad for Mr. Mushnik's flower stand -- he is about to close shop when Seymour suggests that his strange plant be placed in the window to attract customers. Sure enough, customers begin to pour in, and Seymour is left with a conundrum: just how will he feed his new plant when it begins to demand more than meager drops of his blood? Enter the demented dentist (played to the hilt by Steve Martin) and throw in the fact that the dentist treats Audrey like trash, and the stage is set for "foul play."
Is It Any Good?
No it's not for the faint of heart, but LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is a classic. With Frank Oz of SESAME STREET and THE MUPPET MOVIES at the helm, the premise of a man-eating plant charming its way to stardom isn't too hard to imagine. The plot is campy sci-fi at its best, which works well with the do-wop soundtrack. The music is very good -- with Levi Stubbs of The Four Tops doing the plant's voice -- and the solos by Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene hit unexpected emotional notes. Cameos from Bill Murray, John Candy, Jim Belushi and Christopher Guest increase the star power of this talented ensemble.
Though it's thoroughly entertaining, there are some scary scenes in THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS that may not be appropriate for some viewers. All those misgivings about going to the dentist are played upon like a raw nerve. Some viewers might want to fast forward through the dentist scenes altogether -- which is why discerning parents should preview this DVD for themselves. Other viewers may not be fazed at all, but be warned nonetheless.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about abuse and bullying in relationships. Why is Audrey dating such a creep? Is Seymour right to want to off the dentist?
What could have happened to Audre if she had not been "saved" by Seymour? How does her treatment in the movie make you feel?
Music and the role it plays in the movie. What do you think this would have been like on Broadway, as it originally was?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 19, 1986
- On DVD or streaming : December 19, 2000
- Cast : Ellen Greene , Rick Moranis , Steve Martin
- Director : Frank Oz
- Studio : Warner Bros.
- Genre : Musical
- Topics : Animals , Arts ( Dance , Music and Sing-Along ) , Fantasy ( Monsters )
- Run time : 94 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language, mature themes and violence
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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
Suggest an Update
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