Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Halloween "scary tale" is a real treat for families.
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Scared Shrekless
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say that while this Halloween special brings creativity and humor to the forefront, many adult viewers found it to contain unsettling content not suitable for younger audiences. Some recommend it for kids 12 and up, pointing out its mix of funny and spooky tales, though others warn it may be too frightening for those under this age.
- creativity and imagination
- not suitable for kids
- funny and spooky
- recommend for older kids
- unsettling content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In SCARED SHREKLESS, it's the ogre tots' first Halloween, and while they're out spooking trick-or-treaters, the fairytale characters are setting up camp in Shrek (voiced by Mike Myers) and Fiona's (Cameron Diaz) house to scare them. When their surprise doesn't have the effect they hoped for, Shrek challenges Donkey (Eddie Murphy), Puss (Antonio Banderas), Gingy (Conrad Vernon), and the others to a scary tales contest at Lord Farquaad's creepy abandoned castle. As they swap terrifying tall tales and keep an eye out for Farquaad's ghost, it's a battle of nerves until just one winner remains.
Is It Any Good?
Four full-length movies and two holiday specials later, these ogres prove that they're anything but rough around the edges. Shrek and Fiona are as imperfectly lovable as ever, and their hodge-podge of faithful friends can still dish out the laughs with the best of them. Longtime fans won't be disappointed in this festive tale, which revisits Donkey and Puss's contentious relationship, gives the Duloc singers the stage once more, and chronicles Gingy's attempts to create the perfect mate.
No one familiar with Shrek will be surprised that Scared Shrekless has its fair share of potty humor (vomiting, a kick to the groin, and Gingy poops sprinkles in a moment of fear), and the Halloween theme and spooky setting calls for ghostly voices and some very mild peril. But fear not; none of this makes it off-limits for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about media marketing. Why do advertisers use the images of characters like Shrek on products like candy, clothing, and accessories? What kinds of things have you seen characters' pictures on? Does seeing Scared Shrekless make you want these items more? Why or why not?
Do you think the Shrek stories should continue? Have you enjoyed the later movies as much as you did the first couple? How do they keep the stories fresh and funny? How do new characters help the movies succeed?
Is Shrek a good role model? What are some of his best qualities? Is there anything about him that you wouldn't want to imitate? Can Shrek be considered a hero in any way? How does he show that he's a good person? A good friend?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 13, 2011
- Cast : Cameron Diaz , Eddie Murphy , Mike Myers
- Directors : Gary Trousdale , Raman Hui
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : DreamWorks Animation
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Competition , Fantasy ( Fairy Tales , Ghosts ) , Friendship , Holidays ( Halloween )
- Run time : 21 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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