The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Promotes teamwork, perseverance, friendship. Encourages people to to rise above what frightens them to face their figurative (and in this case, literal) demons and survive. Mrs. Zimmerman must move past her grief to summon her powers (for good) and for both Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman to trust Lewis and his abilities. Shows that families aren't always mother-father-child units.

Lots of creepy images/situations, a few of which are downright jump-worthy and frightening. The house looks haunted and features jack-o'-lanterns all year long, scary toys, dolls, furniture that comes to life, lion-shaped bushes that become predatory, a devil cuckoo clock, an ominous ticking sound in the wall, etc. An evil warlock comes back to life and recounts a story (which the audience sees) of war that involves summoning a frightening demon, etc. A witch disguises herself as a beloved person to trick someone. The evil couple has killed people before and plan to destroy the world. The house begins to fight against the good witch and warlock characters. Necromancy/blood/crypt imagery and commentary. A boy hurts Lewis, who falls to his knees; later, Lewis magically has a basketball hit two bullies.

Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman bicker and trade "friendly" barbs like "old hag," "old yeti," "hag face," "withered purple skeleton," "coward," "deranged," "Q-tip," etc. "Hell," "damn," and "oh my God" are used a few times. Bully calls someone an "ankle biter."