Costume Quest

Cartoonish violence includes scene in which movie action hero shoots giant lizard with green laser, and character in transformed costumed superhero form hits villain in face, sending him flying, and then running. Some imagery may be upsetting to young or sensitive viewers, like when purple drool comes out of zombie's mouth and his face peels off. Kids push and slap each other when arguing; no one gets hurt.

Parents need to know that Costume Quest is an animated series based on the video game series of the same name that follows a group of four friends who gain super powers just as they discover their small town is overrun with hidden monsters. Strong positive messages are frequent, with characters treating each other with kindness and dignity, and working hard to become the sort of people capable of heroic acts. Heartwarming friendships are at the center of the action, and the friend group is ethnically diverse and gender balanced. Some of the visuals may be too much for young or sensitive viewers: swirling autumn leaves, spooky old houses, monsters creeping through trees drooling purple drool, their human faces torn off to reveal the giant lizard face underneath. When the Costume Quest friends fight them, they shoot them with lasers, punch them, send them flying into the air, and so on, but monsters don't die; they're merely reduced to small powerless figures who run away (and try again to get the friends' magical costumes). Adults are present, though often not very helpful, dismissing the children and what they have to say. Viewers who like this series may want to buy and play the video game.