Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creepy anthology series has positive messages, fun frights.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Creeped Out
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 50 parent reviews
Parents say the show has varying levels of scare factor, with some episodes being genuinely creepy and even causing nightmares for younger viewers, while others present valuable moral lessons and are suitable for children who enjoy spooky themes. The appropriateness for kids largely depends on their sensitivity to horror, with many parents recommending it for ages 10 and up, as some segments can be unsettling or too intense for younger audiences.
- age sensitivity
- moral lessons
- genuine creepiness
- appropriate for older kids
- varies by episode
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 91 kid reviews
Kids say that while the show has some entertaining stories and moral lessons, it can be quite scary for younger children, with several episodes containing disturbing themes and psychological horror that can lead to nightmares. Reviews are mixed, with some viewers enjoying the creepiness and finding it a good introduction to horror, while others feel it is too intense for kids and suggest that it should be rated PG-13 instead of PG.
- scary for kids
- moral lessons
- mixed opinions
- suitable for older ages
- psychological horror
- parental guidance advised
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
CREEPED OUT is an anthology series that combines various elements of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Each episode focuses on a different tween or teen protagonist fumbling their way though freaky situations like sentient cellphones, cursed puppets, and imaginary friends who may not be so imaginary. The tales are bookended by the mysterious appearance of "The Curious," an anonymous masked figure whose ghostly whistle is said to signal the start of some sort of paranormal kookiness. The stories tend to have moral messages to impart, which are highlighted by the narration that kicks off and ends each episode.
Is It Any Good?
The only downside to this just-spooky-enough series is that the anthology format is unpredictable, which may bug sensitive viewers. A kid might be a-okay with a story about a mean babysitter, only to flip out at a different episode about zombie-like campers. Previewing the episode descriptions or watching alongside your kiddos may be a good idea if you suspect this may be an issue for them. Still, Creeped Out is a solid choice for school-age fans of the supernatural, and makes a great introduction to horror and science fiction for kids too young for the really spooky stuff.
One of the best aspects of the series is the way it combines the dread-filled mood of a campfire tale with thought-provoking messages, and it's all done in a way kids can easily relate to. The first episode centers on an insecure girl named Kim who longs to be popular and is obsessed with being online. When she buys a supposedly "unbreakable" smartphone from an infomercial, it learns everything about her, and soon takes over her social media accounts, causing a huge spike in her popularity among classmates. Too bad the phone is also a controlling, sentient creep -- shades of the HAL 9000 computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey -- who wants to be Kim's "boyfriend" and threatens to ruin her life if she doesn't do everything he says. Themes like this inspire kids to look at the world around them in a critical way, which sets the show a notch above similar offerings which are more about jump scares and gross-outs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it is that draws people to watching scary movies and TV shows or reading scary books. Is it fun to let yourself be frightened sometimes? Why do you think that is?
Each episode of Creeped Out is different, but a common thread that runs through them is the idea that actions have consequences. Talk about specific episodes and the way the show examines these consequences. Do the punishments some characters face seem warranted? Why or why not? What is the show trying to say about these issues?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 31, 2017
- Cast : Sydney Wade , Kyle Breitkopf , Tiffany Elefano , Sam Ashe Arnold
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Science Fiction
- TV rating :
- Last updated : December 31, 2025
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