Parents' Guide to

Deadtime Stories

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Horror anthology's lighter fright still scary for some kids.

TV Nickelodeon Drama 2013
Deadtime Stories Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 2 parent reviews

helenek
helenek Parent of 7-year-old
November 19, 2013
age 9+

TOO SCARY FOR SOME.... Watch with caution

My son (7) thought this show was tantalizingly scary the first time he saw it, but I had my doubts. This morning he woke up and was not happy as he'd had nightmares about one of the shows :( The episode had a little girl who ran out in front of a car and was killed. (this could have been a good message not to run out in front of cars!) Her ghost then came and haunted the friends. There was a creepy doll involved also.
CDG
CDG Parent
November 14, 2013
age 9+

A little intense, but overall good scary stories

A little intense, but overall good scary stories.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much sex
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Ghost stories and other creepy tales come to life in DEADTIME STORIES, a reimagining of a 1986 horror movie of the same name. The series stars Jennifer Stone as a baby-sitter who reads scary stories to her young charges before bedtime each night. As she reads, the show cuts away to a dramatization of each standalone tale; they center on spooky or mysterious happenings like the reincarnation of dead pets, vengeful ghosts, or a haunted mirror with strange powers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (3 ):

In the vein of Goosebumps, Deadtime Stories can be a good trial run on middle-of-the-road scares for tweens who have outgrown animated spooks but aren't ready for the heavier stuff. Violence is pretty much nonexistent, and the special effects are just immature enough that tweens will see through them, plus Stone's presence always keeps the tone lighthearted and humorous.

As with any anthological series with a consistently changing focus, it's important to check out the content of each episode before giving your kids the go-ahead. For some, the idea of giant animatronic bugs might be a thrill; for others, it's bound to induce some nightmares. Knowing your kid's particular sensitivities is a must if this kind of show is on her radar.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why being scared is sometimes fun. Do you like the feeling? What kinds of stories and characters are scariest for you?

  • How are role models portrayed in this show? Are the adults attentive to the kids' concerns? To whom can your kids turn if an issue arises for them at school? In extracurricular activities? Remind them about "safe" adults in public places as well.

  • Use the show's tie-in to shared story time to inspire the same activity within your family. What kinds of books appeal to all the ages in your home? If your kids are of reading age, share the duties with them, and talk about how you envision the story as you hear it. How do your versions compare?

TV Details

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