Parents' Guide to Hazbin Hotel

Hazbin Hotel TV show poster: featuring a group of animated characters in shades of red, pink, and black

Common Sense Media Review

Jenny Nixon By Jenny Nixon , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 17+

Rampant sex, profanity, violence in animation set in hell.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 17+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 14+

Based on 100 parent reviews

Parents say that while some find the show appropriate for kids, many believe it is unsuitable due to its themes of violence, drugs, and sexual content. Reviews indicate a divide between those who appreciate its humor and representation and those who warn against allowing younger audiences to view it, asserting that its mature themes can negatively influence impressionable minds.

  • mixed suitability
  • strong warnings
  • humor and themes
  • representation praised
  • maturity matters
  • parental guidance needed
Summarized with AI

age 14+

Based on 260 kid reviews

Kids say the show is entertaining but should be reserved for older teens due to its heavy themes, including explicit language and sexual content. Many reviewers suggest that while the show features strong LGBTQ+ representation and important life lessons, it might not be suitable for viewers under 13, as the content may be triggering or inappropriate for younger audiences.

  • mature content
  • LGBTQ+ representation
  • age recommendations
  • strong themes
  • educational aspects
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

HAZBIN HOTEL is an animated series that takes place in hell, where there's a bit of an overcrowding problem. Concerned that hell will gain too much power from an ever-swelling population, their numbers are kept under control through visiting angels who swoop down to execute large groups of sinners. The princess of hell -- Lucifer's daughter, Charlotte "Charlie" Morningstar (Erika Henningson) -- is convinced there's a better, less violent way to maintain balance. She opens a halfway house of sorts where her subjects can learn about concepts like trust and forgiveness, hopefully culminating in their redemption and ascent to heaven. Also, there are musical numbers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 100 ):
Kids say ( 260 ):

The problem with this series isn't the rampant sex, profanity, or violence -- it's the way it leans on being "outrageous" rather than developing a cohesive point of view or sense of humor. Hazbin Hotel isn't a terrible concept, but neither is it particularly original. The series' enthusiasm for being offensive just doesn't feel groundbreaking in a post-South Park world. Viewers who love the spooky-kooky films of Tim Burton will probably dig the stylized animation, which uses a limited color palette of reds, pinks, and black. The voice acting is quite good, with Keith David (who voiced Dr. Facilier in The Princess and the Frog) and Bruce Roman (voicing Angel Dust, the hotel's resident sex-worker demon) being standouts. If the show uses future seasons to hone its worldview and ease up on the lazy, repetitive use of shock value, it would be a huge improvement.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why so many forms of media focus on the fight between good and evil. Can you think of any examples of this phenomenon?

  • What benefits does the medium of animation offer storytellers as opposed to live action? How do you think the series might be perceived differently if it were not a cartoon?

TV Details

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Hazbin Hotel TV show poster: featuring a group of animated characters in shades of red, pink, and black

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