Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Rampant sex, profanity, violence in animation set in hell.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hazbin Hotel
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 101 parent reviews
Parents say the show has a mix of positive messages and darker themes, making it highly controversial when it comes to age appropriateness; while some reviews advocate for its viewing by mature teens, others strongly advise against letting younger children watch due to explicit content involving violence, drugs, and sexual themes. There is notable praise for its storytelling and representation, but a significant number of parents and viewers agree that it is not suitable for anyone under the age of 14.
- mature themes
- inappropriate for kids
- positive messages
- representation discussed
- parental supervision needed
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 274 kid reviews
Kids say that while the show features a mix of humor, colorful animation, and engaging music, it also contains mature themes such as frequent swearing, sexual content, and substance abuse, making it more suitable for older teens and adults. Although some viewers feel the show provides important lessons about redemption and acceptance, many recommend it only for those aged 13 and older, emphasizing the need for parental discretion based on the child's maturity level.
- mature content
- humor and music
- parental discretion
- suitable for teens
- themes of redemption
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?
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
- Premiere date : January 18, 2024
- Cast : Erika Henningsen , Stephanie Beatriz , Keith David , Blake Roman , Kimiko Glenn
- Network : Prime Video
- Genre : Comedy
- TV rating :
- Last updated : February 19, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate