Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Magical comedy with good lessons for tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 14 parent reviews
Parents say this show is a humorous and family-friendly series that often delivers valuable lessons, making it enjoyable for children and their parents alike. However, opinions vary on the appropriateness for younger audiences, with some noting occasional mature content and themes, while others emphasize its innocence and suitability for kids aged 6 to 11.
- humor
- family-friendly
- valuable lessons
- age appropriateness
- occasional mature content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 35 kid reviews
What's the Story?
Based on a character from Archie Comics, the Sabrina series began airing in 1996 following the success of the same-named TV movie. Both movie and show star Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina, a teenage girl whose parents tell her on her 16th birthday that she's a half-witch, then send her to live with her magical aunts in Massachusetts to learn how to be a proper witch. The show centers on Sabrina's life with Aunt Hilda (Caroline Rhea) and Aunt Zelda (Beth Broderick) as she learns to master spells in order to earn her witch's license from the Other Realm -- while keeping her magical talents hidden from her friends, teen rivals, and teachers. The series follows Sabrina as she graduates from Westbridge High and Adams College and enters the workforce as a journalist for a cutting-edge music magazine.
Is It Any Good?
SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH reminds us that while magic can be helpful, life is about being mature enough to face the consequences of our actions, not waving a wand or reciting a spell. Over the years Sabrina not only learns how to perform spells, but also discovers that magic doesn't offer a "quick fix" for the problems she faces in daily life.
Sabrina's attempts to use magic to help resolve her troubles -- including trying to attend multiple parties at once or resolving squabbles with a high school rival -- usually land her in out-of-this-world situations that have rather negative consequences. With the help of her aunts and Salem, a former warlock turned black cat, each event provides a positive learning experience for Sabrina.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how to resolve problems both in school and at a job, as well as the importance of accepting the consequences of your actions. What's the right way to approach a problem? What solutions are easy versus correct? Families can also discuss high school and college activities like dating and going to parties. What tricky situations do tweens think might arise in those situations? How would they handle them?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 27, 1996
- Networks : Syndicated , TeenNick
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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