Parents' Guide to

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Magical comedy with good lessons for tweens.

TV Syndicated, TeenNick Comedy 1996
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 9+

Based on 14 parent reviews

swimmermomct
swimmermomct Adult
October 4, 2020
age 7+

Early episodes are fun and innocent. Later episodes better for tweens+

The early episodes are pretty innocent and fun. I think the early episodes are good for kids 7+, maybe even 6. However, as Sabrina grows up and finishes high school and college, the subject matters, humor, etc get slightly more mature. Nothing crazy, but I think the latter seasons are probably better for tweens+
2 people found this helpful.
charlesb 1
charlesb 1 Adult
September 24, 2014
age 8+

great comedy!!

this a great family show it will keep you laughing for ages!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 14 parent 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?

Our review:
Parents say (14):
Kids say (34):

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

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