Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Terrifying guilty pleasure is iffy for sensitive teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Supernatural
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 89 parent reviews
Parents say the show is a captivating blend of horror, drama, and humor, centered on the bond between two brothers fighting supernatural threats, complete with deep character development and positive messages about family and bravery. While it does feature violence and some mature content, many viewers believe it’s suitable for older children and teenagers, emphasizing the importance of knowing your child's maturity level when determining appropriateness.
- family bonds
- character development
- mature themes
- positive messages
- age appropriateness
- violence warnings
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 391 kid reviews
Kids say that this show is a highly addictive mix of humor, horror, and family dynamics, showcasing two brothers navigating a world filled with supernatural threats while also touching on themes of love and perseverance. However, many users emphasize that the show contains significant gore, violence, and some mature content, making it more suitable for older children and teens rather than younger viewers.
- addictive storytelling
- family dynamics
- significant violence
- mature content
- appealing characters
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
X-Files-meets-Hardy Boys paranormal thriller SUPERNATURAL follows the lives of Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles), whose extraordinary past set in motion a unique destiny that brings the guys face to face with evil in every imaginable form. When their mother died in a mysterious fire when the boys were young, their father dedicated his life to finding and destroying the demon responsible, eventually dragging his sons into the fray as well. Now they travel the country in their father's car, hunting and killing every paranormal monster they can track, all the while searching for clues to their own unfolding destiny. As the years pass, they lose friends at the hands of countless enemies, whose faces change along with their motivations. Although they face unimaginable threats to their brotherly bond, Sam and Dean's loyalty to each other is never tested for long, and their devotion to each other keeps them going in the face of such daunting challenges.
Is It Any Good?
Rooted in multicultural folklore and playing on raw human emotion, this drama is such a fan-beloved hit that its longevity has greatly exceeded creator Eric Kripke's intended trio of seasons. Padalecki and Ackles are stellar in their roles as tortured souls Sam and Dean, each of whom wrestles with his own inner demons in addition to engaging real ones in battle. So many true-to-life issues surface in this series -- family responsibility vs. individual motivations, destiny vs. free will, the fine line between good and evil -- that astute viewers will see it's much more than a pretty-boy drama (although the fact that the guys aren't bad to look at is a bonus).
It's too bad that such a smart show couldn't be enjoyed by a general audience, but there's just too much troubling content afoot to make this one acceptable for most teens. Violence is the main offender, since each story centers on the guys' quest to kill some paranormal monster of sorts, and later seasons delve into the spiritual world with the introduction of some surprisingly vengeful angels. Although their intentions are always good, the guys' lifestyle is questionable at best -- marked by credit-card fraud, heavy drinking, casual sex, and their own deals with the devil.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the series' main theme of family loyalty. How far does Sam and Dean's loyalty to each other go? Is this aspect of the story believable? How does their relationship compare to your own with your family?
Teens: Does this series stereotype any group of characters based on race or gender? How are the female characters portrayed in particular? How does this differ from females' roles in classic horror films or shows?
What impression does this series give about death? How are characters' deaths dealt with? Is this show's violence more or less gratuitous than that in other shows or movies you've seen? Do you think modern allowances for violence in the media has desensitized viewers?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 13, 2005
- Cast : Jared Padalecki , Jensen Ackles
- Networks : CW , TNT
- Genre : Science Fiction
- TV rating :
- Last updated : January 25, 2026
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