Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Monsters + forbidden love = guilty pleasure for teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Teen Wolf
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 62 parent reviews
Parents say the show has garnered mixed reviews regarding its suitability for younger audiences, with many highlighting a blend of humor, supernatural themes, and gradually increasing levels of violence and sexual content. While some find it entertaining and a great coming-of-age story that can be enjoyed with parental guidance, others express concerns that the graphic depictions of violence and mature themes make it inappropriate for younger viewers, especially as the seasons progress into darker narratives.
- entertaining show
- mixed suitability
- increasing violence
- parental guidance needed
- mature themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 244 kid reviews
Kids say that this show is an exciting blend of horror, comedy, and drama, making it a hit among teens, especially due to its engaging characters and plot twists. However, many reviewers caution that it contains violence, gore, and some mature themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences, typically recommending it for viewers aged 12 and up, depending on maturity levels.
- engaging characters
- suitable for teens
- contains violence
- mature themes
- varying age recommendations
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
TEEN WOLF centers on Scott McCall (Tyler Posey), an unremarkable high school student whose life is changed forever when he's bitten by a mysterious attacker during a nighttime walk in the woods. With the help of his best friend, Stiles (Dylan O'Brien), and fellow lycanthrope Derek (Tyler Hoechlin), Scott tries to come to terms with the fact that he is, in fact, becoming a werewolf. The transformation isn't all bad, though, as his sharpened senses give him a new edge on the lacrosse field, which translates to overnight fame among his classmates -- and the attention of beautiful new girl Allison (Crystal Reed). But enemies quickly assemble, including the school's former golden boy, Jackson (Colton Haynes), and a pack of hunters bent on eliminating werewolves altogether. In later seasons, Scott is joined by a werecoyote (Shelley Hennig) and a kitsune, or werefox (Arden Cho), who both help him maintain safety in his town.
Is It Any Good?
At times dark and suspenseful, this isn't a show for young kids or tweens who are sensitive to the concept of monsters striking close to home. Most of the violence in Teen Wolf is implied, but overall the series remains thrilling and engaging.
The show is inspired not only by the 1980s movie it shares a name with but also Twilight and other titles that sparked an appetite for mythological monsters and forbidden love. But it offers some substantial content alongside the teen angst. Scott's transformation is more than just a physical one: The change also boosts his popularity and turns him into the school's star athlete, which raises questions about the nature of social identity and self-esteem among teens. At its most basic, this story is one of underdog redemption, lending itself to discussions about heroes and the impact their personal flaws have on their right to that title.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how class and social status come into play in Teen Wolf. What factors affect a person's social status among their peers? Who determines these factors? How important are other people's impressions of you? Can you examine how you treat people according to their class?
Tweens: What affects your self-esteem? What unique qualities set you apart from other people? How does having a strong self-image affect your ability to cope with adversity?
Do you consider the werewolves in this show to be monsters? How does knowing their human side influence your sympathy for them? Do you like to root for heroes who are flawed? Do their flaws make them more relatable?
TV Details
- Premiere date : June 5, 2011
- Cast : Crystal Reed , Tyler Hoechlin , Tyler Posey
- Network : MTV
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 15, 2026
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