Hocus Pocus (PG)
Age 10+
Rollicking Halloween fun has scares and gross-out moments.
Released in 1993, this spooky season favorite centers on the wicked-but-campy Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) and their plot to suck the life force out of children. While one girl dies that way (it isn’t gory), most of the movie’s violence is playful and comical, including the witches burning in a pottery kiln (they’re unhurt) and hanging at the gallows (only their legs are visible). Gross-out scenes include a character eating spiders and a reanimated corpse cutting his stitched mouth open with a blade. A book that’s bound in human skin and a candle made from the fat of a hanged person play key roles. Kids are bullied, and teens mention “smokes” and “hash.” An adult smokes inside her home. Language includes “damn” and “hell.” Teens flirt and almost kiss, and one character is teased about being a virgin. (96 minutes)
Available on Disney+.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG)
Age 7+
Animated holiday magic with a touch of scariness.
This 1993 stop-motion-animated movie is one of the best family films for all ages. That said, it does have scares: Characters take off their own heads and limbs, and there are skeletons, demons, zombies and worms — plus a very creepy villain named Oogie Boogie. Kids who aren’t old enough to distinguish fantasy from real life (or those prone to nightmares) might steer clear. Characters kiss, and the rag-doll-like Sally (Catherine O’Hara) pines after the charming Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon). Sally is kind and helpful but falls into gender stereotypes, sacrificing herself to support the male lead and becoming a damsel in distress. The film also uses the “disabled villain” cliché. Those stereotypes aside, the movie has positive messages about gratitude and valuing what you already have — as well as catchy songs and memorable visuals. (76 minutes)
Available on Disney+.
Beetlejuice (PG)
Age 13+
Creepy Tim Burton tale has violence and language.
Tim Burton’s 1988 classic deals with serious themes: Young married couple Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam (Alec Baldwin) come to grips with the fact that they’re dead, and a teenager contemplates death by suicide. There’s a lot of creepy imagery, and strong language includes “s—,” “f—,” “hell,” “damn it” and “piss off.” The movie also includes smoking, drinking and a reference to Valium. Women invite the demonic Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) inside a brothel. The ever-inappropriate Beetlejuice also grabs his crotch, dry humps, kisses Barbara without consent, lifts her skirt and tries to force teenage Lydia (Winona Ryder) into marrying him. An afterlife waiting room abounds with people in various states of death, including gory figures who succumbed to violent fates. Our heroes are chased by giant sandworms, and a character shrivels up like a mummy. (92 minutes)
Available on HBO Max.
Ghostbusters (PG)
Age 11+
Paranormal 1980s classic has some scares and innuendo.
The iconic 1984 movie follows four unlikely heroes (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson) who set out to save Manhattan from an influx of spirits and monsters. The film mixes a ton of humor (some of which hasn’t held up too well) with the spooky stuff. Large dogs with glowing eyes attack and possess two characters, though the now-dated special effects may not faze older kids. There’s strong language (several uses of “s—”) and some sexually charged scenes, including one in which a character fantasizes briefly about a ghost giving him oral pleasure. A possessed woman also writhes around and says “I want you inside me” to a man, who laughs it off. Two men aggressively pursue women and cross professional and physical boundaries; their behavior is played for laughs and even presented as romantic. Two Ghostbusters also smoke a lot. (105 minutes)
Available on Disney+.
Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.
The post What parents need to know about ‘Hocus Pocus’ and other spooky season staples appeared first on Washington Post.
