Parents' Guide to

Monster High: The Movie

ByJennifer Green,Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Live-action monster teens face peril, appreciate diversity.

Movie NR 2022 88 minutes
Monster High Movie Poster

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 8+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Doobie Doo
Doobie Doo Adult
October 27, 2022
age 10+

It's NOT Monster High

You want an honest opinion from someone that grew up on the franchise and actually watched the movie and didn't bring it up just for their child. ... ... It's NOT Monster High. This reminds me A LOT of the zombie movies, (no offence to them I actually kind of like them). This isn't a Monster High movie, this is just a monster high school movie with stolen characters, used to revive a dying brand after they cheaped out on the dolls and realised it was a mistake. I reckon it'd be an alright movie if they didn't try to make it what it's not. I would LOVE to see a real Monster High Live action, with accurate characters and story lines. It's sad to know Mattel would give up then sell out on such an amazing brand with an amazing message of inclusivity and acceptance. This movie could have been amazing, but they failed to talk to the community and failed to create what the franchise truly deserved.
4 people found this helpful.
AutumnRain
AutumnRain Adult
October 18, 2022
age 7+

LOVE IT! Crowd Pleaser With Great Messages and Super Catchy Tunes

Fantastic film! The whole family loved it -- my 8 year old, 12 year old, a couple 30-40 somthing parents and even the grandparents! The music, the characters, the relationships, and the theme are all so fun and they teach a lot of great lessons. I read reviews first and noticed most bad reviews are from prior Monster High fans that say these characters are different from the old but we had no clue about that and are new Monster High lovers!! You know it's good when I've watched it with my kids 3x and am not yet annoyed by the non-stop songs on repeat on our Sonos. lol

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In MONSTER HIGH: THE MOVIE, we are introduced to Clawdeen (Miia Harris), half-human and half-werewolf, who is shunned by human kids. When she's accepted to attend the magical Monster High School, her human father (Scotch Ellis Loring) hesitates: They can't know about her human blood or she will be run out of the school. But he lets her go, and there Clawdeen finally finds a place where she feels she fits in. She immediately befriends her roommate Frankie (Ceci Balagot), a Frankenstein-style creature made up of body parts from the smartest people over the ages, and slowly warms to their other roomie, Draculaura (Nayah Damasen). But mean girl Cleo De Nile (Jy Prishkulnik) could uncover her human secret, which would lead Headmistress Bloodgood (Marci T. House) to send Clawdeen packing -- or worse.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say(6):
Kids say(11):

This film will appeal to tweens and younger fans of the monster dolls who will likely appreciate the costuming rather than find it a distraction from the sweet relationships at the story's core. In the vein of Disney's popularZombiesfilms,Monster High: The Movielets characters work out typical teen angst and identity issues under the guise of fantasy figures from the monster world. These allow for some pretty great puns ("she's got mummy issues," the "ghouls" become "beasties"), and a few pokes at teenage behavior (Frankie struggles to make friends via social media while others communicate solely via their coffin-shaped cell phones, and even vampires have to deal with overbearing parents).

Despite the characters' monster "identities," their get-ups (the boys' costumes and powers are especially weak), and their overly staged song-and-dance numbers, they just want what humans want: to fit in and feel free and loved in their skin. A brief epilogue hints that a sequel is in the works.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the live-actionMonster High: The Moviecompares with theanimated TV series and films, if you've seen them. What are the benefits of the different formats?

  • Why does Clawdeen want to change her nature? What makes her change her mind?

  • Do you think real teenagers ever feel the way the monster teens in this movie do and struggle to fit in or make friends? Have you ever struggled to find your place? How did you handle that situation?

Movie Details

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