Is ‘Haunted Mansion’ a family-friendly movie? A look at why the movie is rated PG-13 (2024)

It’s been 20 years since “The Haunted Mansion,” starring Eddie Murphy, landed in theaters. Now comes the spooky movie’s PG-13 sequel. The 2003 “Haunted Mansion” movie was made for young audiences, but the sequel is expected to be a little scarier and directed at older audiences.

“This one’s a fun one and it’s PG-13. The thing that was great about Eddie’s was that it was PG, so a lot of my friends’ kids could watch it a little younger,” Rosario Dawson, who stars in “Haunted Mansion,” told People.

“I’m having to get people to get babysitters to watch mine ‘cause it’s a little older. But it’s good. It’s a nice continuation of the theme and the world, but they’re two very separate films.”

“Haunted Mansion” earned a PG-13 rating for violence and frightening scenes. Let’s take a deeper look at what parents can expect from “Haunted Mansion” and why it is rated PG-13.

Why is ‘Haunted Mansion’ rated PG-13?

According to Common Sense Media, “Haunted Mansion” is rated PG-13 for violence, frightening scenes, supernatural elements such as dark magic and the appearance of a Ouija board and some alcohol use. The site recommends the movie for kids 11 years old and older.

“Haunted Mansion” is not rated PG-13 for language. According to IMDb, there is very little profanity in the movie.

Common Sense Media praised the film for featuring diverse representation and positive messages, such as learning to understand and express grief.

“Parents need to know that‘Haunted Mansion’is a tween-friendly supernatural comedy,” writes Common Sense Media. “Spirits have an edge of silliness to them, but a couple (like an axe-wielding bride with demon eyes) are genuinely unsettling. Ghosts swirl through the screen in bulk, and characters — including a child — are in constant peril. All of this makes the movie more appropriate for older tweens and teens than younger or more sensitive children.”

The Motion Picture Association gave “Haunted Mansion” a PG-13 rating for some thematic elements and scary action, according to IMDb.

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‘Haunted Mansion’ features frightening scenes

“Haunted Mansion” is full of frightening scenes that might not be suitable for young children.

There are countless scenes with supernatural violence, according to Parent Previews. Suicide is mentioned, a character is seen possessed, people are chased by ghosts, there are frequent mentions of death, and a child sees his dead mother in a casket. Children are seen in peril.

‘Haunted Mansion’ is a comedy based on a Disneyland ride

The spooky film balances scary scenes with humor — just like the beloved Disneyland ride. “Haunted Mansion” is actually filled with references to the California theme park ride, according to USA Today.

Director Justin Simien revealed in an interview with MovieWeb that his connection to “Haunted Mansion” dates back to his childhood experiences on the Disneyland ride.

“That’s how the ride was made, it was a back and forth. They could not decide if this ride should be funny or scary, or for children or for adults. These are the actual conversations that Walt Disney and the Imagineers had making the ride,” director Justin Simien told MovieWeb. “They somehow landed on this weird, magical formula.”

“It has this wonderful mix of humor and tragedy. It doesn’t pull punches,” added Simien. “You see a man hanging from the stretching room the moment it starts. You’re literally moving through a graveyard. This is a scary, weird ride. It was one that I rode at 9 years old. It made me feel like I could handle scary stuff. It didn’t take me out of the fight.”

“It became something that I could ride over and over again. I grew up, still really enjoying it, and feel like it spoke to me. That was the guiding star,” he explained. “My brain just kind of functions that way. It’s a tragic comedy at all times in here. It felt very natural to me.”

Despite being filled with spooky scenes, for older kids, “Haunted Mansion” is mostly a comedy. The majority of scary scenes are brief and followed with comedic relief.

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Critics are calling ‘Haunted Mansion’ a ‘family-friendly horror-comedy’

Early critic reviews of “Haunted Mansion” are categorizing the movie under “family-friendly.”

“Family-friendly horror-comedies have always been a tough subgenre: You need the scares to prove your horror bona fides, but go too far and the children will run screaming from the theater; rely too much on comedy and you’ll undermine the thrills,” wrote Vulture. “That’s a lot to ask of any film. It’s amazing that anything in‘Haunted Mansion’works.”

“This ghoulish gathering is a family-friendly affair,” wrote USA Today. “‘Haunted Mansion’ pulls off a pleasant and fantastical brush with the hereafter and is a good first horror movie for youngsters where a ghostly mummy won’t have them running for their mommy.”

When does ‘Haunted Mansion’ come out?

“Haunted Mansion” was released in theaters on July 28.

Watch the trailer for ‘Haunted Mansion’ below

Is ‘Haunted Mansion’ a family-friendly movie? A look at why the movie is rated PG-13 (2024)

FAQs

Is ‘Haunted Mansion’ a family-friendly movie? A look at why the movie is rated PG-13? ›

According to Common Sense Media, “Haunted Mansion” is rated PG-13 for violence, frightening scenes, supernatural elements such as dark magic and the appearance of a Ouija board and some alcohol use. The site recommends the movie for kids 11 years old and older. “Haunted Mansion” is not rated PG-13 for language.

Why is The Haunted Mansion movie rated PG-13? ›

The movie follows a single mom hiring others in an attempt to exorcise her ghost-inhabited home. The movie is rated PG-13, according to the MPAA rating system for some thematic elements and scary action. Several users on International Movie Database said it also contained some profanity.

Is a Haunted Mansion family friendly? ›

Ghosts swirl through the screen in bulk, and characters -- including a child -- are in constant peril. All of this makes the movie more appropriate for older tweens and teens than younger or more sensitive children.

What are the inappropriate scenes in The Haunted Mansion? ›

► A woman wears low-cut tops that reveal cleavage in a few scenes. A woman tells a man, “You're not wearing any pants,” and we see him wearing boxer shorts and a man wears a tank T-shirt and boxer briefs in one scene (we see bare shoulders and legs to the upper thighs).

Is The Haunted Mansion ride scary for kids? ›

In short: If you don't alert your kid that there's potentially scary content ahead, they probably won't realize the overall content of the attraction is meant to mimic ghost stories. Remind them they are at Walt Disney World – a place full of imagination and pretend.

Is a haunted mansion ok for a 7 year old? ›

“Haunted Mansion,” rated PG-13 for “some thematic elements and scary action,” is based on the Disneyland ride of the same name. The movie features a mother, played by Rosario Dawson, and her son, played by Chase Dillon, who move into a haunted home in Louisiana and learn they cannot leave.

What does PG-13 mean? ›

abbreviation for

parental guidance for children under 13: a rating assigned to a movie by the MPA advising parents that a film contains material they may deem unsuitable for children under the age of 13.

Is Haunted Mansion too scary for a 5 year old? ›

I would say the movie is best for more mature kids, but if your kiddo is not phased by jump scares and creepy things, by all means let them watch it. Regarding suicide: 1. The Ghost Host in the ride this movie is based on committed suicide, so this movie deals with the subject. 2.

Is a haunted house inappropriate? ›

Parents Need to Know

The references to horror movies suggest some violence -- like demon possession and a scary ghost -- but the scare factor is often diffused by the humorous tone. Pot smoking and cocaine-snorting are played for laughs (a priest keeps a huge joint inside his Bible).

Can a 2 year old go on Haunted Mansion? ›

There are no height restrictions on Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion, and both can accommodate lap-riding children. While your son may be permitted to ride, you might also consider whether either of these two attractions are a bit too frightening for him.

What are the cuss words in the Haunted Mansion? ›

Characters say "damn," "hell," "big-ass termites," and "a scary albino." "Crap" muttered by a 10-year-old.

Can my 8 year old watch Haunted Mansion? ›

According to Common Sense Media, “Haunted Mansion” is rated PG-13 for violence, frightening scenes, supernatural elements such as dark magic and the appearance of a Ouija board and some alcohol use. The site recommends the movie for kids 11 years old and older. “Haunted Mansion” is not rated PG-13 for language.

Is there a kissing scene in Sell Your haunted house? ›

You will not see-a single kiss or romantic scene in this drama.

Can a 6 year old watch the Haunted Mansion? ›

Haunted Mansion is rated PG-13 for some thematic elements and scary action. The thematic elements likely apply to the overarching theme of grief, which is explored throughout the film from the perspectives of various characters.

How scary is Disney's Haunted Mansion? ›

In terms of scariness this film has infrequent jump scares, when they do appear they are scary (the scariest is at the beginning) the music adds creepy vibes and the ghosts themselves do have scary designs Characters are chased and axes are thrown and the hatbox ghost is menacing.

Can you take a baby on Haunted Mansion? ›

Your toddler can ride in a carrier on attractions that don't have lap bars or seatbelts, and they can sit on your lap for rides like Peter Pans Flight, Haunted Mansion, and Little Mermaid, to name a few. When you want to ride something your toddler can't, use Rider Switch!

What is the scariest movie that is PG? ›

Regarded as one of the best PG horror movies ever made, Jaws is celebrated for its ability to maximize fear through a combination of John Williams' iconic score and Spielberg's mastery of suspense.

Can my 13 year old watch scary movie? ›

11-13 year olds may be better equipped to navigate the scary movie scene on some level but each child is different. If your child watches something that they say is not scary to them but then starts coming to you at night wanting to sleep closer to you or is having nightmares let their behavior speak for them.

Should I let my 8 year old watch scary movies? ›

While there is no absolute age at which scary movies are appropriate, Dr. Dry recommends not introducing them to very young children because of the potential to create long-term anxiety.

Is it OK for a 13 year old to watch American Horror Story? ›

Parents need to know that American Horror Story's content is designed to shock, and you can expect a variety of scary, disturbing, and graphic scenes that include strong language, sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and extreme violence.

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