By Jenny Nixon , based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creepy anthology series has positive messages, fun frights.
Parents need to know that Creeped Out is a BBC anthology series that merges horror, fantasy, and science fiction themes. While some of the episodes are creepier than others, the show, in general, isn't aggressively frightening or gory in any way. In truth, the show has more in common with a series like
The show is more about setting an eerie mood and less about overt violence.
Sex, Romance & Nudity Not present Language Not present Products & Purchases Not present Drinking, Drugs & Smoking Not presentEach episode has some kind of moral quandary to explore: Is the grass always gre
Positive Role ModelsThis can vary depending on the episode. Some protagonists are innocents caught u
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Each episode has some kind of moral quandary to explore: Is the grass always greener on the other side? What are the repercussions of being addicted to social media? It's done in an entertaining, non-preachy, and spooky-fun way.
This can vary depending on the episode. Some protagonists are innocents caught up in a situation they can't control, while others have more devious personalities and intentions. The show makes sure to highlight the fact that actions -- good or bad -- always have consequences.
Parents need to know that Creeped Out is a BBC anthology series that merges horror, fantasy, and science fiction themes. While some of the episodes are creepier than others, the show, in general, isn't aggressively frightening or gory in any way. In truth, the show has more in common with a series like Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone (albeit, a training wheels version) than a straight-up horror anthology, especially in the way each episode imparts some kind of social critique or moral lesson for the viewer to ponder. If your child enjoys being spooked, they'll probably be fine watching this, but parents of super-sensitive little ones may want to preview the episodes first.
Creeped Out
Official trailer
Based on 42 parent reviews
Mayabug Parent of 10-year-old May 22, 2021My 10 year old kids watched this on our filtered Netflix PG Kids Profile and bedtime was nightmare for us parents with terrified kids were too scared to go to sleep! I finally watched some to see why it was so frightening and am so disheartened that this show was rated the way it was. super inappropriate and scary!
June 18, 2024My 10 year old child has been hysterically crying and won’t go to be on her own after watching 2 episodes.
CREEPED OUT is an anthology series that combines various elements of horror, fantasy, and science fiction. Each episode focuses on a different tween or teen protagonist fumbling their way though freaky situations like sentient cellphones, cursed puppets, and imaginary friends who may not be so imaginary. The tales are bookended by the mysterious appearance of "The Curious," an anonymous masked figure whose ghostly whistle is said to signal the start of some sort of paranormal kookiness. The stories tend to have moral messages to impart, which are highlighted by the narration that kicks off and ends each episode.
The only downside to this just-spooky-enough series is that the anthology format is unpredictable, which may bug sensitive viewers. A kid might be a-okay with a story about a mean babysitter, only to flip out at a different episode about zombie-like campers. Previewing the episode descriptions or watching alongside your kiddos may be a good idea if you suspect this may be an issue for them. Still, Creeped Out is a solid choice for school-age fans of the supernatural, and makes a great introduction to horror and science fiction for kids too young for the really spooky stuff.
One of the best aspects of the series is the way it combines the dread-filled mood of a campfire tale with thought-provoking messages, and it's all done in a way kids can easily relate to. The first episode centers on an insecure girl named Kim who longs to be popular and is obsessed with being online. When she buys a supposedly "unbreakable" smartphone from an infomercial, it learns everything about her, and soon takes over her social media accounts, causing a huge spike in her popularity among classmates. Too bad the phone is also a controlling, sentient creep -- shades of the HAL 9000 computer from 2001: A Space Odyssey -- who wants to be Kim's "boyfriend" and threatens to ruin her life if she doesn't do everything he says. Themes like this inspire kids to look at the world around them in a critical way, which sets the show a notch above similar offerings which are more about jump scares and gross-outs.
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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