Here's the truth: Casper was a big deal in 1995 when CGI ghosts were mind-blowing. Thirty years later? It's a tough watch.

The core story is sweet—a lonely ghost kid who just wants a friend meets a lonely human kid who needs one. There's real heart there, and the themes around grief and acceptance have merit. But the execution is so deeply 90s that modern kids will struggle. The pacing drags, the effects look rough, the humor is dated (lots of physical comedy that doesn't land anymore), and that 42% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes isn't lying.

The bigger issue: this movie is about death. Like, really about it. Casper is a dead child. Characters discuss how they died. Both leads are processing parental loss. If your kid is in a place to handle that thoughtfully, great. But it's heavy, and combined with some genuinely scary moments from the ghost uncles, it's not the light Halloween watch you might expect.

If your kid is 8-10 and specifically interested in friendly ghost stories, or if you're a millennial parent wanting to share something from your childhood, go for it. But manage expectations—this is more 'museum piece' than 'must-watch.' There are better family movies from that era (The Iron Giant, Toy Story) that have aged infinitely better.