Dennis the Menace – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Dennis the Menace

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show1985

42%

WISE Score

1980s Saturday morning cartoon about a trouble-making kid—safe but painfully dated, like finding a VHS tape in your parents' attic.

Dennis the Menace

show

TV-G, 1985

42%

WISE Score

1980s Saturday morning cartoon about a trouble-making kid—safe but painfully dated, like finding a VHS tape in your parents' attic.

Jump to

Also rated on

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

Let's be honest: this is a relic. Dennis the Menace (1985) is perfectly safe—no content concerns whatsoever—but it's also perfectly boring by 2025 standards. The animation is stiff, the humor is mild, and the storytelling is repetitive in that Saturday-morning-cartoon-to-sell-cereal kind of way.

If your kid stumbles across this on a streaming service with Kids Mode, they won't be harmed, but they probably won't be entertained either. The IMDb 6.2 rating tells the story: even people who watched this as kids aren't exactly championing it. There are dozens of better options for this age range that are both safer AND more engaging—Bluey, Octonauts, even modern Curious George runs circles around this.

Save this one for a rainy day when you've exhausted literally everything else, or if you're feeling nostalgic and want to show your kids what cartoons were like before streaming existed. Otherwise, skip it.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media rates this for 5+, which tracks—it's safe for young kids but realistically too dated and slow-paced to hold their attention. Best for ages 5-8 if they're already into retro cartoons, but most modern kids will bounce off this hard.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classic 1980s kids' cartoon with a focus on childhood mischief and neighborhood adventures. Models friendship and community, though Dennis's antics occasionally border on inconsiderate. Generally positive tone with lessons about consequences, but the 'lovable troublemaker' archetype can be hit-or-miss on modeling cooperation. Pacing is typical Saturday morning cartoon—safe but not overly chaotic.

Imaginative

Episodic neighborhood adventures with a dog and friend group offer some creativity, but the formula is fairly predictable: Dennis causes trouble, learns a small lesson, repeat. Limited world-building or fantastical elements—it's grounded in suburban reality. Doesn't particularly inspire creative expression or building; more passive viewing of slapstick scenarios.

Safe

Very safe for its target demographic (CSM rates it age 5+). No violence beyond cartoon slapstick, no inappropriate content, no scary moments. The mischief is mild—spilled paint, backfired pranks, annoying the neighbor. Kids Mode available signals family-friendly positioning. No surprise content that would alarm parents.

Enriching

Limited educational or developmental value beyond basic 'actions have consequences' messaging. Entertainment is straightforward slapstick without much depth. Doesn't build skills, encourage critical thinking, or offer meaningful character growth. The 1980s animation style and humor feel dated, making it harder for modern kids to extract even entertainment value. IMDb 6.2 suggests lukewarm reception even among nostalgic viewers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely harmless content—no violence, no scary stuff, just neighborhood hijinks
Models basic friendship dynamics and shows consequences for mischief (even if Dennis never really learns)
Nostalgic throwback if you grew up with this era of cartoons and want to share it
Short episodes work for limited screen time slots

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'lovable prankster' trope might not land well—Dennis's antics can read as just being annoying rather than clever
Animation quality and humor style are very 1985—modern kids will likely find it slow and boring
Zero educational content; this is pure filler television

Conversation Starters

"Do you think Dennis's pranks are funny, or do they just make things harder for other people?"
"What would you do if a friend kept getting you into trouble like Dennis does?"
"Why do you think Mr. Wilson gets so annoyed with Dennis?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Dennis the Menace? Put this WISE score on your site