Is it too scary for a 7-year-old?

Probably. While it's a musical, the plant eating people and the dentist's threatening behavior can be genuinely unsettling for younger children. Wait until they're around 10.

Which ending should we watch?

The theatrical ending is the 'safe' bet for families—it ends on a high note. The Director's Cut is much darker and might be a 'downer' for a fun movie night.

How much 'blood' is actually in it?

There are scenes of Seymour feeding fingers and body parts to the plant, but it's stylized. Think '80s movie magic' rather than 'modern slasher.' The most 'graphic' parts are mostly implied.

Is the dentist scene okay for kids who are afraid of the dentist?

Definitely not. Steve Martin plays a 'sadistic' dentist who sings about how much he loves causing pain. If your kid already has dental anxiety, skip this or fast-forward through his song.

Little Shop of Horrors – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Little Shop of Horrors

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie1986

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A nerdy florist, a bloodthirsty plant, and the catchiest songs about murder you will ever hear.

91%

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Little Shop of Horrors

movie

PG-13, 1986

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A nerdy florist, a bloodthirsty plant, and the catchiest songs about murder you will ever hear.

91%

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91%

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Screenwise Verdict

Little Shop of Horrors is a rare 80s relic that actually holds up. It is fast-paced, the music is genuinely great, and the 'monster' is a marvel of engineering. It is the perfect 'spooky but not too spooky' pick for a family movie night with older kids.

While it deals with some heavy themes like poverty and abuse, it wraps them in a colorful, singing package that makes the pill easier to swallow. It is much more engaging for modern kids than many other 'classics' from this era because the energy never dips.

Age Fit

Best for the 10-12+ crowd. It is a 'safe' horror movie because the camp factor is so high, but the domestic abuse subplot and the dark ending of the director's cut require a bit more maturity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It is a dark comedy about a Faustian bargain involving human sacrifice. While the tone is campy and the 'hero' is sympathetic, the plot revolves around murder and a toxic, abusive relationship.

Imaginative

The practical effects for Audrey II remain a masterclass in puppetry that puts modern CGI to shame. The blend of 1950s B-movie horror with Motown-inspired musical theater is incredibly original.

Safe

Features a sadistic dentist who enjoys inflicting pain and an abusive boyfriend dynamic. While the gore is mostly 'green plant goo' or off-screen, the themes of feeding people to a plant are dark for younger kids.

Enriching

It is a perfect entry point for musical theater and a cautionary tale about greed and fame. The Ashman and Menken score is historically significant as the precursor to the Disney Renaissance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Practical effects that still look incredible. Audrey II is a physical puppet, not a pixel, and you can feel the difference in the performance.
The Ashman and Menken score is top-tier. Before they did The Little Mermaid and Aladdin, they perfected the 'storytelling through song' craft here.
Steve Martin's performance as the sadistic dentist is legendary. It is a masterclass in comedic villainy that kids usually find hilarious rather than truly terrifying.

⚠

What to Watch For

The character of Orin Scrivello is a sadistic, abusive boyfriend. He treats Audrey poorly and his 'humor' is rooted in being a bully. It is a good chance to talk about what a healthy relationship does NOT look like.
Depending on the version you watch, the ending changes everything. The theatrical cut is a happy ending; the Director's Cut (the original intended ending) is a bleak 'plants take over the world' apocalypse. Check which one you have before hitting play.
There is a fair amount of blood and body parts being fed to the plant. It is handled with 80s campiness, but it is still people being chopped up and eaten.

Conversation Starters

"If you found a plant that promised you everything you ever wanted but asked for something 'bad' in return, where would you draw the line?"
"Why do you think Seymour keeps feeding the plant even after he knows it is wrong?"
"How do the songs help you understand what Audrey and Seymour are feeling compared to just regular talking?"

Deep Dive

The Menken/Ashman Magic

Before they saved Disney with The Little Mermaid, Howard Ashman and Alan Menken were busy turning a low-budget Roger Corman horror flick into one of the best stage musicals of all time. This 1986 film adaptation is the definitive version of that vision. For parents who want to introduce their kids to musical theater without the 'stuffy' reputation, this is the gateway drug. It uses Motown, doo-wop, and rock to tell a story that feels more like a comic book than a Broadway show.

Practical Effects Masterclass

In an era where everything is a digital blur, showing your kids what Frank Oz and his team of puppeteers did with Audrey II is a revelation. At its largest, the plant required dozens of operators to move. Because they had to film the plant's movements at a slower speed and then speed up the footage to make it look 'real,' the actors had to lip-sync their lines in slow motion. The result is a creature that feels physically present in the room with the actors, creating a level of tension and charm that CGI just can't replicate.

The Two Endings

It is worth noting that for decades, the only version available was the 'happy' theatrical cut. In 2012, the original 'unhappy' ending was restored. If you are watching this with a sensitive kid, stick to the theatrical version where Seymour and Audrey live happily ever after. If you have a kid who loves The Twilight Zone or darker stories, the Director's Cut is a much more faithful (and cynical) adaptation of the stage play's message about the dangers of 'selling out.'

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