Monster High: Welcome to Monster High – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Monster High: Welcome to Monster High

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2016

52%

WISE Score

Monster dolls come to life in a forgettable reboot about acceptance—safe, sweet, and aggressively marketed to 6-year-olds.

Monster High: Welcome to Monster High

movie

PG, 2016

52%

WISE Score

Monster dolls come to life in a forgettable reboot about acceptance—safe, sweet, and aggressively marketed to 6-year-olds.

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is what it is: a direct-to-video animated movie designed to sell Mattel dolls to first and second graders. The message about acceptance and celebrating differences is genuinely positive, and the content is squeaky clean—no scary monsters, no inappropriate themes, nothing that'll give anyone nightmares.

But let's be real: the 5.5 IMDb rating and 51% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes tell you everything you need to know. Even kids in the target demographic thought it was just okay. The story is formulaic, the characters are one-dimensional, and the whole thing feels like a 70-minute commercial break. If your kid is already into Monster High dolls, they'll probably sit through it once. If not, there are way better options for teaching acceptance and friendship that are actually, you know, good.

It won't hurt anyone, but it won't enrich anyone either. File under 'fine for a sick day when you need 70 minutes of peace.'

Age Fit

Best for ages 5-9, squarely aimed at early elementary girls who are into the Monster High doll line. Older kids will find it babyish and boring, while younger preschoolers might not follow the plot (though they'd be fine watching the colorful visuals).

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The film centers on acceptance, friendship, and celebrating differences—Draculaura and her friends create a school where 'everyone is welcome.' Models cooperation and kindness as the ghouls work together to recruit students and overcome a villain spreading trouble. The tone is upbeat and age-appropriate for elementary-aged kids, though the pacing can be frenetic and the 'ghoulfriend' branding leans heavily into commercialized girl-power messaging.

Imaginative

Monster High's world of monsters living in hiding offers a creative premise, and the character designs are visually distinct. However, this is a franchise reboot that recycles well-worn 'school for misfits' tropes without much originality. The film invites some imaginative play (kids might enjoy pretending to be monsters), but it doesn't encourage building, exploration, or creative problem-solving—it's more passive entertainment tied to a toy line.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 6+, and the content is predictably safe: no violence beyond cartoonish villain antics, no scary imagery that would traumatize young viewers, no inappropriate content. The 'monsters' are cute and colorful, not frightening. This is a direct-to-video animated film designed for the elementary school set, with no surprise triggers. Loses a few points only because the villain 'spreading trouble' might involve mild meanness or exclusion themes.

Enriching

The core message—accepting others for who they are, celebrating uniqueness—is positive and relevant for young kids navigating social dynamics. However, the execution is shallow and heavy-handed, with minimal emotional depth or nuance. It's more about selling a brand than offering meaningful character development or ethical complexity. The 'epic adventure to recruit students' is formulaic, and the film doesn't build empathy or insight beyond surface-level 'be yourself' platitudes. Entertainment value is also limited: mediocre ratings (5.5 IMDb, 51% RT audience, 2.4 Letterboxd) suggest even the target demographic found it forgettable.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Clear message about celebrating differences and welcoming everyone, which resonates with elementary-aged kids navigating social dynamics
Colorful, non-scary monster designs that make 'being different' look fun rather than frightening
Positive female friendships and teamwork—the ghouls work together to solve problems
Safe, predictable content that won't surprise parents with inappropriate themes or scary moments

⚠

What to Watch For

This is basically a 70-minute toy commercial—Monster High is a Mattel franchise, and the film exists to sell dolls
The villain 'spreading trouble' involves some mild meanness and exclusion, though it's resolved quickly and positively
Mediocre ratings across the board suggest even kids in the target age range found it meh—don't expect repeat viewing requests
Heavy-handed messaging that beats you over the head with 'be yourself' without much nuance or emotional depth

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the monsters were hiding from each other at the beginning? Have you ever felt like you had to hide part of yourself?"
"What makes someone a good friend in this movie? How did the ghouls help each other?"
"The villain was spreading trouble instead of friendship—why do you think someone would do that? What could help them change?"
"If you could design your own monster character for Monster High, what would they look like and what would make them special?"

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