The Munsters – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Munsters

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2022

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Rob Zombie's garish Munsters reboot is safe for kids but painfully unfunny—think Halloween costumes stretched to 110 minutes.

54%

5.6

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The Munsters

movie

2022

42%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Rob Zombie's garish Munsters reboot is safe for kids but painfully unfunny—think Halloween costumes stretched to 110 minutes.

54%

5.6

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54%

5.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Here's the deal: Rob Zombie tried to resurrect the beloved 1960s sitcom with his signature visual flair, but what we got is a movie that's safe for kids and utterly unwatchable for everyone.

The numbers don't lie—35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, 4.5 on IMDb, a dismal 2.4 on Letterboxd. This isn't just 'not for everyone,' it's not really for anyone. The jokes are groan-worthy, the pacing is glacial, and at nearly two hours, it feels like punishment.

Yes, it has positive messages about acceptance and not judging by appearances. Yes, it's colorful and family-friendly. But your kids will be checking their phones within 20 minutes, and you'll be wondering why you didn't just rewatch the original series on YouTube.

If your kid is genuinely obsessed with monsters and will watch literally anything with creatures in it, maybe give this a shot. Otherwise, there are about 500 better family movies you could watch instead.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 10+, but honestly, younger kids around 7-8 could handle the content—it's just that they'll be as bored as everyone else. This isn't scary or inappropriate, just painfully unfunny.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

A romantic comedy about acceptance and finding love despite differences. The relationship between Lily and Herman models looking past appearances and accepting people for who they are. The family dynamics and father's protectiveness are relatable themes. However, the execution is campy and over-the-top, which may undermine some of the emotional resonance. No major toxicity or mean-spirited content.

Imaginative

Rob Zombie's visual style brings garish, colorful production design to this Transylvanian world. The premise of reimagining the classic 1960s sitcom as an origin story shows some creative ambition. However, reviews suggest the execution is derivative and relies heavily on nostalgia rather than genuine innovation. The fantasy elements are present but not particularly thought-provoking or inspiring for creative expression.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this for age 10+, suggesting mild content. As a PG-rated family comedy about friendly monsters, there's no graphic violence, sexual content, or genuinely scary material. The horror elements are played for laughs in a cartoonish style. The Munsters are traditionally portrayed as wholesome despite their spooky appearance. No concerning safety red flags for the target demographic.

Enriching

The critical and audience reception is notably poor (35% RT audience, 4.5 IMDb, 2.4 Letterboxd). Reviews suggest the humor falls flat, pacing drags, and the 110-minute runtime feels bloated. While there are themes about acceptance and not judging by appearances, they're delivered heavy-handedly. The entertainment value appears minimal based on aggregate scores, offering little cognitive engagement or meaningful takeaways beyond surface-level 'be yourself' messaging.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely family-friendly with no scary or inappropriate content despite the monster theme
Colorful, over-the-top production design that younger kids might find visually entertaining
Positive messages about accepting people who look different and finding love beyond appearances
Nostalgia factor if parents loved the original 1960s show (though kids won't care)

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What to Watch For

The humor is painfully dated and campy—think bad puns and slapstick that doesn't land
At 110 minutes, it's way too long for what amounts to a thin sitcom plot
Kids will likely be bored; the pacing drags and jokes fall flat
The 2.4/5 Letterboxd rating tells you everything—even fans of campy stuff struggled with this one

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about how Lily's dad didn't want her to marry Herman at first? Have you ever had to convince someone to give a friend a chance?"
"The Munsters look scary but they're actually really nice. Can you think of other times when something looked one way but was different inside?"
"If you could create your own friendly monster family, what would they be like?"

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