Monster High
Monster High is a popular multimedia franchise, originating from fashion dolls, that has expanded into animated TV series, web series, and live-action musical films. It centers on the teenage children of famous monsters, such as Draculaura (Dracula's daughter), Clawdeen Wolf (a werewolf), and Frankie Stein (Frankenstein's monster), as they navigate the challenges of high school life at Monster High. The narrative often explores themes of acceptance, individuality, friendship, and finding one's place in a world that might misunderstand them. The media embraces a unique "spooky-chic" aesthetic, blending fantastical elements with relatable teen experiences. The content is generally targeted at a pre-teen and early teen audience, often carrying a PG rating. While it presents a whimsical take on monster lore, it includes elements of fantasy violence, magical practices, and mildly scary imagery consistent with its supernatural setting. The franchise champions diversity and inclusion, portraying characters with various backgrounds and identities, and has evolved to include explicit LGBTQ+ representation in its newer iterations. Overall, "Monster High" offers an imaginative world where differences are celebrated, encouraging viewers to be themselves and embrace what makes them unique.
Concerns
LGBTQ & Gender Identity
HighMonster High features explicit LGBTQ+ and gender identity representation, particularly in its newer iterations. The live-action movies prominently feature a non-binary main character, and recent comics confirm gay and potentially lesbian relationships. The franchise's creator has also affirmed the underlying message of LGBTQ+ acceptance.
The character Frankie Stein is explicitly non-binary and uses they/them pronouns in both "Monster High: The Movie" and "Monster High 2". Actor Ceci Balagot, who is trans, plays Frankie and emphasizes the importance of this 'casual representation' for children. The "Monster High Pride 2024" comic features a "fang-tastic love story" between Kieran Valentine, a character whose creator Garrett Sander intended to be gay, and Spelldon Cauldronello. The comic also hints at a romantic relationship between Clawdeen Wolf and Toralei Stripe.
Witchcraft & Occult
HighWitchcraft and occult themes are central to the Monster High franchise, being inherent to its monster-themed premise. Characters actively use magic, spells, and potions, and the settings feature traditional supernatural elements.
Characters in "Monster High: The Movie" explicitly "use spells and potions and practise witchcraft." In "Monster High 2", Draculaura explicitly 'comes out as a witch' and characters engage in magical practices, with a significant plotline involving a 'hate campaign against witchcraft.' The entire premise of the school revolves around various monster types (vampires, werewolves, zombies, mummies, gorgons), set in spooky environments featuring graveyards and coffins.
Violence
MediumThe media contains fantasy violence, including magical attacks and mild physical altercations, generally depicted without gore. Actions often involve characters being transformed or minor injuries, aligning with a lighthearted monster theme.
In "Monster High: The Movie", Mr. Komos uses magic to attack Draculaura and take her powers, and also transforms Deuce Gorgon to stone. Lagoona Blue jokingly offers to 'eat' Cleo de Nile's ex-boyfriend, exposing her fangs. "Monster High 2" includes Toralei Stripe detailing an attack by witches with wraith silver daggers, showing scars from the battle. A fight scene also depicts Deuce Gorgon and Heath battling witches, with Deuce's Medusa snake biting one.
Romance and Sexual Content
MediumRomantic themes are present, including crushes, flirting, and kissing, typical of a high school setting. Later content explicitly confirms same-sex romantic relationships, while nudity or explicit sexual activity remains absent.
In "Monster High: The Movie", Clawdeen Wolf develops a crush on Deuce Gorgon, with their conversations leading to her heartbeat audibly quickening. "Monster High 2" features a scene where a man and a woman share a kiss. Furthermore, the "Monster High Pride 2024" comic outlines developing romantic relationships, such as between Clawdeen Wolf and Toralei Stripe, and Kieran Valentine and Spelldon Cauldronello.
Scary & Intense Content
MediumThe media intentionally incorporates spooky and monster-related imagery and sounds, designed to be mildly frightening or intense for younger audiences, consistent with its horror-fantasy genre.
"Monster High: The Movie" includes elements like graveyard silhouettes, skull images, spooky music, and sounds of ghosts and loud heartbeats, which can be disturbing for children under 8. The words 'Expel the enemy' appear in blood on a wall. "Monster High 2" features characters transforming from human to monster, scenes in graveyards, howling gargoyles and wolves, and the Grim Reaper attempting to take Clawdeen after she is poisoned.
Disrespect & Rebellion
MediumThemes of challenging norms and authority are present, often framed as positive acts of self-acceptance and embracing individuality against prejudice. Characters display mild forms of defiance in pursuit of inclusivity.
A core message across the franchise is to "Be yourself, be unique, be a monster," encouraging characters to embrace their identities even when they are seen as different or outcast, which can be interpreted as a form of positive rebellion against conformity. In "Monster High 2", Toralei Stripe's attempt to instigate a 'hate campaign against witchcraft' leads to the main characters standing up for their beliefs and fighting for diversity against her discriminatory attitudes.
Anti-Christian Themes
MediumThe fundamental premise of Monster High, involving various supernatural monsters and the positive portrayal of witchcraft, may conflict with Christian theological views, despite not being explicitly anti-Christian in intent.
The entire concept of Monster High revolves around characters who are the children of classic monsters (vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein's monster, witches), figures often viewed negatively in Christian theology. Witchcraft is consistently portrayed as a positive or neutral skill, with Draculaura embracing her identity as a witch and characters actively using spells, which can be a point of concern for Christian parents who oppose such practices.
Profanity
LowThe content in Monster High is largely free of coarse language. Reviews consistently note the absence of strong profanity across the movie installments.
"Monster High: The Movie" is noted to have "no coarse language." Similarly, "Monster High 2" contains no crude or profane language, with the only notable exclamation being Cleo de Nile's repeated "Oh my Ra!"
Substance Use
LowSubstance use is minimal and restricted to fantasy elements within the narrative. There is no depiction or promotion of real-world drug or alcohol consumption.
"Monster High: The Movie" mentions "some use of substances" limited to the "use of spells and potions" within its magical context. Reviews for "Monster High 2" explicitly state there is "None" regarding drug and alcohol content.
Other Notes
Target Demographic
Based on official PG ratings, Monster High is best suited for children aged 8 and over. Parental guidance is recommended for children between 8-12 due to fantasy content, mild scary scenes, and thematic elements that include complex social dynamics and identity exploration.
Additional Notes
The franchise has undergone reboots and adaptations (animated series, live-action movies). While core themes of acceptance and friendship remain, newer installments, particularly the live-action movies and recent comics, have introduced more explicit LGBTQ+ representation and expanded on the magical and monster lore. Parents should note the evolution of content across these different versions.
Related Reviews
Is Monster High right for your family?
These concerns are a starting point — what many Christian parents care about. Want to screen for other themes? Define your own concerns.
Screen any book, movie, or show — even titles no one else has reviewed.
“StoryScanner gives us clarity and confidence. It's become our go-to for checking books at the library and movies on family night.”
— Cristi & Brian, Dallas TX
“StoryScanner has been such a BLESSING for researching books for our children. You can set filters for your concerns, enter a book title, and it lets you know what's present.”
— Christian Book Reviews for Families (Facebook)
No credit card required