Poster for The House with a Clock in Its Walls

The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Name: The House with a Clock in Its Walls
Director: Eli Roth
Released: 2018
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 6.3

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

When ten-year-old Lewis is suddenly orphaned, he is sent to live with his Uncle Jonathan in a creaky (and creepy) old mansion with a mysterious ticking noise that emanates from the walls. Upon discovering that his uncle is a warlock, Lewis begins learning magic, but when he rebelliously resurrects an evil warlock he must find the secret of the house and save the world from destruction.

Rated PG • 2018 • 1h 45m

Directed by Eli Roth

6.3

2K+

Average rating by Bontent members

Age

10+

This film earns its PG rating for consistent spooky and magical elements that may be too intense for younger children. The story follows ten-year-old orphan Lewis as he moves into his uncle's strange house, discovering a world of magic, sorcery, and a dark secret. Parents should be aware of frequent frightening scenes, jump scares involving creepy automatons, a reanimated corpse, and monstrous pumpkins. Thematic elements are also… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Jack Black

Cate Blanchett

Owen Vaccaro

Kyle MacLachlan

Renée Elise Goldsberry

Colleen Camp

Sunny Suljic

Lorenza Izzo

Braxton Bjerken

Vanessa Anne Williams

Ricky Muse

Charles Green

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Is The House with a Clock in Its Walls appropriate for kids?

Content severity in The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Sex Mild 2/10

Violence Strong 6/10

Language Moderate 3/10

Substances None 0/10

Themes Strong 6/10

What happens in The House with a Clock in Its Walls, moment by moment

0:03 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
0:12 ⚔ Violence & Gore 4/10
0:20 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10

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Sex and nudity in The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Nearly non-existent. There is a single passionate but non-explicit kiss between two adult villains. Late in the film, a character is magically transformed into a baby, and his non-sexual nude bottom is briefly visible.

Violence and gore in The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Moderate for a PG film, primarily consisting of magical peril and spooky imagery. Several scenes feature menacing automatons and living dolls moving on their own. The heroes battle an army of jack-o'-lanterns that vomit pumpkin mush. A key plot point involves characters pricking or cutting their hands for blood magic rituals, with small wounds and drops of blood shown. The villains are defeated by being magically de-aged until they disintegrate into clothing. Bullying is depicted, including a child being tripped.

Language in The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Very light. The IMDb parents guide notes a few uses of mild exclamations like "damn" and "hell," used in moments of frustration or peril.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in The House with a Clock in Its Walls

None. There is no depiction of alcohol, smoking, or drug use in the film.

Mature themes in The House with a Clock in Its Walls

Thematic content is significant. The main character is a 10-year-old orphan grappling with the recent death of his parents in a car crash; his grief is a central part of the story. The film also explores bullying and peer pressure. A villain's backstory is rooted in trauma experienced during World War II. A major sequence involves performing a necromancy spell in a cemetery to raise the dead, which succeeds.

Scary moments in The House with a Clock in Its Walls

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for The House with a Clock in Its Walls yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is The House with a Clock in Its Walls appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The House with a Clock in Its Walls is best for ages 10+. It's rated PG. This film earns its PG rating for consistent spooky and magical elements that may be too intense for younger children. The story follows ten-year-old orphan Lewis as he moves into his uncle's strange house, discovering…

What age rating does The House with a Clock in Its Walls have?

The House with a Clock in Its Walls is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 10+.

What is The House with a Clock in Its Walls about?

Is there sex or nudity in The House with a Clock in Its Walls?

How violent is The House with a Clock in Its Walls?

Is the language in The House with a Clock in Its Walls appropriate for kids?

Very light. The IMDb parents guide notes a few uses of mild exclamations like "damn" and "hell," used in moments of frustration or peril.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in The House with a Clock in Its Walls?

None. There is no depiction of alcohol, smoking, or drug use in the film.

What mature themes appear in The House with a Clock in Its Walls?

How long is The House with a Clock in Its Walls?

The House with a Clock in Its Walls runs 105 minutes, directed by Eli Roth, released in 2018.