Poster for Dennis the Menace

Dennis the Menace (1985) Parents Guide: Is the series OK for kids?

Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language

The young blond boy with a cowlick and a mischievous personality, Dennis the Menace, gets into numerous scrapes and adventures with his dog Ruff and his friends Joey, Margaret, Gina, Tommy, PeeBee and Jay.

TV-G • 1985 • 2 seasons

6.6
200+
Average rating by Bontent members
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Age
8+

This 1980s animated series, based on the classic comic strip, is rated TV-G and is appropriate for young children. The show's content is very mild, centering on the harmless mischief of its young protagonist, Dennis, and the comedic frustration of his neighbor, Mr. Wilson. Violence is limited to cartoonish slapstick, such as characters tripping or having objects fall on them without injury. Language, sexual content, and mature themes… Sign up for the full guide

Cast

Phil Hartman
Phil Hartman
Jeannie Elias
Jeannie Elias
Marilyn Lightstone
Marilyn Lightstone
BT
Brennan Thicke
Maurice LaMarche
Maurice LaMarche
Stevie Vallance
Stevie Vallance
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Is Dennis the Menace appropriate for kids?

This 1980s animated series, based on the classic comic strip, is rated TV-G and is appropriate for young children. The show's content is very mild, centering on the harmless mischief of its young protagonist, Dennis, and the comedic frustration of his neighbor, Mr. Wilson… Read more — free account

Content severity in Dennis the Menace Sign up for season-by-season breakdown

Substances Mild 2/10
Language None 0/10
Sex/Nudity None 0/10
Violence/Gore Intense 8/10
Mature Themes Mild 2/10

Sex and nudity in Dennis the Menace

Sexual content is entirely absent from this season. There are no romantic situations, suggestive dialogue, or immodest attire featured in the episodes.

Violence and gore in Dennis the Menace

Violence is mild and comedic, consisting almost entirely of slapstick and cartoonish peril. Characters experience falls, collisions, and property damage but are never seriously injured, akin to classic animated shorts. Examples include Mr. Wilson frequently being knocked over, covered in paint, or having his house inadvertently damaged by Dennis's antics.

Language in Dennis the Menace

Language is consistently clean and appropriate for all ages. There is no profanity or harsh insults used throughout the season.

Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Dennis the Menace

Substance use is very light. Mr. Wilson is occasionally depicted smoking a tobacco pipe, but this is brief, never glorified, and does not lead to any thematic discussions of addiction or health concerns. No other drug or alcohol use is present.

Mature themes in Dennis the Menace

Themes are light and center around the humorous disruption caused by Dennis's over-eagerness and curiosity. While Mr. Wilson frequently expresses frustration, the show emphasizes lighthearted conflict resolution and the underlying good intentions of the characters. There are no serious or intense themes such as death, grief, or mental illness.

Scary moments in Dennis the Menace

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Dennis the Menace 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 Dennis the Menace appropriate for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests Dennis the Menace is best for ages 8+. It's rated TV-G. This 1980s animated series, based on the classic comic strip, is rated TV-G and is appropriate for young children. The show's content is very mild, centering on the harmless mischief of its young protagonist, Dennis…

What age rating does Dennis the Menace have?

Dennis the Menace is rated TV-G. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 8+.

What is Dennis the Menace about?

This 1980s animated series, based on the classic comic strip, is rated TV-G and is appropriate for young children. The show's content is very mild, centering on the harmless mischief of its young protagonist, Dennis, and the comedic frustration of his neighbor, Mr. Wilson. Violence is limited to cartoonish slapstick…

How many seasons does Dennis the Menace have?

Dennis the Menace has 2 seasons covered in this parent guide. Sign up to see a season-by-season breakdown.

Is there sex or nudity in Dennis the Menace?

Our reviewers didn't note meaningful sexual content across Dennis the Menace.

How violent is Dennis the Menace?

Violence isn't a standout concern across Dennis the Menace per our reviewers.

Is the language in Dennis the Menace appropriate for kids?

Strong language isn't flagged across Dennis the Menace.

Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Dennis the Menace?

Drug, alcohol, and smoking depictions are minimal across Dennis the Menace.

What mature themes appear in Dennis the Menace?

Heavy thematic material isn't a defining feature of Dennis the Menace.

Where can I read the full Dennis the Menace parent guide?

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