Is Spirited OK for Kids? - Parent's Guide and Movie Review

Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in "Spirited," now streaming on Apple TV+.

There have been more versions of A Christmas Carol than I can even count, but AppleTV's latest adaptation, Spirited, is a unique take on the holiday classic.  Starring Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, Spirited is a fresh, musical spin on Dicken's A Christmas Carol.  When you watch the fun previews filled with catchy musical numbers, you may find yourself asking "Is Spirited OK for Kids?"  

Spirited Movie Review

I'm just going to jump right in and say that I think Spirited may be one of my new holiday favorites.  Reynolds and Ferrell are a dynamic duo on the screen and you can't help but be pulled into their energy and Christmas spirit.  Ferrell plays the Ghost of Christmas Present and his character takes viewers behind the scenes of masterminding the famous Christmas Eve hauntings.  This particular year, they plan to take Reynolds' character, self-absorbed CEO Clint Briggs, on a journey through his past, present, and future to hopefully change who he is on the inside. What Christmas Present doesn't plan on is a journey into his own past as Briggs challenges him every step of the way.   

Loren Woods, Will Ferrell, Patrick Page, Sunita Mani and a "Ghost PA" in "Spirited," now streaming on Apple TV+.

The script feels fresh and, not surprisingly given the cast, features plenty of laugh out loud moments.  But what really makes this movie is the catchy singing and dancing!  I dare you not to watch this movie without smiling and tapping your toes.  

Is Spirited OK for Kids?

Not to kill the Christmas spirit here, but this is one that I would recommend saving for older teens and above.  I mean, I love the duo of Reynolds and Ferrell as much as anyone, but we all know they can push some comedic boundaries in their performances.  The movie carries a PG-13 rating for good cause.  Language throughout the film raises an eyebrow from time to time, but it's really the adult themes that stand out.  References to sex, drugs, death, the afterlife, corruption, etc. are prevalent.  While some of these may go over the heads of younger viewers, there is also a subplot that follows teenage bullying and the suicide.  

So you're probably sitting here reading this wondering, how in the world is this even a Christmas movie???  But the truth is, the underlying message of change and the ripple effect of kindness in our world is uplifting and strong. . .they just spice up the naughty parts of the film to make the nice that much more powerful.

Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell in "Spirited," now streaming on Apple TV+.

You won't want to miss Spirited this holiday season - but save it for teens and older.  And just wait for that final musical number. . .it will have you singing and dancing in your living room!  Spirited is now streaming on AppleTV+

About Spirited (From AppleTV+)

Each Christmas Eve, the Ghost of Christmas Present (Will Ferrell) selects one dark soul to be reformed by a visit from three spirits. But this season, he picked the wrong Scrooge. Clint Briggs (Ryan Reynolds) turns the tables on his ghostly host until Present finds himself reexamining his own past, present and future. For the first time, “A Christmas Carol” is told from the perspective of the ghosts in this hilarious musical twist on the classic Dickens tale. From Director Sean Anders ("Daddy’s Home,” "Instant Family”), written by Sean Anders and John Morris, with original songs by Oscar winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul ("La La Land") and production numbers choreographed by Chloe Arnold (“The Late Late Show with James Corden”), this modern retelling is a sweet and spicy holiday treat.