What to watch with your kids: ‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ and more

Harold and the Purple Crayon (PG)

Age 8+

Aged-up picture book adaptation includes peril and fight scenes.

“Harold and the Purple Crayon” is based on the popular 1955 children’s book of the same name. While Harold is a young child in the book, the movie transforms him into an animated adult (Zachary Levi) who uses his magic crayon to transport himself and his pals Moose (Lil Rel Howery) and Porcupine (Tanya Reynolds) into the real world. There, he meets a widowed mom (Zooey Deschanel) and her still-grieving son (Benjamin Bottani). Although the Harold books were appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers, this adaptation has a fair bit of action and some potentially frightening moments. A child is taunted and hurt by bullies, Harold’s creations cause a fair bit of chaos and destruction, and there’s a climactic fight involving fire-breathing creatures. There are also a few jokey, suggestive comments that make it seem like Harold is romantically interested in another character — even though he has no such inclinations in his innocent, childlike state. The bullying scenes involve some harsh comments, but the movie also promotes creativity, courage and teamwork. (92 minutes)

Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (Unrated)

Age 6+

Female-led SpongeBob spinoff has slapstick action and mild peril.

Coming from the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise, this hybrid of live action and animation shines the spotlight on the squirrel sidekick Sandy (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence). The violence is slapstick, the peril is not truly worrisome, and the villain Sue Nahmee (Wanda Sykes) and her minions are over-the-top silly. Still, be prepared for bizarre images of distorted bodies that may disturb small children. There’s a reference to a character’s flesh being sewn together (with an animated visual), and a human head bounces around and gets attached to nonhuman bodies. Expect some potty humor and use of “butt.” Sandy is a great role model who is passionate about her work as an environmental scientist, and teamwork also looms large as Sandy and SpongeBob (Tom Kenny) come to the aid of their friends. (86 minutes)

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (TV-MA)

Age 14+

Intriguing teen mystery has drugs, violence and language.

Based on the books by Holly Jackson, this mystery series stars Emma Myers as Pip, a girl who is motivated to solve the five-year-old murder of another teen in her small U.K. town. We see a bloody head wound, and one character threatens sexual assault. Drug use and dealing play a major role in this story, and characters are seen snorting ketamine at a wild party. Rohypnol use is another plot point, and underage characters drink alcohol frequently. Language includes “s—” and “f—.” Teens kiss and find romance. There’s some discussion of nudes, and a character finds condoms while snooping in another teen’s room. While there is definitely some edgy content, Pip (the titular “good girl”) is driven by a strong sense of justice and often learns from her mistakes. (Six episodes)

Batman: Caped Crusader (TV-Y7)

Age 9+

Lots of action in stand-alone superhero stories; violence.

This animated superhero series has a retro, film noir vibe and lots of cartoonish violence and action — gunfire, fistfighting and explosions. One character drowns in a suitcase, and another is fatally stabbed. Batman (expertly voiced by Hamish Linklater) breaks a villain’s hand. Language includes “damn,” “a–,” “load of bull,” “freaking” and “hell.” Older, comic-loving kids should enjoy this group of fresh, action-packed tales from the heart of Gotham City. (10 episodes)

Available on Prime Video.

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.

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