A Monster Calls (2016)
A boy facing immense loss finds solace and strength in an ancient, storytelling tree monster.
12-year-old Conor encounters an ancient tree monster who proceeds to help him cope with his mother's terminal illness and being bullied in school.
How intense is A Monster Calls?
A Monster Calls is mildly scary, with no gore and some violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is measured, and it is a full-attention watch and a family watch. Rated PG-13.
What A Monster Calls feels like
- Tone
- melancholyheartwarming
- Pace
- Measured
- Best for
- Full attentionFamily night
Where to stream A Monster Calls
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 14, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is A Monster Calls for you?
Is A Monster Calls scary?
Only a little. A Monster Calls has a few tense moments (scare level 1 of 3), nothing that follows you to bed.
Is A Monster Calls gory or violent?
No gore (0 of 3) and some violence (1 of 3). Squeamish viewers are fine here.
Is A Monster Calls sad or heavy?
Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.
Is A Monster Calls OK for kids?
It is rated PG-13. Intensity: scare 1, gore 0, violence 1, each out of 3. Your call for older kids.
How long is A Monster Calls?
A Monster Calls runs 1h 48m.
Where can I stream A Monster Calls?
A Monster Calls is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does A Monster Calls have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
Bittersweet. It earns its ending, but not everyone gets what they want.
Cast and crew
More like A Monster Calls
Matched on genre, tone, intensity and pace, not just keywords.
Swapped (2026)No gore · measuredA woodland creature and a majestic bird magically trade places, discovering a greater threat to their valley.
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)Mildly scary · measuredA Viking teenager befriends a dragon, leading to heartwarming, whimsical adventures and an epic, feel-good journey.
Howl's Moving Castle (2004)Mildly scary · emotionally heavy · measuredA young woman cursed into old age finds whimsical adventure and a melancholic wizard in a world at war.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)Mildly scary · measuredA young girl’s epic, whimsical journey through a magical world becomes a heartwarming, uplifting adventure with new friends.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)Mildly scary · measuredWhimsical adventure awaits as a house-elf's warning leads to a suspenseful quest to save Hogwarts.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)Mildly scary · measuredA young wizard discovers a whimsical world of magic, friendship, and heartwarming adventure at a special school.
The Little Prince (2015)No gore · emotionally heavy · measuredA curious girl discovers a whimsical world and a bittersweet tale through an eccentric aviator's memories.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)Mildly scary · light gore · strong violence · emotionally heavyAn epic adventure unfolds with dark humor and melancholy as a wizard prepares for a destined, tragic battle.
Want five more like A Monster Calls?
Tell CouchRot the mood. It picks from what you can actually stream and learns from every rating.
Get CouchRot, it's freeThis product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. Intensity, tone and pace tags are CouchRot's own.