What Is The Sandman Rated? What Parents Should Know Before Letting Their Kids Watch

After years of languishing in development hell, an adaptation of Neil Gaiman's seminal work, "The Sandman," finally came to audience's screens in 2022. Many believed a proper adaptation would be impossible, but amazingly, the Netflix team pulled it off. "The Sandman" was met with generally positive reviews, and the show was renewed for a second season, proving there was viewership behind the audacious spectacle. 

But just because the series is based on a comic book doesn't mean it's appropriate for kids, like a PG-13 superhero film. There's a ton of material that definitely isn't suitable for children, from swearing to violence. On top of that, there's scary imagery, such as depicting a person who has teeth for eyes, that may make younger viewers uncomfortable. Neil Gaiman's original work is a piece of dark fantasy, so while it's a comic book (albeit celebrated), kids shouldn't even read that. Netflix's "The Sandman" is rated TV-MA for a reason, and parents should take heed before letting their kids sit down to watch it, especially when it comes to Episode 5, "24/7."

Season 1 alone is packed with moments that could upset viewers, even adults. Therefore, take heed of this "The Sandman" parents guide so that you don't accidentally expose younger audience members to something they may not want to see. In addition to all of the usual R-rated culprits, "The Sandman" is ultimately a mature show with dark themes, like characters descending to Hell to do battle against Lucifer (Gwendoline Christie). And things get extremely adult with Episode 5. 

In "24/7," John Dee (David Thewlis) possesses the ruby, which prevents the inhabitants of a diner from lying. However, things soon spiral toward chaos as they begin having sex with one another and harming each other physically. It's an incredibly mature episode that definitely isn't suitable for younger audiences. Parents should absolutely think twice before deciding to let their kids watch the show with them. Instead, this is one Netflix series that's probably best watched after the children go to bed. 

And while Episode 5 is mature, things only grow from there, as there's a central plot point later in the series that revolves around serial killers. Younger teens looking for something more their speed will likely do better with a comic book adaptation like "Sweet Tooth." Even that has some mature elements, but it's suitable for kids who are 14 or 15 years of age.