Dennis the Menace (1986–1988) User Reviews (15)

A silly little cartoon based on the comics.

[OllieSuave-007 · 7/10 · 9 February 2017]

This is a cartoon show based on the comic strip, where a naive and inquisitive boy named Dennis Mitchell, dressed in overalls and constantly yelling "Heyyyy, Mr. Willllson!" tries to befriend everybody and help out with stuff, but always ends up in mischief or in a sea of misadventures - particular driving his neighbor, George Wilson, crazy.

Overall, it's a funny little innocent cartoon that is full of that childhood innocence and some slapstick comedy. I used to watch it when I was a kid - a nice little show to pass the time. It's not the funniest or greatest cartoon I've seen, but its innocence and good old fashion childish fun and dialog make it quite entertaining to a little kid.

Grade B-

Hey, Mr. WIIIIILLLLLSSSSONN!!!!!!

[Mister-6 · 7 October 2002]

I didn't think TV's original version of "Dennis the Menace" (way back in the '50s) was enough of a menace to earn the title. Let's fact it: it was the '50s, how much COULD he get away with?

That's part of the reason that this 1986 reinvention works so much better. Also the fact that here he's actually a CARTOON! Yes! Hank Ketcham should have been proud: this is the proper venue for a character born in the Sunday funnies.

But where Jay North was limited as to just what kind of mischief he could get into, this model of Dennis (voiced by Brennan Thicke) could literally get into ANYTHING! Here, he played with dinosaurs, foiled bomb-carrying spies, interacted with movie hero Cowboy Bob straight from the movie screen (a la Woody Allen's "Purple Rose of Cairo"!) and regularly thwarted aliens, opera singers, bullies, rude adults, criminals and, of course, frazzled neighbor George Wilson.

Wilson (as voiced by LaMarche and, especially, Phil Hartman!) stayed the same in every episode and rightfully so: any simple task he would start or try to start would consistently be thwarted by Dennis' misguided attempts to be neighborly, help him out or otherwise simply be there. Mr. Wilson knew what he was capable of, so why shouldn't he be wary of his mere presence? You know the equation: Mr. Wilson + Dennis = disaster!

I thought this was another great series distributed by DIC Entertainment and if you appreciate the mischief a child can get into (and get others into), you'll agree - this "Menace" was never better!

Ten stars. catch it, and enjoy this master of "Menace"!

Boring junk

[TheStarblazingsomethingorother · 1/10 · 25 July 2023]

All the show is just a boy torturing his family, friends, and neighbor. He never even gets punished. I agree with the user who said this should be banned lost media. It is an awful disgrace to the entire television industry. I mean, come on? Who would watch a boring garbage show about a dorky kid who goes around torturing the entire universe with his dorky little "plans" and his little dopey friends? The show's animation is awful, and it is NOT anime. Seriously? How is this an anime? It's AMERICAN. Anyways, Speed Racer, which IS an anime, is so, so many times better than this hunk of junk, that's for sure!

Funny and original!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[stephenchase-63504 · 10/10 · 19 March 2021]

LOL, full of funny pranks for all ages!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gets annoying after a couple of episodes

[tiffanie_says_stay_in_your_lane · 3/10 · 5 April 2024]

I'm not a fan of children. I don't have any, nor do I want them. I do love babies though, but I always remind myself they don't stay like that forever. Once they start walking and talking, you're doomed. Therefore, any show or movie that tries to make humor out of kids being difficult is not funny to me. And there's no better example of a difficult child than Dennis Mitchell (aka Dennis the Menace) - a mischievous, hyperactive, albeit kindhearted 10-year-old boy. Okay, maybe difficult is a strong word, but he's a handful. He was first introduced to America in 1959 as a television character. It followed his daily life, which consisted of causing trouble and irritating his neighbor, Mr. Wilson. It was adapted into a film twice, in 1993 and 1998 (the former is my favorite). In between the original series and movies, was the creation of this cartoon. The advertisement poster makes it look like a cute show, but appearances can be deceiving. It's not a complete failure, but Dennis's shenanigans, and the compromising situations that he inadvertently causes the people around him to experience, gets so annoying to the point that it stops being funny. He does play with other kids, but he's always involving himself in adults' affairs. He's a busybody. I can never watch more than two episodes before it kind of starts to get on my nerves. The events in each storyline are stupid, even for a cartoon. Also, this was made during the 80s, but the characters' outfits and hairstyles look like the 1960s, so I thought that was odd. I feel like the B&W TV show was enough. Or at least, do one movie and stop there. A cartoon was not needed. Hollywood just loves profiting off of franchises. I wouldn't let a child watch this, because it's too mindless. You would be better off showing your kids the original Dennis the Menace.

The summer of 1986

[jeofadams · 10/10 · 10 March 2020]

I watched this cartoon every morning, before starting my day when I was out of school for the summer. It always put me in a good mood. I'm in my 40,s now and would like to see them again. I didn't like the ones from 1988, because it was a little different, the voices weren't the same.

Hello, Mr. Wilson

[michael_mckenna · 11 November 2005]

One morning back in 1987, while I was home on leave (I was in the Navy stationed overseas and I was back stateside for some leave), I was up early one morning armed with the TV Guide and I saw "Dennis the Menace" listed.

Thinking it was the old TV series from the 1950s that I grew up watching, I decided to check it out, only to discover that it was a new cartoon series.

What I thought would be a disappointment turned out to be a pleasant surprise! The series was actually more true to Hank Ketcham's great comic strip than the old black & white series. Actually, the old black & white series was not true to the comic strip because the PTA, which was a pretty powerful force to deal with, managed to reduce "Dennis the Menace" to more of a "Dennis the good boy whose good intentions somehow went haywire".

The artwork of the cartoon series was true to Hank Ketcham's style. And the animation was very good, which was unusual for a TV cartoon of the time.

Being a cartoon, the writers had a lot more leeway and were free to allow Dennis to be as much of a menace as he was originally intended to be.

This series is not only entertaining for children of all ages, but is also entertaining for the child that still lurks in every grown up as well.

Dennis is a Menace and a bully to adults and his poor neighbor Mr. Wilson

[crosswalkx · 1/10 · 13 April 2022]

I remember seeing this TV show Dennis the Menance when I was a little kid in the 1980s. Recently I have watched this TV show on DVD and on the youtube videos and I was shocked that Dennis who is known in the comic strip for mischief behavior is a bully and a vandal.

First of all, this show is not appropriate for kids. This TV show encourages bullying and violence. Dennis the main character is a neighborhood bully, and he delights in torturing and making fun of adults and elderly like George Wilson and girls like Margret who Dennis harasses in almost every episode. Also, Dennis causes property damage to Mr. Wilsons house and also at the car factory and he doesn't pay for the damages or faces the consequences. Dennis also fat shames Mr. Wilson which is not funny. I hate Dennis Mitchell and I hate his 2 incompetent parents. He should be on a restraining order or spanked or be forced to pay for the property damages, be sent to juvenile detention and banned from going into dangerous factories or places not for kids.

The worst episode off all time is "Cheer Up" which title is very misleading. Dennis leaves his skateboard on the porch and Mr. Wilson slips on the skateboard and crashes and ends up bandaged in the hospital. I was really angry when Dennis horrible parents Henry and Alice neglect Dennis and leaves him with Mr. Wilson to torture him in the hospital, I didn't like it that Dennis forced Mr. Wilson to race against an elderly woman in the hospital and causes his broken foot to hit the door and then get crushed in the elevator door, are you kidding me? This disturbing episode needs to be removed from TV and online videos.

Also I don't like how careless and neglectful The Mitchells are to Dennis and they don't care and don't do anything to stop Dennis from Causing harm to people and property. Henry Mitchell is the worst dad ever and so is Alice Mitchell. I also don't like it that Mrs. Wilson takes sides with Dennis and doesn't really care about her husbands well being.

Also, I don't like seeing Mr. Wilson doing skateboarding stunts as it makes me too nervous to watch as he is very old which reminds of the TV show Life with Lucy.

Also, there's a disturbing episode called "Time Bomb" which Dennis and Joey assumes the present is a time bomb which is very insensitive for people.

This TV show while I liked the music and theme songs and the animation. This TV show story is outdated and negative. I'm ashamed of the former comic creator Hank Ketcham who in real life divorced his wife and neglected his son Dennis, who approves of a story about a neighborhood bully getting away with hurting people and destroying property.

This awful 1980s cartoon TV show deserves the worst TV award of all time. I hope this TV show goes lost and gets banned from TV and online and I hope the Dennis the Menace comic strip which by the way is still continuing on which I'm surprised, will finally end for good.

If you want to see a good comic strip cartoon, watch Charlie Brown or Garfield or For Better or for Worse. Skip this awful outdated faithful Dennis the Menace cartoon as it's no longer socially acceptable in the 21st century.

MR. WILSON!!!!

[ThunderKing6 · 8/10 · 30 August 2021]

DTM was a classic show. A show of a troublemaker ADHD that annoyed his neighbor. Dennis may be a menace, although this show is classic.

Dennis the Menace (animesque)

[queentree-60313 · 10/10 · 13 June 2023]

So basically, I feel like Dennis the Menace is starting to look like an 80s anime that is literally animated by the Japanese animation called Tokyo Movie Shinsha.

It's funny how our perceptions of things can change over time. I remember watching Dennis the Menace as a kid and thinking it was a funny and charming show. But now, looking back on it, I can see how it has a certain nostalgic quality that reminds me of classic cartoons from the 80s and 90s. And the comparison to Tokyo Movie Shinsha is interesting, as their animation style was definitely unique and distinctive. It's fascinating to think about how different cultures and styles can influence and shape our entertainment and media. Ultimately, whether it's Dennis the Menace or any other form of entertainment, it's important to appreciate it for what it is and to enjoy the experience it provides.

great 80s cartoon

[pologuy · 16 June 1999]

dennis the menace was a great 80s cartoon. and it brings back memories for me. i remember having to wait until 3 o'clock when all my mom's soap operas were over, before i could watch cartoons on the big tv, and right at 3 o'clock, this one was the one i went to. i enjoyed the cartoon a lot. it was very funny and had many good plots. if you're a cartoon lover like me, you'll love this one!

Mr Wilson Vs The Beano

[ghanimuhammad-46890 · 10/10 · 2 May 2023]

Britsh One From Beano Is Nice I didn't think TV's original version of "Dennis the Menace" (way back in the '50s) was enough of a menace to earn the title. Let's fact it: it was the '50s, how much COULD he get away with?

That's part of the reason that this 1986 reinvention works so much better. Also the fact that here he's actually a CARTOON! Yes! Hank Ketcham should have been proud: this is the proper venue for a character born in the Sunday funnies.

But where Jay North was limited as to just what kind of mischief he could get into, this model of Dennis (voiced by Brennan Thicke) could literally get into ANYTHING! Here, he played with dinosaurs, foiled bomb-carrying spies, interacted with movie hero Cowboy Bob straight from the movie screen (a la Woody Allen's "Purple Rose of Cairo"!) and regularly thwarted aliens, opera singers, bullies, rude adults, criminals and, of course, frazzled neighbor George Wilson.

Wilson (as voiced by LaMarche and, especially, Phil Hartman!) stayed the same in every episode and rightfully so: any simple task he would start or try to start would consistently be thwarted by Dennis' misguided attempts to be neighborly, help him out or otherwise simply be there. Mr. Wilson knew what he was capable of, so why shouldn't he be wary of his mere presence? You know the equation: Mr. Wilson + Dennis = disaster!

I thought this was another great series distributed by DIC Entertainment and if you appreciate the mischief a child can get into (and get others into), you'll agree - this "Menace" was never better!

One of my faves.

[dootuss · 8 November 2002]

"Dennis the Menace" was, and is still one of my favorite cartoons that I watched growing up. I loved it how Dennis would always torment Mr. Wilson. Of course, Dennis had NO idea that he was giving Mr. Wilson such a hard time. The episodes where Dennis would always end up going on an adventure with one or a few of his friends were the coolest!!! This show also had some great vocal talent such as the late great Phil Hartman (I miss him!!!), and Maurice LaMarche to name a few.

If you ever see this show in the near future, and have never watched it, then check it out, you WON'T be disappointed. 10/10

The Dennis the Menace animated series!

[Movie Nuttball · 30 September 2004]

The animated television series of Dennis the Menace was very good. I'd watch it whenever I could when it was on in the 1980s. The animation was very good and clear. The voices were good for the characters and the characters were also very good and funny. The late great comedian Phil Hartman was a good pick and he was funny! The music was good and fit the cartoon. The stories in the cartoons were good. It was interesting and fun to watch. If you are able to watch this on television or on tape do so because this was one of the great animated shows of the 1980s in My opinion! I recommend it!

Movie Nuttball's NOTE:

If you like Dennis the Menace then check out the 1993 feature film starring Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Walter Matthau, Joan Plowright, Mason Gamble, Arnold Stang, and Paul Winfield! The musical score is composed greatly by Jerry Goldsmith! I strongly recommend the film!

Good cartoon but Mr. Wilson's attitudes are disturbing

[briguy_52732 · 27 August 2001]

I remember this cartoon from the 1980s, when I was just entering high school. I sat down and watched it every day before starting my homework.

However, there's something about this show that I think needs to be pointed out here. That has to do with Mr. Wilson and his relationship with Dennis.

Yeah, yeah, I know it's just a cartoon series, and that one of the major components of the "Dennis the Menace" storyline is the relationship between Dennis and his neighbor, Mr. Wilson.

However, I've found Mr. Wilson's whole attitude toward Dennis very unnerving, as I'm sure many people would agree. Simply put, Mr. Wilson yells at Dennis because he's trying to be a kid.

Dennis is just that, a simple, red-blooded American boy. He's inquisitive and (of course) mischievous, and his well-meaning attempts backfire on others -- usually, with Mr. Wilson on the worst end. But what young boy hasn't been that?

Mr. Wilson's response? He yells at him and tells Dennis to go away. Mr. Wilson constantly tells his wife, Martha, about how he looks forward to peace and quiet and must always add that he's glad Dennis won't be around (usually, just seconds before Dennis shows up).

I agree that Mr. Wilson's boorish demeanor is much less severe here than in the 1993 theatrical release (which contains a segment where Mr. Wilson basically tells Dennis to go to hell). There are even animated shorts in this series where Mr. Wilson sticks up for Dennis.

Maybe I'm missing the whole point of this show, but it seems to me that Dennis worships Mr. Wilson and wants to be a friend to him. All Mr. Wilson does is throw that offer back in his face and tells Dennis to go away.

If Mr. Wilson were any sort of man, he would sit down with Dennis, tell him I would love to be your friend but you have to allow me some time for some peace and quiet, and then informally spell out a few guidelines to follow. I'm sure Dennis would agree to Mr. Wilson's wishes if he did it right.

As for the cartoon itself, it really hasn't held up with me. It's more in the execution than in the general idea, which remains good. Sure, the stories are family-friendly (except for what I described above), that they're geared toward a younger audience and everything works out well in the end. But older viewers (i.e., parents, grandparents and college students who don't play drinking games with whatever TV show) might think the stories are too simple and think the animation is somewhat below par.

Still, the 1980s version of "Dennis the Menace" is enjoyable for many viewers, and that in itself merits a recommendation.