Clubhouse Detectives (1996)

One night Billy is awakened by loud noises from the house next door. While peering through the blinds into his neighbor's house. Billy witnesses a crime. But when no one believes his story. Billy with the help of his brother and their three best friends set out to solve a mystery. Mystery and adventure are all in a day's work for the Clubhouse Detectives as they solve the caper of the missing neighbor.

Surprisingly scary for little ones but very enjoyable!

I bought this movie for my family because once a week during the summer time, the kids take turns picking out a theme and we watch a movie and eat dinner foods based on that theme. This was a great movie enjoyed by my 12 year old son and my husband and myself. My 10 year old daughter was very scared and would run in and out of the living room. This movie is much more graphic than you might think so take that in to consideration when choosing this movie for your younger ones. We loved the story line, we were constantly on the edge of our seats, we laughed hysterically at some parts, and thoroughly enjoyed this very entertaining movie! Great movie for the whole family - just consider the maturity level of your under 10 crowd. I don't think my daughter was quite ready. June 13, 2007

The 'Secret Seven' updated, moved to the US, and great scary fun for older kids

This is the first, and my 12 year old daughter says probably the best, of the Club House Detective series of films. There is another three at least: (e.g. Big trouble, Scavanger hunt, and Search for a princess), but sadly these don't seem to be available in the US or UK on DVD - they do sometimes air on cable though. These other films are far less dark and disturbing than this movie and will suite a younger audience (5+). This DVD film also has a different young cast to the later films, and although the others are `made for TV' they are all very good. These films follow the E. Blyton's 'Secret Seven' type classic plots - they even have a shed club-house (actually an old bus in this movie) - so adults up to no good are being spied on by clever kids (all boys), who solve the mystery of what is going on and call the police just in time to stop any unpleasantness or the crime paying.

The very young age of the cast makes these cute films for adults in kid's company, and the simple jokes and relaxed style of the later films are fairly non-scary for the kids. However in this first film there is a `dead body' in the house next door and it is actually very scary. It's not unlike Fright Night really, although the `baddy' is a normal human, which actually makes it more sinister. This makes this film unsuitable for many under 10s (particularly without adult company). My son (10) found it scary but enjoyable (he prefers the later, rather more jolly, Clubhouse Detectives films). So a recommended highly tense, but enjoyable, children's thriller - I found it a lot scarier than 12+ rated TV series like 'Charmed' though. December 23, 2006

MiChEaL gALeOtA iS sOoOoO hOt!!!!!!

THIS IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER, BUT ONLY BECUZ MICHEAL GALEOTA IS THE HOTTEST GUY I'VE EVER SEEN!!! July 2, 2001

A MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you've ever had crazy adventures with your childhood buds this is the film for you and your kids. As you reminisce, your kids will flip for the performances of The Brothers Galeota (Mike and Johnny) whose performances express everything you felt as a preteen. This film very much deserves more than just its cult status. Seriously, if you want a great film for the whole family watch the adventures of Billy Ruckman and the "Clubhouse Detectives"! June 23, 2001

movie for all

I bought this movie for my nephews - ages 11 & 8 - and we all enjoyed it! Great mystery for kids, contains humor and believable interaction with the characters. Kids and adults can enjoy this together. You will laugh, want the boys to discover the truth and get mom to believe them. A must for family! March 22, 2001

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