• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 5.

• Is it any good?

  4.0

• Common Sense says

  Animated classic is enchanting but also scary.

Why We Rated This for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

• Educational value:

  Not an overtly educational film, except for the message that one should never harm the innocent, even when ordered to, like the huntsman.
• Messages:

  Not a message-filled movie, but the huntsman makes an ethical choice to disregard the evil Queen's immoral command that he kill Snow White. He shows mercy instead. Snow White never complains about her lot and finds the good in even dire circumstances. The dwarfs band together to defend Snow White.
• Role models:

  Although Snow White is a passive female heroine -- the classic damsel in distress who dreams of being rescued by her prince -- she is also a paragon of generosity and selflessness. Snow White doesn't shun the dwarfs once she realizes the little house belongs to them instead of orphans. She is sweet, loving, nurturing, and trusting, albeit naive and gullible. The dwarfs are also brave, as they follow the Old Hag after they realize she has hurt Snow White. Obviously, the Wicked Queen is an example of bloodthirsty greed and hubris.

What to watch out for

• Violence & scariness:

  There are a few possibly disturbing scenes, especially any scene including the Wicked Queen. The Queen threatens and orders the huntsman to kill Snow White and return with her heart in a box. The huntsman raises a knife, and Snow White shrieks in terror. As Snow White flees, the enchanted forest becomes increasingly scary. Menacing vultures follow the Queen after she transforms into a creepy old hag. After Snow White faints into her "sleeping death," the dwarves arm themselves with their mining tools and follow the Queen, who eventually falls to her death.
• Sexy stuff:

  The prince kisses Snow White, and the songs are mostly of a romantic nature.
• Language:

  As has been noted by various film scholars and sociologists, the usually overlooked first word of the movie is "Slave!" as the Wicked Queen summons her slave in the "Magic Mirror."
• Consumerism:

  Not an issue.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

About Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Families Can Talk About