Aladdin (G, 2004)

common sense media says

A magic carpet ride of a movie from Disney.

parents & educators say

29% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the bad guy, Jafar, can be pretty scary with his sorcery and mind control. So can Aladdin being chased by henchmen with giant swords and some mythological monsters. Genie provides plenty of comic relief to the more dangerous moments, however. Also expect a bit of mild name-calling and revealing outfits on Princess Jasmine and some curvy dancing ladies.

Educational value: Not applicable.

Positive messages: "Love conquers all" is the big message in this movie. (What, with its award winning flying-carpet musical number, how can we forget it?) But the stereotyping (both of the Semitic culture and all of the antics that the Genie gets away with) can be a little off-putting.

Positive role models: Aladdin is the sweet underdog here with a big heart, but he's also pretty obsessed with treasure and will put himself in all kinds of dangerous situations to get it. Jasmine's father is caring and attentive, though weak-minded. Jafar, on the other hand, is a terrifying leader who subjects people happily to punishment and peril.

Violence & scariness: Big henchmen pursue Aladdin with swords, threats to Aladdin's life, scary mythical monsters, perilous chase scenes, and Jasmine is chained to a chair and forced to feed Jafar. One character is eaten by a mythical sand creature.

Sexy stuff: Very curvy ladies dance about in scanty outfits -- in fact all women are barely clad in this movie. Aladdin and Jasmine kiss and hold each other close on their first date.

Language: Some name calling: "stupid," "dumb," "idiot."

Consumerism: Jasmine is a Disney Princess, whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc. as well as in books, websites, and other media.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Genie says once "Mind if I smoke?" and also plays like he is in a bar.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about contradictions -- how people can be both good and bad, and learn from their mistakes? Ask kids how they think Aladdin acted selfishly or unselfishly throughout the movie.
Try playing the "three wishes" game in your family, and discuss the possible consequences of everyone's wishes.

What's the story?

In this animated Disney adventure, street urchin Aladdin (voiced by Scott Weinger) woos Arabian Princess Jasmine (Linda Larkin) by pretending to be a prince. He gets help from an exuberant blue genie (Robin Williams), who grants him three wishes. But before this story ends happily ever after, Aladdin must tell Princess Jasmine the truth about his identity, and defeat evil royal advisor Jafar ( Jonathan Freeman), neither one an easy task!

Is it any good?

Jasmine is no Belle and Aladdin is no Beast, but add a big blue genie voiced by Robin Williams to the picture and you've got a very entertaining Disney movie. Williams brings humor and vitality to a movie that might otherwise be just another "princess forced to marry against her will" story. His imagination and antics clearly inspired the animators, too, and every scene with the genie is off-the-charts creative.

Songs like "A Whole New World," and a magic carpet with more personality than all of Disney's animal sidekicks put together, help give scenes without the genie a lift. Jasmine is spunky even though her predicament isn't very original, and Aladdin is sweet and eventually learns his own self worth. DVD extras include a virtual magic carpet ride in which viewers speed through different Arabian settings as if on a roller coaster, a fun interactive 3-D tour of Genie's lamp, and music videos by pop singers Clay Aiken and Jessica Simpson.

Movie themes & details

Themes

magic and fantasy, princesses and fairies, music and sing-along

Movie Details

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: John Musker, Ron Clements
Cast: Linda Larkin, Robin Williams, Scott Weinger
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 90 minutes
Theatrical release: October 5, 2004
DVD release: October 5, 2004
MPAA Rating: G

This review was written by Common Sense Media Editors

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What parents & educators say

Based on 7 parent & educator reviews:

29% say sexual content is an issue

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

HeroneSilverton
adult

Why don't they make movies like this anymore?

This is a fantastic movie. It has all of the child-like wonder of disney movies, but also has some very chilling moments. This is splendidly done, with the animations right on and the mood set just right. Every time I see this movie I marvel at the way it can make you feel certain things. The ending can be nightmare inducing for younger children, and even gave me some goose bumps. The music is wonderful and the animations are also for the date it was done in. This was my favourite movie growing up, and I have a feeling it's going to be around for a looong time.

Movie Details

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Genre

Aladdin (G, 2004)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Aladdin

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Themes

Movie Details

Review It

Review Aladdin

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Why don't they make movies like this anymore?

A Disney classic!

Great

Bad stuff, Good stuff, overall, great movie!

Huge Disney fun stored in a magic lamp.

Perfect for children of all ages!

Inapporpriate Sexiness

A very funny and good disney movie

perfect for younger kids

amaaaaaaaaazing!!!!!!!

"a whole new world" <3

BAD DISNEY STUFF.

ALMOST NAKED WOMEN!

One of Disney's best films - if only they still made them this good

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