This might be the third best disney classic after Mulan and Aladdin (but they're all good!) Hades is a very funny villian. Of course, younger kids may be frightened by Hades and the whole underworld thing. Kids 7+ can probably watch it
Hercules
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Lighthearted, but scary stuff is too much for littlest kids.
Themes in this movie include: celebrity / fame
updated 07.19.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 7 and Up
The good stuff
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Educational value:
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Role models:
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Hercules was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that this movie about what it really means to be a hero is a shade darker than many other Disney blockbusters. There's a lot of gore and intense, scary stuff for a G-rated movie, including gruesome monsters and end-of-the-world images (floods, fires, ice storms, mass destruction) that might overshadow the more lightheated musical components. Some kids may also be confused or even upset about the underworld and what happens when people die.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about real-life heroes. What makes someone a hero? How does society treat its heroes? Why do we buy products endorsed by athletes (or movie tie-ins)?
- Is wanting to be a god a good reason to want to be a hero? Do we see any evidence that Hercules (or anyone else in the movie) has much concern for the well-being of the community?
- Does this movie seem scarier than other animated kids' movies? Why or why not?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Hercules
What’s the Story?
According to Disney, Hercules was the adored son of gods Zeus and Hera, stolen by Hades, ruler of the underworld, and made mortal. He must become a true hero to become a god again so he can live with his parents on Mount Olympus. To do this, Hercules (voiced by Tate Donovan) seeks out a grouchy satyr (Danny DeVito), who trains him in fighting techniques and strategy. When he saves some children (so he thinks) and defeats the hydra (its many heads masterfully provided by computer animation), he becomes an instant celebrity, with action figures and "Air Hercules" sandals. He goes on to his other labors but finds that it's not enough to be a real hero -- that comes from the heart, not the muscles. Meanwhile, Meg (Susan Egan), who sold her soul to Hades to save the life of her boyfriend, must now try to find Hercules' weakness so that Hades can take over Olympus.
Is It Any Good?
Kids will need some preparation for this movie. Scant exposition is provided by the movie's Spice Girl-style "muses" (a sort of gospel Greek chorus that's fun to watch, but hard to follow). The role of the three fates, who share one eye between them and cut a thread when a human's life is ended, is particularly confusing. Meg is tougher and braver than the traditional damsel in distress, but still very much on the sidelines. The movie's other weakness is its lackluster score.
HERCULES' teenage protagonist may not be Disney's most memorable hero, but the movie's bad guy turns in a performance of astonishing verve -- as Hades, James Woods will join Cruella DeVille in the pantheon of unforgettable Disney villains. Sidekicks Pain and Panic (Bobcat Goldthwait and Matt "Max Headroom" Frewer) are wickedly funny as well.
Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures, Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: 6/27/1997, DVD release: 8/1/2000
MPAA Rating: G for some scary scenes
Run time: 92 minutes
Theatrical release: 6/27/1997, DVD release: 8/1/2000
MPAA Rating: G for some scary scenes
Our Members Say
See 15 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A really good Disney classic
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I love this movie! A little violent, but it's a true Disney classic! A lot better than Disney now. I especially love the song "I won't say I'm in love" and the muses.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
Less than faithful adaptation is still a good movie
This is absolutely NOTHING like the actually tale of Hercules. Hercules is actually the child of Zeus and a human woman, and Hera, who is mad at Zeus for cheating on her again, punishes Hercules by casting a spell on him that causes him to kill his family. To atone for this, he does these 12 tasks and yada yada yada. While this movie strays from the story on which it's based a little TOO much, it still is a fun movie. Watch out for violence though, Hercules decapitates a Hydra at one point.
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I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
Hades' firey stuff may be scary for children. Megara acts kind of sexual to impress Hercules.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
LOOK lol
I love this movie...it may have some not so gud scenes but it teaches u leasons...if u really get into the movie....it shows how Hercules had to go through life and Hercules learns to not just care bout himself but about otha ppl
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I rate this title on for age 5 and give it
luv it
i luv this movie i dont care if it is ment for little kids it is a great movie
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
GREAT MOVIE
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS MOVIE!i agree it isnt very similiar to the real story but its fun, and awesome. Hades is hilariouse and i love MEG she is awesome. and so is Pegasus. its a classic disney film and i love it.. so if u havnt seen WATCH IT!!!!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
awesome!!!!
It`s an awesome movie though Disney did change the story a lot to make it for younger ages.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
not the true story
i liked it until i found out the real story of hercules how he became very savage and his father Zeus wanted to kill him
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I rate this title on and give it
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I rate this title iffy and give it
Shame on Disney
My 2 1/2 year old wanted to watch this movie, so I sat and watched it with her. I turned it off less than half of the way through due to inappropriate scenes. There was a lot of crude behavior, especially of a sexual nature and was demeaning towards women. Also the "heroine", Hercules' love interest is an immoral woman. People are rude and mean, smoke, etc.
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I rate this title on and give it
Overall - Mild content
Violence: Mild - A character tries to "slay" a mythical creature with a sword (its' heads are cut off but grow back again) which is eventually crushed by a rock. There are various scenes of slapstick violence where the characters remain unhurt. Sex/Nudity: None. Horror: Mild - Themes of death and the underworld aswell as some perilous scenes where the main character battles a large monster, all handled with a mild intensity. Language: None Drugs/Alcohol: None. Overall: Mild themes. Some scenes (most notably the battle with the Hydra) are likely to frighten young children.
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I rate this title on and give it
It's a Disney movie! Lighten up and have some fun!
I've had this movie since I was a little kid and have watched it countless times. I think it's great. Some parents might object to the lady that Hercules falls for, but in the end she changes and everything turns out fine. It's an older Disney movie, so some characters smoke (mostly this is the bad guy, Hades) and there is some violence. But it's a cartoon and overall a good movie for kids.
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I rate this title iffy and give it
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I rate this title on and give it
Most Clever Disney Movie
I know there's a million stories out there, but this one is very unique. Hercules is a fun, up-beat mythological (well not really on the facts so much, but if they did it would be rated R) story about Hercules. This movie is great! Personally my favorite piece of music is Go the Distance or I Won't Say (I'm In Love). GTD is very insparational, while IWS(IIL) is very catchy! Actually, all the songs are really catchy. This whole movie is catchy! Hades has to be one of Disney's most popular villians. He's not that scary either, he cracks me up. It may not be a classic but in my heart it is. WATCH THIS MOVIE AND YOU WILL BE AMAZED!
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