Parents' Guide to The Parent Trap

Movie PG 1999 127 minutes
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Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 6+

Delightful remake is great for the whole family.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 6+?

Any Positive Content?

  • The Parent Trap Trailer
  • The Parent Trap Movie: Scene #1
  • The Parent Trap Movie: Scene #2
  • The Parent Trap Movie: Scene #3
  • The Parent Trap Movie: Scene #4

Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 49 parent reviews

Parents say the movie features a mix of heartwarming family themes and significant inappropriate content, particularly references to sex, alcohol, and other mature themes, which have surprised many viewers since these elements may not align with its PG rating. While some parents find the film entertaining and suitable for older children, others caution against watching it with younger kids due to its adult themes and messages about relationships and family dynamics.

  • mature content
  • age rating issues
  • mixed reviews
  • family dynamics
  • entertaining for older kids
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age 8+

Based on 86 kid reviews

Kids say this film is a classic and a hilarious family favorite, highlighting the adventures of twin sisters who scheme to reunite their divorced parents. While many praise its humor and heartwarming moments, reviewers caution that it contains some references to adult themes, making it more suitable for older children or with parental guidance.

  • classic family favorite
  • hilarious and fun
  • parental guidance needed
  • some adult themes
  • great for tweens
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See all 86 kid reviews

What's the Story?

This remake of 1961's THE PARENT TRAP stars Lindsay Lohan as both Hallie and Annie, twin girls separated at birth who meet up at summer camp and decide to switch places. Their father, Nick (Dennis Quaid), owns a vineyard, and their mother, Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson), designs wedding gowns. Meredith (Elaine Hendrix), their dad's scheming girlfriend, hopes to marry Nick for his money -- so Hallie and Annie set out to get their parents back together, and while they're at it, make life miserable for Meredith.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 49 ):
Kids say ( 86 ):

This is a delightful remake of the Hayley Mills classic. Lohan is utterly adorable and does a masterful job of creating two separate characters, each of whom spends a large part of the movie impersonating the other. But divorced parents should make sure that their children have no illusions of a reconciliation, and all parents should make sure that while it may be charming for the children in the movie to manipulate their parents, it isn't appropriate for real life.

Kids who enjoy this version will get a kick out of comparing it to the original. Make sure that they notice Joanna Barnes, who plays Vicki (the fiancee) in the original, playing Vicki (the fiancee's mother) in the remake.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about divorce. How does this movie portray divorce? Is it realistic? Parents may want to reassure kids if they're distressed by the fact that the parents split up the twins and made no attempt to see the child they gave up.

  • How does this movie compare to the original? Why are some remakes good, while others pale in comparison to the original?

Movie Details

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