Once Upon a Time
Parents say
Based on 96 reviews
Kids say
Based on 417 reviews
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Once Upon a Time
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that although Once Upon a Time is inspired by classic fairy tales such as Snow White, Pinocchio, and revivals of popular stories such as Mulan, Brave, and Frozen, it's not always age-appropriate for younger kids. The content is often violent -- including murder, sword fights, and death threats -- and much of the story is clouded in a sense of peril and shifting loyalties. There's some implied sexual content (including shirtless men, women buttoning up their blouses, and lovers escaping out of windows), some innuendo, and some iffy language ("hell," "ass," "suck"). The upside? It has multi-generational appeal, but parents may want to preview before sharing with tweens.
Community Reviews
Great modern fantasy show! But no to kids and pre-teens
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Absolutely Amazing
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What's the Story?
ONCE UPON A TIME tells of Emma Swan (Jennifer Morrison), a tough-as-nails private detective who's confronted by 10-year-old Henry (Jared S. Gilmore), who claims to be her biological son. He spins a tale of a parallel world that was lost to a curse by an evil queen and about how Emma is the long-lost child of Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Prince Charming (Josh Dallas). As if this isn't strange enough, Henry tells her that she's destined to break the curse and return the residents of Storybrooke, Maine, to their fairy tale glory. Concerned for Henry's well-being, Emma moves to Storybrooke and befriends her new neighbors, all except Regina (Lana Parrilla), Henry's vindictive adoptive mother. As the clues fall into place in Henry's story and the town begins to awaken to its past, newcomers arrive, secrets are revealed, and unforeseen challenges rise up to block the residents' journey back to their true identities.
Is It Any Good?
The entertaining and imaginative series is a sharply written modern spin on fairy tales that combines drama, romance, and suspense in a truly magical way. It brings together far-flung favorite characters such as Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan, Rumplestiltskin, and more contemporary characters like Merida and Princess Elsa, taking generous liberties with the content of the original narratives to extrapolate new relationships and experiences among them. Purists might take issue with this aspect of the show, but it is this formula that creates some creative plot lines that drive the show through multiple seasons.
This isn't your kids' fairy tale collection, however, nor is it a suitable bedtime story for the little ones. It's dark, intense, occasionally sexy, and at times too violent for younger kids. The constant plot twists and the characters' unpredictable motivations, can be worrisome, too. It does, however, promise a fun experience for older viewers craving something outside the repetitive realm of sitcoms, dramas, and reality shows. Overall, Once Upon A Time is a fun journey that will have you rooting for underdogs, cheering for true love, and embracing a world that is as clever as it is enchanting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about this show's version of reality. Do the residents of Storybrooke lead lives that reflect your impression of reality? Do you think people turn to entertainment for a reflection of their own lives or an escape from it?
Teens: Do you like this show's interpretation of fairy tales? How do their stories diverge from the originals you know? If you could rewrite a classic tale, which would it be?
What do you think the intention of Once Upon A Time is? Does it offer any positive lessons you can relate to your own life? Does entertainment always have to have a point? Which of your favorite shows would you say has educational qualities?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 23, 2011
- Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jared Gilmore, Jennifer Morrison
- Network: ABC
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Book Characters, Fairy Tales
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 23, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Shrek
Gross-out laughs meet a marvelous fairy tale mix.
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Enchanted
Adorable fairy tale is a fabulous family flick.
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The Princess Bride
Witty, winsome fairy tale for the whole family.
For kids who love watching together
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