Parents' Guide to

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

By Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

A classic action-adventure for older kids.

Movie G 1954 127 minutes
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

age 8+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 9+

A good movie but slow when compared to today's action

My kids are 5 and 7, they loved the movie for the most part. SPOILERS: The kids loved the sea monster and the sea-lion. Laughing and getting scared by each. The language from Captain Nemo was educated, direct, and beyond my kids. My kids struggled to to watch but loved the action and comedy.

This title has:

Great messages
age 7+

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

A Grade-A classic for the whole family.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (7 ):

This is one heck of a family adventure movie. The visionary Jules Verne wrote about submarines and diving suits -- not to mention space travel -- back in the 19th century when it was all just science fiction. Walt Disney, a 20th-century visionary, had his studio turn Verne's ambitious deep sea tale into the studio's first live-action feature, and the result is impressive.

Captain Nemo's pet seal, the run-in with cannibals, and the stormy tussle with a giant squid will have every 10-year-old captivated. Best of all is Nemo's creation, the Nautilus, a beautifully designed submarine with all of the gothic trimmings, including an imposing pipe organ that plays Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D minor." The sleek metal tub steals the show from human stars James Mason and Kirk Douglas. This 1954 release won Academy Awards for Art Direction and Special Effects.

Movie Details

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