Beauty and the Beast

Name: Beauty and the Beast
Item: Beauty and the Beast
Rating: 5
Author: Common Sense Media Editors

Movie review by

Common Sense Media Editors, Common Sense Media

Parents recommendPopular with kids

Common Sense says

age 6+

(i)

Disney fave has great music, strong messages, some scares.

G
1991
90 minutes

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Parents say

age 7+

Based on 63 reviews

Kids say

age 5+

Based on 91 reviews

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Common Sense review | 1:11

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Beauty and the Beast Movie: Gaston shows his strength

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We think this movie stands out for:

Character Strengths

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Educational Value

Intended to entertain, not educate, but kids will take in some important lessons about appreciating others for who they are, not what they look like.

Positive Messages

This timeless story has always revolved around the idea that it's important to see someone for who they are, not for what they look like. Also, brain wins out over brawn. Themes include compassion, curiosity, empathy, and self-control.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Characters change for the better -- Belle sees the beautiful person inside Beast, and he sheds his anger and sacrifices his own happiness for hers. Belle values intelligence, books, and individuality.

Violence & Scariness

Beast has angry outbursts. Fierce wolves attack the main characters. Townspeople decide to kill Beast and storm the castle in a scary, intense mob sequence. In the climactic fight, a knife-wielding character falls to his death. Spooky woods, scary scenes when Belle and her father encounter the Beast. Belle and the Beast yell at each other.

Sexy Stuff

Lumiere comically flirts with a maid, with fooling around implied. Budding romance between Beast and Belle, with some mild flirting and kissing. Bosomy barmaids swoon for Gaston during the song about him -- which also includes some innuendo and references to his physical appeal.

Language

Consumerism

Belle 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

Raucous scene in a bar with plenty of foamy mugs sloshing around.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Beauty and the Beast (remade in live action in 2017) is one of Disney's most beloved "princess" stories -- and the first animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Beast's initial ferocity might scare younger viewers, though once they've seen his gentle side, scenes of him being hunted and stabbed by Gaston are likely to be emotionally upsetting. The sequence in which a mob comes after Beast is also quite intense, and there's a fair bit of cleavage on display during the bar-set "Gaston" number. But kids mature enough for feature-length stories will find this one of the best Disney movies they could spend time with in terms of intelligence, quality, and originality -- not to mention having one of Disney's smartest, most independent heroines. Note: The movie's 2012 3D theatrical rerelease intensified the musical numbers like "Be Our Guest" and the waltz scene in "Beauty and the Beast," but it didn't make Beast's roars or the mob scenes too much scarier than they are in 2D.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

Adult Written byconcernedparent April 9, 2008

not rated for age

Be careful..

To most this looks like an innocent movie. It is not that simple. The message my little girl gets is that Belle can fix the angry beast. Well, I work with victi... Continue reading

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Adult Written byAndyMeatball January 14, 2012

age 4+

Amazing on the big screen.

I'm 18, so I never got a chance to see this when it originally came out in theaters. I've owned this movie my whole life and seen it about a million t... Continue reading

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Teen, 13 years old Written byNoseStuckInABook April 14, 2010

age 6+

A Masterpiece

Beauty and the Beast is my all the time favorite Disney movie (which is saying something, as I love them all so much!) and I made an account here just to defend... Continue reading

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Teen, 14 years old Written byLoranikas303 August 12, 2019

age 6+

Amazing 90s fave!

Must watch with the awesome songs and musicals. If you love or fan of beauty and the beast, watch the musical in disney’s Hollywood Studios and more.

Here some... Continue reading

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What's the story?

In BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, when a snobby prince turns away an old woman selling apples because of her ugly appearance, she casts a spell that turns him into a beast and his staff into objects. Only finding someone to love him can undo the enchantment, but misfortune turns Beast (voiced by Robby Benson) bitter and mean. But when curious young Belle (Paige O'Hara) from the village comes to the castle looking for her missing father, the staff -- a motley collection of servants enchanted to look like household items -- hopes she'll break the spell, even as Beast holds her prisoner. At first repulsed by Beast, Belle later sees the beautiful person inside him. But will her love save him from a village determined to kill him?

Is it any good?

Stellar music, brisk storytelling, delightful animation, and compelling characters make this both a great animated feature for kids and a great movie for anyone. Beauty and the Beast may not be Disney's most iconic movie, but it stands as the studio's crowning achievement, earning a Best Picture Oscar nomination (the first animated film to achieve that honor) and a Golden Globe for Best Picture, In essence, all great stories are about transformation, and this one beats out even Cinderella as the ultimate makeover story, with Beast's inner transformation preceding his outer one. Some editions of the DVD include an additional scene and a new song, but the original movie stands on its own merit.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about Belle and Beast's first impressions of each other in Beauty and the Beast. What did they discover about each other as their relationship grew and as the Beast learned humility and self-control? What message does that send to viewers?
As one of the popular Disney princesses, how is Belle similar to Cinderella and the Little Mermaid? How is she different? Is she curious? Do you consider her a role model?
How do the characters demonstrate compassion and empathy? Why are those important character strengths?
Why do you think Gaston was so surprised that Belle didn't want to marry him? How does their relationship poke fun at fairy tale cliches?