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Parents' Guide to

Beauty and the Beast

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Fantastic but scarier remake of the "tale as old as time."

Movie PG 2017 129 minutes
Beauty and the Beast Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 90 parent reviews

Rochya H.
Rochya H. Adult
January 2, 2021
age 6+

Good movie: can be scary but nothing your six year old won't be able to handle.

The scariest scene is probably in the dungeon.... I heard a lot of people saying their children were frightened by the wolves, but they are not scary. Its perfectly fine for young kids 6+. But if you really want to know you HAVE to watch it yourself because just because my 6 year old wasn't scared doesn't mean your kid won't be. Or just because my 3 year old niece was scared doesn't mean yours will.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
Loubelle
Loubelle Parent of 12-year-old
September 23, 2019
age 9+

Do not listen to some of these parents

Well I am a 12 year old kid and I thought that it was really good! But as it says in my title “Do not listen to some of these parents” I think that these parents are overreacting! And because they are saying that there child started crying, doesn’t mean other people will start crying because everyone is different! Speaking of different there is a scene with a gay couple dancing but you can’t even notice them if your worried about that! Anyway my point is just because someone else (the parents) are saying that it’s bad, horrible and traumatising just because there child was crying and getting scared doesn’t mean that you will or your child will! Now if you got this far and you read this review then I appreciate that! Thanks, Louisa!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 90 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST opens with a prologue: A greedy, careless, party-loving French prince (Dan Stevens) refuses to help an old woman seeking shelter, so she transforms into an enchantress and places a curse on him. It turns him into an ugly beast and his castle's attendants into household objects until he can find someone to love him despite his looks. Years later, Belle (Emma Watson), a smart, book-loving girl living in the village near the castle dreams of something more than her daily routine. Vain war hero Gaston (Luke Evans) has his sights set on Belle for a wife, but she's not interested. After Belle's father, Maurice (Kevin Kline), ends up imprisoned in the enchanted castle, she follows him and offers herself up as a prisoner in exchange for his freedom. Meanwhile, the Beast's household staff -- led by candelabra Lumiere (Ewan McGregor), clock Cogsworth (Ian McKellen), and teakettle Mrs. Potts (Emma Thompson) -- conspire to help Belle see their beastly master as something more ... and possibly break the spell.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (90 ):
Kids say (165 ):

Watson is an ideal Belle in this wonderful remake that's at once nostalgic and new, bringing to life the musical both for kids and life-long adult fans. Her Belle is relatable and sympathetic, with her curious eyes and aura of clever bookishness and strong-willed personality (Watson was also Hermione Granger, after all!). It turns out Watson can sing well, too; she's no rival to six-time Tony-winning co-star Audra McDonald, who plays Madame Garderobe, but her voice is clear and crisp and full of the longing and wanderlust that Belle conveys so beautifully in Alan Menken's songs. Stevens does a fine job with the Beast, playing up the character's frustration, anger, underlying sadness -- and eventual love -- in his voice and gestures.

But we all know that Beauty and the Beast is just as much about the supporting characters as it is the central couple, and director Bill Condon's ensemble doesn't disappoint. Kline's Maurice is even funnier than his bumbling animated counterpart, and McGregor and McKellen are hilarious as odd-couple duo Lumiere and Cogsworth. Thompson is comforting as Mrs. Potts, and her boy Chip is ever as lovable. And then there's Evans as narcissistic Gaston, who's so full of himself that he can't fathom why Belle won't agree to be his bride, and the amazing Josh Gad, who steals the show as Gaston's adoring (and smitten) sidekick LeFou. Menken's original songs are rendered with appropriate spectacle, particularly "Be Our Guest," but the new ones are decidedly bittersweet, underscoring the sadness both Belle and Beast feel about their situations. The gorgeous costumes and extraordinary set design add to the movie's overall delight, but it's the performances that stand out in this memorable musical remake.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the live-action Beauty and the Beast compares to the original animated version. Which differences do you like most? Which did you like least?

  • Even if you were expecting them, how did the movie's scary scenes make you feel? How much scary stuff can young kids handle?

  • How do the characters demonstrate compassion, curiosity, humility, and empathy? Why are those important character strengths?

  • How does Belle compare to other Disney princesses? Is she curious? Do you consider her a role model?

  • What makes Gaston's conceited, self-centered nature funny? Is he a caricature of the stereotypical leading man? Do your feelings about him change over the course of the story? Why?

Movie Details

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