Parents' Guide to

Once Upon a Mattress

By Tracey Petherick, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Disney reboot has fun playing on fairy tale stereotypes.

Movie NR 2005 87 minutes
Once Upon a Mattress Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

  • Once Upon a Mattress Movie: Scene #1
  • Once Upon a Mattress Movie: Scene #2
  • Once Upon a Mattress Movie: Scene #3

Community Reviews

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age 5+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Victorgator
Victorgator Parent of 6 and 10-year-old
March 5, 2021
age 6+

Colorful, fun musical with one “skip” scene

Colorful musical with bright costumes and fun (but mostly forgettable) songs. Carol Burnett is a hoot! Watched with my 6 and 10 year olds. Parents should know that the story starts out with a Maid and a Knight learning that they are pregnant. However, no one in the kingdom can get married until the 40 year old virgin Prince marries first, and that is not going to happen as long as the Prince’s mother, the overprotective Queen, has her way. Everything was fine for my kids except my wife and I found ourselves a little surprised by the “Dad, I’m getting married in the morning and I think it’s time we had that ‘talk’” scene. What followed was a 5 minute song with the “mute” King teaching about the birds and the bees, through symbolic pantomime, while the Prince narrated through song. Nothing graphic or grotesque, but weren’t quite ready to spring that on them. My kids love charades, so they were paying close attention. However, other than that one scene, there are only a few “stage“ kisses.

This title has:

Too much sex
JasonDadOfThree
JasonDadOfThree Adult
September 13, 2020
age 8+

Lighthearted and silly romp

This is a fluffy, lighthearted musical romp — a silly story with goofy jokes and catchy songs. My 11-year-old son thought it was hilarious, laughing aloud at lots of jokes (both verbal and musical) and didn’t want to stop watching once we had started viewing. Really fairly wholesome way to spend an evening.
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What's the Story?

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS is set in a fairy tale kingdom where manipulative Queen Aggravain (Carol Burnett) disapproves of every potential bride for her middle-aged son Prince Dauntless (Denis O'Hare). Unfortunately, the rest of the kingdom are also banned from marrying until the prince weds, which leaves Lady Larken (Zooey Deschanel) in a spot of bother -- she's already pregnant! Her beau, Sir Harry (Matthew Morrison) sets off to find Prince Dauntless the perfect bride, returning with the feisty Princess Winnifred (Tracey Ullman). But will she gain the queen's blessing by proving she is a "real" princess?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (1):

This made-for-TV Disney reboot of the fairy tale classic The Princess and the Pea is simple, silly but nevertheless entertaining family fare. The scheming queen -- effortlessly played by Burnett (Annie) the original Princess Winnifred in the 1950s Broadway musical -- is kitschy and camp, while the obviously fake scenery and props give the whole movie the feel of an intentionally amateur dramatic performance. O'Hare is endearing as Prince Dauntless, a man-child completely under the thumb of his mother, while Ullman as the incorrigible Princess Winnifred or "Fred" brings a burst of energy to the story.

There are rousing musical numbers, slapstick comedy, and a solid cast, including Elf's Deschanel and Glee's Morrison. So although Once Upon a Mattress lacks the quality of a theatrical release, it just about delivers on entertainment -- feisty, fun, and farcical. Even tweens and teens might find themselves having fun ... in between the occasional eye roll.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about gender roles in Once Upon a Mattress. How does the movie play with gender stereotyping in fairy tales? Do you think the way princesses were traditionally depicted differs to books and movies today? Talk about which princess characters go against the gender stereotype and how.

  • Talk to your kids about how much influence parents should have over their children's choices. Can parental advice and support ever go too far? Think about the benefits and challenges of arranged marriages in real life.

  • If you were a princess -- or prince -- what kind would you be? How would you use your wealth and power?

Movie Details

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