Parents' Guide to

Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs

By Tracey Petherick, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Fun-packed fairy-tale parody challenges stereotypes.

Movie PG 2020 92 minutes
Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 7+

Based on 2 parent reviews

BlueJ
BlueJ Adult
September 20, 2020
age 6+

Great message

The Art and message are great. The story could have been flushed out more but was still great

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
SpringSakura
SpringSakura Adult
August 25, 2020
age 7+

Feel-good movie

Though at first glance the movie seems like one that encourages the shallow stereotypical view that women are only beautiful if they have all the 'right' proportions, it actually portrays the opposite. That no matter a persons appearance what really matters is what is in the inside.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Loosely based on Snow White, RED SHOES AND THE SEVEN DWARFS tells the story of the "Fearless Seven" -- a group of vain but heroic princes -- who have been turned into green dwarfs by a spurned fairy. Their only hope to break the curse is a kiss from a beautiful princess. Cut to the plump and mousey Snow White (voiced by Chloe Grace Moretz) whose father, King White (Nolan North) has disappeared at the hands of her wicked stepmother, Regina (Gina Gershon). After a pair of magic red shoes turn Snow into a "beautiful" princess she sets out to find her father, arriving at the house of the Seven, and swiftly renaming herself Red Shoes. Knowing that her kiss could break their curse, the dwarfs pledge to help her -- with Merlin (Sam Claflin) determined to win her heart. Using a combination of teamwork, ingenuity, and the dwarfs' magical powers, the heroes must defeat Regina to save the King and -- perhaps -- return to their original forms.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (2):

This high-spirited, engaging family comedy is a tale of mistaken identities that challenges stereotypes and reassures us that it's ok to be different. There are some genuinely funny moments and wise-cracking remarks in Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs that will entertain tweens -- and parents -- as well as plenty of silliness for younger kids. The story is clever and fast-paced, with a strong cast of characters. Red Shoes is warm but feisty, Merlin is amusingly narcissistic, and the odious and pretentious Prince Average (pronounced "Ah-vu-rahj") is a classic cartoon villain. Meanwhile Patrick Warburton -- aka Lemony Snickett in the brilliant TV adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events -- is deliciously entertaining as the evil but hapless Magic Mirror.

At times you might question the clarity of the message -- does highlighting a character's physical appearance debunk or exacerbate the stereotype? But ultimately this is a smart take on Snow White that's full of heart and good humor. And by the end, it's crystal clear that beauty does indeed come from within.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Red Shoes and the Seven Dwarfs challenges stereotypes. Does the movie succeed in breaking the stereotype of classic fairy tale characters? If so, how? How else does the movie challenge gender stereotypes? What are the dangers of stereotypes?

  • The character of Snow White, aka Red Shoes, shares some similarities with Princess Fiona in Shrek. Talk about how they are both presented and what makes them good role models.

  • Talk to your kids about empathy and the concept of putting yourself in someone else's shoes. Which characters in the movie experience this and how do they deal with it?

  • The original marketing campaign -- that suggested that an overweight Snow White wasn't beautiful -- was denounced by star Chloe Grace Moretz. Why do you think she did this?

Movie Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

See all recommended movie lists

Related Topics

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate