Common Sense Media Review
Delightful remake is great for the whole family.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Parent Trap
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 49 parent reviews
Parents say the movie features a mix of heartwarming family themes and significant inappropriate content, particularly references to sex, alcohol, and other mature themes, which have surprised many viewers since these elements may not align with its PG rating. While some parents find the film entertaining and suitable for older children, others caution against watching it with younger kids due to its adult themes and messages about relationships and family dynamics.
- mature content
- age rating issues
- mixed reviews
- family dynamics
- entertaining for older kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 87 kid reviews
Kids say the film is a delightful family-friendly comedy that follows twins who discover each other and devise a plan to reunite their divorced parents, filled with humorous pranks and heartwarming moments. While many viewers love its lightheartedness and relatable characters, some express concerns over occasional mature themes that may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- funny and entertaining
- family-friendly
- occasional mature themes
- heartfelt moments
- classic film
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
This remake of 1961's THE PARENT TRAP stars Lindsay Lohan as both Hallie and Annie, twin girls separated at birth who meet up at summer camp and decide to switch places. Their father, Nick (Dennis Quaid), owns a vineyard, and their mother, Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson), designs wedding gowns. Meredith (Elaine Hendrix), their dad's scheming girlfriend, hopes to marry Nick for his money -- so Hallie and Annie set out to get their parents back together, and while they're at it, make life miserable for Meredith.
Is It Any Good?
This is a delightful remake of the Hayley Mills classic. Lohan is utterly adorable and does a masterful job of creating two separate characters, each of whom spends a large part of the movie impersonating the other. But divorced parents should make sure that their children have no illusions of a reconciliation, and all parents should make sure that while it may be charming for the children in the movie to manipulate their parents, it isn't appropriate for real life.
Kids who enjoy this version will get a kick out of comparing it to the original. Make sure that they notice Joanna Barnes, who plays Vicki (the fiancee) in the original, playing Vicki (the fiancee's mother) in the remake.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about divorce. How does this movie portray divorce? Is it realistic? Parents may want to reassure kids if they're distressed by the fact that the parents split up the twins and made no attempt to see the child they gave up.
How does this movie compare to the original? Why are some remakes good, while others pale in comparison to the original?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 1, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : June 1, 2004
- Cast : Dennis Quaid , Lindsay Lohan , Natasha Richardson
- Director : Nancy Meyers
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 127 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some mild mischief
- Last updated : January 12, 2026
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
Suggest an Update
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