Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding
By Jennifer Green,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Chinese-inspired tale has positive messages, mild scares.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Princess Odette (voiced by Nina Herzog), Prince Derek (Yuri Lowenthal), and his parents set out for the imaginary but based-on-China kingdom of Cathay to reverse a curse that bars Princess Mei Li (Stepahine Sheh) from marrying her beloved Chen (Alexander Chen). THE SWAN PRINCESS: A ROYAL WEDDING thus picks up on a thread from the previous film in the franchise and marks the 10th Swan Princess title. When they arrive, they realize something is amiss. The evil sorceress Fang, also in love with Chen, transforms herself into a lookalike Mei Li, turning the princess into an old lady instead. When Chen marries Fang, Mei Li will die. Odette and Derek, together with Mei Li's brother, realize something is amiss, but it takes them time to discover Fang's evil plot. However, time is running out. Meanwhile, Mei Li's father, the emperor, may have to call on help from his ancestors to save them all.
Is It Any Good?
This movie offers good-hearted fun for younger kids. The Chinese-inspired location is appealing, and fans of the franchise will enjoy this latest installment of familiar characters. The Barbie-esque depiction of the princesses and the tired royal wedding cliché could grate on some viewers' nerves, but ultimately it's the women who must save the day in The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding, displaying courage and intelligence along the way. Good wins out over evil in the Swan Princess universe, and that's a message that should never get old.
The customs and setting of the China-inspired location offer some depth to the tale, including wall-sized murals that tell the history of the royal family's ancestors. A neat plot device has characters getting stuck inside the painting. Older viewers will also appreciate the humor in the movie. Derek's father's desperate attempts to keep his wife from making a fool of herself are cute, and the always wisecracking sidekick animals get the last laugh. "Why does she have to be called Fang -- why not just be Tooth?" the frog wonders.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the representation of aspects drawn from Chinese culture in The Swan Princess: A Royal Wedding. What interested you the most about Cathay's customs?
How do Odette and Mei Li compare with princesses in other movies you've watched? Are they positive role models? If yes, how so?
In the film, friends and family sacrifice their own safety and well-being to help each other. What's the nicest thing anyone has ever done to help you?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: August 4, 2020
- Cast: Nina Herzog , Yuri Lowenthal , Stephanie Sheh
- Director: Richard Rich
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Asian actors
- Studio: Sony Wonder
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More , Fairy Tales
- Character Strengths: Courage
- Run time: 82 minutes
- MPAA rating: G
- Last updated: October 8, 2022
Inclusion information powered by
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.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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