Parents' Guide to

Atlantis

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Sometimes-scary fantasy is a mash-up of monsters and myths.

TV BBC America Drama 2013
Atlantis Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

See all
age 11+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Mary S.
Mary S. Adult
November 28, 2022
age 13+
My 14-year-old son and I watched this TV series together and we loved it! We were so disappointed they did not continue with a Season 3.
1 person found this helpful.
Jaci L.
Jaci L. Parent of 15 and 18-year-old
February 28, 2023
age 8+

A starting point for teaching Greek Mythology to your kids

We incorporated Greek, Roman, Celtic and Norse Mythologies into our kids learning from a young age. I used this as a launching point for teaching my kids Greek Mythology when they were about 8. The writers do take liberties with the stories and characters, changing things to meet the needs of their storyline for the episodes. After episodes we would talk about the characters, who they were in Greek Mythology, and read some of the original Greek Myths together. The battles are not overly violent in my opinion either. As for the monsters and such, as long as your kids understand the difference between mythology and reality it is fine.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

When Jason (Jack Donnelly) jumps into a small submarine to look for clues to his missing father's whereabouts, he finds himself standing on the shores of ATLANTIS, an ancient city brimming with familiar names and fantastical creatures. But, while Jason's new friends Hercules (Mark Addy) and Pythagorus (Robert Emms) help him right wrongs all over town, he must continue his search for the truth about his origins.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (11):

Judging from the special effects alone -- which, at times, are downright goofy -- Atlantis was clearly not intended to impress. But it was engineered to entertain families with older kids, and it pulls that off with reasonable success thanks to a trio of likable do-gooders, an ever-rotating stable of evildoers, and a much-needed splash of comedy.

Since Atlantis takes so many liberties with figures and facts, it's not the best place to go hunting for historical accuracy. For one thing, it has Hercules hanging out with Pythagoras (yes, the same guy who gave us that nifty theorem) and getting the hots for a yet-to-be-snake-haired Medusa, ignoring the fact that none of them ever would have known each other. But, on the upside, it just might inspire kids to do their own research and uncover a world that's rich in myth and fantasy.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the Greek myths and historical figures Atlantis is based on. How accurate is the show's take on ancient history? What are the downsides to taking creative liberties with actual events? What are the upsides?

  • How does fantasy violence compare to real violence? Does exposure to fantasy violence promote violent behavior in real life?

  • How does Atlantis compare to other movies and television series set in ancient times? In your opinion, is it a good "family show"?

TV 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 tv 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