Review

Beauty and the Beast

Common Sense Media says

The ultimate makeover story has strong, positive messages.
Age
5
Quality
 
  • Educational value1
    Intended to entertain, not educate, but kids will take in some important lessons about appreciating others for who they are, not what they look like.
  • Positive messages4
    This timeless story has always revolved around the idea that it's important to see someone for who they are and not for what they look like. Also, brain wins out over brawn.
  • Positive role models4
    Characters change for the better -- Belle sees the beautiful person inside Beast, and he sheds his anger and sacrifices his own happiness for hers. Belle is a positive role model who values intelligence, books, and individuality.
  • Violence & scariness3
    Beast has angry outbursts at first. Fierce wolves attack the main characters. Townspeople decide to kill Beast and storm the castle in a scary, intense mob sequence. In the climactic fight, a knife-wielding character falls to his death.
  • Sexy stuff2
    Lumiere comically flirts with a maid, with fooling around implied. Budding romance between Beast and Belle, with some mild flirting and kissing. Bosomy barmaids swoon for Gaston during the song about him -- which also includes some innuendo and references to his physical appeal.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism4
    Belle is a Disney Princess whose brand reaches far and wide. Expect to see Princess branding on consumer merchandise, food products, etc., as well as in books, websites, and other media.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    A raucous scene in a bar with plenty of mugs sloshing around.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Beast's initial ferocity might scare younger viewers. And once kids have seen his gentle side, they may find scenes of him being hunted and stabbed by Gaston emotionally upsetting. The sequence in which a mob comes after Beast is also quite intense, and there's a fair bit of cleavage on display during the bar-set "Gaston" number. But kids mature enough for feature-length stories will find this one of the best Disney movies they could spend time with in terms of intelligence, quality, and originality -- not to mention having one of Disney's smartest, most independent heroines. Note: The movie's 2012 3D theatrical rerelease intensifies the musical numbers like "Be Our Guest" and the waltz scene in "Beauty and the Beast," but it doesn't make Beast's roars or the mob scenes too much scarier than they are in 2D.

This review of Beauty and the Beast was written by
Age
7
Based on 34 parent & educator reviews:
  • 35% say there are positive messages
  • 29% say violence is an issue
  • 29% say there are positive role models
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Teen, 13 years old
October 13, 2010
4
OK for kids & up
 
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Parent of 4 year old
December 29, 2009
17
Not for kids & under
 
Terrible message to send to our girls
This movie sends a terrible message to our girls. All too often we see women isolated from loved ones by their abusers, thinking if they can just love him enough, he will change into a prince. This movie encourages those incorrect beliefs. The Beast isolates and abuses Belle, but when she learns to love him, he changes into a prince. Makes me sick to think my little girl could buy into this. I gave it two stars though, because the music is fantastic, and the movie is well done. Belle was a great role model up until she succumbed to Stockholm syndrom.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 15, 2011
4
Pause for kids & under
 
It is a great movie. I am a huge Disney movie lover! It will probable be scary for younger kids though.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 14, 2010
6
OK for kids & up
 
A Masterpiece
Beauty and the Beast is my all the time favorite Disney movie (which is saying something, as I love them all so much!) and I made an account here just to defend it. First of all, Belle doesn't start loving Beast (or Prince Adam, whichever you prefer) until he stops treating her badly. Unlike some of the other Royal Disney couples, I believe Belle and Beast truly love each other, rather than the lust at first sight couples such as Snow White and her Prince and Cinderella and Charming have. If she was going to fall for that, she would have gone for Gaston. Belle is a great role model. She stands out, doesn't care what others think (great to have a kid appericting that trait young for once they get to middle school or high school), and she's not shallow. The animation is great, the music is great, it's simply...a masterpiece
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Helped me decide (132) | Had useful details (154) | Read my mind (168)
Kid, 11 years old
April 16, 2010
5
OK for kids & up
 
Nice orginal class disney movie
Beauty and the Beast is a orginal classic disney has made. It's probably my favorite disney film besides Sleeping Beauty. However, young kids might be scared on the beast in the beginning when he's always in such a bad temper. I give this movie 10 out of 10!
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Kid, 9 years old
October 10, 2010
3
OK for kids & up
 
It's one of my favorites
I think it is a very good movie, but I vast-forward through some parts. The parts aren't scary but they are not the fun.
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Helped me decide (125) | Had useful details (147) | Read my mind (151)
Teen, 13 years old
August 24, 2010
5
OK for kids & up
 
One of my most favourite movies of all time
Its sorta odd for a 13 year old to say this, but I adore this movie. The character of Belle is an excellent role model and the beast changes from a shallow man to a kind prince. WAY better than other disney movies I found some what annoying such as Aladdin and The Little Mermaid. Gaston is the best disney villain XD.
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Teen, 13 years old
January 9, 2011
6
OK for kids & up
 
LOOOOOOVE IT!!
AWESOME MOVIE!!!!! This is one of the best Disney movies of all time. The story line is great, as are the messages and role models of the movie. Belle sees through the Beat's looks and looks at the warmth in his heart, and the Beast starts caring for Belle. There's minor scariness, because when little kids see him at first they will be frightened when he is very mean to Belle. Gaston and his "people" come to the castle to kill the Beast, and G. eventually falls off the balcony, after he stabs Beast with a knife. EVERYONE 6+!!!!!!!!! :D
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Adult
August 20, 2009
3
OK for kids & up
 
love it even my nice who is 3 loved it.
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Helped me decide (90) | Had useful details (160) | Read my mind (156)
Kid, 10 years old
March 20, 2011
2
OK for kids & up
 
for any kind of age
best disney movie belle best disney princess
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