Hercules (1997) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Content is mild and mostly consists of romantic subplots and light innuendo. The heroine, Meg, is designed with a curvaceous figure and engages in flirtatious banter with Hercules. The satyr character Phil is comically depicted as a womanizer who chases nymphs. One scene involves Hades alluding to Meg using her 'curves' to influence Hercules, and there are a few brief kisses. Classical statues are seen in the background, including one with brief, non-sexual artistic nudity.

Moderate for a G-rated film, with several intense animated monster battles. A teenage Hercules accidentally destroys a marketplace. Hercules fights a centaur and later a multi-headed Hydra; the Hydra fight is prolonged, featuring decapitations (with green goo instead of blood) and significant peril. Later, the giant Titans wreak havoc on Mount Olympus, and Hercules battles a Cyclops. A main character is crushed by a pillar and dies (this is a key plot point), and the villain Hades is ultimately punched into a…

None. The dialogue is free of profanity.

Substance use is minor and brief. At the start of the film, baby Hercules is forcibly given a magic potion that removes his immortality. The gods are occasionally seen drinking what appears to be nectar or wine from goblets in celebratory moments. The villain Hades is sometimes shown smoking a cigar.

The film explores surprisingly mature themes for a G-rated feature. These include the kidnapping of an infant, a character (Meg) having sold her soul to the lord of the underworld, and the on-screen death of a heroic character, which is emotionally impactful. The hero must descend into a frightening underworld filled with wailing souls to rescue his loved one, an act of self-sacrifice that nearly kills him. Themes of betrayal, loss, and what it means to be a 'true hero' are central to the plot.

No standout scary moments have been catalogued for Hercules yet. Because this title is recommended for younger kids, sign up to get community-flagged jump scares, tense scenes, and startling imagery as parents submit them.