Aladdin

2019

Street thief Aladdin falls for Princess Jasmine and discovers a magic lamp containing a powerful Genie who can grant three wishes, leading to an adventure against the power-hungry Jafar.

Content Guide

⚔️

Violence & ScarinessModerate

Violence & Scariness

💬

LanguageNone

Language

👀

Sex & NudityVery mild

Sex & Nudity

🍷

SubstancesNone

Substances

😱

Frightening ScenesMild

Frightening Scenes

💚

Positive MessagesExcellent

Positive Messages

⭐

Role ModelsStrong

Role Models

What's in this movie

•Sword fights and action sequences throughout
•A villain repeatedly tries to kill main characters using magic
•Characters imprisoned and threatened
•Brief sequences of Jafar using power to threaten and intimidate
•The Genie's enslavement is treated more seriously than in the animated version
•A character nearly drowns
•Jasmine stands up to oppression in a powerful musical number

🌍 Cultural & Representation Concerns

Significant

•Set in a fictional Middle Eastern kingdom 'Agrabah' that blends Arab, South Asian, and North African cultures into one amalgamated setting, lacking cultural specificity
•Naomi Scott (half-South Asian/white British) was cast as the Middle Eastern princess Jasmine, sparking discussion about specificity in ethnic casting
•The film rewrote the original 'Arabian Nights' opening lyrics which described the land as 'barbaric' — an improvement over the 1992 version
•Despite its diverse Middle Eastern/South Asian cast — praised as significant Hollywood representation — the story remains filtered through a Western adventure framework
•Prince Anders is a broad comic Nordic stereotype played for laughs

Educational Value

Explores themes of honesty, self-worth, and the courage to be yourself. Features a strong female lead who fights for her own voice and political agency.

💬 Pause & Talk — Discussion Topics

1.Why does Aladdin pretend to be a prince? Was that the right choice?
2.What does it mean to be your true self, even when it feels scary?
3.How does Jasmine show courage in this film?
4.What does the Genie wish for himself? What does that tell us about freedom?

🏆 Awards: Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song (Speechless)