TL;DR: Disney’s 1997 Hercules is having a major "main character energy" moment. Between the West End musical and a live-action remake that the Russo Brothers claim will be "inspired by TikTok," the son of Zeus is officially back. It’s a great gateway to mythology, but the new version might challenge our ideas of what a "movie" even looks like.
Quick Links for the Intentional Parent:
- The Original: Hercules (1997 movie) — Still the gold standard for "Zero to Hero" vibes.
- The Next Step: Percy Jackson & The Olympians (Disney+ show) — For when they want more Greek myths with less singing.
- The Deep Dive: Hades (the game) — A "God-tier" rogue-like for older kids (Ages 12+).
- The Reading List: Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire — The classic companion.
If you grew up in the 90s, you remember Hercules as the movie with the gospel-singing Muses, Danny DeVito as a satyr, and a very sassy James Woods as Hades. It wasn't exactly "accurate" to Greek mythology (in the real myths, Hera is definitely not a loving mother to Herc), but it was a vibe.
Fast forward to today, and Hercules is no longer just a "legacy" title sitting on Disney+. It’s becoming a cornerstone of Disney’s new experimental strategy. There’s a stage musical currently killing it in London (heading to Broadway soon), and the upcoming live-action remake is being produced by the guys who gave us Avengers: Endgame.
The kicker? They’ve said the new movie will be "inspired by TikTok."
Before you roll your eyes and assume it’s going to be 90 minutes of "Ohio" memes and Skibidi-style brain rot, there’s actually a deeper strategy here about how kids consume media today that we need to talk about.
Hercules hits the "Zero to Hero" trope perfectly. It’s the ultimate underdog story, which is catnip for kids who feel small in a big world. But the current resurgence is fueled by three specific things:
- The Soundtrack: Songs like "I Won't Say (I'm in Love)" and "Zero to Hero" are massive on social media. They are high-energy, theatrical, and perfect for 15-second clips.
- The Mythology Pipeline: Thanks to Percy Jackson, Greek mythology is the "cool" history. Kids who love Rick Riordan’s books eventually find their way back to Disney’s version of Mount Olympus.
- The Aesthetic: The 90s "Ugly-Cute" animation style of the original movie—designed by legendary cartoonist Gerald Scarfe—is actually very trendy right now. It doesn't look like the polished CGI of modern Disney, which gives it a "retro-cool" status.
Ask our chatbot about why Greek mythology is so popular with Gen Alpha
When the Russo Brothers mentioned that the live-action Hercules remake would be "TikTok inspired," the internet lost its mind. Parents immediately thought: Are we getting a movie made of vertical clips and dance challenges?
Not exactly. What they mean is that modern kids have a different "media grammar." They are used to:
- Non-linear storytelling: Jumping around in time.
- High-density information: Lots of things happening on screen at once.
- Community interaction: Content that feels like you can participate in it.
The new movie is likely to be a "musical" in a way that feels more like a modern music video or a social media trend than a traditional Broadway show. It’s an experiment in whether a feature film can keep the attention of a generation raised on YouTube Shorts and TikTok.
As parents, this is a great moment to talk about attention spans. Is a movie that moves at the speed of a TikTok feed actually "relaxing," or is it just more overstimulation?
Learn more about how "fast-paced" media affects kid's brains
If your kid is suddenly obsessed with "going the distance," here is how to navigate the content without hitting a wall.
Ages 5+ The original is still great. It’s funny, the music is top-tier, and Hades is one of the best Disney villains ever.
- The No-BS Take: It’s a bit "hunk-centric." Hercules is basically a 90s jock, and the "heroism" is mostly measured by how many monsters he kills and how many action figures he sells. It’s a very consumerist take on being a "hero."
Ages 8+ If they liked the monsters in Hercules, this is the logical next step. It’s more grounded, deals with actual "kid problems" (like ADHD and dyslexia), and treats the mythology with a bit more respect.
- Why it’s better: It redefines "hero" as someone who stays loyal to their friends, rather than someone who just has big muscles.
Ages 12+ If you have a middle schooler, they’ve probably heard of this. It’s a "rogue-like" game where you play as Zagreus, the son of Hades, trying to escape the underworld.
- The Screenwise Score: High. It’s incredibly well-written and requires genuine strategy. However, it is violent (you’re fighting your way out of hell, after all) and features some "thirst-trap" character designs that might lead to some interesting questions.
Ages 10+ This isn't a movie or a show—it's a "concept album" musical that went viral on TikTok. It tells the story of the Odyssey. It’s a fantastic example of how "TikTok influence" can actually be high-brow and educational.
Ages 4-7
Stick to the original movie. It’s colorful and the songs are catchy. Be aware that the "Hydra" scene can be a little intense for very sensitive kids (lots of heads getting chopped off, though it's bloodless).
Ages 8-12
This is the sweet spot for the Percy Jackson books and the Disney+ show. They can start to handle the darker themes of the original myths—like the fact that the Greek gods were actually kind of jerks.
Ages 13+
They might enjoy the more "meta" takes on the myth, like the game Hades or the graphic novel Lore Olympus. This is also the age where they’ll be the primary audience for the "TikTok-inspired" remake.
The "Hercules" brand is generally safe, but there are two things to watch out for:
- The "TikTok-ification" of Content: If the new movie is designed to be "clipped" for social media, your kids might end up watching the whole movie in 30-second chunks on YouTube instead of sitting down for a focused experience. We call this "fragmented viewing," and it’s the enemy of deep focus.
- Body Image: The 1997 movie leans hard into the "buff guy" trope. For boys especially, Hercules represents an unattainable physical standard. It’s worth a quick mention that "being a hero" isn't just about the biceps.
If you’re watching the original or prepping for the remake, use these conversation starters:
- "What makes someone a 'true hero'?" In the movie, Zeus says being a hero isn't about how famous you are. Do you think that’s true in the age of influencers?
- "Why do you think the gods are so messy?" Greek myths are basically the original soap operas. It’s a great way to talk about human flaws and emotions.
- "Does this movie feel too fast?" If you watch the new remake when it drops, ask them if it felt like a movie or just a series of TikToks.
Hercules is a classic for a reason, but the new "TikTok Hero" era is going to be a test of our kids' (and our own) digital patience. Use the 1997 Hercules movie as a bridge to better things—like Greek mythology books or the Percy Jackson series.
It’s okay to enjoy the "Zero to Hero" hype, just make sure they know that real heroism happens off-screen, without a catchy musical number.
Next Steps:
- Watch the original Hercules on a family movie night.
- If they want more, grab The Lightning Thief.
- Ask Screenwise for a personalized "Mythology Path" for your child’s age