Percy Jackson and the Olympians is Disney+'s 2023 adaptation of Rick Riordan's wildly popular book series about a 12-year-old kid who discovers he's the son of Poseidon and gets thrust into a world where Greek gods are real, monsters are everywhere, and summer camp involves sword fighting.
This isn't the first attempt at bringing Percy to screen—those early 2010s movies existed, and fans have mostly agreed to pretend they didn't. This time, Riordan himself is heavily involved, and it shows. The series stars Walker Scobell as Percy, with Leah Jeffries as Annabeth and Aryan Simhadri as Grover.
Each episode runs about 35-45 minutes, and Season 1 covers the first book, The Lightning Thief. It's streaming now on Disney+, with Season 2 already confirmed.
If your kid has read the books, they already love Percy Jackson—and they've been waiting years for an adaptation that actually respects the source material. The series delivers on that front. It's got:
Action and adventure that feels genuinely exciting without being overwhelming. Monsters, quests, sword fights, mythological creatures—all the good stuff.
Characters who feel real. Percy has ADHD and dyslexia, and the show treats these as actual parts of his identity, not just quirks. He's funny, loyal, and makes mistakes. Annabeth is brilliant and strategic. Grover is anxious but brave. These kids feel like actual middle schoolers, not miniature adults.
Mythology that's accessible. The show does a solid job explaining Greek myths without being condescending. Kids who know nothing about Zeus and Hades can follow along just fine, and kids who've memorized every god's family tree get the deeper references.
Representation that matters. The casting is diverse, and the show handles it naturally—no big deal, just kids who happen to look different from the book descriptions, which is exactly how it should be.
Best for ages 9-14, though your 8-year-old who's already read the books will probably be fine, and plenty of teens and adults are watching too.
What makes it work for this age:
- The protagonists are 12, so tweens see themselves reflected
- The stakes feel real but not traumatizing
- Themes of identity, belonging, and family dysfunction are deeply relatable for middle schoolers
- It respects kids' intelligence without talking down to them
What parents should know about content:
Violence/Scary stuff: Monsters definitely look scary—Medusa, the Minotaur, Echidna, and more. There's sword fighting and combat, but it's more adventure-movie violence than graphic. When monsters "die," they dissolve into golden dust (they're immortal, so they just return to Tartarus). Some kids find certain creatures genuinely frightening, especially in darker scenes.
Emotional intensity: The show deals with parental abandonment, feeling like you don't belong, and family trauma. Percy's mom is in an abusive relationship (this is handled carefully but it's present). Kids who've experienced family instability might find some themes hitting close to home—which could be either validating or difficult depending on the kid.
Language: Occasional mild language ("hell," "damn"), but nothing you wouldn't hear in a PG movie.
Mythology content: Greek gods behave badly—affairs, jealousy, vengeance, turning people into monsters. The show doesn't shy away from the messiness of mythology, but it also doesn't dwell on the really dark stuff. If your family is deeply religious and uncomfortable with other mythological systems being portrayed as "real" (even in fiction), this might not be your show. But most kids understand the difference between Percy Jackson's fictional world and actual religious beliefs.
This is genuinely good television. Not just "good for a kids' show"—actually well-made, with solid acting, decent effects, and writing that trusts its audience. You won't hate watching this with your kid.
It's slower-paced than you might expect. If your kid is used to constant action and quick cuts, they might find the first couple episodes a bit slow. The show takes time to build character relationships and world-building. This is actually a strength, but it means it's not instant gratification content.
The books are better (as books usually are), but the show is a solid companion. If your kid loves the show, the books are an easy upsell—and they're legitimately great middle-grade fiction that gets kids reading.
Representation matters here. Some fans were upset about casting choices that differed from book descriptions, particularly Annabeth being played by a Black actress. The show doesn't engage with this drama, and neither should you. The casting is excellent, full stop.
It's a gateway to mythology. Tons of kids get obsessed with Greek mythology through Percy Jackson. If your kid gets hooked, you've got a whole world of mythology books, games, and content
to explore together.
The found family theme is strong. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover form a tight-knit trio who support each other through everything. It's a lovely model of friendship that values loyalty, trust, and accepting people's differences.
First episode or two together is ideal, especially for younger or more sensitive kids. You'll get a sense of whether the monsters are too scary and whether your kid is engaged.
Talk about the themes. Ask your kid: "How do you think Percy feels about his dad not being around?" or "Why do you think Annabeth is so determined to prove herself?" The show offers rich material for conversations about identity and belonging.
Mythology deep dives. When a new god or monster appears, pause and look them up together. "Wait, who is Ares again?" becomes a fun mini research project.
Book comparisons. If your kid has read the books, ask what they think about the changes. The show makes some deliberate adaptations—some fans love them, some don't. It's good practice in understanding that adaptations are interpretations, not replacements.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians is one of the better book-to-screen adaptations in recent years, and it's absolutely worth watching with your 9-14 year old. It's got heart, humor, genuine stakes, and characters your kid will want to root for.
The monsters might be scary for younger or more sensitive kids, and the themes of family dysfunction are real, but the show handles everything with care and age-appropriate nuance. It's not mindless content—it actually has something to say about identity, belonging, and finding your people.
If your kid hasn't read the books, this is a perfect gateway. If they have read them, they'll probably love seeing the story brought to life respectfully.
Next step: Watch the first episode together, gauge your kid's reaction, and go from there. And maybe keep the lights on for bedtime if Medusa makes an appearance.