Beauty And The Beast 2017

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2017

83%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A lush, high-budget remake that swaps hand-drawn charm for Emma Watson's grit and some seriously impressive CGI furniture.

71%

→

Beauty And The Beast 2017

movie

2017

83%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A lush, high-budget remake that swaps hand-drawn charm for Emma Watson's grit and some seriously impressive CGI furniture.

71%

Jump to

Also rated on

71%

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

This isn't a replacement for the 1991 masterpiece, but it’s a worthy companion. It trades some of the original's 'magic' for a more grounded, detailed world where the characters have clearer motivations and better backstories.

Emma Watson plays Belle with a modern, capable edge that works well, even if the Beast's CGI feels a bit dated by 2026 standards. If your family loves the music and wants a 'prestige' version of the story, this is a solid Friday night pick. Just be ready for the fact that it's much longer than the version you grew up with.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6 and up. While toddlers might like the music, the runtime and the intensity of the forest scenes are a lot for the under-5 crowd.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It doubles down on the original's themes of sacrifice, empathy, and looking past the surface. Belle is portrayed with even more agency and intellectual curiosity than in the 1991 version.

Imaginative

The production design is spectacular, but as a remake, it's coloring inside the lines. It expands the lore slightly but doesn't reinvent the wheel.

Safe

Standard Disney PG fare. The wolves and the final rooftop fight are intense, and the Beast's design can be a bit 'uncanny valley' scary for the preschool set.

Enriching

Strong emphasis on literacy and education. Belle isn't just a reader; she's an inventor. The movie also adds backstory about her mother, providing more emotional depth.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Belle's agency is dialed up; she's an inventor and a teacher here, not just a girl with a book.
The visual spectacle of 'Be Our Guest' is a massive technical achievement that kids usually find mesmerizing.
It fills in narrative gaps from the original, like why the villagers don't remember the castle and what happened to Belle's mother.
The soundtrack includes the classics plus a few new ballads that give the Beast more of a voice.

⚠

What to Watch For

The wolf attack scenes are significantly more visceral and scary in live-action than they were in the cartoon.
At 2 hours and 9 minutes, it’s a long sit for younger kids compared to the original's brisk 84 minutes.
The Beast's CGI face can occasionally feel stiff or 'off,' which might make it harder for some kids to connect with him emotionally.

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the villagers were so afraid of Belle just because she wanted to teach others to read?"
"The Beast had to change his heart before the spell could break. Do you think Belle changed too?"
"If you were an enchanted object in a castle, what would you want to be and why?"
"Is it harder to be brave when you're fighting a monster or when you're standing up to a 'hero' like Gaston?"

Stills