Mirror Mirror – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Mirror Mirror

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2012

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Julia Roberts plays an evil queen in this visually quirky Snow White retelling that's... fine? Kids might watch it once.

50%

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Mirror Mirror

movie

PG, 2012

52%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Julia Roberts plays an evil queen in this visually quirky Snow White retelling that's... fine? Kids might watch it once.

50%

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Screenwise Verdict

Mirror Mirror is perfectly safe and has decent messages about courage and self-worth, but let's be real: it's aggressively mediocre.

With a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 5.6 on IMDb, this is the Snow White movie that came out in 2012 and immediately got overshadowed. The costumes are pretty, Julia Roberts chews scenery as the evil queen, and younger kids who are really into princess stories might enjoy it once. But it's not memorable, not particularly funny, and not engaging enough to rewatch.

If you need a safe, inoffensive fairy tale for a rainy afternoon and you've already exhausted the Disney catalog, sure, throw this on. But don't expect anyone to be talking about it afterward. It's the definition of 'fine'—which in the world of family entertainment is actually kind of a miss.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-11 who are into princess movies and fairy tales. The Common Sense Media age 8 recommendation is spot-on. Teens and adults will likely find it forgettable, and it's not charming enough to have cross-generational appeal like better family films.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Snow White retelling with themes of good vs. evil, kindness, and standing up to bullies. The tone is whimsical and comedic rather than dark, with positive messaging about self-confidence and friendship. However, the evil queen character models vanity and manipulation, though she's clearly the villain. Pacing is uneven but not chaotic.

Imaginative

A fresh visual take on a classic fairy tale with colorful costumes and stylized production design. The 'seven rebellious dwarves' angle adds a twist, but ultimately this is a fairly conventional retelling without groundbreaking creativity. It invites some imaginative engagement with the fairy tale world but doesn't push boundaries or inspire much creative expression beyond the screen.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 8, which aligns with a PG-level fairy tale. No gore, nudity, or sex. Some fantasy violence and peril typical of the genre (evil queen scheming, battle scenes) but nothing graphic or traumatic. The villain's vanity and meanness are age-appropriate conflict. No unexpected disturbing content for a Snow White adaptation.

Enriching

Basic good-vs-evil morality tale with themes of courage and self-worth, but doesn't go particularly deep. The 'epic battle' framing suggests empowerment messaging, but execution is middling. Limited cognitive challenge or meaningful takeaways beyond surface-level 'be brave and kind' lessons. Entertainment value is also questionable given the lukewarm critical and audience reception.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Colorful, whimsical production design with elaborate costumes that younger kids might find enchanting
Less scary than traditional Snow White versions—more comedic than dark
Empowerment angle with Snow White learning to fight alongside the dwarves
Safe, predictable fairy tale viewing for elementary-aged kids who love princess stories

⚠

What to Watch For

The evil queen is vain, manipulative, and schemes to marry for money—clear villain but models negative behavior
Some fantasy violence and peril (battles, magic) appropriate for age 8+ but may be intense for sensitive younger viewers
Honestly? It's just kind of boring. Universal ratings across the board hover around 'meh'
Released same year as Snow White and the Huntsman, and this is definitely the less memorable version

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the queen was so obsessed with being the most beautiful? What makes someone truly beautiful?"
"Snow White had to learn to be brave and fight for herself. When have you had to stand up for something?"
"The dwarves were 'rebellious'—what does that mean? Is it always bad to break rules?"

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