Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

What’s it about?

After her wicked stepmother banishes her into the dangerous forest, Snow White, a princess with a love for animals, is rescued by seven dwarf miners who welcome her into their home.

The facts

• Directed by David Hand, William Cottrell
• English language
• Runtime: 83 minutes
• Disney classic
• First ever full-length animated film with sounds to be produced in colour.

Why did it get this rating?

This film was classified by the Chief Censor for Films (CCF), prior to the establishment of Te Mana Whakaatu, Classification Office in 1994. You can find out more about the history of censorship here.

Scary and upsetting scenes

Some scenes can be scary, with things like skeletons, spiders, and a creepy witch. However, these are somewhat balanced by the funny dwarfs and cute forest animals.

Frightening moments include Snow White getting lost in the dark woods alone, and tree branches turning into spooky hands trying to grab her. Younger viewers might find this unsettling.

There are some other moments throughout the film that may scare or upset very young viewers. These include:

• A huntsman, ordered by the queen to retrieve Snow White’s heart, approaches her with a knife, but she escapes.
• Snow White is tricked into eating a poisoned apple. This may unsettle children.
• It is implied that Snow White’s parents are dead, though it is not a central theme.
• As the dwarfs chase the witch up a mountain, a climactic buildup may make young children tense or nervous.

When content stays with you:

We all have our boundaries, and it’s completely okay if something you’ve watched is weighing on your mind. If certain content lingers with you, consider having a chat with friends or whānau to debrief about what you’ve just seen. But if you’re still feeling affected, please reach out to any of the following helplines for support.

• 1737
• Safe to talk
• Lifeline
• Youthline

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Brain development – how it works, why it matters
• Disney’s Snow White 2025: New Zealand trailer and release date