Parents' Guide to

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

By Ashley Moulton, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Tween demigod's rousing TV adventures have dark moments.

TV Disney+ Drama 2023
Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV Poster: Percy, a white 12-year-old boy, stands with friends and a magical sword

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Percy Jackson kneeling at a beach with his sword
    1:07
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV: Percy, a white 12 year old boy, stands wearing a tshirt reading 'Camp Half-Blood'
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV: Percy, a white 12-year-old boy, stands with friends Annabeth and Grover in a misty forest
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV: Percy, a white 12 year old boy, looks serious as he holds a sword
  • Percy Jackson and the Olympians TV: a group of teenagers stand in a forest wearing ancient Greek style helmets and armor

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 18 parent reviews

HeartyDragonfruit
HeartyDragonfruit Adult
December 22, 2023
age 8+

Entertaining, but lacking the books' sparkle

It’s been an enjoyable ride albeit with a few shortcomings. They aim for an epic tone, which is sort of achieved, yet the dialogues and pacing seems aimed at little kids. Though slow or poorly written at times, at the end of the day, it's still entertaining and an okay influence. PROS: Walker Scobell (cast as Percy) is a delightful person and well cast, even if too serious at times in the show. They aim for an epic tone, and there's something satisfying about finally having Perch Jackson taken seriously in the film industry. The fight scenes are good in episodes 1 and 2 but become slower as it goes on (perhaps the monster fights are a bit scary / violent for younger audiences). Sets are generally well done. CONS: Having read the books a few years ago, and knowing the general plot, it’s fairly slow (though if you’re new to Percy’s world, you’ll be busy learning names and backstories). The plot is also quite different from the books, which doesn't bother me, except that the stakes make less sense and the clues are presented in confusing ways. It’s also too solemn and could use a good dose of humour or levity to make it overall a joy to watch.
Emma H.
Emma H. Adult
December 20, 2023
age 9+

Great start to the series!!

I’ve only seen the first episode but I’m excited to see the full series!! It was pretty good!
See all 18 parent reviews

What's the Story?

PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS follows Percy (Walker Scobell), a seemingly "normal" 12-year-old boy who is shocked to learn that the Greek god Poseidon is his father. This revelation means that Percy is a demigod -- and therefore is constantly under threat from mythological monsters. He heads to "Camp Half-Blood," a sanctuary where demigod kids can learn how to harness their powers. Percy is accompanied by his satyr friend, Grover (Aryan Simhadri), who's been charged with protecting him from evil forces. At camp, they meet Annabeth (Leah Jeffries), who becomes the third member of the story's core friend trio. Percy, Grover, and Annabeth must embark on an epic quest across America as they try to prevent war among the gods, facing creatures of all sorts along the way.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (18 ):
Kids say (45 ):

The many fans of Rick Riordan's popular books will be relieved to see their beloved series finally get the screen adaptation it deserves. 2010's movie version of Percy Jackson and the Olympians didn't get Riordan's blessing, and ended up disappointing readers because it deviated so much from the books. This series, however, was created with Riordan's input -- and besides being faithful to the source material, it's also a lot of fun (and does have a few surprises for fans). The subject matter can definitely be dark, but there's lots of humor and heart throughout. The kid actors' performances are stellar, and kid viewers will identify with these very real and vulnerable characters. Kids who are into fantasy and can handle a fair bit of scares will be drawn into Percy's immersive world.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Percy's courage in Percy Jackson and the Olympians. He goes on dangerous missions to help other people even when there's great risk to himself. What do you think is the most courageous thing Percy does?

  • Percy struggles with being "different," at first because he's bullied and doesn't do well in school, and then again when he learns he's a demigod. Do you ever feel "different"?

  • Is there any part of Greek mythology that Percy's story has inspired you to learn more about? Are there any characters or myths you want to get to know better?

  • What are some examples of diversity and positive representation on this show?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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