Tangled - 2010

Movie Info

Rating: PG

Age-appropriateness: some suspenseful scenes, including the kidnapping of a baby

Overview: The magically long-haired Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is. As Rapunzel comes to learn that she was stolen as a baby and needs to fight for her freedom in her journey for independence, you’ll have the opportunity to talk about the parent/child relationship in a significant way. The story’s climax is that of personal sacrifice, providing a seamless opportunity to point back to Jesus’ sacrifice for us.

Themes: isolation, courage, independence, sacrifice, being lost, mother/daughter, ambition

The Quick 3

Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.

1. Independence. How much do you have to fight for your independence? Do you get enough time and space to do things on your own?

Mother Gothel justified keeping Rapunzel in the tower as a means of protecting her from the outside world. Rapunzel felt like she wasn't able to have a life of her own.

2. Ambition. What are your biggest dreams? What is the one thing in life you can’t wait to happen?

Rapunzel sings “I’ve Got a Dream”. Rapunzel shares her dream and it inspires the Ruffians to share their dreams.

3. Sacrifice. How much must Jesus love you if He was willing to give up His very life to save you?

Rapunzel is willing to sacrifice herself to save Flynn. There was nothing Flynn could do to save himself. Then Flynn boldly gives himself up to save her, when she would’ve been lost forever. Because of our sin, we were separated from God. And no amount of effort on our part could’ve saved us. Yet God loves us so much that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus, down to Earth to save us. Jesus willingly gave his life for us on the cross, so that our sins might be forgiven and we could be with God forever in heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice of himself is the greatest act of love in the history of the world!

After The Movie Discussion Guide

Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.

1. Parent self-evaluation: Mother Gothel justified keeping Rapunzel in the tower as a means of protecting her from the outside world. Read this article to identify if you have any “helicopter parent” tendencies. Consider the ways you might allow your child to experience the world on their own, and how it might benefit their development. Is there any aspect of your parenting that is over-protecting your child from the world?

2. Parent self-evaluation: Rapunzel’s biological parents set out lanterns every year to try to bring her home. Like the parents of the Prodigal Son, they are on their porch, scanning the horizon, awaiting the return of their lost child. If your child has “gone astray” by their own doing, read Luke 15:11-32. How can you support your child while not enabling them?

3. Rapunzel’s hair is super-long. How long would you ever want your hair to be? What would you do if your hair was long as Rapunzel’s?

Minute By Minute Guide

Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.

:04 Mother Gothel kept Rapunzel in a tower for her own selfish desires. She selfishly used Rapunzel to get what she wanted. Selfishness is caring more about yourself than you care about others. When is a time you were selfish?

:07 “When Will My Life Begin”. Rapunzel seems to be bored with her regular routine. She hangs around the house all day long. How do you think you would feel if you were stuck inside all day, every day? What would you do to keep yourself busy?

:26 Rapunzel reveals herself to a conscious Flynn Rider. This takes a lot of courage from Rapunzel. Courage is being brave enough to make good choices, even when you’re afraid. When was a time you had to show courage? How did it turn out?

:29 Rapunzel makes a promise to Flynn to return his satchel if he brings her to the lanterns. In the Bible, God calls his promises a “covenant”. And you can have faith that God’s covenants will always stay true. A covenant is a special promise God makes, and one such covenant is that he will bless his people. If you trust in God, like Rapunzel does in Flynn, you can bet he’ll always be with you and he’ll always guide you. Do you always keep your promises? How would you feel if someone broke a promise they made to you?

:39 “I’ve Got a Dream”. Rapunzel shares her dream and it inspires the Ruffians to share their dreams. What are your biggest dreams? What is the one thing in life you can’t wait to happen?

:52 We see that Rapunzel’s hair has magic healing powers. What do you think would be the best way to use the power of Rapunzel’s hair if she were here today?

:57 “Mother Knows Best”. Mother Gothel says some very mean things to Rapunzel. How do you think these mean words made Rapunzel feel?

1:05 Rapunzel says she’s terrified of her dream because she might be disappointed if it’s not all that great – or if her dream is indeed awesome, it means her life has to change. Have you ever been scared like this? Scared of almost achieving a big dream?

1:07 “I See the Light”. What do you think Rapunzel is experiencing at this moment?

1:15 Mother Gothel says “the world is dark and selfish and cruel”. The Bible says that our world is broken by sin. The world we live in isn’t like God first created it. But we can have hope that God will restore the world one day. Revelation 21:4 says, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." And if we put our faith in Jesus, we can live with him forever in heaven, a place that is completely perfect because it’s not broken by sin! Do you experience the world as "dark and selfish and cruel"?

1:24 Rapunzel is willing to sacrifice herself to save Flynn. There was nothing Flynn could do to save himself. Then Flynn boldly gives himself up to save her, when she would’ve been lost forever. Because of our sin, we were separated from God. And no amount of effort on our part could’ve saved us. Yet God loves us so much that he sent his one and only Son, Jesus, down to Earth to save us. Jesus willingly gave his life for us on the cross, so that our sins might be forgiven and we could be with God forever in heaven. Jesus’ sacrifice of himself is the greatest act of love in the history of the world! How much must Jesus love you if He was willing to give up His very life to save you?

1:28 Rapunzel is reunited with her parents. What do you think this moment is like for everyone involved?