Beauty and the Beast (1946)
Kernel Score: 86% · 655 ratings
Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Released: 1946-10-29
Runtime: 96 minutes
Where to watch Beauty and the Beast
- Stream: Kanopy, HBO Max
- Free with ads: Kanopy, Hoopla, Shout! Factory TV, Plex, Tubi
- Rent: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-23.
Overview
The story of a gentle-hearted beast in love with a simple and beautiful girl. She is drawn to the repellent but strangely fascinating Beast, who tests her fidelity by giving her a key, telling her that if she doesn't return it to him by a specific time, he will die of grief. She is unable to return the key on time, but it is revealed that the Beast is the genuinely handsome one. A simple tale of tragic love that turns into a surreal vision of death, desire, and beauty.
Beauty and the Beast parents' guide: ages 6+
Parents need to know that this 1946 Beauty and the Beast is a classic romantic fantasy with mild themes of death and desire suitable for most family viewing.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Movies like Beauty and the Beast
If you liked Beauty and the Beast, these are the movies we'd watch next.
- Edward Scissorhands (1990) — 86%
- The Secret: Dare to Dream (2020) — 81%
- Life in a Year (2020) — 90%
- Mrs. Miniver (1942) — 79%
- Spellbound (2011) — 83%
- Dangerous Beauty (1998) — 78%
- The Last Song (2010) — 82%
- The Best of Me (2014) — 84%
Director
Cast
- Jean Marais as La Bête / Le Prince / Avenant
- Josette Day as Belle
- Marcel André as Belle's Father
- Mila Parély as Félicie
- Nane Germon as Adélaïde
- Michel Auclair as Ludovic
- Raoul Marco as The Insurer
- Jean Cocteau as The Voice of Magic (uncredited)
- Noël Blin as Footman (uncredited)
- Christian Marquand as Footman (uncredited)
Beauty and the Beast FAQ
Is Beauty and the Beast good?
Beauty and the Beast has an 86% Kernel Score on Fresh Kernels from 655 audience ratings.
Where can I watch Beauty and the Beast?
In the US you can stream Beauty and the Beast on Kanopy and HBO Max, watch it free with ads on Kanopy, Hoopla, Shout! Factory TV, Plex and Tubi and rent it from Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango At Home.
Is Beauty and the Beast OK for kids?
Fresh Kernels suggests ages 6+. Parents need to know that this 1946 Beauty and the Beast is a classic romantic fantasy with mild themes of death and desire suitable for most family viewing.
What movies are like Beauty and the Beast?
If you liked Beauty and the Beast, try Edward Scissorhands, The Secret: Dare to Dream, Life in a Year and Mrs. Miniver.