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What it's about

There is a town in Maine where every story book character you've ever known is trapped between two worlds, victims of a powerful curse. Only one knows the truth and only one can break the spell.

Why 12

• Above the official rating, and whyRated TV-PG in the US (parental guidance suggested). We say 12: Fairy tales retold, darker than the animated movies, with blood after the sword fights, hearts ripped out by magic that kill, frightening villains and an Underworld, and families torn apart. Twelve on their own, eleven with a parent.
  reading
• Blood after the sword fightsSword fights leave visible wounds: the prince with a bloody shoulder in the very first episode, and later Captain Hook with his face smeared in blood. It's shown up close, but never as a gaping wound.
• Hearts ripped out by magicThe Evil Queen, and later other sorcerers, pull their victims' hearts out with a flick of the hand: the heart glows like red fruit, with no blood at all, and crushing it kills. It happens often, and it can stay with a young child.
• Villains who mean to scareCurses, creatures, threatening sorcerers and a trip to the Underworld: many scenes play out in the dark, with screams and jump scares.
• Families torn apart, beloved deathsThe story is about abandoned children and parents cut off from their kids by a curse, and several beloved characters die: sad moments that are better shared.

What the series brings

• A sweeping saga of retold fairy tales about family, hope and second chances, one that gives even the villains a story of their own.

Watching it together

Season by season

the reading per season, episode by episode · expand

Season 1 · 22 episodes, 43 min on average

What's in each episode, without telling the story:

Episode	What's in it
1 · Pilot	Blood, for a long time on screen; frightening images; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
2 · The Thing You Love Most	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images.
3 · Snow Falls	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; the monster in plain sight; fights.
4 · The Price of Gold	Deaths told; frightening images.
5 · That Still Small Voice	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; ends on a tense note.
6 · The Shepherd	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; fights.
7 · The Heart is a Lonely Hunter	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; alcohol.
8 · Desperate Souls	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing.
9 · True North	Deaths told; frightening images.
10 · 7:15 A.M.	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; fights; alcohol.
11 · Fruit of the Poisonous Tree	Deaths told; some swearing; alcohol.
12 · Skin Deep	Deaths told; ends on a tense note.
13 · What Happened to Frederick	Blood on screen; frightening images; alcohol.
14 · Dreamy	Many dark scenes; alcohol.
15 · Red-Handed	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
16 · Heart of Darkness	Deaths told; frightening images; alcohol.
17 · Hat Trick	Deaths told; frightening images.
18 · The Stable Boy	Deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; ends on a tense note.
19 · The Return	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; lots of weapons.
20 · The Stranger	Deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing.
21 · An Apple Red as Blood	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; fights.
22 · A Land Without Magic	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; ends on a tense note.

Season 2 · 22 episodes, 43 min on average

What's in each episode, without telling the story:

Episode	What's in it
1 · Broken	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
2 · We Are Both	Deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; ends on a tense note.
3 · Lady of the Lake	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; the monster in plain sight; scary music and jump scares; lots of weapons; alcohol.
4 · The Crocodile	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
5 · The Doctor	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; ends on a tense note.
6 · Tallahassee	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; alcohol.
7 · Child of the Moon	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; the monster in plain sight; scary music and jump scares; ends on a tense note.
8 · Into the Deep	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; alcohol.
9 · Queen of Hearts	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; frightening images; ends on a tense note.
10 · The Cricket Game	Deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; alcohol.
11 · The Outsider	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; fights.
12 · In the Name of the Brother	Blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; alcohol.
13 · Tiny	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; fights; lots of weapons; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
14 · Manhattan	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
15 · The Queen Is Dead	Deaths told; frightening images.
16 · The Miller's Daughter	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares.
17 · Welcome to Storybrooke	Deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; alcohol.
18 · Selfless, Brave and True	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; alcohol.
19 · Lacey	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; drugs mentioned; alcohol.
20 · The Evil Queen	Many dark scenes; deaths told; fights; some swearing.
21 · Second Star to the Right	Deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; ends on a tense note.
22 · And Straight on 'Til Morning	Deaths shown; frightening images; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.

Season 3 · 22 episodes, 43 min on average

What's in each episode, without telling the story:

Episode	What's in it
1 · The Heart of the Truest Believer	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; some swearing; alcohol.
2 · Lost Girl	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; fights; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
3 · Quite a Common Fairy	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; some swearing.
4 · Nasty Habits	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; fights; some swearing.
5 · Good Form	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; frightening images; scary music; fights; some swearing; alcohol.
6 · Ariel	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; frightening images.
7 · Dark Hollow	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; frightening images; ends on a tense note.
8 · Think Lovely Thoughts	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; ends on a tense note.
9 · Save Henry	More than half the episode in the dark; deaths shown; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
10 · The New Neverland	Deaths told; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
11 · Going Home	Deaths told; frightening images; scary music; some swearing; drugs mentioned; ends on a tense note.
12 · New York City Serenade	Blood on screen; frightening images; some swearing; alcohol.
13 · Witch Hunt	Many dark scenes; deaths told; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
14 · The Tower	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; scary music; ends on a tense note.
15 · Quiet Minds	Deaths shown; frightening images; some swearing; alcohol.
16 · It's Not Easy Being Green	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
17 · The Jolly Roger	Many dark scenes; deaths told; some swearing; alcohol.
18 · Bleeding Through	Deaths told; frightening images; alcohol.
19 · A Curious Thing	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images.
20 · Kansas	Deaths shown; ends on a tense note.
21 · Snow Drifts	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; some swearing; alcohol.
22 · There's No Place Like Home	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing; ends on a tense note.

Season 4 · 21 episodes, 47 min on average

What's in each episode, without telling the story:

Episode	What's in it
1 · A Tale of Two Sisters	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; the monster in plain sight; lots of weapons.
2 · White Out	Blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; alcohol.
3 · Rocky Road	Deaths told; frightening images; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
4 · The Apprentice	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; a lot of swearing; drugs mentioned; alcohol.
5 · Breaking Glass	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
6 · Family Business	Frightening images; scary music; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
7 · The Snow Queen	Deaths told; frightening images.
8 · Smash the Mirror (1)	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
10 · Fall	Deaths told; frightening images; scary music; fights; ends on a tense note.
11 · Shattered Sight	Deaths told; frightening images; lots of weapons; some swearing.
12 · Heroes and Villains	Deaths told; frightening images; ends on a tense note.
13 · Darkness on the Edge of Town	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; the monster in plain sight; scary music and jump scares; some swearing.
14 · Unforgiven	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; some swearing; drugs mentioned.
15 · Enter the Dragon	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; scary music; some swearing.
16 · Poor Unfortunate Soul	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told; scary music and jump scares; some swearing.
17 · Best Laid Plans	Many dark scenes; deaths told; scary music and jump scares; ends on a tense note.
18 · Heart of Gold	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
19 · Sympathy for the De Vil	Deaths told; the monster in plain sight; scary music and jump scares; ends on a tense note.
20 · Lily	Blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
21 · Mother	Deaths told; the monster in plain sight; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
22 · Operation Mongoose (1)	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; lots of weapons; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.

Season 5 · 22 episodes, 45 min on average

What's in each episode, without telling the story:

Episode	What's in it
1 · The Dark Swan	Blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
2 · The Price	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
3 · Siege Perilous	Blood, for a long time on screen; alcohol.
4 · The Broken Kingdom	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images.
5 · Dreamcatcher	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; some swearing.
6 · The Bear and the Bow	Blood on screen; deaths told; the monster in plain sight; fights; some swearing.
7 · Nimue	Blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; scary music; alcohol.
8 · Birth	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing.
9 · The Bear King	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; the monster in plain sight; fights; alcohol.
10 · Broken Heart	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
11 · Swan Song	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; scary music; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
12 · Souls of the Departed	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told; scary music; ends on a tense note.
13 · Labor of Love	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
14 · Devil's Due	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; scary music; some swearing.
15 · The Brothers Jones	Many dark scenes; deaths told; some swearing; drugs mentioned; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
16 · Our Decay	Many dark scenes; scary music; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
17 · Her Handsome Hero	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; frightening images.
18 · Ruby Slippers	Many dark scenes; deaths told; alcohol.
19 · Sisters	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; drugs mentioned; ends on a tense note.
20 · Firebird	Blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; a lot of swearing.
21 · Last Rites	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
22 · Only You	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; fights; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.

Season 6 · 21 episodes, 45 min on average

What's in each episode, without telling the story:

Episode	What's in it
1 · The Savior	Blood on screen; deaths told; some swearing; alcohol.
2 · A Bitter Draught	Many dark scenes; deaths told; some swearing; alcohol.
3 · The Other Shoe	Deaths told; frightening images; and a lot of laughs, 21% of the episode.
4 · Strange Case	Blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; frightening images; alcohol.
5 · Street Rats	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told.
6 · Dark Waters	Many dark scenes; deaths told; scary music; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
7 · Heartless	Blood on screen; deaths shown; frightening images; lots of weapons; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
8 · I'll Be Your Mirror	Nearly half in the dark; blood on screen; deaths told; scary music.
9 · Changelings	Many dark scenes; deaths told; scary music; lots of weapons.
10 · Wish You Were Here	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing.
11 · Tougher Than the Rest	Many dark scenes; deaths told; ends on a tense note.
12 · Murder Most Foul	Many dark scenes; deaths told; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
13 · Ill-Boding Patterns	Many dark scenes; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; scary music and jump scares; alcohol.
14 · Page 23	Many dark scenes; deaths told.
15 · A Wondrous Place	Many dark scenes; deaths told; scary music; some swearing; drugs mentioned; alcohol.
16 · Mother's Little Helper	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths shown; scary music; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
17 · Awake	Scary music; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
18 · Where Bluebirds Fly	Many dark scenes; the monster in plain sight; scary music and jump scares.
19 · The Black Fairy	Many dark scenes; blood on screen; deaths told; scary music; some swearing; drugs mentioned; ends on a tense note.
20 · The Song in Your Heart	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; some swearing.
21 · The Final Battle (1)	Deaths told; frightening images; lots of weapons; some swearing.

Season 7 · 22 episodes, 43 min on average

What's in each episode, without telling the story:

Episode	What's in it
1 · Hyperion Heights	Deaths told; frightening images; some swearing; alcohol.
2 · A Pirate's Life	Many dark scenes; deaths told; some swearing; alcohol.
3 · The Garden of Forking Paths	Many dark scenes; deaths told; some swearing; alcohol.
4 · Beauty	Deaths told; some swearing; drugs mentioned; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
5 · Greenbacks	Many dark scenes; scary music; some swearing; drugs mentioned; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
6 · Wake Up Call	Many dark scenes; deaths told; scary music; alcohol.
7 · Eloise Gardener	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; scary music; some swearing; alcohol.
8 · Pretty in Blue	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; drugs mentioned; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
9 · One Little Tear	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; scary music; ends on a tense note.
10 · The Eighth Witch	Many dark scenes; deaths told; frightening images; scary music; some swearing; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
11 · Secret Garden	Nearly half in the dark; blood on screen; deaths told; frightening images; scary music; some swearing; drugs mentioned; ends on a tense note.
12 · A Taste of the Heights	Many dark scenes; deaths told; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
13 · Knightfall	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; scary music.
14 · The Girl in the Tower	More than half the episode in the dark; deaths told; the monster in plain sight; scary music and jump scares; some swearing.
15 · Sisterhood	More than half the episode in the dark; deaths told; scary music; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
16 · Breadcrumbs	Many dark scenes; deaths told; fights; and a lot of laughs, 21% of the episode.
17 · Chosen	Nearly half in the dark; deaths told; frightening images; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
18 · The Guardian	Many dark scenes; deaths told; scary music; some swearing.
19 · Flower Child	Many dark scenes; deaths told; scary music and jump scares; alcohol; ends on a tense note.
20 · Is This Henry Mills?	Nearly half in the dark; scary music and jump scares; some swearing; ends on a tense note.
21 · Homecoming	More than half the episode in the dark; blood, for a long time on screen; deaths told; scary music; some swearing; alcohol.
22 · Leaving Storybrooke	Many dark scenes; deaths shown; frightening images; some swearing.

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A zinema reading from November 1, 2026 · the 152 episodes of 7 seasons, watched one by one · the age by zinema's rules for the US and France, and a human reading · report an error · how this guide is made