Why Everyone Still Loves The Parent Trap

If you're looking for a movie the whole family can enjoy together, you can't go wrong with The Parent Trap. Both the original 1961 film and the 1998 remake have captured hearts across decades with their warm mix of family-friendly humour. There's more to the cherished classic, though: Parenting experts say the film offers some thoughtful and timeless parenting insights.

"The Parent Trap gives kids and adults a safe way to explore big themes like family separation, identity and reconciliation in a way that feels fun and hopeful," says Allie Szczecinski, a special education expert, author and social-emotional learning coach. "Plus, there’s something super compelling about kids taking charge of their own stories that empowers kids and reminds adults how capable kids can be."

If you haven't seen The Parent Trap yet and are curious to learn more, you're in luck: Ahead, we'll give you a closer look at the film's plot, highlight some meaningful themes for family discussion and let you know where you and your loved ones can watch this classic together.

The Parent Trap movies

The Parent Trap is a beloved story that's charmed audiences twice: first with its 1961 debut (starring Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith as the parents, with Hayley Mills playing the dual role of the main characters) and again with the 1998 remake (featuring Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson and Lindsay Lohan). Although the remake features a different cast and modernized plot points and names, the heart of the story remains the same. We asked Illinois-based family therapist Sue English to sum up the plot and essential characters.

"The Parent Trap tells the story of identical twin girls who are separated at birth when their parents divorce," explains English. "One twin is raised by their mother in London, the other by their father in California. Meeting by chance at summer camp, they discover their true relationship and decide to switch places to reunite with the parent they've never known. Their ultimate goal is to bring their parents back together and reunite their family."

Here's a breakdown of the major characters from the 1998 film, with some insights from English on what seems to make them tick.

Annie

Annie, portrayed by a 12-year-old Lindsay Lohan, is one-half of the film's twin duo. "She is the identical twin from London with a refined personality and high attention to detail. She leans toward introversion," explains English. "Her poise and perfectionism are likely shaped by the high standards set by her mother."

Hallie

Then there's Hallie, Annie's identical twin sister. "She is the identical twin raised in California with a spontaneous, bold and witty personality," explains English. "She displays high extraversion, openness and assertiveness. She plays the rebellious adaptive child role."

Elizabeth James

"Elizabeth is the mother of twins in the film," English explains. "She raised Annie in London and is elegant and emotionally reserved, yet loving. She demonstrates emotional repression, possibly due to unresolved marital grief. She also exhibits secure attachment with Annie but avoids relational conflict, indicating passive-avoidant tendencies."

Nick Parker

Nick is the girls' father. "He raised Hallie in California and comes across as grounded and emotionally available, but with some conflict-avoidant characteristics," English states. "He also shows traits of agreeableness and sociability yet avoids addressing the past, using a laissez-faire coping style."

Meredith Blake

Meredith Blake is the main antagonist of the 1998 film. "She is Nick’s gold-digging fiancée, who is controlling and self-serving," says English. "Her presence intensifies the twins' alliance and highlights the family’s fractured emotional boundaries."

Core themes for family discussion

Kelsey Feldman, a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, says that The Parent Trap films have several core themes that contribute to its popularity among audiences.

Divorce

Divorce and its effects on families is a core theme in The Parent Trap. Feldman notes that twins Hallie and Annie might not show dramatic signs of distress, but their emotional responses show how kids internalize divorce. "Annie’s longing for her dad and Hallie’s awkwardness around her mom reflects unspoken grief," she says. "Even years later, they’re craving a more complete understanding of their family and their place in it. The film gently reminds us that children carry the emotional weight of family fractures, often without words."

Identity and self-discovery

Feldman suggests that the twins’ discovery of each other is more than just a fun plot point. "It’s a powerful metaphor for reclaiming missing parts of themselves," she says. "They were unknowingly living in emotional halves, and their reunion sparks not only sibling connection but a deep identity integration. Navigating dual identities, new family members, different cultures, different parenting styles—it reflects the very real complexity many children face after divorce, adoption or major family transitions."

Family reunification

Feldman suggests that family reunification is another important theme in The Parent Trap. She explains that real-life reunions are, of course, usually more complicated than they appear in the film—still, she notes, it does a good job of showing how much children want to see their parents connected, even if it's not in a romantic way.

Sibling bonds

Annie and Hallie's bond is at the heart of The Parent Trap. As Feldman explains, "It reflects the deep, often inexplicable attachment between siblings, especially when those relationships serve as mirrors to one's identity. Their connection feels magical, but it’s also grounded in something very real: a shared longing for wholeness, for a sibling who just gets you, even if you’ve never met. This kind of bond can be profoundly stabilizing in childhood, especially during major life transitions."

The power of communication

In the story, Elizabeth and Nick's struggles to talk things through and resolve conflict leads to lasting emotional effects, for themselves and for their daughters as well. "The film shows us that when communication is absent, children are often the ones who feel the gap most deeply," Feldman says. "Healing only begins when the parents finally open up and truly listen to each other."

What parents can learn from the movie

The Parent Trap is nothing short of an entertaining watch, but it raises deeper questions about family dynamics. For example, as New-York-based clinical psychologist Dr. Jaci Lopez Witmer points out, the film's title and storyline can be interpreted as both a literal and emotional 'trap' for the characters.

"The parents tried to contain the fallout of their breakup by making a clean split and each taking a twin," Lopez Witmer explains. "However, in doing so, they created an invisible loss for their children and themselves. It's a reflection of the way we sometimes make reactive decisions in painful moments that seem self-protective, but compound hurt over time."

The movie also highlights the importance of prioritizing children's well-being over parental disagreements, especially during a divorce. Child and adolescent therapist Alexandra Bennett notes that children often internalize blame for their parents' separation, which can result in lingering feelings of guilt and self-blame. "By making the child's needs the central focus, parents can help reduce conflict and ensure that decisions are made with their children's best interests in mind, ultimately fostering a healthier family dynamic," she suggests.

Co-parenting is another important lesson parents can take from The Parent Trap. Bennett stresses that communication is the cornerstone of a successful co-parenting relationship, and this message comes through in the film. "It can be easy to make decisions based on feelings about an ex-partner or the strained relationship, but it is important to take a step back to focus on the child’s needs first," she says. "To ensure stability across homes, it is essential to have consistent routines and expectations."

Finally, the theme of keeping secrets runs through the film, most notably in the sisters' discovery of each other at summer camp. While this makes for a fun plot twist, Bennett warns that keeping secrets from children can have serious consequences. "A major consequence of keeping significant secrets from children is the development of mistrust toward their caregivers," she explains. "While some parents believe that it is better to shield children from significant secrets, these secrets are likely to come to light eventually. Trust is one of the core foundations of healthy attachment styles, and developing mistrust at a young age can negatively impact relationships across their lifespan."

Discussing the movie's themes with your children

Maria Grace Wolk, a psychotherapist and trauma expert in California, says that parents should use The Parent Trap as a springboard for conversations with their kids about sensitive topics. "Parents can use the movie as a 'story bridge,'" she suggests. "This is a storytelling approach using a movie, book or scene that opens the door from guarded silence to meaningful connections. It allows children and adults to explore uncomfortable feelings, difficult conversations or unspoken truths through the safety of story, rather than direct confrontation."

Wolk suggests that one way parents can use use the story bridge technique is by watching the movie together with curiosity. "Sit together and enjoy the movie—without turning it into a lesson," she advises. "When you are done watching it, you can try using these dialogue prompts: 'That part was kind of sad—how do you think Hallie felt there?' 'What would you do if you found out you had a secret twin?' This keeps the conversation light and playful while planting seeds for deeper reflection. Kids may not open up right away, but they’ll keep thinking."

Parents can also use this movie to help them explain divorce to their children—that sometimes it's necessary for growth and well-being, Wolk says. "You might say, 'Sometimes grown-ups decide to live apart, not because they don’t care about their family, but because being separated can help them be healthier and kinder people. It doesn’t mean they love you any less. What do you think about that?'" she suggests. "This helps reassure children that family changes don’t mean a loss of love."

Similarly, Wolk suggests using the movie as a starting point for discussing blended families or introducing new family members. "You might say, 'Meeting someone new in your family, like a stepparent or a parent’s partner, can be exciting, confusing or even frustrating. What do you think makes someone feel welcome or unwanted in a family?'" she says.

Why families still love it

No matter which version you prefer, The Parent Trap continues to charm audiences across generations thanks to those core themes of family, love and identity.

"The movie does a great job of exploring identity in a literal sense—twins discovering each other—and an emotional sense—figuring out where you belong and what 'family' really means," Szczecinski says. "For kids especially, it models what it looks like to navigate complex feelings like longing, confusion and hope, all while showing that love and connection are always worth working for." Szczecinski also praises the fun of watching one actress play two distinct personalities, which she says subtly teaches social awareness.

Ultimately, The Parent Trap is always going to be a feel-good movie the whole family will love. "At its core, this movie is about hope and second chances," Szczecinski says. "Kids see themselves in the twins’ cleverness and determination, while adults get a story of healing and reconnection. Everyone walks away rooting for love—not just romantic love, but the deep, unconditional kind that inspires us to work things out, even when it’s hard."

Where to watch The Parent Trap today

• Both versions of The Parent Trap are available to stream on Disney+.

• You can also rent or purchase digital copies of The Parent Trap films on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Vudu.

• Both versions of this movie are available on DVD, and in some cases, Blu-Ray.

• Availability can change, so make sure you check specific platforms before viewing.

Experts:

• Allie Szczecinski is an experienced special educator, author, and social-emotional learning (SEL) coach.
• Sue English, MSW, LCSW, CADC, is a licensed family therapist.
• Kelsey Feldman, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist.
• Dr. Jaci Lopez Witmer, Psy.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist.
• Alexandra Bennett, LCSW, is a child and adolescent therapist.
• Maria Grace Wolk is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma expert, and TEDx speaker.