Disclosed are a mobile terminal and a method for controlling the same. A mobile terminal capable of performing a face recognition function includes a display unit, a camera for photographing a face image, and a controller for changing a locking state in which the execution of a function of the mobile terminal is limited to an unlocking state in which the execution of the function of the mobile is possible, based on that a face movement extracted from the face image photographed through the camera satisfies a predetermined condition. The controller displays, on the display unit, a graphic object related to a previously stored face movement. When the face movement extracted from the face image photographed through the camera corresponds to the previously stored face movement, the controller changes the locking state to the unlocking state.