Parents' Guide to

Barbie and the Diamond Castle

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Charming friendship tale ties into lots of toys.

Movie NR 2008 79 minutes
Barbie and the Diamond Castle Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 13 parent reviews

meydiana.rizki
meydiana.rizki Parent of 17-year-old
March 31, 2021
age 18+

2 Bestfriends.

I really love barbie especially Barbie and the Diamond Castle,the songs are very beautiful its so pleasing in the ear and it reminds me growing up watching barbie films again and again.Its really fun that I knew about this,I cant take the songs and the lyrics out of my mind.The songs was inspirational,I really understand the meaning behind those lyrics.I was thankful I didn't grew up without this or my childhood will be boring
Emma Jenkins
Emma Jenkins Adult
October 14, 2020
age 5+

Great Messages and Music

My favourite film as a kid, I was very timid and hated Mulan but there's nothing really that scary in this film. Slyder the dragon is comedic, and Lydia (the main villain) is on about the same level as a standard disney princess villain, if not less scary. The songs are mainly covers of songs by the Mexican band RBD, so are among the better of the barbie musicals. It shares great messages about friendship, and is one of the few Barbie films not to end in a wedding/the main love interests riding off into the sunset together. (Though looking back it was arguably the most LGBT representative film of my childhood.)

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 13 parent reviews

What's the Story?

BARBIE AND THE DIAMOND CASTLE is a story within a story. When Stacy (voiced by Stacie Chantal Strand) is having a fight with another friend, Barbie (Kelly Sheridan) and Teresa (Cassidy Ladden) tell her a story of a magical land, where two friends are confronted by a wayward muse who seeks to destroy all music but her own. In this land Barbie becomes Liana, and Teresa turns into a character called Alexa. They meet a girl trapped in a magical mirror who asks for their help getting back to the Diamond Castle, so that she can rescue the muses turned to stone by the malcontent muse Lydia (Kathleen Barr). The girls face hunger and loss of their home, they are tempted by promises, and their loyalties are tested.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (13):
Kids say (14):

Music is a central theme of this film, and it gilds the plot in a surprising aura of skillfully crafted songs. The general score, performed by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, is not cloying or overt, but rather serves to emphasize the theme of harmony among friends. Very young girls in particular will want to "play" Alexa and Lianna after they've seen the movie (and Mattel is happy to supply them with dolls and set pieces, of course).

Overall this is a mild film, which has a drifty ambience that may surprise adults with its watch-ability. The performances are not shrill, nor are the characters syrupy sweet or randomly evil. They seem actually rather innocent and self-effacing. And their tale is one with plenty of lessons. Connection and friendship are touted as being more important than having excess food, a closet full of clothes, or a bigger house. And loyalty trumps everything. Barbie says: "Real friends care even when you make a mistake." And she seems to mean it in this movie.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about friendship and what it means to be connected. Have you ever invited a new friend into your circle of old friends? Have your friendships ever been tested? Why did Alexa decide to stay in the mansion when she knew she was breaking her promise to Melody and Liana? Why are friends important, and how are they different than family? How are they similar?

Movie Details

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