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Parents' Guide to

Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams

By Jennifer Borget, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

Barbie musical promotes friendship and positive messages.

Movie NR 2022 63 minutes
Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 5+

Based on 6 parent reviews

age 5+

Friendship; Great Music

age 6+

Clean Just not the best Barbie movie out there

The movie is just "okay" when compared to older Barbie movies. Netflix really has ruined Barbie movies sadly. The entertainment quality and messages do not meet Barbie standards in our families opinion. The songs did not have the same magical, "get stuck in your head" type of effect. The lyrics made little sense at times. We liked the storyline idea though. It was the execution by Netflix that was really the issue. It is appropriate for kids to watch and they will enjoy it. But our 10 year old says "it's just not the same Barbie." I would say age 6 and up only because it's the Father of one of the girls that is the "bad guy" as well as divorce being mentioned. Really depends on the kiddo though.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6 ):
Kids say (7 ):

The Barbie franchise continues to evolve and showcase Barbie surrounded by a diverse cast and positive messages with talented girls and women. This movie takes it a step further by introducing not just another friend of Barbie, but an equally talented teen known as Barbie Roberts herself. But this Barbie is from Brooklyn, has dark skin, wears her hair in braids, and even wraps her hair at night. It's refreshing to see two heroines immediately hit it off and decide to help one another instead of seeing each other as rivals. Themes about friendship over competition are simple enough for the youngest viewers to understand. They may also enjoy the various elements of a performing arts school, with classes from band to dance and even fencing. The R&B and pop songs in Barbie: Big City, Big Dreams are catchy. This and the easy-to-follow plot makes it a cute story that should entertain its intended audience.

Movie Details

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