Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Barbie makes big life decisions in fun interactive movie.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Barbie: Epic Road Trip
What's the Story?
In BARBIE: EPIC ROAD TRIP, Barbie (voiced by America Young) and her best friend Barbie (Tatiana Varria) pack up the pink van and head east from Malibu to Brooklyn. The two have been invited to audition as back-up singers for a well-known musician. Along the way, they will drop foster dogs off at forever homes found through sister Skipper's (Kirsten Day) new app. Along for the ride, Ken (Ritesh Rajan) will attempt to tell Barbie how he really feels about her.
Is It Any Good?
Considering the likely anticipated audience of younger kids, the portrayal of responsible, generous, and entrepreneurial young adults here is welcome. The interactivity of Barbie: Epic Road Trip also offers viewers an active and fun role in selecting outcomes for the characters. The narrative is woven together quite smoothly despite a range of alternative options to choose from. In each, Barbie and the gang behave responsibly and kindly, though she does appear to have to choose between love and career in most iterations. One other complaint: the writers could really drop the attempts at slang. Making "Brooklyn" Barbie say things like "cray," "tagging," and "swag" is forced and cringey. The dogs and their foster storyline add some sweetness to the tale.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the main messages for young women that they take away from Barbie: Epic Road Trip.
How do you think an interactive movie works? Did you try multiple options for the characters?
Were there some outcomes you preferred over others? Did you expect the ending to change so much with different choices? Was there one ending or path you liked more than others, and why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : October 25, 2022
- Cast : America Young , Ritesh Rajan , Tatiana Varria
- Director : Conrad Helten
- Inclusion Information : Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Animals , Friendship
- Run time : 36 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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