Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Positive social messages in likable Arthur special.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
D.W. and the Beastly Birthday
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In D.W. AND THE BEASTLY BIRTHDAY, it's D.W.'s (voiced by Christian Distefano) fifth birthday, and she couldn't be more excited. She's been dropping hints for weeks about a certain new toy, she's planned her party and her guest list, and she's told her parents exactly how she wants her cake. But what does she get? A rainy day, one party disappointment after another, and no coveted gift. So when her imaginary friend Nadine (Hayley Reynolds) gives her a ticket to a magical island that grants every wish, D.W. is sure this is the answer. Meanwhile, Arthur (Jacob Ursomarzo) heads to the planetarium with his friends instead of attending his little sister's party, but a glimpse into the future makes him rethink his haste to avoid spending time with her.
Is It Any Good?
This enjoyable TV special puts its characters in relatable predicaments that teach kids important lessons about looking past themselves and considering other people's feelings. D.W. is hardly a rarity as the self-centered 5-year-old who considers her special day ruined when a friend's outfit outshines her own, and her coping mechanism -- hiding from everyone to test their dedication to finding her -- will ring true with many kids. The story puts her road to awareness in a realistic context, letting her enjoy the power of always getting her way for a while before she acknowledges that these kinds of relationships aren't avenues to happiness.
Arthur's change of heart is less formulaic but still very effective in communicating its own positive message about the importance of valuing sibling relationships. D.W. and the Beastly Birthday's lessons stand out in this story that's engaging enough for parents to watch with their kids. You don't need to be an Arthur fan already to enjoy what this special has to offer, but it will help you better understand the characters' relationships from the start.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about coping with disappointment. Kids: Can you relate to D.W.'s feelings in D.W. and the Beastly Birthday about her party and gifts? Is it OK to show it when you're disappointed about something? What about when doing so might hurt someone else's feelings?
How do the characters show their changing commitment to being compassionate? What other positive qualities do you see in their behavior? Why is compassion an important character strength?
D.W. and Arthur learned their lessons by way of some magical journeys. How do you stay open to learning in everyday life? When you're faced with something you've done wrong, do you accept it as an opportunity to change for the better?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 2, 2017
- On DVD or streaming : August 14, 2018
- Cast : Christian Distefano , Jacob Ursomarzo , Hayley Reynolds
- Director : Greg Bailey
- Studio : PBS Distribution
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion
- Run time : 56 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate