Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kids imagine ghosts, plan to run away in sweet adaptation.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance
What's the Story?
Ivy (Keslee Blalock) and Bean (Madison Skye Validum) convince their parents to let them sign up for ballet classes in IVY + BEAN: DOOMED TO DANCE. Convinced they'll get to sword fight bad guys like in a book they've read, they show up to day one of class with capes and weapons. Their teacher (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), who goes by "Monsieur Joie" and peppers his speech with exaggerated French words, isn't amused. He pushes the two awkward dancers to the side, casting them as "friendly squid" in an upcoming performance. Bean's parents won't let her quit, so the girls hatch a series of plans to try to get out of the recital.
Is It Any Good?
The third in the new book-based series from Netflix is the weakest yet, but it's still good, sweet fun. Ivy + Bean: Doomed to Dance trades in Cruella-style baddies for a male nemesis in pretentious ballet instructor "Monsieur Joie." The character is played with campy joie by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who's priceless when he spins out of frame and ballet-leaps across a parking lot. His cat sweater-sporting mother hilariously revels in her irritating son's misfortunes. Ivy and Bean's world is magical and their friendship delightful. May the series live on.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the Ivy + Bean films compare with the books, if you've read them. What surprised you? What can films do better than books, and vice versa?
How do the class teacher and the dance instructor differ as educators? How do they deal with Bean and Ivy differently?
Ivy's mom says she can quit ballet after the first day, but Bean's mother says she can't. Which parent did you agree with, and why?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 2, 2022
- Cast : Madison Skye Validum , Keslee Blalock , Jesse Tyler Ferguson
- Director : Elissa Down
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Arts , Book Characters , Friendship , Animals ( Ocean Creatures )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 53 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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