Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ponies turn into teens in cute but highly commercial 'toon.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
My Little Pony: Equestria Girls
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 16 parent reviews
Based on 48 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is a fun and entertaining watch that blends nostalgia with positive messages about friendship and self-acceptance, appealing to both younger audiences and older fans of the original show. Some reviewers, however, caution that it contains mild themes that may not be suitable for very young children, particularly in relation to the storyline and character designs.
- fun and entertaining
- positive messages
- mild themes
- nostalgia factor
- suitable for tweens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA GIRLS, newly crowned Princess Twilight Sparkle (voiced by Tara Strong) attends her first Princess Summit with her Ponyville friends in tow. Jealous of Twilight's position, the status-seeking Sunset Shimmer (Rebecca Shoichet) tries to steal the crown, but it falls through a magical mirror. After Sunset Shimmer follows the crown through the portal, Princess Celestia (Nicole Oliver) instructs Twilight to go alone on a mission to retrieve her crown. Twilight's pet dragon Spike (Cathy Weseluck) manages to sneak through with her, and when they land on the other side, the princess is human and Spike ends up a dog. In the parallel universe, Twilight, now a teen girl, encounters the human versions of all her friends at school, flirts with a boy named Flash, all while tracking down her crown before Sunset Shimmer claims it.
Is It Any Good?
The dimension travel conceit here -- the magic mirror as a portal to another world -- is incredibly simple, as is the animation, so even the littlest viewers will understand what's happening. It's fashionable to be enamored with the My Little Pony franchise; just walk into any middle school or a teen-friendly T-shirt store, and you'll find that the pony craze goes way beyond preschool-aged girls (heard of Bronies?). So it's no surprise that Hasbro is putting a spin on their cash cow of the pony universe to literally transform the ponies into teenagers.
Serious pony fans will get a big laugh out of seeing characters like Pinkie Pie, Apple Jack, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash in teen form, but with their same unique personality traits in My Little Pony: Equestria Girls. Pinkie Pie is particularly hilarious as the super peppy, fast-talking fall formal organizer. As for the villain Sunset Shimmer, she's a perfect "mean girl" who bullies and intimidates everyone at the school. It's sweet relief, therefore, when Twilight Sparkle inevitably defeats Sunset Shimmer's Machiavellian ploy for total control. Pony power indeed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the ponies transition into teenagers in the other world in My Little Pony: Equestria Girls. Do their personalities stay the same in the alternate universe?
At the beginning of the story, Twilight isn't sure she "has what it takes" to be a princess. What events make her realize she can be a good leader?
How familiar are you with the My Little Pony characters and toys? Does seeing the movie make you want to get the associated toys? Would you have wanted to see the movie if you didn't already watch My Little Pony or have some of the ponies?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 16, 2013
- On DVD or streaming : August 6, 2013
- Cast : Andrea Libman , Ashleigh Ball , Tara Strong
- Director : Jayson Thiessen
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Shout! Factory
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , Animals
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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