Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sweet Disney tale has great messages about friendship.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Princess Protection Program
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 26 parent reviews
Based on 53 kid reviews
Kids say this movie is incredibly cute and heartwarming, focusing on the themes of friendship, self-worth, and kindness, making it perfect for younger audiences and family nights. While many appreciate the positive messages and the chemistry between the lead actresses, some critics find the plot predictable and aimed more at children under 13, noting that it may not hold the interest of older viewers.
- cute movie
- friendship theme
- positive messages
- suitable for kids
- predictable plot
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Princess Rosalinda Marie Montoya Fiore (Demi Lovato) is one month away from her coronation as queen of her tiny island nation of Costa Luna when a political rival plots a takeover and threatens her life. Fortunately she's being watched out for by the top-secret Princess Protection Program, and special agent Joe Mason (Tom Verica) is able to whisk her away to the safety and anonymity of his home in rural Louisiana until the situation can be resolved. But Rosalinda's new living situation is fraught with perils of its own -- like Joe's daughter, Carter (Selena Gomez), who takes offense at playing hostess to the princess-in-hiding. Rosalinda (now under the alias "Rosie") certainly has a lot to learn about average teenage life, but the more she and Carter get to know each other, the more each realizes she has a lot to teach the other about true friendship and inner beauty.
Is It Any Good?
Leave it to Disney to improve upon the classic princess story with this charming tale that features not one but two admirable young heroines. (Gomez and Lovato complement each other so well that it's impossible to say whether one steals the show from the other.) The movie outdoes itself with positive content about integrity, friendship, and the true nature of inner beauty. PRINCESS PROTECTION PROGRAM is a relatable modern-day fairy tale for tween girls learning to traverse the social minefield of peer relations.
In a surprising twist, the story skips the romantic subplot typical of many princess tales and opts instead for empowering messages of self-reliance for its young female viewers. Although much of the content revolves around a homecoming dance, the girls dismiss the popular guys' shallow attempts at getting their attention in favor of spending time with their true friends. Need more reasons to tune in? The movie is unencumbered by those pesky product tie-ins that plague many of its peers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the story's themes of friendship and self-acceptance. How did Rosie and Carter help each other? How did their friendship evolve?
How was the girls' relationship impacted by each one's instinct to judge the other based on appearance? Have you ever pre-judged someone incorrectly? How did you feel afterward?
Do you agree with the movie's messages about inner beauty? Who in your life do you consider to have inner beauty? What do you admire about them?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 26, 2009
- On DVD or streaming : June 30, 2009
- Cast : Demi Lovato , Selena Gomez , Tom Verica
- Director : Allison Liddi-Brown
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Non-Binary Movie Actor(s) , Pansexual Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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