Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Woo-oo! Adventure, fun, and laughs abound in Disney reboot.
Parents Need to Know
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Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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DuckTales
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 17 parent reviews
Based on 51 kid reviews
Kids say that the rebooted series is a hit among modern audiences, embracing exciting adventures and family themes while showcasing character growth and diversity. However, some long-time fans of the original express disappointment over changed character personalities, voice actors, and the overall animation style, often favoring the nostalgia of the original show.
- reboot mixed reviews
- strong family themes
- character development
- modern humor
- new animation style
- audience age range
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In DUCKTALES, Donald Duck's (voiced by Tony Anselmo) impish nephews -- Huey (Danny Pudi), Dewey (Ben Schwartz), and Louie (Bobby Moynihan) -- embark on adventures beyond their wildest dreams when their great-uncle, famed explorer Scrooge McDuck (David Tennant), takes them under his wing. Having gotten over the shock of learning their relation to the reclusive bajillionaire, the boys quickly embrace their family legacy of adventure and join Uncle Scrooge, navigator Launchpad McQuack (Beck Bennett), and their new friend Webby (Kate Micucci) on journeys to faraway places to discover lost cities and reveal hidden treasures. But where Scrooge goes, enemies inevitably follow, and the ducks must outwit the likes of Flintlock Glomgold (Keith Ferguson) to safeguard their quarry.
Is It Any Good?
These tales of adventure are a treasure unto themselves and definitely worth a remake nearly three decades after the original series premiered. DuckTales' appeal never has been bound by generation, thanks to clever writing and all-around endearing characters. Now that its original kid viewers are parents themselves, there's even more reason to anticipate its positive reception among audiences. Fans of the original will notice some small tweaks to the characters mostly (Donald Duck's glory days as a storied adventurer, for one), but nostalgia, the show's classic look, and a familiar theme song just begging for you to sing along (Woo-oo!) add up to a true winner.
Of course, staying true to a 30-year-old show also preserves some traits that stand out more prominently in a modern light, especially with regard to gender representation. DuckTales' is a heavily male cast, with only young Webby and to a lesser degree, her grandmother, Mrs. Beakley (Scrooge's housekeeper, voiced by Toks Olagundoye), as regularly featured females. It doesn't do the show a disservice, but in light of a younger generation's heightened awareness of such matters, it might raise some questions from your kids about related topics.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about this show's representation of a family. Does family always mean people who are biologically related? Do the characters' families extend beyond biology? Who else do they consider part of their family?
What special traits does Webby bring to this adventurous group? Is she capable of everything the boys do? How might the show be different if the cast was more balanced in gender? As it stands, is it necessarily a bad thing?
How does meeting his nephews inspire Scrooge to change? Kids: Have you ever had an experience that has changed your priorities?
How do the characters in the show exhibit curiosity? Why do you think this is an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 12, 2017
- Cast : David Tennant , Tony Anselmo , Bobby Moynihan
- Network : Disney XD
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- Character Strengths : Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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