Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Product placement, iffy body images in creative series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 8 parent reviews
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say that the show provides a positive viewing experience for younger audiences, emphasizing themes of individuality, friendship, and the importance of making one's own choices over following societal expectations. Many reviews highlight its bright animation, engaging characters, and strong messages, while some also note concerns regarding body image and consumerism tied to its doll line origins.
- positive messages
- engaging characters
- body image concerns
- bright animation
- individuality focus
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
EVER AFTER HIGH is an animated series set in a boarding school attended by the sons and daughters of fairy tale celebrities. At the heart of the story is Raven Queen (voiced by Erin Fitzgerald), the daughter of the Evil Queen of Snow White fame, who's struggling with what her teachers say is her destiny: to follow in the footsteps of her nefarious mother or risk ceasing to exist. But Raven has no desire to be evil, which aligns her with the school's "Rebels," who believe in free will over fate. It also puts her at odds with classmate Apple White (Jonquil Goode), leader of the "Royals" clan, who feels that Raven's questioning her destiny seriously threatens the course of her own since their stories intertwine. With ideology driving a wedge between the Ever After High students, there's much doubt as to whether anyone will find a happily-ever-after.
Is It Any Good?
Much like Monster High, Ever After High is a joint Mattel endeavor of fashion dolls and a Web series. The marketing scheme is brilliant, of course, since those who watch the show inevitably will develop favorites among the characters and want the accompanying toys. There's nothing new here, as plenty of TV shows double as commercials for action figures and accessories, but the commercial angle is a factor to consider. You'll also want to scrutinize the subliminal messages about body image sent by the dolls themselves, who are impossibly thin, elaborately outfitted, and who (in the case of the girls anyway) defy the very laws of anatomical structure in their teetering high heels. The presentation is less like high school and more like a never-ending fashion show, but it is fun, and the creative interplay among the teens is especially entertaining if you know your fairy tales.
That said, there's something likable about how many of the characters address the show's burning question: Is destiny something you have to accept, or can you change yours by the choices you make? It's an issue that causes much strife among the teens and casts some of them as petulant and self-absorbed, but Raven's actions show kids the value in standing up to peer (and sometimes adult) pressure and doing what you know in your heart is right, even if it's not easy. It's also a good reminder that people usually are more than what their appearances suggest.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the relationship between TV and movie characters and products such as toys, games, and accessories. Kids: If you like a character, are you more inclined to want items that have his or her image on them? Do you find yourself drawn to certain toys in the store because of what you see on TV?
Is Raven a good role model? Following her heart sometimes puts her at odds with adults. Is that OK in this case? Who do you think is right? Why do many of her peers feel differently from how she does?
Kids: Do you ever feel pressured to look or act a certain way because of your friends? Can peer pressure ever be a good thing? When it's a negative influence, how can you best cope with it?
TV Details
- Premiere date : May 30, 2014
- Cast : Erin Fitzgerald , Wendee Lee , Jonquil Goode
- Networks : Netflix , Online
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic , Fairy Tales ) , School ( High School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 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