Fantasy Island (2021)
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Seductive, mystical remake has innuendo, drinking, violence.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Fantasy Island (2021)
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
FANTASY ISLAND, a reboot of the popular 1978 series, stars Roselyn Sanchez as Elena Roarke making the dreams come true for people in unexpected ways. Roarke is now the steward of the remote and mysterious tropical island resort once run by her great-uncle (played by the late Ricardo Montalbán). With her assistant Ruby Okoro (Kiara Barnes), and head of transport "Captain" Javier (John Gabriel Rodriguez), she seeks to transform the lives of every guest by allowing them to indulge in their secret desires. But those who visit the island soon discover that living out their fantasies have unexpected consequences, and sometimes their dreams can turn into nightmares.
Is It Any Good?
The series is a guilty pleasure that offers remnants of the original TV show, but with a contemporary touch. While some of the changes, such as putting women in charge of the island, are obvious, others are more nuanced and move the show away from some of the stereotypes reinforced in the parent series. Nonetheless, it continues to follow the franchise's formula of offering simplistic and improbable narratives in which island guests learn life lessons instead of enjoying mere hedonistic experiences. But what makes this version of Fantasy Island interesting is its mystical characterization of the island itself, and the personal stories and sacrifices of its hosts to be there. Overall, it's seductive and entertaining, and worth tuning into if you're just looking for something escapist to watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the challenges that come with adapting a classic TV series to a contemporary audience. How true does the adaptation have to be to the show's original concept in order for it to work? Has there ever been a reboot of a classic TV show that was more popular than the original?
What are the differences between the original Fantasy Island and this reboot? Why were they made? Do you like these changes? Or is it too different from the classic version of the show?
TV Details
- Premiere date: August 10, 2021
- Cast: Roselyn Sanchez , Kiara Barnes , John Gabriel Rodriguez
- Network: Fox
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: January 4, 2023
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 suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
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