Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Imaginative reboot has STEM stuff, some fantasy violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Johnny Test (2021)
What's the Story?
JOHNNY TEST (2021), a reboot of the Canadian-American series of the same name, features an 11-year-old boy who will do anything in the name of science. Jonathan "Johnny" Test (James Arnold Taylor) is an unpredictable, energetic, and incredibly smart boy who lives with his parents and genius sisters, Susan and Mary (voiced by Maryke Hendrikse and Emily Tennant, respectively) in the suburbs with their genetically enhanced dog, Dukey (Trevor Devall). Whether it's being used as a guinea pig by his to test out his sisters' inventions, or being forced into video game challenges with Eugene "Bling Bling" Boy (Lee Tockar), Johnny makes every day an adventure.
Is It Any Good?
Fun and imaginative, this reboot of the iconic series, which ran from 2005-2014, stays true to the original. The animation is smoother and some of the familiar sound effects are gone, but thanks to voice actors like James Arnold Taylor and Trevor Devall reprising their roles as Johnny and Dukey, fans of the original will still find it familiar. Some of Johnny's former pals-slash-rivals still make appearances, too. But young viewers new to the franchise who like these sorts of stories will find the updated Johnny Test entertaining.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the purpose of rebooting older shows. To make money? To make it better in some way? To reach new audiences?
What kinds of things in this updated version of Johnny Test are different from the original show? Is there anything that you would like to see in the newer version that isn't present in the older edition?
How do the characters in this series find things out? Why do you think being curious is an important character strength?
TV Details
- Premiere date : July 16, 2021
- Cast : James Arnold Taylor , Trevor Devall , Maryke Hendrikse
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , Robots , STEM
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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