Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Charming superhero show shines; mild fantasy violence.
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Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is an animated series based on comic book characters. Laurence Fishburne is a producer and voice, and the episodes feature many celebrity cameos as well. Moon Girl (voiced by Diamond White) is a teen superhero, and there's some mild fantasy violence and peril. No realistic weapons are used, but Moon Girl invents fantastical gadgets like mechanical boxing gloves that punch villains and a bubble shooter that traps baddies in bubbles. Villains threaten Moon Girl and her friends, and some scenes are tense, but it never feels like Moon Girl is in actual peril. In Moon Girl's civilian life as Lunella, she experiences some mild bullying (getting teased for being smart) and social media "trolling." There's mild profanity like "butt" and "dumb" and gentle insults between Moon Girl and the villains.
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What's the Story?
In MARVEL'S MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR, 13-year-old science nerd Lunella Lafayette transforms into a superhero in order to save her beloved Lower East Side NYC neighborhood. By day she's a super-smart regular teenager, but by night she works on inventions in the abandoned subway station underneath her apartment building. One night she fires up a device that breaks the time-space continuum, and a living dinosaur appears through the portal. When her neighborhood starts experiencing power blackouts and crime, Lunella decides to do something about it. Her social media-savvy friend Casey convinces her to officially become a superhero, and Lunella chooses the name Moon Girl for herself and Devil Dinosaur for her prehistoric sidekick. Can Moon Girl, Devil Dinosaur, and Casey save the day while keeping their teenage identities a secret?
Is It Any Good?
For parents frustrated about the relative lack of quality content for tweens, Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur may be just the thing. The show strikes the perfect balance of imparting great social-emotional lessons that feel relevant to tweens without being too preachy. Lunella, her family, and her friend Casey feel like real people, imperfections and all. Moon Girl also has super fun and exciting superhero action scenes without getting too violent or scary. It's laugh-out-loud funny and includes some jokes for the grown-ups too. The music is superb -- R&B composer Raphael Saadiq's songs would sound right at home on a Lizzo album. The art style makes the vibrant NYC setting come to life while still hinting at the show's comic book origins. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is great superhero fun that kids and adults alike will love.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Lunella's courage in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. She says in the first episode that according to her grandma, real bravery is being scared to do something but then doing it anyway. When does Lunella/Moon Girl demonstrate courage? Can you think of an example from your life when you were brave?
Lunella and Casey have a bunch of compassion for the people in the Lower East Side, the neighborhood where they live. What are some ways they show they care about their community and the people in it?
Lunella's family gives some great advice. What are some things her parents or grandparents say that could be helpful in your own life?
Superheroes are not often girls, and are not often people of color. Why do you think it's important that Lunella is a Black girl superhero?
TV Details
- Premiere date: February 10, 2023
- Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Diamond White, Alison Brie, Libe Barer
- Networks: Disney+, Disney Channel
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Dinosaurs, Superheroes, Adventures, Book Characters, Great Girl Role Models, Middle School
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Courage
- TV rating: TV-Y7
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: March 25, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
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Kim Possible
Girl power is possible! Elementary kids OK.
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Supergirl
Strong female lead shoulders the weight of superhero series.
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The Incredibles
Top-notch, action-packed fun for the entire family.
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Wonder Woman
Campy '70s superhero show has mild action, strong woman.
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