Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lackluster behind-the-scenes look at Willow TV series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Willow: Behind the Magic
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In the half-hour special WILLOW: BEHIND THE MAGIC, fans of the Willow TV series (based on the 1988 Willow movie) see how some of the on-screen magic is created. The cast, production team, and crew explain how the series was produced. Behind-the-scenes footage shows how some of the amazing visual effects are created. The team also talks about the legacy of the original movie, and how the TV series is carrying it forward while modernizing the story.
Is It Any Good?
There's a ton of interesting world-building, characters, and visual effects in the Willow series this "documentary" could have delved into. Instead, Willow: Behind the Magic spends a lot of time on self-congratulatory puffery. There's a recurring unfunny joke about Warwick Davis's ego that gets a lot of screen time. This behind-the-scenes look would have been much more interesting if it had focused more on giving fans insider information that couldn't be found elsewhere.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the behind-the-scenes view of the Willow series in Willow: Behind the Magic. Were there any special effects, makeup tricks, or sets that surprised you? Does seeing all the effort that goes into a series like Willow make you appreciate it more?
Several of the Willow actors talk about how they are proud to provide on-screen representation (specifically, having non-white main hero characters and showing a lesbian relationship). Why do you think it is important for viewers to see different types of people in media?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 25, 2023
- Cast : Warwick Davis , Hannah Waddingham , Ron Howard
- Network : Disney+
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 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