Kids in danger in entertaining film based on French series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
A teen has lost his mother and is virtually abandoned by his father, who can't overcome his grief. Another teen is bullied at school. Cartoon violence includes threats to kids. There are falls, fights, explosions, fires, shootings, crashes (cars, trains, and runaway rollercoasters), potentially frightening creatures and villains, and a near drowning. Paris and the Eiffel Tower are destroyed then restored.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
The Miraculous series, app, merchandise, and brand.
Positive Messages
a lot
Confidence comes from believing in yourself. Courage stems from facing your fears, which are a more serious enemy than failure. Love is more powerful than death. Girls can do whatever boys can do, and sometimes better. Teenagers need their parents as well as their independence.
Positive Role Models
some
Marinette, much loved by her parents, comes out of her shell and learns not just courage but also how to stand up for herself. She and Adrien learn the value of teamwork ("stronger together") when they join forces as Ladybug and Cat Noir. Chloé is a spoiled teen who bullies others. Driven by grief, Gabriel causes much harm and leaves his son feeling abandoned.
Diverse Representations
a little
The film is set in Paris. The main character, Marinette, has a Chinese mother. The powerful and wise guardian of the spirits, Wang Fu, is also of Asian heritage. There are additional animated characters of color in the film, including a teen friend and most of the seamstresses in a fashion showroom. A spoiled blond teen bully, whose last name is Bourgeois and whose dad is the mayor, wears cashmere and doesn't consume carbs or fat.
Kids can imagine their own superpowers and how these might impact their real lives or interactions with peers. The film could raise comparisons to the series and what each format can do differently. Set in Paris, the story might open up discussion of differences between European cities and other places. One teen character wants to be a journalist and talks about the demands of the profession.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie, based on the French TV series, has scenes of significant animated violence that involve kids in danger. Parisian teens Marinette (voiced by Cristina Vee) and Adrien (Bryce Papenbrook), who live double lives as superheroes Ladybug and Cat Noir, must save their city from dangerous villains. The action is more intense than the TV series and includes falls, fights, explosions, fires, shootings, crashes (cars, trains, and runaway rollercoasters), potentially frightening creatures and villains, and a near drowning. Teens have crushes on each other and nearly kiss. Language includes "hell," "butt," "weird," and some potty humor. In their real lives, the main characters also deal with emotionally difficult situations -- one has lost his mother and is virtually abandoned by his grieving father, and the other is being bullied at school. They learn that confidence comes from believing in yourself, courage stems from facing your fears, and love is more powerful than death. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Listen, I knew that this was going to be a standalone project because a movie that requires the knowledge of 5 seasons would make no money at all, and would be a complete failure. With that being said, I thought the animation was beautiful, the characters were very well developed, and the plot was extremely easy to follow. The love square was very enjoyable to watch and I loved the resolution we had in the end but I also loved the cliffhanger. It left me wanting more, but not being unsatisfied with what I had watched. I’ve heard complaints that it wasn’t like the show at all, but honestly? I though it was even better. I wouldn’t be interesting in watching a 2 hour long miraculous episode that probably ends in no progress and the same ending just like the actual show does. It was beautiful and very well made.
My 11 year old wrote this review after watching it:
"I rate this movie 1 star because of the following:
1. I wasn't able to rate it zero stars.
2. It's as cheesy as frozen Walmart cheese pizza with extra cheese and stuffed crust.
3. The characters, the music, and the storyline are TERRIBLE.
Conclusion: This movie was probably the worst I've ever seen. I wish I never watched it. It was a waste of my time.
P.S. The last scene hinted at a sequel. They'd better not even think about writing a sequel!"
😂
What's the Story?
Marinette (Cristina Vee Valenzuela) is a clumsy and shy high schooler who gets picked on by the school bully, Chloé Bourgeois (Selah Victor), in MIRACULOUS: LADYBUG & CAT NOIR, THE MOVIE. She also has an unrequited crush on handsome classmate Adrien (Bryce Papenbrook). One day, on her way home from school, Marinette saves a man, Wang Fu (Paul St Peter), from getting hit by a car, leading Fu -- actually the guardian of spirits who power magic jewels -- to select her to become a superhero. Her powerful alter-ego is Ladybug, and she begins teaming up with another superhero known as Cat Noir to save Paris from the threat of evil. Little does she know that Cat Noir is actually Adrien, and Hawk Moth, the supervillain they're fighting, is actually Adrien's father, Gabriel Agreste (Keith Silverstein). Cat Noir has a crush on Ladybug, not realizing she is actually Marinette.
Fans of the French series might nitpick some of the finer details of this version, but the film is generally loyal to the original and, what's more, it's good fun. The heroic adventures of two Parisian teenagers are set to music in Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie, and the characters look a little different than in the series. But Paris is rendered in loving detail, and shy Marinette is made even more of a hero in this telling, coming often to Cat Noir's rescue. It would be hard not to root for her transformation into a confident high schooler thanks to her superpowers, and the pair's love story is endearing.
The human elements offer a counterbalance to their wild battles with wacky supervillains and their Master Shifu-like guardian. More of the stars' unmasked life would have added narrative depth to balance the action sequences. The film has some surprises in store for its characters and ends with a clear hint at a sequel. Miraculous is goofy and it knows it, and that's a big part of its appeal.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie differs from the series that inspired it. What can movies do differently than series, and vice versa?
How do Marinette's superpowers impact her real life and interactions with peers?
Why don't Marinette and Adrien recognize each other as Ladybug and Cat Noir? Is this believable? Does it need to be?
If you could have a superpower or alter ego, what would it be and why?
How do Ladybug and Cat Noir discover their powers are "stronger together" when they work as a team? Have you ever found that teamwork made you stronger in your own life?
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.
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.
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
