Parents' Guide to

Craig Before the Creek

Craig Before the Creek poster: Craig reached for the wish maker with Kelsey and J.P. by his side, his enemies behind him. ne

Common Sense Media Review

Diondra K. Brown By Diondra K. Brown , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 7+

Fun prequel highlights teamwork and imaginative adventures.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 7+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 8+

Based on 1 parent review

age 8+

What's the Story?

CRAIG BEFORE THE CREEK transports viewers of the original series back in time, to the day that the Williams family moved to Herkleton. Craig's mom asks him to take his sister, Jessica, to the playground when her favorite toy is accidentally tossed into the Creek. He's surprised to find a world unlike anything he's ever seen -- with kids behaving strangely before they're raided by a kid pirate crew. When Jessica's toy is taken by the lead pirate, Serena, Craig is baffled about what to do next. That night he happens to find directions to finding a wish maker which is "the greatest power known to kid kind." Determined to find this magical tool so he can wish for his old life back, Craig recruits new friends Kelsey and J.P. to help him. The group faces lots of obstacles along the way. Will Craig's wish change? Or will Serena steal away his chance to use the powerful tool?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This is an upbeat watch that continues the fun of the original series. Craig Before the Creek has all the charm and sweetness that fans of theses familiar characters will want, but lacks some of the important examples of diversity that made the original special. Eagled-eyed watchers may notice some differences in the plot of the movie and established points from the show. The viewing experience is easy and entertaining, including unexpected moments of song and outstanding examples of imaginative play. One of the most important messages of the movie, which mimics the show's theme, is the importance of outdoor play. Craig and his friends remind us to get outside and make new memories.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how Craig feels when he and his family move to Herkleton and he has no friends at first. Have you ever had to move to a new town before, or make friends in a new place? What was that experience like for you?

  • The Wish Maker is, "the greatest power known to kid kind." What would you wish for if you had one?

  • Why was teamwork so important to Craig, J.P., and Kelsey?

  • How is the movie different than the TV show, Craig of the Creek? Did you learn more about the characters?

TV Details

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

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