Ivy & Bean Parent Guide
By capturing the sense of reality that imbues kids' imaginations, this film effectively projects wonderment and delight.
Parent Movie Review
Boisterous and imaginative Bean (Madison Skye Validum) loves getting messy, being loud, and going on adventures. She has no time for tidy bookworms like Ivy (Keslee Blalock), who just moved into the neighborhood. But when fate pushes the two girls together, they’ll both learn not to judge a book by its cover.
Ivy & Bean is the first of three short Netflix movies based on the popular novels of the same name. I only watched this one, but I imagine the other two are very similar in tone and overall suitability for family viewing.
Remember being a little kid when all of your play and imaginings felt completely real? This movie perfectly captures that feeling. The production oozes imagination and wonderment. The world around the titular characters feels authentic to how I remember my perceptions as a young child. There is something so refreshing about a story devoid of adult cynicism.
I have no major complaints about the production, which demonstrates surprisingly high quality for such a short runtime. Some of the acting from the adults is a little cheesy, but I think that was done on purpose to complement the childlike tone. The child actors aren’t perfect, but that’s to be expected with a young cast.
With no negative content aside from some minor name calling, this is a great choice for youthful audiences. Aside from the imaginative adventure, the girls also learn a lesson about the importance of getting to know someone instead of making assumptions. This is a production for elementary school aged kids, so don’t expect your teenagers to enjoy it, but Ivy & Bean is sure to be a hit with kids (and their parents!).
Directed by Elissa Down. Starring Jane Lynch, Sasha Pieterse, Nia Vardalos. Running time: 57 minutes. Theatrical release September 2, 2022. Updated January 12, 2024Watch the trailer for Ivy & Bean
Ivy & Bean
Rating & Content Info
Why is Ivy & Bean rated TV-G? Ivy & Bean is rated TV-G by the MPAA
Violence: None.
Sexual Content: None.
Profanity: The script contains some mild name calling.
Alcohol / Drug Use: None.
Page last updated January 12, 2024
Ivy & Bean Parents' Guide
How do Ivy and Bean’s perceptions of each other change as they get to know one another? What are some ways that you have judged someone before you got to know them?
Loved this movie? Try these books…
This movie is based on a series of books of the same name written by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall.
As Ivy and Bean become friends, they learn not to make assumptions about people you don’t know. This is a great message to share with kids and there are plenty of books that expand on that theme. Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon, by Patty Lovell and David Catrow, presents a protagonist who looks and sounds different from other kids, but whose self confidence encourages other kids to accept her on her own terms. Big Al is the story of a large, ugly fish. This picture book by Andrew Clements and Yoshi tells the tale of a scary fish who can’t make friends until other fish see him for the kind character that he is. Carrie Weston and Tim Warnes tell a similar story with The New Bear at School. This kids’ book follows Boris as he starts a new school, wanting to make friends but scaring them off with his sharp teeth.
Home Video
Related home video titles:
A classic animated film about adversaries who become friends is Pixar’s Toy Story.
Two sea monsters become friends and urge each other to explore the land around them when they assume human form in Luca.
A pig and a spider form an unexpected friendship in the classic movie Charlotte’s Web. It’s also available in a live action version.
A boy and a giant robot from outer space become friends in The Iron Giant, but the robot isn’t welcomed by all of the local residents…or by government agents.
When she meets a runaway yeti, a young girl embarks on an adventure with her new friend that helps her deal with her own grief in Abominable.
An unusual friendship between a young girl and a squirrel with superpowers is at the heart of Flora & Ulysses.