Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Screenwise Verdict

Look, this is a Disney Channel Original Movie from 2010, and it shows. The ratings tell the story: 5.5 on IMDb, 53% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, 2.9 on Letterboxd. It's not terrible, but it's aggressively mediocre.

The premise—magical candles grant a teen's 16 birthday wishes—is cute enough, and the 'be careful what you wish for' moral is solid. But the execution is formulaic even by DCOM standards. The acting, pacing, and production values all scream 'made-for-TV 2010,' which means it feels pretty dated now.

For younger tweens (8-10) who still love wish-fulfillment fantasies and haven't burned out on Disney Channel tropes, this could be a harmless watch. It's completely safe, mildly entertaining, and wraps up with a tidy lesson. But for anyone older or anyone looking for something with real imagination or depth, this is skippable. There are better family movies that have aged more gracefully.

Bottom line: It's fine. Not great, not awful, just... fine. If your kid stumbles across it on Tubi and wants to watch, sure. But I wouldn't go out of your way to queue this one up.

Age Fit

Best for 8-12 year olds who are still in the Disney Channel sweet spot. Younger kids will enjoy the magic, older tweens will likely find it too juvenile and dated. Adults will struggle to sit through this one unless they're feeling deeply nostalgic for 2010s DCOM vibes.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

68

Classic Disney Channel formula: well-meaning teen learns 'be careful what you wish for' lesson after wishes backfire. Models friendship and family values, though the protagonist's journey involves some selfish moments before growth. Emotionally safe with positive resolution, but the wish-fulfillment premise leans materialistic before the moral kicks in. Pacing is typical TV-movie brisk.

Imaginative

52

Magical birthday candles that grant wishes is a familiar fantasy trope without much fresh spin. The 'list of wishes' structure provides some narrative creativity, but execution is formulaic Disney Channel fare. Doesn't invite much creative thinking or exploration beyond passive viewing. The fantasy elements are window dressing for a standard coming-of-age plot.

Safe

88

Solidly safe for family viewing. Common Sense Media rates it 8+, and content appears to be standard Disney Channel wholesome with no violence, scary content, romance beyond innocent crushes, or inappropriate material. The 'disaster strikes' element in the synopsis is likely comedic mishaps rather than anything genuinely disturbing. No platform safety concerns as it's a traditional broadcast movie.

Enriching

48

Delivers a predictable 'be careful what you wish for' moral about appreciating what you have and thinking through consequences. The lesson is valid but executed in the most paint-by-numbers way possible. Minimal depth or nuance. Entertainment value is middling—watchable for the target demo but forgettable. Doesn't build meaningful skills or offer much emotional insight beyond surface-level 'wishes aren't everything.'

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely safe viewing—no surprises, no edge, just wholesome Disney Channel comfort food
The 'be careful what you wish for' lesson is clear and age-appropriate for younger tweens
Fantasy premise appeals to kids who still love magical wish-fulfillment stories
Short 90-minute runtime means it won't overstay its welcome

⚠

What to Watch For

This is peak 2010 Disney Channel—the hair, the fashion, the acting style all feel very dated now
The protagonist makes selfish choices for most of the movie before learning her lesson (that's the point, but younger kids might not get the irony)
Modest ratings across the board suggest this is pretty forgettable even by Disney Channel standards
Wish-fulfillment premise could spark 'I want that!' conversations about materialism

Conversation Starters

"If you had 16 wishes, what would you wish for? Do you think you'd regret any of them?"
"Abby's wishes started causing problems—why do you think getting everything you want isn't always good?"
"What's something you really wanted that turned out differently than you expected?"
"If you could only make one wish for someone else instead of yourself, what would it be?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about 16 Wishes? Put this WISE score on your site