Charming – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Charming

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2018

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A bargain-bin fairy tale mashup that somehow includes cannibalism and a noose—because why not ruin everyone's day?

5.6/10

22%

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Charming

movie

TV-Y7, 2018

28%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A bargain-bin fairy tale mashup that somehow includes cannibalism and a noose—because why not ruin everyone's day?

5.6

22%

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5.6/10

22%

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, I'll be straight with you: this is one of those Netflix animated movies that makes you wonder how it got greenlit. The premise—Prince Charming cursed to charm everyone, three princesses all engaged to him—could've been fun. But with a 22% on Rotten Tomatoes and parents reporting cannibalism scenes, suicide attempts, and nooses in what looks like a kid-friendly cartoon, something went very wrong.

The film tries to teach about selflessness and real love, which is fine, but when the execution is this poor and the content this unexpectedly dark, it's hard to recommend. Your kid won't learn much, won't be particularly entertained (5.6 IMDb, 2.2 Letterboxd), and might actually get scared or disturbed.

There are so many better fairy tale subversions out there—rewatch Shrek, try The Princess Bride, or even Ella Enchanted. Skip this one unless you've literally exhausted Netflix and need background noise while you fold laundry.

Age Fit

Common Sense Media says 9+, and given the dark content parent reviewers flagged, that feels right—maybe even conservative. This isn't for sensitive kids or anyone under 8. Older kids (10-12) might tolerate it, but honestly, they deserve better.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The premise of three princesses engaged to the same guy due to a curse is a decent subversion of fairy tale tropes, but parent reviews flag harmful stereotypes and concerning content. The film attempts themes about selflessness and true love, but execution is reportedly weak. The tone skews chaotic rather than emotionally grounded.

Imaginative

A fairy tale mashup with a cursed Prince Charming could be creative, but this feels like a bargain-bin Shrek knockoff. With a 22% Rotten Tomatoes critic score and 2.2/5 on Letterboxd, reviewers suggest the execution is derivative and uninspired. No notable creative talent or awards to suggest genuine originality.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 9+, but parent reviews raise red flags: cannibalistic scenes, a suicide attempt, a noose, menacing villains, and savage giants kidnapping characters. While IMDb's parent guide says content is 'None' to 'Mild,' the web search results from actual parent reviews paint a different picture. This isn't Marvel-level expected action—it's unexpected dark content in what looks like a silly kids' movie.

Enriching

The film reportedly teaches about selflessness and finding true love beyond surface charm, but with such poor critical reception (22% RT, 5.6 IMDb), it's unlikely to deliver meaningful insights. The entertainment value appears minimal based on audience scores (37% RT audience). Hard to be enriching when it's just not engaging.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Subverts the Prince Charming trope by making him cursed and in need of real character growth
Attempts to teach lessons about selflessness and looking beyond surface-level charm
Fairy tale mashup concept could appeal to kids who like Shrek-style genre twists
Available on Netflix, so easy access if you're desperate for content

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What to Watch For

Cannibalistic scenes and a suicide attempt with a noose—seriously, what were they thinking for a kids' movie?
Menacing villains and kidnapping scenes that scared multiple parents' kids
Harmful stereotypes flagged by parent reviewers
The 22% critic score isn't a typo—this is genuinely not well-made
May be too scary for under-9s despite the animated, colorful appearance

Conversation Starters

"What did you think about Prince Charming learning he needed to change? Do you think people can really change?"
"The three princesses were all different—which one did you relate to most and why?"
"Were any parts too scary for you? It's okay to talk about what bothered you."
"What do you think 'true love' means? Is it just about being charming or something else?"

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