The Rare 'Good' Adaptation
Netflix dropped three Ivy + Bean movies at once back in 2022, and honestly, they’re all solid. Usually, when a streamer buys the rights to a massive book franchise, they try to 'age it up' or add unnecessary stakes to make it a four-quadrant hit. Thankfully, director Elissa Down kept the focus tight on the two leads. The movies—Ivy + Bean, The Ghost That Had to Go, and Doomed to Dance—feel like a natural extension of the books.
Why the Visuals Work
What sets this apart is the use of 'imagination sequences.' When the girls are planning a ritual or imagining a ghost, the screen transforms to show what they are seeing in their heads. It’s a brilliant way to bridge the gap between the static pages of a book and the literal nature of film. It validates the way kids play, where a cardboard box really is a castle and a bowl of mud really is a potion.
The Sibling Dynamic
Bean's relationship with her sister Nancy provides most of the 'conflict.' It’s relatable, if a bit loud. Parents who are sensitive to 'backtalk' or sibling bickering might find it a bit grating, but it’s handled with enough humor that it rarely feels toxic. Ultimately, the series is a win for representation and for showing that 'girlhood' isn't a monolith—you can be the quiet girl in the dress or the loud girl in the dirt, and you can still be best friends.
