Ramona and Beezus – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ramona and Beezus

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2010

76%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Beverly Cleary's mischievous Ramona comes to life in this sweet sibling story—wholesome, but showing its 2010 age.

71%

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Ramona and Beezus

movie

G, 2010

76%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Beverly Cleary's mischievous Ramona comes to life in this sweet sibling story—wholesome, but showing its 2010 age.

71%

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71%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a genuinely sweet, wholesome family movie that does exactly what it sets out to do—bring Beverly Cleary's beloved characters to life without messing it up. It's got heart, decent humor, and actually models healthy family relationships in a way that doesn't feel forced.

That said, it's showing its age. The 2010 aesthetic, pacing, and overall vibe feel noticeably dated compared to what kids consume now. It's not unwatchable by any means, but modern kids raised on Pixar and high-production Disney+ originals might find it a bit slow or 'movie-of-the-week' feeling.

The real value here is for families who loved the books, have multiple kids (especially sisters), or are specifically seeking gentler, imagination-focused content. It's a solid rainy day watch, but probably not something that'll become a repeat favorite for most kids in 2025. Think of it as comfort food—nourishing and pleasant, just not particularly exciting.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 6-10, especially if you have siblings close in age. Younger elementary kids will love Ramona's mischief, while the Beezus storyline gives slightly older kids something to connect with. Past 11 or 12, most kids will find it too young.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Based on Beverly Cleary's beloved books, this film centers on family bonds, sibling relationships, and navigating childhood challenges with heart. The premise emphasizes believing in yourself and relying on family through ups and downs. The 71% audience score and 6+ Common Sense age rating suggest emotionally healthy, age-appropriate content that models positive family dynamics and cooperation.

Imaginative

The synopsis highlights Ramona's 'very big imagination' as a core character trait, and the film is based on books celebrated for creative childhood adventures. However, as a 2010 live-action adaptation, it likely presents imagination through a child's perspective rather than inviting active creative participation. The Letterboxd 3/5 and moderate critical reception suggest it's pleasant but not groundbreaking in its imaginative execution.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates this for age 6+, and the family-friendly synopsis indicates no concerning content. Based on wholesome source material and Disney+ distribution, this should contain no violence, scary content, or inappropriate material. The story focuses on everyday childhood mischief and family challenges—the kind of 'safe' conflict that's relatable without being traumatic. No red flags in any available data.

Enriching

The film explores sibling dynamics, family financial stress (implied by 'ups and downs'), perseverance, and self-belief—valuable themes for elementary-aged kids. However, the moderate critical reception (56 Metacritic, 6.5 IMDb) suggests it delivers these messages competently but not exceptionally. It's based on literature that has enriched generations, but as a 2010 adaptation, it may feel somewhat formulaic in execution.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Celebrates imagination and childhood creativity through Ramona's playful antics and big personality
Strong sibling relationship at the center—great for families with multiple kids to see realistic sister dynamics
Based on beloved books that have been childhood staples for generations, introducing kids to classic characters
Tackles real family challenges (financial stress, growing up, fitting in) in age-appropriate ways
Genuinely wholesome without being preachy—the kind of movie you can watch without wincing

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What to Watch For

The 2010 aesthetic and pacing may feel slow or dated to kids raised on faster-paced modern content
Some family stress themes (financial worries, job loss) are handled gently but might prompt questions from younger viewers
Older kids (10+) might find it too juvenile—this really hits the sweet spot for ages 6-9

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever gotten in trouble for something that seemed like a good idea at the time, like Ramona does?"
"What's it like being the younger/older sibling in our family? Do you relate more to Ramona or Beezus?"
"Ramona uses her imagination a lot—what kinds of things do you like to imagine or pretend?"
"The family goes through some tough times—what are ways families can help each other when things are hard?"

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