Wizards: Tales of Arcadia Review – A Dark Family-Friendly Finale

Fans have been waiting for the exciting conclusion of the Tales of Arcadia trilogy with Wizards, and it does not disappoint! Is Wizards: Tales of Arcadia kid friendly? With plenty of battles and emotional scenes, Wizards can be a little dark, but is overall a thrilling family-friendly adventure.  Here’s what parents need to know about Wizards: Tales of Arcadia on Netflix.

Is Wizards: Tales of Arcadia Kid Friendly?

I was late to the Tales of Arcadia party. Why didn’t y’all tell me how incredible this series is? I wish I had started earlier. However, I was still able to enjoy Wizards without having seen all of Trollhunters and 3Below. I am definitely returning to watch those with my kids.

Wizards (and the Tales of Arcadia trilogy) was created by Guillermo del Toro and is about bringing everything full-circle. Douxie (Colin O’Donoghue), who we’ve seen earlier in a minor role, works in a cafe in Arcadia, but really has been Merlin’s apprentice for centuries. He has just been waiting for his time to show he’s ready to be a wizard all these years. We’re also introduced to Douxie’s sidekick cat, Archie, voiced by Alfred Molina. 

With the Arcane Order and the Green Knight coming, Douxie and old friends must travel back in time to stop the destruction of Camelot. However, if you mess with the timeline and change history, there will be consequences.

If you want your kids to meet medieval characters, then definitely introduce them to Wizards versus the more mature and not kid friendly, Cursed, also on Netflix.

Language

There are no traditional four-letter words in Wizards, but there are some more family-friendly adaptations that made my kids and I laugh. Words like fuzz buckets and buttsnacks are used towards foes (and sometimes friends). There are also a lot of fart jokes. 

Mature Content

Wizards is appropriate for kids, but it does have an edge. This is the epic finale, so there are a lot of battles, monsters, dark magic, and fighting. There’s no bloodshed, but it could get a little intense for young kids. However, the writers and producers do an excellent job breaking it up with comic relief. There are also some storylines about lack of confidence, being judged, prejudice, and love, with an occasional kiss.

Wizards: A Dark Family Friendly Finale

Wizards: Tales of Arcadia is rated TV-Y7 for fear and fantasy violence, and I think that’s an accurate age recommendation, ages 7 and up. If your children are sensitive to characters in peril and death, then I may wait until they’re a little older. 

Guillermo del Toro has done an excellent job of building worlds and magic and bringing together these three worlds of trolls, aliens, and wizards. Fans will rejoice when seeing some old favorites return.  The voice talent is superb, the animation and graphics of the outside worlds are stunning, and older kids and families will still get entertaining, family-friendly content that will keep them engaged and on the edge of their seats. 

There were definitely some Marvel/Infinity War vibes I was feeling which made me love the series even more. There were twists I didn’t see coming and important lessons and messages for kids. Douxie was often underestimated and felt like he had to prove himself. He had to find his own path. 

Female characters in Wizards are strong and those who lack confidence are shown where to find it through friendship and compassion. While the characters are flawed, they are not without redemption. I cheered when Claire came out kicking butt in armor, and Morgana flying out like a bad-A. 

And Steve (Steven Yeun), thanks to Steve for providing the laughs whenever I needed one. Though I am questioning why he was drinking all the time when he went to Camelot. 

This 10-episode series, while sometimes a little rushed, did provide enough character development for me to care about what happens to each of them in this final chapter.

My favorite quote in Wizards: Tales of Arcadia is “A wizard does not make mistakes. He makes unexpected possibilities.” Just think of all we could accomplish, dream, and learn from with all of our inevitable unexpected possibilities. 

Will this apocalyptic battle for the control of magic determine the fate of these worlds and some of your favorites? You’ll have to watch to find out, but you may not get the closure you’re looking for. 

DreamWorks Wizards: Tales of Arcadia is on Netflix August 7!