Charlie v
Exact Rating: 7.3/10
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a decent sequel to one of Disney’s classic 2000s TV shows. The returning cast are as self-deprecating and charismatic as they used to be, and new additions like Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) and Roman (Alkaio Thiele) are equally matched youngsters to throw into the bunch. Each episode is sufficiently entertaining, containing worthwhile ideas and lessons about loyalty, consistency, respect and honor, though nothing gets left for viewers to think about. The humor’s also 50/50, but the cast’s chemistry disguises the otherwise corny script well enough. The villains are cartoonish as well, but they all make brief appearances. Thus, the first part of Wizards or Waverly Place’s sequel series’ first season doesn’t match up to the strength and ingenuity of the original, but it has all the right components to get there.
Episodes:
Episode 1: “Everything is Not What It Seems—7.2/10
Though the premiere can feel forced, canned and predictable, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place sets itself up with enough heart in the returning Russos and new characters to satisfy. Hopefully things will get better, but it’s doubtful considering Alex Russo’s (Selena Gomez) seemingly guest-appearance-only presence. Justin (David Henrie) and the new cast of kids are organic and bubbly, though, so Wizards Beyond will likely continue to entertain at the least.
Episode 2: “Mortal Vibes Only”—7.6/10
Now in the flow of the original show and Disney’s formula, the second episode of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place steps up the humor, cast’s charm, and family-oriented undertones. It’s not perfect—there are some one-liners, some predictability and over acting—but Justin is as high-strung as ever, Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) is a sweet rebellious presence, Milo (Max Matenko) and Roman Russo (Alkaio Thiele) are goofy new additions, making Beyond a funny return to this Wizarding world.
Episode 3: “Saved By the Spell”—7.2/10
Another fun episode following the new generation of Russos both blood and extended, Billie embarks on making new friends while a deadly new foe chases after her. Though the introduced phantomous is very one-dimensional, much subpar writing and many equally flat jokes bleeds through, the cast is charming enough and the ideas thickened enough—especially with its stronger sitcom-typical lessons—for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place to continue satisfying.
Episode 4: “Something Wizard This Way Comes”—7.1/10
The tropiest of the bunch so far—but nonetheless pretty funny and both well performed and visualized—Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’s fourth episode is showing signs of staleness—but enough humor, formulaic heart, and Wizard-y magic to entertain and teach about earning respect and being there for friends even in the silliest of times.
Episode 5: “Wizards Just Wand to Have Fun”—7.8/10
The most plot-clever and humorous of the bunch thus far, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place continues this sequel series’ magic with now familiar humor, zing, ideas and lessons on responibility and loyalty. It’s still not anywhere close to perfect thanks to 50/50 humor landing, but it’s getting closer and closer to finding proper footing.
Episode 6: “The Legend of Creepy Follows”—7.5/10
Though this episode’s lesson is thinner, the humor is still 50/50, some moments feel forced and the kids feel like high schoolers instead of middle schoolers, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’s sixth episode is another fun, buoyant adventure.
Episode 7: “We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Float”—7.9/10
Other than an implausible floating float gag, some flat jokes and continued surface-level lesson teaching, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’s 7th episode is a fun and quippy installment. Jerry Russo’s (David DeLuise) cameo is also a good surprise, delivering the goofy charisma he ingrained in hearts back in the 2000s.
Episode 8: “You Can’t Handle the Tooth”—7/10
One of the more implausible episodes of the bunch that also delivers many flat jokes and surface-level lesson teaching, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’s 8th episode is the least appealing. Nevertheless, lively performances, funny physical gags, poppy visuals and irresistibly feel-good heart manages to keep this episode at least simplistically fun and engaging.
Episode 9: “Wiz-Taken Identity”—6.8/10
Though the show’s heart doesn’t evaporate, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’s mid-season finale delivers primarily goofy antagonists, hollow one-liners, and a lack in stakes. The mysterious new villain holds potential, but if their reveal is anything like this episode, it’ll be stripped down. Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) and co. are nevertheless fun loving characters and the humor still lands more often than not, making it at least a fun, lesson filled mind-number.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
12/05/24
Full Review
pamela o
perfect
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/18/24
Full Review
Alexis P
I love all nine episodes and I’m kind of confused as that I saw that on Disney+ a part two part two of a second season or was the last part of the first season I’m kind of confused. That’s the only thing I want to know. But the show was great. All episodes were awesome.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/18/24
Full Review
M L
It has great potential I'm just some Episodes in and I like the main actress, she is doing a great job without getting to close to Alex Russos character in the main series. But This Winter Person is so f* boring and going on my nerves. And I think its super strange that the kids cant do magic yet, it would make it so much more entertaining if more wizards would be in the mix. Sadly the kids are copies kinda of the "originals russos"
I think it can get better if they start introducing the whole wizard world to us again.
Till now this series does not bring much new on the table, but I guess its time left for that
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
11/17/24
Full Review
Jamie B
I really like this reboot however I wish there was more Alex in it as she was one of my favorite characters in the original show. However it was still entertaining and my daughter loves it as well!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
11/12/24
Full Review
Fairy R
It brought back main characters energy with a twist and more naive perspective, i loved it.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/09/24
Full Review
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Episode 1
Aired Oct 29, 2024
Everything is Not What it Seems
Alex Russo brings a mischievous and powerful student, Billie, to her brother Justin's home in the hopes of coaxing him out of retirement to teach her.
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Episode 2
Aired Oct 29, 2024
Mortal Vibes Only
Billie's use of magic outside the lair gets her in trouble with Justin; her fear of being kicked out of yet another home bubbles to the surface.
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Episode 3
Aired Oct 30, 2024
Saved by the Spell
On her first day of school, Billie uses magic to impress Roman's best friend; when a jealous Roman steals Billie's wand, he falls into the grasp of a wizard-hunting phantomus.
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Episode 4
Aired Oct 30, 2024
Something Wizard This Way Comes
On Halloween, Billie tells Roman about Pumpkin Belly, a ghoul who eats anyone whose house isn't spookily decorated; Justin, Milo and Giada defend the home from pranksters.
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Episode 5
Aired Oct 30, 2024
Wizards Just Wand to Have Fun
Billie and Justin work together to undo a spell when Billie's prank goes awry; Roman gets new muscles thanks to a magical muscle tee; Milo's class pet is loose in the house.
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Episode 6
Aired Oct 30, 2024
The Legend of Creepy Follows
Billie uses a spell on her BadgerBook profile and accidentally enchants her classmates; she tries to find a way to break it to get everyone back to normal.
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Episode 7
Aired Oct 30, 2024
We're Gonna Need a Bigger Float
Billie gets wizard help to finish her homework and meets a member of the Russo family; Justin runs into an old mentor while Billie uses magic on Roman's Homecoming parade float.
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Episode 8
Aired Oct 30, 2024
You Can't Handle the Tooth!
When her spell to remove Justin's wisdom teeth also removes all of his wisdom by mistake, Billie is left watching out for a reckless Justin.
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Episode 9
Aired Oct 30, 2024
Wiz-Taken Identity
When Billie struggles with a spell, Roman says he could do it if he was a wizard: to prove him wrong, Billie uses a Power Glass to transfer her powers to Roman.
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Episode 10
Aired Oct 30, 2024
Ain't Gnome Party Like a Wizard Party
Billie's friend from the wizard world comes to visit.
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Episode 11
Airs undefined
Potions Eleven
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.
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Episode 12
Airs undefined
Battle of the Wands
Justin embraces mortality to live with his family; his new challenge arises when Alex introduces Billie, a wizard-in-training, seeking Justin's mentorship.
Details