Instead of scrolling for minutes on end on Netflix finding something to watch — too many options and yet not enough! — take my word and watch Julie and the Phantoms. While Julie and the Phantoms is targeted towards tweens and younger teens, there’s something magical about the show that makes it accessible to everyone.
- The Music is Top-Tier
-
While it’s been a couple of weeks since watching Julie and the Phantoms for the first time, I can’t stop listening to the music. The lead, Madison Reyes, has serious chops, and I’m in awe of her singing ability. With at least one original song per episode, you’ll be bobbing your head almost nonstop to the infectious beats.
- Stirring Emotional Depth
-
Though I shouldn’t be surprised at the emotional depth for kids’ media — Up anyone? — I was not anticipating the show’s emotional depth! The main character, Julie, reconnects with music after her mother’s death, and her grieving process is moving. Themes of grief, family and friendship culminate in the show’s eighth episode, “Unsaid Emily,” which left me crying. I showed my roommate a clip from the episode with no context, and she was bawling. Combine this with the show’s humor, Julie and the Phantoms strikes a perfect balance of fun and heartfelt.
- Spot-on Humor
-
While a kids’ show, Julie and the Phantoms doesn’t have the over-the-top dumbed-down humor of some other kids’ media. Instead, the show respects the audience’s intelligence. While I’m definitely outside of the show’s core demographic — I’m 21 — I still chuckled every episode and had a big smile on my face. It’s nice to see wit, sarcasm and comedic timing done repeatedly well.
- Off-the-Charts Chemistry
-
I am so stunned by how often I think about the Julie and the Phantom‘s romantic relationships. The show focuses on emotional connections first, and the two core couples — Julie and Luke, Alex and Willie — have scenes throughout the show that still pop in my head today. And yes, I’ll admit — I’ve even watched fan vids of the couples, as well. If you need some more convincing, just take a listen to “Perfect Harmony” or watch Julie and Luke’s chemistry fly off the screen with “Edge of Great” — both in the seventh episode.
- Brought to You by Kenny Ortega
-
I don’t know about you, but I have a soft-spot for Kenny Ortega, the man who brought us childhood classics like High School Musical and Descendants. He’s also had a hand at choreographing some fantastic films, such as Dirty Dancing, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and Hocus Pocus. Need I convince you more? Kenny Ortega produces, directs and choreographs the show. Julie and the Phantoms has the infectious energy of his previous projects with choreography that stuns.
Julie and the Phantoms is a Netflix original, and can be streamed through the platform. Stop your doom scrolling and instead turn on this wonderful TV show! With only nine episodes, Julie and the Phantoms is a perfect show to watch in the span of a couple days.