Willow: Season 1 Reviews
Pramit Chatterjee Digital Mafia Talkies
There is a kind of simplicity, a sense of comfort, and an air of whimsy to the show that puts it right in the middle of the Shakespearean self-seriousness of The Rings of Power and the edgy self-seriousness of House of the Dragon.
Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 20, 2023
Rebecca Long Observer
The Disney+ Willow series was a breath of fresh air, harkening back to a bygone era of onscreen epic fantasy more focused on being delightful than profound.
Full Review | Original Score: B | May 17, 2023
Erin Maxwell LA Weekly/Village Voice
Willow’s fantasy realm is filled with disproportionate contemporary sensibilities and inconsistent rules, and its Spotify ’80s hits playlist only makes things worse. Ultimately, the heart of the original movie is missing.
Full Review | Feb 23, 2023
Nick Schager The Daily Beast
Sustained interest, however, will be stymied by a cast of largely bland new characters and, more pressing still, a dearth of sweeping excitement.
Full Review | Jan 30, 2023
Aaron Phillips But Why Tho? A Geek Community
Willow Season 1 was an entertaining ride that I felt privileged to watch after growing up with the film....Kasdan has managed to conjure a story that serves as a love letter the 1988 film and in the same breath expands the lore and world-building. I
Full Review | Original Score: 7.5/10 | Jan 14, 2023
Heather Hogan Autostraddle
Willow gives us the lesbian Disney princess we've been waiting for,
Full Review | Jan 13, 2023
Valerie Ettenhofer Film School Rejects
Willow feels like a nearly-extinct type of story: a largely family-friendly adventure saga that isn’t afraid to include humor and danger that appeals to adults, too.
Full Review | Dec 23, 2022
Mark Meszoros The News-Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Willow is a show chock full of solid modern special effects, pulsates with life and, most importantly, is populated by lots of appealing characters.
Full Review | Dec 22, 2022
Julian Lytle idobi.com
Willow is off to a great start; the characters are all great, and returning to the world feels like home. It’s a dope fantasy epic for the winter season!
Full Review | Original Score: B+ | Dec 20, 2022
Rachel West That Shelf
One of the most delightful and enjoyable reboots in recent memory, Disney+’s Willow is sure to delight not just existing fans, but total newcomers as well.
Full Review | Dec 14, 2022
James Field Pajiba
The pacing is off, though given some time that might settle. It’s not the worst Disney+ series I’ve seen, and while that sounds like damning with faint praise, there’s a lot of room for improvement here. It’s worth watching to see where it goes.
Full Review | Dec 13, 2022
Nic Autostraddle
The show so far hasn't shied away from its queerness, and I truly hope that continues as the rest of the series unfolds.
Full Review | Dec 9, 2022
Neil Soans The Times of India
Servicing a younger audience based on an older property is a tricky proposition, and Willow doesn’t always bridge that gap. But it gives us enough to care about in the first couple of episodes...
Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5 | Dec 6, 2022
Hugo Rifkind Times (UK)
"Willow" does not disgrace itself. Although I’m not sure who it is for.
Full Review | Dec 5, 2022
Kevin Carr Fat Guys at the Movies
It feels very much in line with the original film, in both its ambition and wonder, as well as its foibles.
Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Dec 3, 2022
Pat Stacey Irish Independent
The mixture of sorcery, romance, wisecracking dialogue, teen angst, comedy and darker elements often makes for a lumpy confection.
Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 3, 2022
Liz Shannon Miller Consequence
What this Willow proves to be is a bold, engaging, and above all else fun ride.
Full Review | Original Score: B | Dec 2, 2022
Lisa Laman The Spool
It’s always good to see Warwick Davis, but he can’t distract fromWillowas an example of streaming storytelling gone badly awry.
Full Review | Dec 2, 2022
Natalia Trzenko La Nación (Argentina)
With this continuation, Willow offers the same thing the original film promised: a fun and exciting adventure for the entire family. [Full review in Spanish]
Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 2, 2022
James Croot Stuff.co.nz
It's the young cast who really shine. Cruz and Kellyman spark brilliantly off each other, with the former particularly impressive as the princess determined to prove her worth is not just as a matrimonial offering.
Full Review | Dec 1, 2022