Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication designed to shine a light on the world of popular entertainment while giving families the essential tools they need to understand, navigate and impact the culture in which they live. Through our reviews, art
Adam Holz, Kristin Smith and Johnathan McKee
The Devil Wears Prada 2' isn't as clever or biting as the original, and there's some harsh language. But for mature viewers, it could be a nostalgic romp.Read our full reviewPluggedIn Facebook pageIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Everyone's friendly neighborhood hero is back in #Spider-Man:BrandNewDay. This time, Spidey finds himself in a world that doesn't remember him as he wrestles with a physical change he may not be able to control. Will this film be high-flying enough to web your whole family into the theater? Plugged In has the review. You just need to have the spider-sense to read it. Read our full reviewPluggedIn Facebook PageIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Much like the bleak life in the Soviet Union that it depicts, Star City is tense, bleak, violent and rather cold.Read our full reviewPluggedIn Facebook PageIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
A YouTube channel dedicated to re-airing episodes from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood debuted with five episodes in June 2026.Read our full reviewPluggedIn Facebook PageIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Director Christopher Nolan's take on The Odyssey' is undoubtedly epic. But much like Odysseus' voyage, there are some dangers here as well.Read our full reviewPluggedIn Facebook PageIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Bad Counselors' is a comedy featuring two college men who soften their hearts while working at a Christian summer camp. Will this film earn a badge from Plugged In?PluggedIn Facebook Page Read our full reviewIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Like pickleball, The Dink' might have more in its comedic mix than you expect.Read our full review PluggedIn Facebook Page If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Paramount+'s adaptation of the Innersloth video game Among Us' has all of the game's bloodshed, genderless crewmates and a bit of mild language.Read our full reviewPluggedIn Facebook Page If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
In March 2026, Brussels began investigating Snapchat over concerns of child grooming, sexual exploitation and other criminality. What should you do about the #DangersofSnapchat? Come visit Plugged In for information and helpful pointers and guides. Read our blog PluggedIn Facebook PageIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Songstress Kacey Musgraves revisits what made her a county star while singing of divorce, new love and old problems in #MiddleofNowhere. Should you pull on your boots and canter on in for a listen? Plugged In has a full review of this new album. So you oughta' take a read before you take a ride. Read our full reviewPluggedIn Facebook Page If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Animal Farm' is a strangely dissonant adaptation which tries to stretch a somber, cautionary tale into a sort of wacky animated comedy.Read our full review PluggedIn Facebook Page If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
During America's 250th Anniversary, it only seems logical to take a look at #YoungWashington. Ever wonder how he became Father of a Nation? Plugged In will give you insights and the whole truth. Just don't expect us to chop down any cherry trees. PluggedIn Facebook Page Read our full reviewIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Spider-Noir' has gotten plenty of accolades for its style. But its mature content limits who will be able to see it.Read our full reviewPlugged In Facebook PageIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. . To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Did you hear that #Roblox has agreed to pay over $12 million to the state of Nevada rather than face litigation over child safety concerns? What should you glean from that fact? Come visit Plugged In for insights on this blocky gaming situation. PluggedIn Facebook Page Read our Blog! If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Are you looking for a middle grade book about adventure and intrigue in WWII France? #TheLion'sRun might be a good pick. But just how dark does this story about bravery during the Nazi occupation get? Plugged In has the review. You just need to gallop over and take a quick look. PluggedIn Facebook PageRead our full reviewIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Michael' covers Michael Jackson's rise to superstardom with much more style than substanceand a few content issues, too.Read our full review PluggedIn Facebook Page If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Disney is releasing a new live-action reimagining of the Oscar-nominated animation, #Moana. Are you ready to answer the Ocean's call? Plugged In will have all the Polynesian island and tattooed demigod details. You're Welcome! Read the full reviewPluggedIn FacebookIf you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
In Dutton Ranch' on Paramount+, Beth Dutton and Rip Wheeler move their small family and ranching business to Texas and trouble moves with them. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
A new Gallup survey finds that half of Gen Z use AI regularly. And a large part of those young people are anxious about AI's impact. So, how can you address those concerns at home? Come visit Plugged In for some ideas and discussion starters on the subject. Plugged In Facebook PageRead the Plugged In Blog To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
#007:First Light delivers a fresh, video game take on James Bond's origin story. But will the trigger-pulling gameplay leave you shaken or stirred? Read the full review.If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
This newest Enola Holmes chapter follows Sherlock's detective sister to a mystery in Malta. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Young Washington' is a strong and largely accurate look at an overlooked period of American history. But it's not free of its own concerns. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Dragon Striker' is a well-crafted fantasy sports story, but with that premise comes a few issues parents will need to (slide) tackle. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
If Hollywood had an All-Star Game, it would be this movie. It's a new multistar vehicle about a team of con men set to take on Vegas. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Playtime faces off against screen time in Toy Story 5.' The film is mostly clean, but a potty-training device makes for a few unnecessary double entendres. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
My Brother the Minotaur' is a preteen mystery with a lot of heartthough viewers should note it finds its roots in Irish mythology. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
44% of teens say they feel pressured to be online and more than half say they feel left out if they're not. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
MOUSE: P.I. For Hire' looks fantastic, but it's got some mess in its black-and-white bits. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Peach, Mario, Luigi and a new dino pal named Yoshi rally to save the day. But it's family viewers who get the gold coin. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Disclosure Day' is at times entertaining, but spiritual spaciness and a lack of intrigue sap this summer blockbuster of its potency. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Lord of the Flies' adaptations, via the book itself, intrinsically come with dark, violent moments. The Netflix version is no different. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
We've all heard that too much screen time, especially with social media, isn't great for our mental health. But what about physical health? Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Ollie Atwood decides to take a job at a house that was set up to protect endangered dragons. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
This animated biopic about French auteur Marcel Pagnol tells a visually lush story, but there are some content smudges on this canvas. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
While it may not be a newfound comedy classic, families will find a lot to like in Nate Bargatze's 'The Breadwinner.' Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair' modernizes and reboots yet another showincluding some of the concerning content therewithin. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
According to new data from Girls Scouts of the USA, becoming a grown-up sounds scary to more than half (54%) of girls ages 5 to 13. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Zayn's version of love is marred by revenge, lust, and a selfish pursuit of whatever feels best in the moment. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Pixar's Hoppers' encourages viewers to be better stewards of the planet. But the messages (and the comedy) fall a little flat. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Pressure' takes us into a little-known wrinkle in perhaps history's most documented war, and it does so with fewer content concerns than you'd expect. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
While Netflix says that the animated Stranger Things: Tales From '85' is a kinder, gentler sort of Stranger Things' show, that hardly makes it kind or gentle. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Australia banned social media for kids under 16. But 61% of Australian teens still have access to one or more accounts. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Pragmata' surprises with its emotional father-daughter storyline. But trigger-pulling peril and foul language will keep younger players ducking. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
If you feel like you're always battling your child over screens, here's a surprising truth: one of the strongest predictors of a child's screen use is YOUR screen use. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Mumford Sons' long-wrought journey continues a commitment to vulnerability, encouraging listeners to explore their despair to eventually find hope. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Avatar: Fire and Ash' feels much like what we've seen before, only more. But that more will leave family viewers feeling burned. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Netflix's Remarkably Bright Creatures' has some lovely messages, but it blunders through a lot of foul language. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
The opening song asks how one might get to Sesame Street,' and we'll help you decide whether or not you should go. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Laws might make it harder for AI deepfakes to harm innocents, but we should still talk to our kids about potential dangers. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
"Koo Koo' is a band that makes goofy music sure to get kids dancingwith a couple of minor concerns to think through. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
Solo Mio' keeps its heart warm and its nose (mostly) clean. And it reminds us that disappointment can lead to unexpected joy. Read the full review. If you've enjoyed listening to Plugged In Reviews, please give us your feedback. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1005/29?v=20251111
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