Teen girl role model shines in funny action-adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Sex, Romance & Nudity
some
Main character Hailey has feelings for her best friend Scott. A large part of the plot revolves around the will-they-or-won't-they question, since Hailey has to kiss Scott to save the world. It's very innocent teenage crush-type stuff, but it is prevalent throughout the show.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Tiny evil robots make frequent appearances. They shoot lasers at Hailey and Scott and try to injure them but never succeed. Hailey gets rid of the robots through physical force. Some of Hailey's missions involve quite a bit of action, though it never feels like she's in peril. Scott is constantly attempting parkour moves that end in cartoonish injuries. Some episodes have plots that include a mild bullying storyline.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.
Main theme is pushing past the fear of the unknown to help the greater good. Hailey and her best friend, Scott, are trying to help save the world, and they take their mission very seriously. Other positive themes about friendship and navigating relationships.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Main character Hailey is a great role model -- she steps up out of her comfort zone when she realizes she has to save the world. She tries to do the right thing even when it scares her. She is kind, smart, brave. Best friend Scott has a good heart and means well but doesn't always make the smartest decisions.
Diverse Representations
some
Main characters Hailey and Scott both have some counterstereotypical gender traits: Hailey is brave and has agency, and Scott is sensitive and kind. One negative is that capable and brilliant Hailey's best friend and crush is not an intellectual match for her. Some ambiguous racial diversity: Hailey and Scott both have brown skin, but no explicit mention of their heritage (though Hailey mentions her Polynesian-sounding middle name in passing). Some body type diversity: Supporting character Christine Sanchez is not thin like Hailey and Scott. Both main characters are voiced by people of color.
Parents need to know that Hailey's On It! is an animated series about teen Hailey (Auli'i Cravalho, the voice of Moana), who's tasked with saving the world by combating climate change. Expect lots of action and adventure. Tiny evil robots shoot lasers and try to hurt people, and Hailey responds with physical force. Hailey has romantic feelings for her BFF Scott (Manny Jacinto), and a large part of the plot revolves around the will-they-or-won't-they question, since Hailey has to kiss Scott to save the world. It's innocent teen crush-type stuff, but it is prevalent throughout the show. Mild language and cursing-adjacent words include "butt," "heck," and "screw up." Overall, the show has a great message and laughs for the whole family.
IM NOT JOKING THIS SHOW SLAPS! IT ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS! all jokes aside i aint kidding. go watch it now! WE NEED A SEASON TWO! DONT LET IT GET CANCELED!!!! adorable show!
It was great until episode nine in season 1. Scott’s little sister states that Hailey’s into her and that she is totally going to kiss Hailey.
What's the Story?
In HAILEY'S ON IT!, a teen's ordinary life in San Diego gets interrupted by a visitor from the future. Hailey (Auli'i Cravalho) learns that she is destined to save the world by reversing climate change in the future, but only if she completes all of the items in her "My Big List of Things I'm Totally Going to Do" book first. She has to shed her typically cautious and risk-averse personality, all while being followed by tiny evil robots trying to thwart her. Luckily, she doesn't have to complete the list alone. Her best friend, neighbor, and sometimes-crush Scott Denoga (Manny Jacinto) is game to help her with all of the missions. The scientists from the future have also sent Beta, the world's most advanced AI, to help her. Can Hailey complete all of the challenges on the list, including kissing Scott, in order to save the world?
There's a lot to love about this series -- it's got an interesting premise, positive messages, and it's funny. Hailey's On It! has adult pop culture references sprinkled in for the grown-ups, and kids will find Hailey and especially her goofy sidekick Scott hilarious. Auli'i Cravalho shines in the titular role as Hailey. Like the Moana character that propelled Cravalho to stardom, Hailey is brave, spunky, and emotionally vulnerable. Cravalho also lends her musical talents to original songs for the series. Adults may wish that there was less of a focus on the budding teen romance between Hailey and Scott, but the storyline will likely be compelling for tween viewers. Overall, kids and parents alike will enjoy this clever series.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
What do you think is the message of Hailey's On It? What are some things on your "Big List of Things I'm Totally Going To Do" that you think you should cross off?
Hailey has a lot of courage: She does things even when she's afraid of doing them. When is a time you showed courage? Or, what is something you wish you had the courage to do?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
