Critics’ reviews

The Baby-Sitters Club (2020)

9 reviews from 9 publications. Critics’ score 90: 9 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative.

Back to our review of The Baby-Sitters Club

90
Positive
9
Mixed
0
Negative
0

The reviews are uniformly positive about The Baby-Sitters Club, with praise centred on its young ensemble and its careful updating of the books. Critics repeatedly single out the cast’s chemistry, the girls’ distinct personalities and the warmth of their friendships and family relationships. The adaptation’s inclusiveness is widely welcomed, as is its ability to take childhood worries seriously while making room for wider social questions. Across the reviews, sincerity and respect for young viewers are recurring strengths.

There is no clear dissent among these nine reviews, and the supplied accounts identify no substantial recurring reservation. Differences concern emphasis more than judgement: The Guardian particularly values the humour and natural handling of feminist themes, while The AV Club’s season-two review stresses the balance between serious subjects and lighthearted storytelling. The consensus is that the series preserves the books’ appeal without treating their original world as something that cannot change.

The AV Club
6 October 2021 · A · Saloni Gajjar
95

The critic finds season two a joyful, charming escape that balances serious themes with lighthearted storytelling. She especially praises the young cast’s chemistry and the show’s nuanced portrayal of friendships and family life.

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IndieWire
29 June 2020 · A- · Kristen Lopez
90

Lopez praises the series as warm, sincere summer fun that makes the books’ characters feel vivid and relatable. She especially singles out the young cast’s performances and the inclusive, cohesive ensemble.

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The Hollywood Reporter
2 July 2020 · Robyn Bahr
90*

Bahr finds the adaptation wholesome, breezy, and among Netflix’s best shows. She especially praises its colorful production design and careful updating of the original stories.

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Vulture
29 June 2020 · Kathryn VanArendonk
90*

The critic finds the series a comforting, delightful adaptation that preserves the books’ warmth while updating their concerns for 2020. She praises its earnest treatment of seemingly small childhood problems alongside weighty social issues.

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Variety
29 June 2020 · Caroline Framke
85*

Framke finds the series warm, sincere and empathetic, successfully updating the books without losing their spirit. She especially praises its thoughtful portrayals of the girls’ distinct storylines and its respectful treatment of young viewers.

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The Guardian
3 July 2020 · Lucy Mangan
82*

Mangan finds the series a funny, fresh reimagining that balances contemporary themes with old-fashioned charm. She especially praises its light, cross-generational touches and the natural, humorous handling of feminist themes.

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Den of Geek
29 June 2020 · ★★★★★ · Kayti Burt
100

The critic praises the series as a smart, hopeful adaptation that celebrates girlhood while balancing nostalgia with a contemporary perspective. She singles out its inclusive character development and thoughtful expansion of the original world.

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Paste
1 July 2020 · 9.7/10 · Alexis Gunderson
97

Gunderson finds the adaptation delightful, clever, and emotionally rich. She especially praises the young cast’s chemistry and the series’ thoughtful update of the books’ progressive spirit.

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The Ringer
2 July 2020 · Katie Baker
85*

Baker finds the adaptation a warm, successful blend of nostalgia and modern relevance. She praises its faithful handling of the books while updating representation and social issues for a new generation.

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Ordered by the weight we give each publication, then by score. Scores are normalised to 100; * means inferred from an unrated review. Summaries are ours, not quotations; follow the links for the reviews themselves. How we rate