Seriously, I am not kidding with this headline. Julie and the Phantoms is a new show from the brilliant Kenny Ortega (High School Musical/Descendants) coming to Netflix on Thursday, September 10th and I couldn’t be more excited!
Julie and the Phantoms tells the story of a young girl who, after the traffic loss of her mother, has lost her love of music. While packing up her old rehearsal room Julie comes across one of her mom’s old CDs. It’s of a band called Sunset Curve and POOF out pops the trio of the band who has been dead for 25 years! Through friendship (and fantastic music) the boys help Julie rekindle her love of music. Julie helps them become the band they always dreamed of because…here’s the twist. The only time people can see them is when they’re playing music with Julie!
JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS (L to R) MADISON REYES as JULIE and CARLOS PONCE as RAY in episode 107 of JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS Cr. KAILEY SCHWERMAN/NETFLIX © 2020 
JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS (L to R) JEREMY SHADA as REGGIE, CHARLIE GILLESPIE as LUKE, and OWEN JOYNER as ALEX in episode 101 of JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS Cr. EIKE SCHROTER/NETFLIX © 2020 
JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS (L to R) JEREMY SHADA as REGGIE, OWEN JOYNER as ALEX, MADISON REYES as JULIE, and CHARLIE GILLESPIE as LUKE in episode 101 of JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS Cr. KAILEY SCHWERMAN/NETFLIX © 2020 
JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS (L to R) OWEN JOYNER as ALEX and BOOBOO STEWART as WILLIE in episode 108 of JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS Cr. EIKE SCHROTER/NETFLIX © 2020 
JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS (L to R) CHEYENNE JACKSON as CALEB in episode 105 of JULIE AND THE PHANTOMS Cr. COURTESY OF NETFLIX © 2020
A Great New Cast
The show stars newcomer Madison Reyes as Julie, Charlie Gillespie (Degrassi: Next Class) as Luke, Jeremy Shada (Adventure Time)as Reggie, and Owen Joyner (Knight Squad) as Alex to round out the band. There are also a couple of really fun guest stars as well, Boo Boo Stewart (Twilight/Descendants), as well as Cheyenne Jackson (American Horror Story) who takes on the mysterious Caleb who runs the infamous Hollywood Ghost Club!
Although Julie and the Phantoms is based on the Brazilian TV Series of the same name, Julie e os Fantasmas, Ortega has said his version will not follow the original show closely. However, they do give the show a nod by naming the school Principal, Principal Lessa. If anyone knows where I can watch the original let a girl know.
The Music Really Pops
One of my many favorite things about this show is the MUSIC! The original signs are fantastic pop hits that you could hear on the radio today. On top of that, they’re catchy AF. I was humming and singing along like I’d hear the songs a million times when it was my first time through.
If that’s not impressive enough, all of the actors play their own instruments and sing all the songs, and Madison is a little Alessia Cara. Fun Fact: Before filming for the show even started, the band had to go to a month-long performer’s Boot Camp where they underwent rigorous acting, singing, dancing, and instrument training! I would expect nothing less from a show Directed by THE Kenny Ortega. I feel this actor boot camp helped solidify the friendship and onscreen chemistry that they all have with each other.
Julie And The Phantoms Is Great For Netflix And All Ages
I absolutely loved that the actors looked like kids. I feel that you can always tell what kind of teen/tween show you’re going to be watching by how old the actors are in real life and how old they look on camera. This isn’t a CW Teen Drama. We’re sticking to the wholesome good-time of The Baby-sitters Club, or The Expanding Universe of Ashely Garcia.
Seriously, there are so many things I absolutely loved about this show if I were to discuss them all this would be a 20-page review. Ain’t nobody got time for that!
Season 1 of Julie and the Phantoms gives us 9, 25-minute episodes of laughter, fun, and fantastic music that leaves you with an epic cliffhanger every episode bringing you back for more! I cannot wait for season 2!
