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The Princess Switch is out now on Netflix and if you’re looking for everything you need to know before and after you start watching, you’ve come to the right place.
Netflix has been releasing a string of Netflix Original movies this year that are targeted for the holiday season. We’ve already had The Holiday Calendar which released last week with several more due out before Christmas.
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Before You Watch
Afer You Watch
What to know before you watch
What’s the movie about?
This is a doppelganger swap movie with a holiday twist. It’s essentially a replication of the classic tale ‘Prince and the Pauper’.
The swap takes place between the Duchess of Montenaro and a baker from Chicago. The pair is played by Vanessa Hudgens. Each takes the role of each other in their lives to release the stress.
Who is this movie for?
The movie holds a PG rating so is absolutely suitable for kids but with parents watching.
Ultimately, if you’re a fan of Disney Channel or Hallmark movies set at Christmas this is unmissable.
Vanessa Hudgens as Stacy in The Princess Switch
Our Take on The Princess Switch
You probably know exactly what you’re getting into with this movie. If you’re a fan of Christmas movies from either Disney Channel or Hallmark, you know exactly what you’re getting into here.
The story is nothing you probably haven’t seen before but has enough charm through its festive sets and on-screen dynamics between the main characters. Unfortunetely, the dialogue is corny throughout and when Vanessa interacts with her other self it’s extremely awkward.
Rating: 6 out of 10
What Critics/Fans Are Saying
Critic reviews are few and far between at the initial time in writing. We’ll update once we hear from more critics.
Over on IMDb, user reviews are few and far between. At the time of writing the movie is sitting at a 6.6/10.
After You Finish Watching
What titles were on Kevin’s Netflix list?
The Princess Switch also goes meta around an hour and ten minutes into the movie. Stacy sits down with Kevin to enjoy Stacy’s favorite Christmas movie which just happens to be the Netflix Original movie A Christmas Prince.
What else is on Kevin’s watchlist? You’ve got another Christmas movie in the form of El Camino Christmas, you’ve got Like Father, Set it Up and Sugar Rush.
The Princess Switch cast and where you’ve seen them before
The majority of the cast are actors and actresses either previously not featured predominantly movie or this is their debut performance. Alexa Adeosun who plays Olivia is a debut performance who coincidentally makes for one of the best performances throughout the movie.
| Actor/Actress | Plays | Where You’ve Seen Them Before |
|---|---|---|
| Vanessa Hudgens | Stacy/Duchess | High School Musical, Beastly, Spring Breakers |
| Sam Palladio | Prince Edward | Nashville, Runner Runner |
| Nick Sager | Kevin Richards | Ill Manors |
| Mark Fleischmann | Frank De Luca (Duchess Assistant) | Wolfblood, Lucky Man |
| Suanne Braun | Mrs. Donatelli (Stacy Rival) | A Royal Winter |
| Sara Stewart | Queen Caroline | Batman Begins, Mrs Brown |
Complete Song Listing (Soundtrack)
The Princess Switch doesn’t feature many big Christmas hits rather opting to focus on Christmas carols and original music featuring the voice of some of the cast including Vanessa Hudgens and Sam Palladio.
- What Christmas Means To Me – The Christmas Miracles
- Bring the Snow
- Clear Night – Kendra Dias
- Jolly Switch – Sam Palladio and Claire Nordstrom
- Merry Christmas Wishes – Sam Palladio, Vanessa Hudgens and other cast members
- Switch Wish – Sam Palladio, Claire Nordstrom
The Princess Switch Special Screening Took Place Earlier in the Month
Earlier this month, Netflix premiered the movie at the brand new Netflix Icon Building in Los Angeles with the majority of the cast in attendance. Here are a few pictures of the event.
Kim Hidalgo, Vanessa Hudgens and Laura New (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Sam Palladio, Vanessa Hudgens and Nick Sagar (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix)
Where is ‘The Princess Switch’ set?
As you’ve probably guessed by now, Belgravia is not a real place. Montenaro is not a real place either which is where Margaret supposedly hails from.
Despite the movie clearly being modelled after the Royal Family from the United Kingdom, the movie isn’t even filmed there. Instead, most to all of the family was completed in Romania.
Did you enjoy The Princess Switch on Netflix? Let us know in the comments.
Netflix Synopsis: "When a down-to-earth Chicago baker and a soon-to-be princess discover they look like twins, they hatch a Christmastime plan to trade places."
