The Future Is Wild (The Hub)

common sense media says

Futuristic adventures mixed with green messages.

parents & educators say

50% say there are positive messages
50% say it's educational

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this animated, science-based adventure series for kids features futuristic animals like carnivorous spiders, massive tortoises, and vicious, wasp-like insects -- some of which are predators. The human characters are sometimes in mildly perilous situations, but they always come out OK. The show offers lots of messages about climate change and sustainability and includes overt reminders of the importance of energy conservation. Adventure-loving tweens will find a lot to like, but younger kids may not be able to fully understand the concepts of time and evolution in order to place the show in an appropriate context.

Positive messages: Characters discuss the importance of conservation and limiting consumption, sometimes citing specific culprits of wasted energy (idle cell phones, laptops, etc.), and the series relies on scientifically valid predictions of future creatures for its special animal cast. Many episodes show the kids learning lessons in teamwork and friendship. And C.G. slowly learns to temper her impatience with her crewmates, whom she refers to as "primitive" and whose intelligence she sometimes insults.

Violence & scariness: Implications of animals killing and eating their prey, but nothing is shown. Mildly perilous situations show predators of all sizes chasing the humans, who are sometimes bitten or stung but rarely suffer lasting effects.

Sexy stuff: Not applicable.

Language: Not applicable.

Consumerism: Not applicable.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how TV shows and movies usually portray the future. How is this show similar to what you've seen before? How is it different? What are the show's ideas about the future based on? How could you find out more? Families can also discuss conservation and energy consumption. Why is conservation such a hot topic these days? What will happen if we don't find other sources for energy and preserve the ones we currently have? How will it affect us financially? What are some ways we can make a difference at home?

What's the story?

THE FUTURE IS WILD puts an entertaining spin on reverse natural history, relying on real scientific predictions to present a vision of Earth -- and its new, highly unusual animal inhabitants -- 100 million years from now. The show, which was inspired by a series of CGI documentaries of the same name, follows the adventures of four young adventurers who explore the planet in their space-age Time Flyer. For Ethan (voiced by Marc Donato), Emily (Miranda Jones), and Luis (Taylor Abrahamse), the journeys are an exciting break from their average 21st-century lives. But there's more at stake for C.G. (Ashley Peters), the Time Flyer's captain. With her futuristic home in a distant solar system under threat from an impending ice age, she's been sent even further ahead in time to seek a sustainable habitat for her people on Earth.

Is it any good?

Packed with adventure and bolstered by scientifically based speculation from experts in a number of fields, The Future Is Wild is a wild ride for tweens who are curious about the planet's future. There are also plenty of gentle reminders about the dangers of excessive energy consumption and other resource woes that will resonate with ecologically aware viewers. But the series isn't all about science and discovery; there's plenty of humor and character development to maintain tweens' interest as well.

TV themes & details

Themes

science and nature, space and aliens, wild animals

TV Details

TV Rating: TV-Y7
Network: The Hub
Cast: Ashley Peters, Marc Donato, Miranda Jones
Genre: Kids' Animation
Where to watch: The Hub

This review was written by Emily Ashby

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:

50% say there are positive messages
50% say it's educational

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Uxie Trixie ...
kid, 12 years old

C.G. is a time traveler from the future, not an alien!

This is an okay show, nothing to bad, but nothing amazing about it, either. The premise is unique, with C.G. facing an ice age a few thousand years in the future, and her having to go farther into the future to find a new home. This article says that C.G. is an alien, but she's not (though that was the original plan, or so I hear) she's a time traveler from the future.

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The Future Is Wild (The Hub)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on The Future Is Wild

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

TV themes & details

Themes

TV Details

Review It

Review The Future Is Wild

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

C.G. is a time traveler from the future, not an alien!

in episodes season 1

in episodes season 1

in episodes season 1

in episodes season 1

in episodes season 1

in episodes season 1

Educational and Entertaining!

Entertaining and interesting

I don't get how this could be rated on seven+

Scary at times but funny, too.

A good Show

Great, education fun

Eco-Friendly Show interesting and educational!

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