Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny nature docuseries has a little insect peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
A Real Bug's Life
What's the Story?
Each episode of the nature docuseries A REAL BUG'S LIFE features bugs living in a different habitat. Viewers might see bugs living in a jungle, a suburban backyard, or New York City. Narrator Awkwafina helps bring different insects' daily lives into focus. A jumping spider living in Manhattan has to navigate people, strollers, birds, and mantises just to survive another day. City ants are on the lookout for people's discarded food scraps to feast on, and dumpster-diving cockroaches survive their heads being eaten (gross, but true). A Real Bug's Life focuses on the trials and tribulations of the tiny creepy crawlies living all around us.
Is It Any Good?
A Real Bug's Life is great fun, and kids into science and animals will love it. By giving the tiny creatures inner lives and stories, Awkwafina's funny narration helps make the amazing world of bugs more relatable to kids. Grown-ups may have a small quibble with the series: some of the scenes are shot on film sets instead of in nature. Some scenes are even hyperrealistic animation trying to be passed off as "real." The movie magic is used in service of trying to get kids (and adults) more engaged in learning about bugs, so the truth-bending is probably forgivable. A Real Bug's Life is entertaining and easy to watch, feeling less like homework and more like any other character-focused show in Disney+'s catalog.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the narrator of the series. Does this sound and feel like other nature documentaries? Why do you think the show producers chose Awkwafina as the narrator?
What was the most surprising thing you learned about bugs? Is there anything else you'd like to learn more about?
The series makes bugs seem like they have the same thoughts and emotions as humans. Why do you think the show chose to tell bug stories this way?
TV Details
- Premiere date : January 24, 2024
- Cast : Awkwafina
- Network : Disney+
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : STEM , Animals ( Bugs , Wild Animals )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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