Parents' Guide to

Aqua Teen Hunger Force

By Kari Croop, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Oddball humor is OK for teens ... but is it funny?

TV Cartoon Network Comedy 2000
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force TV Show: Scene #1
  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force TV Show: Scene #2
  • Aqua Teen Hunger Force TV Show: Scene #3

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 33 parent reviews

Jendinto
Jendinto Adult
May 12, 2021
age 17+

Love it but...

I personally love this show but I wouldn't let my daughter watch it. It can get disturbing, even for adults.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
jcmcdowell
jcmcdowell Adult
May 9, 2021
age 15+

Entertaining Series!

I do not know why I like this series so much…probably because it is entertaining and somewhat funny! It is not as good as series like South Park, but it is still up there! The characters look like they could make up a Happy Meal if combined. This show’s mature content is not as bad as I thought it was going to be, so it is not as bad as CSM says it is. I have seen the first two seasons of this show, and it has been great, and I think it is okay for kids in their mid-teens. If you are a fan of quirky satirical humor, you will enjoy this series.

This title has:

Too much swearing
1 person found this helpful.
See all 33 parent reviews

What's the Story?

AQUA TEEN HUNGER FORCE, the longest-running original series in Cartoon Network's late-night block, flies in the face of conventional comedy, Who would've thought that a milkshake, a meatball, and a container of fries could become rulers of their own cult domain? The show follows this trio of edible friends, who are supposed to be detectives but really aren't: Master Shake, a megalomaniacal milkshake (voiced by Dana Snyder); Frylock, a cerebral box of French fries (Carey Means); and Meatwad, a mild-mannered ball of ground beef (Dave Willis). The story lines are as absurd as the characters; for example, there's the time that Frylock decided to join a mountain biking club, never mind that as a levitating box of fries, Frylock has no legs and can't really ride a bike.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (33 ):
Kids say (95 ):

Some parents might wonder why this show is funny at all, since it really doesn't make any sense. But maybe the randomness is part of its charm. As a programming choice for kids, ATHF isn't the best. After all, the language is loose, the story lines nonsensical, and the Aqua Teens' next-door neighbor, Carl (also voiced by Willis), is probably one of the worst role models on TV. That said, Frylock serves as an oddly comforting father figure whose passion for science and technology sets a positive example for younger viewers. Meatwad, too, usually displays some sense of moral outrage, though it rarely shields him from Master Shake's schemes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about whether a cartoon really needs a plot to be funny. Do you think Aqua Teen Hunger Force is funny?

  • The show also prompts questions about group dynamics among friends with distinct personalities. Why do some people become leaders who get to tell everyone else what to do -- and why do others become followers who get mercilessly pushed around? How many bad decisions does a person have to make before being ousted by disgruntled friends?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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