Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lots of fun, pranks, and attitude in book-based series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Big Nate
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say the adaptation is a mixed bag; while some appreciate the humor and the potential for storytelling, many feel it fails to capture the charm of the original books, citing poor animation and a departure from key character personalities. There are concerns about inappropriate content for younger audiences, and though some episodes have been praised for their surprises, overall sentiment leans heavily toward disappointment amongst fans of the comics.
- bad adaptation
- poor animation
- inappropriate content
- mixed reviews
- some humor
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
BIG NATE, a show based on Lincoln Peirce's hit book and comic series follows the exploits of sixth-grader Nate Wright (voiced by Ben Giroux) and his friends at P.S. 38. Nate is always planning pranks that he can pull on his unsuspecting teachers and classmates, though most of the time his plots get thwarted and end in yet another detention. He's supported by his loyal friends Dee Dee (Bryce Charles), Francis (Daniel Mk Cohen), and Teddy (Arnie Pantoja), who are all trying to navigate everyday middle school troubles in between Nate's antics. Nate claims that he generally likes and respects teachers, but he's constantly butting heads with Mrs. Godfrey (Carolyn Hennesy), who's always at the ready to write another detention slip. Nate's always dreaming and scheming, but will his plans ever bring him the middle school glory he's after?
Is It Any Good?
Like the book series the show is based on, the TV show is likely to be loved by kids and to divide parents. On one hand, Big Nate faces extremely relatable middle-schooler problems: wanting to be liked by his peers, having a crush on a girl who's not interested in him, and having a teacher who is bent on making his life miserable. On the other hand, some of the antics that are silly in comic-book form come off as slightly meaner and more violent when translated into animation. Some parents may prefer not to have a character with such an anti-school, teacher, and rule-following attitude (though others will think it's all in good fun and not a big deal). Kids will find Nate hilarious, some grown-ups might find the negative humor a bit off-putting. The first episode of the series, for example, features a character with violent, anti-social tendencies that are played for laughs. It won't be every grown-up's cup of tea. Fans of the comics and books will like seeing their hero come to life, but parents of kids who haven't yet been introduced to Nate might be wary.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Big Nate's attitude towards school. Do you think Nate's feelings towards school makes him a bad role model for real kids, or do you think it makes him relatable to real kids who have a hard time with school? Do you identify with Nate's feelings at all?
Sometimes the show makes it seem funny when a character gets hurt, or characters fight one another. Do you think it's okay for kids to see violence on TV, even when it's supposed to be silly?
Have you read any of the Big Nate books or comics? How is the show the same? How is it different?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 17, 2022
- Cast : Ben Giroux , Dove Cameron , Kevin Michael Richardson
- Network : Paramount+
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship , School ( Middle School )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : November 6, 2025
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