Parents' Guide to

River Monsters

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Man-eating fish tales are too intense for young kids.

TV Animal Planet Educational 2009
River Monsters Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 5 parent reviews

Ruben R.
Ruben R. Parent
November 28, 2017
age 10+

Too much talk

He talks too much and usually repeats himself every show. He only shows the what happened to other people, never this is the monster. Explaining everything that he goes to, where’s the monster man?
Cheese and Bread
Cheese and Bread Parent of 18+-year-old
May 29, 2017
age 11+

Great show. way better then 3 stars

Its a great show for people who like fishing . only down side is when he does some thing where he asks the "gods of the water" for help
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In RIVER MONSTERS, extreme angler Jeremy Wade travels the world to get a first-hand look at fish whose reputation for killing and eating humans has become the stuff of legend. Among the species Wade studies are piranha, bullshark, and wels catfish; at each stop, he uses local witness accounts and his own observations of the creatures' behavior to analyze their instinct to execute unprovoked attacks on humans.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (5 ):
Kids say (12 ):

This dramatic series will reel you in with its fascinating close-up views of the legendary water creatures at the heart of many underwater horror stories. Wade often catches live samples of the species he studies, and the visual aids give viewers a close-up look at unique features like razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws that make the fish so deadly. The good news is that Wade is thorough in his studies, taking a CSI-like approach to piece together the facts and suppositions of the myths he investigates before making a conclusion about a species' supposedly deadly nature. Fish enthusiasts will probably be more intrigued by the show's subject matter than the average viewer, but there's enough drama to maintain most adults' interest.

Speaking of drama, there's an overabundance of the human variety to captivate viewers, but the graphic first-hand accounts of attacks -- some of which bring Wade nearly to tears -- are too upsetting for kids and sensitive viewers. Many interviewees talk about the injuries they received, the deaths they've witnessed, and the emotional work of recovering partial bodies after an attack.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about wildlife and nature. What are some basic rules about interacting with wildlife?

  • How do scientists study wildlife in their native habitats? How does their knowledge make us -- and the animals -- safer?

  • What responsibilities do humans have toward animals? How can we help protect their habitats? What would be the consequences of the loss of their habitats?

TV Details

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