Common Sense Media Review
By Kari Croop
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Big-budget supernatural thriller with family at its heart.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Terra Nova
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 11 parent reviews
Based on 17 kid reviews
Kids say they enjoy this TV show, emphasizing its intriguing plot about time travel to a prehistoric era and strong character development, while also noting some violent content and mild swearing. Many express disappointment over its cancellation, citing it as a unique mix of adventure, romance, and relatable themes, particularly for older kids and teens.
- time travel
- violent content
- strong characters
- unique mix
- cancellation disappointment
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In the year 2149, a family of five (Jason O'Mara, Shelley Conn, Landon Liboiron, Naomi Scott, and Alana Mansour) moves mountains to stick together when they're selected to travel to TERRA NOVA, an experimental community that's being built 85 million years in the past. But living in prehistoric times presents a brand-new set of problems, from carnivorous dinosaurs to a rebellious splinter colony with murky motives.
Is It Any Good?
Thanks to Steven Spielberg's backing, Terra Nova had plenty of buzz behind it well before it aired. And while hype like that can prove premature, in this case, it's surprisingly accurate, for in addition to mixing weighty themes, gripping action, and a well-paced plot with stellar production values, Terra Nova is largely family friendly, too.
It's particularly challenging to craft a series that will interest today's parents and teens. But Terra Nova rises to the occasion by giving adult and teen characters near-equal screen time, creating entry points for a variety of tastes. And if all else fails, well ... there's always the dinosaurs.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the show's sci-fi premise and whether some of its themes are really that far off. What are the real-life consequences of greed, war, and ignorance? What actions can you take to ensure that the world you live in remains safe and habitable?
How accurately does the show portray relationships between parents and their kids, particularly teens?
Is the violence you see on this show any less impactful simply because it takes place in the sci-fi realm? What forms does violence take on planet Earth vs. Terra Nova?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 26, 2011
- Cast : Jason O'Mara , Shelley Conn , Stephen Lang
- Network : Fox
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Animals ( Dinosaurs )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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