Parents' Guide to

The Cube

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Intense, high-stakes game show padded with banter.

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The Cube Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 16+

Based on 1 parent review

laurencatlett25
laurencatlett25 Adult
June 19, 2021
age 16+
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

THE CUBE is a game show that makes contestants complete seemingly simple tasks for cash while inside a giant plexiglass box with an attitude. Hosted by NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade, it features pairs of contestants trying to complete seven rounds of mental and physical challenges, all of which take place inside the 15-square-foot cube. If they manage to successfully complete a round, they earn cash and can go on to the next level where they get the chance to play for an increased amount of money. But if they lose, they must use one of their "nine lives" to continue. They even get a chance to simplify the round or ask the host to help them. Contestants who make it to the end get the $250,000 prize, but The Cube has a mind of its own and is difficult to beat.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1):
Kids say: Not yet rated

This U.S. adaptation of the popular UK series The Million Pound Cube offers lots of intense moments as couples attempt to complete challenges that are more complicated than they look. Requiring them to do so inside a 15-square-foot talking plexiglass box enhanced with lights and special effects adds to the pressure. There's also lots of ongoing, and often unnecessary, banter between host Dwyane Wade and the contestants, which creates the feeling that the competition is being dragged out longer than necessary. Nonetheless, the host's likable personality and the big prize money involved manage to keep it entertaining. If you like game shows that test the nerve of its players, The Cube has something to offer.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about adapting TV shows from other countries for U.S. audiences. Why is it that some game shows are popular in specific countries, and fail to entertain audiences in others? Is it due to cultural differences? Or is there something else that drives this phenomena?

  • Does putting people in a large plexiglass box makes The Cube more entertaining? Or is this just hype to make the competition seem more difficult or exciting than it really is?

TV Details

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