Common Sense Media Review
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quirky cartoon full of fungi, kindness, and curiosity.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Fungies
What's the Story?
THE FUNGIES are a bunch of colorful talking fungi living on Earth in prehistoric times. Lead character Seth (Harry Teitelman) is a 10-year-old science-loving Fungie who is constantly trying to get his friends and family to appreciate how awesome science is. He lives with his super-caring mom, somewhat dim-witted but loving older brother Pascal, and younger two-headed siblings The Twins. In each episode, he explores different natural phenomena like "snow" or "bogs." Seth's unbounded enthusiasm inspires him to go to great lengths in his scientific inquiries, and hilarity ensues.
Is It Any Good?
This show sure is quirky, but it's also super sweet underneath all the limb-detaching and absurdity. The Fungies is reminiscent of other creature-focused '80s kids shows like Fraggle Rock and The Smurfs. Parents will be amused to see that the show also features '80s movie-style montages with David Bowie-esque soundtracks. Kids will love that these prehistoric fungi characters inhabit a delightful world that makes no logical sense. Characters can remove their eyeballs, use their arms as skis, and survive a night frozen in a block of ice. Lead character Seth goes on silly missions like desperately wanting his mom to see snow for the first time, or trying to collect the perfect sample from a bog to impress his classmates.
The silliness will draw kids in, but parents will appreciate all the great stuff secretly woven through each episode. Seth loves science unabashedly and models using the scientific method as he's trying to learn about the world. The characters are open and honest about their emotions. Also, each of the characters is unfailingly kind and compassionate. After Seth tells his mom he's too busy to take a bath, he says "but please know you're a wonderful, caring mother who I am lucky to call a friend." In this absurdist fungal universe, this over-the-top compassion fits right in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Seth's curiosity. What are some things he's curious about? What are some things you're just as curious about?
The characters in The Fungies are very compassionate toward one another. What are some ways they show their friends and family they care about them?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 20, 2020
- Cast : Harry Teitelman , Stephen P. Neary
- Network : Max
- Genre : Kids' Animation
- Topics : STEM
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity
- TV rating :
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : December 10, 2025
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