Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Perilous New Zealand challenge is beautiful, has language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Summit
What's the Story?
THE SUMMIT is an unscripted game show where a group of people have to work together to reach a New Zealand mountaintop in order to win $1 million (or some portion thereof). Hosted by Manu Bennett, 16 Americans have 14 days to trek through the New Zealand Alps and reach the top of Mount Head while carrying their share of the cash prize in their backpacks. Throughout the grueling journey they have to work together and overcome perilous obstacles to reach checkpoint camps as a group, where they're required to vote to eliminate at least one person from the competition. Meanwhile, an entity called "The Mountain Keeper" keeps watch over what they're doing via helicopter, and forces the group to make difficult decisions along the way. If the entire group of remaining contestants doesn't reach the summit by the end of 14 days, nobody wins the money.
Is It Any Good?
The entertaining series features all the adventure and scheming one comes to expect from an unscripted extreme adventure competition. The New Zealand Alps are spectacularly beautiful and dangerous, requiring people to have the stamina and the courage to keep moving and push through challenges like walking across a broken rope bridge hanging over a deep ravine to rappelling down icy mountain ledges, all of which must be done while wearing heavy backpacks partially filled with money. Meanwhile, alliances are made, trust is broken, and tears flow as group members help each other get to higher checkpoints only to turn against one another and boot folks out of the game. Outside of the stunning scenery, the competition isn't particularly novel, but it offers just enough outdoor adventure to make it a fun watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about New Zealand. After watching this show, is it a place you would like to visit? Why?
At the beginning of The Summit, Manu Bennett acknowledges that they are on Indigenous lands. Why is this important?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 29, 2024
- Cast : Manu Bennett
- Networks : CBS , Paramount+
- Genre : Game Shows
- Topics : Adventures
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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