Common Sense Media Review
By Emily Ashby
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Superhero family's relationships set iffy examples for kids.
Parents Need to Know
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The Thundermans
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 39 parent reviews
Parents say the show has mixed reviews, with some praising its humor and family values while others criticize it for promoting disrespectful behavior and lacking positive diversity. Many parents appreciate the characters’ flaws and comedic lessons, but express concerns about problematic humor and the portrayal of certain stereotypes, leading some to feel it's inappropriate for younger viewers.
- diverse characters
- humor issues
- family themes
- age-appropriate concerns
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 98 kid reviews
Kids say this show is a nostalgic favorite, ideal for both younger audiences and teens, with many enjoying its humor and family dynamics despite some criticism about character portrayals and stereotypes. While some reviews highlight its fun and entertaining elements, others express concerns over the writing quality, moral lessons, and representation of certain characters, suggesting it may not appeal to all viewers.
- family dynamics
- humor quality
- character concerns
- nostalgic favorite
- age-appropriate viewing
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
THE THUNDERMANS follows a family of superheroes who have hung up their capes and moved to the suburbs searching for a more normal life. Front-and-center are teen twins Phoebe (Kira Kosarin) and Max (Jack Griffo), who share the powers of telekinesis and freeze breath but little else. Although do-gooder Phoebe seizes the change of locale as an opportunity to be a regular teen among "non-suits," Max spends most of his time scheming and inventing his way to eventual supervillain status. Younger siblings Billy (Diego Velazquez) and Nora (Addison Riecke) have powers of their own (superspeed and laser-beam eyes, respectfully), which they unleash on their older siblings and each other at will. Parenting four kids is never an easy task, but add powers to the mix, and it's a recipe for chaos. Fortunately, dad Hank (Chris Tallman) and mom Barb (Rosa Blasi) have a few tricks up their own sleeves, but there's a fine line between respecting your true nature and letting the whole neighborhood in on your family's little secret.
Is It Any Good?
A family with supernatural powers hiding out in the 'burbs and attempting to fit in with regular people? It would be a workable concept for a sitcom if not for the fact that it's been done many times over already. The Thundermans bears so many similarities to a mix between The Incredibles and Wizards of Waverly Place that it feels like old news; and the chronic sibling rivalry accelerated by the kids' powers is meant to be a selling point for the show but comes off as downright irritating (particularly to parents) in no time at all. What's more, even though Max's attempts at villainous works are more comical than they are threatening, kids are bound to be somewhat enthralled with the novelty of a charming TV character who's working toward bad-guy status.
It's not earth-shattering news that kids are influenced by what they watch on TV. Whether it's a commercial that plants the desire for a hot new toy or a favorite cartoon character who's prone to pseudo-cursing, kids will, to some degree, emulate what they see and hear. With that in mind, The Thundermans' depiction of family life –- from sparring siblings to parents who are steamrolled by their scheming kids –- could be a concern. The bottom line? This show's canned jokes will make you laugh, but there are plenty of TV shows that present a more realistic likeness of a family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the Thundermans' family structure compares to their own. Kids: Who is in charge at your house? How are you expected to treat your siblings? What are some of your family rules? Why are they important?
Kids: How do you resolve a conflict with a friend or family member? Do you ever call on someone else to help? What are some important guidelines to keep in mind when you're talking out a problem?
Max's character is charming but claims to have a dark side, and he wants to be a villain. How can you tell a good guy from a bad guy on TV or in movies? What about in real life? What rules does your family have regarding strangers that help keep you safe?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 14, 2013
- Cast : Jack Griffo , Kira Kosarin , Rosa Blasi
- Network : Nickelodeon
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Superheroes , Family Stories ( Siblings )
- TV rating :
- Award : Kids' Choice Award
- Last updated : December 11, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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