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Parents' Guide to

Thundarr the Barbarian

By KJ Dell'Antonia, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 5+

80s action 'toon offers kid-friendly adventures.

TV Boomerang Kids' Animation 1980
Thundarr the Barbarian Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 4 parent reviews

acephotony
acephotony Parent of 7-year-old
September 5, 2022
age 6+

Poor Man’s He-Man but OK

My son really wants to watch more exciting (fighting) shows but I want to keep him away from too much violence so we’ve settled on the mid-80s classics I grew up on - this, the original masters of the universe and thundercats. This is the lamest one - animation is simplistic, characters underdeveloped and plots more battle after battle (though bloodless) than anything. But that is kind for the fun of it for my kid at least - he wants the non-stop action and it makes him feel like he’s watching something for older kids. All in all these old cartoons are actually a good compromise that way if you have a kid like mine, the original MOTU being the best of the trio.
Rogue Comet
Rogue Comet Adult
November 19, 2011
age 6+

Childhood memories

I watched Thundarr the barbarian as a child. My only regret was it's cancellation.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Thundarr (voiced by Robert Ridgely) is a human remnant of our current civilization -- which, according to the show (which originally aired in the '80s), was destroyed in 1994. In each episode, Thundarr and his companions, Princess Ariel (Nellie Bellflower) and Ookla (Henry Corden), fight for right and justice amid the ruins of a famous city or landmark (Manhattan, the Alamo, etc.). They do this without ever hurting anyone -- instead, they make them surrender or spirit them magically away.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (1 ):

THUNDARR THE BARBARIAN is a pretty typical-looking cartoon. The animation is simple, and both the heroes and villains seem familiar from years of Saturday morning viewing -- but that's not actually a bad thing. The simplicity and lack of flash makes it easier for young elementary school viewers to follow than many current action shows.

All in all, Thundarr is a good adventure program for younger kids. The hero's determination to do no harm and his reliance on his sidekick -- a princess who can read, knows her history, and has every magic power necessary to help save the day -- mean the show has good role models, as action cartoons go. Plus, the plots are actually mildly interesting, giving kids a chance to feel like they're figuring out what supposedly happened to the world. This is a show that action fans of all ages can enjoy together.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what sets Thundarr and his friends apart from other action cartoon heroes. Why is it important to them not to hurt anyone, even bad guys? Can you think of any other cartoon characters who feel the same way? Families can also discuss why so many action cartoons seem to be set in different times or on different planets. What does that allow the people who create the show to do?

TV Details

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