Parents' Guide to Win or Lose

Win or Lose TV show poster: An animated monster sits atop a softball player.

Common Sense Media Review

Polly Conway By Polly Conway , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 8+

Sporty Pixar series shines; includes some romance, bullying.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 8+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 10+

Based on 23 parent reviews

Parents say this show presents mature themes and complex character dynamics that may not be suitable for younger children, as it includes issues like social media addiction, cheating, and adult relationships. While some find value in using it as a conversation starter with their kids about important life topics, many recommend that it be watched with parental supervision or that it be reserved for older children due to its potentially confusing messages.

  • mature themes
  • parental supervision
  • conversation starter
  • not suitable for young kids
  • character development
Summarized with AI

age 9+

Based on 15 kid reviews

Kids say that this series effectively addresses important themes such as identity, teamwork, and emotional struggles, resonating deeply with both children and parents through its diverse characters and engaging storytelling. However, there is significant disappointment regarding the removal of a trans character, with many viewers feeling that it missed an opportunity for representation and meaningful discussions on sensitive topics.

  • emotional themes
  • character development
  • representation issues
  • age appropriate
  • diverse perspectives
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

In this sweet (and a little salty) series, each character gets an episode to shine. Their stories play out in totally different ways; Win or Lose's first episode shows the struggle of a team player who desperately wants to impress her dad. The second finds Frank, a teacher who also works as the team's umpire, reentering the dating world after a really hard breakup. Each finds a magical way to deal. When pelted by angry parent insults after a controversial call, Frank instantly sprouts armor and a shield. Laurie is both plagued and praised by an invisible companion: a gross but adorable sweat ball named Sweaty. Other characters face their own issues, including bullying, family relationships, and more.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 23 ):
Kids say ( 15 ):

Kids may be most drawn to the kid-focused episodes, but this series colorfully presents the trials and tribulations of sports life as well as life life. Win or Lose surprises by focusing on one character per episode, which includes adults dealing with issues like online dating and breakups. It can be intense to see the characters struggle; Laurie's prayers are especially poignant, as well as the way grown-up Frank's "armor" keeps him safe in a harsh world. But, overall, the series is light and lively fun for the whole family—with lots of lessons to learn for kids and adults alike.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it's like to play on a sports team. What are the most fun parts? What about the challenges? Is it worth it?

  • Both Laurie and Frank persevere in their goals—Laurie's is to get a hit in the championship, while Frank works hard to find love. Why is perseverance an important character strength?

TV Details

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

Win or Lose TV show poster: An animated monster sits atop a softball player.

What to Watch Next

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