Alexa & Katie – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Alexa & Katie

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2018

74%

WISE Score

Best friends navigate high school and cancer with laugh-track optimism—sweet but dated sitcom about serious stuff.

Alexa & Katie

show

TV-G, 2018

74%

WISE Score

Best friends navigate high school and cancer with laugh-track optimism—sweet but dated sitcom about serious stuff.

Jump to

Also rated on

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those shows that's objectively good for kids but feels like eating your vegetables. The friendship is genuinely beautiful, the cancer representation is thoughtful, and the messages are solid gold. But let's be real: the multi-cam laugh track format was already feeling stale in 2018, and in 2025 it's practically ancient.

The show's heart is absolutely in the right place, and if your kid connects with it, that's wonderful—it handles serious topics with care and models exceptional empathy. But if they bounce off it because it feels like a Disney Channel show from 2008, that's also completely understandable.

IMDB rating of 7.5 suggests it found its audience, and for families dealing with illness or wanting to build empathy around medical challenges, this could be genuinely valuable. Just know you're signing up for wholesome sitcom vibes, not prestige TV.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-13 who can handle the cancer storyline with some emotional maturity. The sitcom format and high school setting won't appeal to older teens, and younger kids might find the medical elements scary without context.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Netflix sitcom about two best friends navigating high school while one battles cancer. Models exceptional friendship, empathy, and support through difficult times. Positive family dynamics and age-appropriate humor without meanness or cruelty. Multi-cam format keeps tone light despite heavy subject matter.

Imaginative

Traditional multi-cam sitcom format with standard high school storylines. While the cancer storyline adds emotional depth, the show relies heavily on familiar tropes and predictable sitcom beats. Limited creative spark or originality beyond the central premise of friendship during illness.

Safe

CSM age rating of 7+ and Netflix Kids Mode availability indicate strong safety profile. Cancer treatment is handled sensitively without graphic medical content. No violence, sexuality, or inappropriate language. The emotional weight of cancer might be intense for very young viewers but is presented in an age-appropriate way without shock value.

Enriching

Tackles serious illness, mortality, and friendship in ways that build empathy and emotional intelligence. Shows resilience, loyalty, and how to support friends through hardship. Strong positive messaging about body image (wigs, hair loss) and perseverance. However, entertainment value is standard sitcom fare—it's more 'very special episode' stretched into a series than deeply enriching content.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Models incredible friendship loyalty and how to show up for people going through hard times
Normalizes cancer treatment, hair loss, and medical challenges for kids in an accessible way
Positive representation of female friendship without cattiness or competition
Family-friendly humor that doesn't rely on meanness or embarrassment
Can open important conversations about illness, empathy, and supporting friends

⚠

What to Watch For

Cancer storyline includes hospital visits, chemo references, and hair loss—prep younger kids beforehand
Multi-cam laugh track format feels very 2018 and may not land with kids used to modern streaming comedies
Emotional moments about mortality and fear might hit hard, especially if your family has dealt with illness
Standard sitcom pacing and predictability—don't expect Pixar-level storytelling

Conversation Starters

"How do you think you'd want friends to treat you if you were going through something really hard?"
"What was the bravest thing Alexa did? What about Katie?"
"Have you ever had to support a friend through a tough time? What helped?"
"Why do you think Katie wanted to shave her head? Would you do something like that for a friend?"

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic