Big Nate – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Big Nate

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2022

65%

WISE Score

6.6

IMDb

A mischievous sixth-grader navigates middle school with his friends—relatable, funny, and just gross enough to keep kids entertained.

6.6/10

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Big Nate

show

TV-Y7, 2022

65%

WISE Score

6.6

IMDb

A mischievous sixth-grader navigates middle school with his friends—relatable, funny, and just gross enough to keep kids entertained.

6.6

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Screenwise Verdict

Big Nate is solid, middle-of-the-road kids' TV. It's not going to change anyone's life, but it's also not going to rot anyone's brain. The show gets the middle school vibe right—Nate's creative, loyal, and flawed in ways that feel real to kids navigating that awkward age.

The concerns some parents raise (calling it offensive or inappropriate) seem overblown. Yes, there's gross-out humor. Yes, Nate talks back to adults sometimes. But that's kind of the point—he's an imperfect kid, and the show doesn't pretend otherwise.

If you're looking for deeply enriching content, this isn't it. But if your kid needs something entertaining that speaks to their actual experience of school, friends, and trying to be creative in a world of rules, Big Nate delivers. It's comfort food television, and sometimes that's exactly what's needed.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-12, right in that sweet spot where kids are dealing with (or about to deal with) the social dynamics of middle school. Older kids will age out quickly, and it's probably too juvenile for most teens.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Big Nate is a sixth-grader who's generally kind-hearted and supportive of his friends, but he's also mischievous, occasionally disrespectful to authority, and the show leans into gross-out humor. Common Sense Media notes parents may be concerned about him not being an 'unimpeachable role model.' The tone is age-appropriate for the target demo, with slapstick violence and offscreen fighting that's typical for kids' animation. It's not chaotic, but it's definitely not squeaky-clean either—which honestly makes it more relatable to actual sixth graders.

Imaginative

Based on Lincoln Peirce's long-running comic strip, the show captures the imaginative daydreams and creative schemes of a kid navigating middle school. The animation style is visually distinctive, and Nate's character is all about his cartoons and creative pursuits. That said, the format is fairly standard episodic sitcom fare—it's not breaking new ground or inviting kids to build/explore in meaningful ways. It's imaginative within the world of the show, but doesn't necessarily spark creativity beyond watching.

Safe

This is a Paramount+/Nickelodeon animated series with a kids mode available and a Common Sense Media age rating of 7+. Content includes mild slapstick violence, some offscreen fighting with sound effects, and gross-out humor. No scary content, no mature themes, no sexual content, no profanity beyond what you'd expect in a Y7 show. IMDb parent guide confirms mild ratings across the board. Some parents on Common Sense Media overreact (calling it 'offensive' and 'sexualized' per Reddit discussions), but objectively this is standard kids' animation safety-wise.

Enriching

Big Nate deals with relatable middle school situations—friendships, school challenges, navigating authority—and shows a protagonist who's creative and loyal to his friends. There are lessons about perseverance and friendship, but this is primarily entertainment rather than deeply enriching content. The show doesn't offer much in terms of cognitive skill-building or profound life lessons. It's comfort food TV that validates the middle school experience without pushing kids to grow much beyond laughing at fart jokes and pranks.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Captures the authentic chaos and humor of middle school life in a way kids actually relate to
Nate is creative and loyal to his friends, even when he's being a bit of a troublemaker
Visually distinctive animation style based on the beloved comic strip
Light enough for younger elementary kids but speaks to the middle school experience

⚠

What to Watch For

Gross-out humor and mild slapstick violence—nothing shocking but definitely present
Nate can be disrespectful to teachers and authority figures, which may not align with all family values
Some parents find the humor too wacky compared to the original comic strips

Conversation Starters

"Nate gets in trouble a lot at school—do you think he's being funny or just making things harder for himself?"
"What do you think about how Nate treats his teachers? Is there a line between being funny and being disrespectful?"
"If you were Nate's friend, what advice would you give him when he gets one of his big ideas?"

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