Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2014

91%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Neil deGrasse Tyson takes you on a visually stunning tour of the universe—the thinking kid's ultimate science class.

9.2/10

80%

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Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

show

TV-PG, 2014

91%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Neil deGrasse Tyson takes you on a visually stunning tour of the universe—the thinking kid's ultimate science class.

9.2

80%

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9.2/10

80%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what science education should be: visually stunning, intellectually rigorous, and genuinely inspiring. Neil deGrasse Tyson succeeds Carl Sagan's legacy by making the universe feel both vast and knowable.

The 9.2 IMDb rating isn't hype—this series delivers. Kids who love space, science, or big questions will be riveted. But let's be real: this isn't for every kid. If your child needs constant stimulation or gets bored easily, they'll check out within 10 minutes. The pacing is deliberate, almost meditative.

The 2014 production means some CGI looks slightly dated compared to newer nature documentaries, but the core content is timeless. This is the rare educational show that adults genuinely want to watch alongside their kids. Perfect for families raising future scientists, engineers, or just thoughtful humans who want to understand how the world works.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-99. Younger kids (7-9) with strong science interest can watch with parents, but the concepts are genuinely complex and the pacing is slow. This isn't dumbed-down edutainment—it's real science made accessible, which means it requires attention and patience.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Neil deGrasse Tyson presents complex scientific concepts with wonder and respect, modeling intellectual curiosity and humility. The tone is reverent without being preachy, celebrating human achievement across cultures and time periods. Pacing is deliberate and contemplative rather than frenetic, though some younger viewers may find it slow.

Imaginative

Stunning visuals and unique animation sequences transport viewers across space and time. The show invites viewers to think about the universe in new ways, from quantum physics to cosmic scales. It reimagines science education as a visual and narrative journey rather than a lecture, sparking curiosity about everything from dark matter to evolution to the nature of reality itself.

Safe

No violence, gore, sexual content, or profanity. Some episodes touch on historical persecution of scientists (Bruno being burned at the stake, for example) which is handled tastefully but may be intense for sensitive younger viewers. Climate change and extinction discussions could be emotionally heavy. The show treats evolution and deep time as scientific fact, which aligns with mainstream science but may not fit all family worldviews.

Enriching

This is science education at its finest. Each episode builds genuine understanding of physics, biology, chemistry, and cosmology while celebrating the scientific method and human curiosity. The 9.2 IMDb rating reflects how effectively it makes complex topics accessible. Kids walk away with both knowledge and a sense of wonder about the universe. It's legitimately educational without feeling like homework.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Makes quantum physics, evolution, and cosmology genuinely understandable and exciting for curious minds
Visuals are legitimately breathtaking—this is what a science documentary should look like in the 21st century
Celebrates scientists from diverse backgrounds and time periods, showing science as a human endeavor
Neil deGrasse Tyson's narration strikes the perfect balance between accessible and intellectually rigorous
Each episode is a complete journey that leaves you thinking differently about the world

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What to Watch For

Pacing is contemplative, not fast—kids used to quick cuts and constant action may zone out
Some historical scenes show persecution of scientists (Bruno's execution, for example) that could upset sensitive viewers
Climate change and mass extinction discussions are scientifically accurate but emotionally heavy
This is a 2014 show, so some of the CGI and references feel slightly dated compared to newer documentaries

Conversation Starters

"What's the most mind-blowing thing you learned about the universe today?"
"If you could travel anywhere in space or time like Neil does in his ship, where would you go first?"
"Why do you think it took so long for people to figure out things like evolution or the size of the universe?"
"What questions do you have about space or science that the show didn't answer?"

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