Serengeti – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Serengeti

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2019

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Planet Earth vibes meet soap opera drama—but with lions, baboons, and actual stakes.

88%

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Serengeti

show

TV-PG, 2019

84%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Planet Earth vibes meet soap opera drama—but with lions, baboons, and actual stakes.

88%

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88%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is quality nature documentary filmmaking—think BBC's Planet Earth style but focused on one iconic ecosystem. The cinematography is legitimately breathtaking, and the narrative approach (following specific animals over time) makes it more engaging than a typical educational show.

The big question is whether your kid can handle nature being nature. Animals die here—not in a scary horror movie way, but in a 'this is how ecosystems work' way. If your 6-year-old melts down when the gazelle doesn't outrun the cheetah, maybe wait a year or two.

For families ready to have real conversations about survival, food chains, and conservation, this is excellent. It's educational without being preachy, entertaining without being dumbed down, and honest about how the natural world actually functions. Plus it might inspire a future wildlife biologist or at least make your kid appreciate that trip to the zoo a bit more.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6+ who can handle the reality that nature involves death and aren't going to be traumatized watching a lion take down a wildebeest. Teens and adults will also appreciate the stunning visuals and storytelling.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Nature documentary following wildlife with emotional storytelling but grounded in real animal behavior. Models cooperation within animal groups, natural family dynamics, and the circle of life without sensationalism. Pacing is deliberate and observational rather than chaotic.

Imaginative

Stunning cinematography captures the drama of the Serengeti ecosystem in ways that spark curiosity about wildlife and natural habitats. The narrative structure invites viewers to think about animal perspectives and survival strategies. However, as a documentary it's more observational than interactive or creativity-prompting.

Safe

Nature documentaries inherently show predator-prey dynamics and animal deaths, but this is presented as natural behavior rather than gratuitous violence. Common Sense Media rates it for age 6+, suggesting the content is contextualized appropriately. No human violence, sexual content, or inappropriate language. Some scenes of animals hunting and dying may be intense for very young or sensitive viewers.

Enriching

Strong educational value about ecosystems, animal behavior, survival strategies, and African wildlife. Builds empathy for animals and understanding of natural processes. IMDb 7.8 and RT 88% indicate quality execution. Teaches about interconnectedness of species and environmental awareness. Genuinely entertaining with high production values that keep viewers engaged.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Absolutely gorgeous cinematography that makes you feel like you're on safari without the malaria risk
Teaches real ecology and animal behavior while keeping it engaging with narrative storytelling
Shows the full circle of life honestly—predators hunt, prey dies, ecosystems balance—without sanitizing nature
Great conversation starter about conservation, habitats, and how nature actually works
High production value that holds attention better than many educational shows

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What to Watch For

Animals die on screen—it's nature, not gratuitous, but lions gotta eat and that means something else doesn't make it
Some intense chase/hunt sequences that might upset very sensitive kids or animal lovers
Slower pacing than typical kids' content—this is observational documentary, not Bluey
May prompt tough questions about death, survival, and why the cute gazelle had to become lunch

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think the lions hunt in groups while the leopard hunts alone?"
"What would happen to the Serengeti if all the predators disappeared?"
"Which animal do you think has the hardest job surviving out there?"
"How do you think the filmmakers got so close to these wild animals without getting eaten?"
"What can we do to help protect places like the Serengeti?"

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