PG, 2026
WISE Score
The OG talent show returns to hunt for the next Beyoncé while you judge from the couch—minus the 80s shoulder pads.
Star Search is a solid pick for family night. It’s light, high-energy, and a lot more engaging than most of the 'brain rot' variety shows currently clogging up streaming platforms.
It avoids the mean-spirited 'audition fail' tropes of early 2000s talent shows, focusing instead on actual skill. It’s not exactly deep art, but it’s a fun way to see people do cool things, and the live element adds a sense of stakes that pre-recorded shows just can't match.
Best for ages 7 and up. Younger kids will love the visual acts like dancers and magicians, though the 'judging' segments might lose their attention.
It’s a classic talent competition that highlights hard work and skill. While reality TV can lean into manufactured drama, the inclusion of a 'Juniors' category and Anthony Anderson’s generally warm hosting style keeps the tone family-friendly and supportive.
While the format is a standard stage-and-judges setup, the variety of acts—from magic to comedy—encourages kids to think about creative outlets beyond just singing or dancing.
As a broad-appeal Netflix live event, the content is kept clean for a general audience. No gore, violence, or explicit content, though live broadcasts always carry a tiny 'unscripted' risk.
Great for showing kids the result of thousands of hours of practice. It exposes viewers to different art forms and the reality of performing under pressure.
Netflix is making a massive play for the "living room" moment with this reboot. While most of their content is designed for solo binging on a phone, Star Search is built for the big screen and a loud family. Because it’s live, it carries an energy that pre-recorded competitions like The Masked Singer usually lack. There are no "perfect" edits here to hide a voice crack or a missed dance step.
This is one of the few new family shows to watch now that actually feels like an appointment. If you’re trying to move away from kids scrolling TikTok in their rooms, the live voting element is a strong hook. It turns the viewing experience from a passive lean-back into a debate about who actually has the "star" quality.
The biggest win for this version of the show is the category system. Most talent shows eventually devolve into a singing competition by the semi-finals. By keeping distinct lanes for magic, comedy, dance, and variety, the show stays unpredictable.
For parents, the "Juniors" category is the one to watch. It’s often the most impressive part of the night, but it also provides the most "teachable" moments. You’ll see kids who have clearly put in thousands of hours of practice, which is a great counter-narrative to the "overnight viral fame" kids see on social media. It’s a showcase of craft rather than just personality.
The panel—Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jelly Roll, and Chrissy Teigen—is an eclectic mix that actually works. They aren't playing the "mean judge" character that defined the early 2000s. Instead, they lean into being fans.
Anthony Anderson is the real MVP here, though. He has a way of making even the most nervous kid contestant feel like the coolest person in the room. If your family knows him from his sitcom work, check out our Anthony Anderson family shows guide to see how this hosting gig fits into his broader career.
This show is a cornerstone of The 2026 Netflix Forecast: From the Grand Line to the Earth Kingdom. It signals a shift toward "event" television that everyone can agree on.
If your kids are used to the polished, hyper-edited world of YouTube "talent" videos, Star Search might feel a little old-school at first. But the stakes of a live performance—where things can and do go wrong—usually wins them over by the second or third act. It’s authentic in a way that most algorithm-driven content isn't. Just be prepared for the "sob stories." The production team loves a montage about a contestant's difficult journey, so if your kids are sensitive to emotional manipulation, you might want to keep the remote handy to skip through the fluff and get straight to the talent.
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