The Garfield Show – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Garfield Show

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2009

42%

WISE Score

6.4

TMDB

Your lazy orange cat is back, but this 2009 CGI reboot is about as exciting as Garfield himself on a Monday morning.

6.4

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The Garfield Show

show

2009

42%

WISE Score

6.4

TMDB

Your lazy orange cat is back, but this 2009 CGI reboot is about as exciting as Garfield himself on a Monday morning.

6.4

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6.4

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Screenwise Verdict

Look, The Garfield Show is the TV equivalent of plain toast. It's not going to hurt anyone, but it's not going to excite anyone either.

The 2009 CGI feels dated in 2025, the jokes are painfully predictable (Garfield wants lasagna! He hates Mondays! He's mean to Nermal!), and that 5.7 IMDB rating tells you everything you need to know—even Garfield fans think this is meh.

If you need 22 minutes of completely safe background noise while you make dinner, sure, throw it on. But don't expect your kids to be engaged, inspired, or enriched. There are so many better animated shows out there that are just as safe but actually entertaining and meaningful. This is the show you put on when you've exhausted every other option and just need something that won't rot their brains too badly.

It's fine. That's the highest praise I can give it. It's fine.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-8 who want something utterly harmless to zone out to. Older kids will find it boring, and even younger ones might lose interest quickly given how formulaic it is.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Models decent friendship between Garfield, Odie, and Jon, though Garfield's laziness and selfishness are played for laughs rather than challenged. Tone is generally kind and non-violent, but the humor centers on a protagonist who tricks others, eats compulsively, and shirks responsibility. Not harmful, but not exactly aspirational either.

Imaginative

Formulaic sitcom structure with predictable gags (Garfield wants lasagna, hates Mondays, tricks Nermal). The 2009 CGI animation is serviceable but uninspired. Doesn't invite creative thinking or exploration—kids watch passively rather than engage imaginatively. It's comfort food TV, not creative fuel.

Safe

Extremely safe content with no violence, scary moments, or inappropriate material. Common Sense Media rates it for age 6+, and it's available on Netflix Kids. Slapstick humor is mild, no surprises or triggers. The show is designed to be completely benign background noise.

Enriching

Minimal educational or developmental value. Episodes revolve around simple jokes and repetitive scenarios without meaningful lessons, character growth, or skill-building. It's entertaining in a low-effort way, but kids won't take away anything substantive. Pure entertainment with no enrichment.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Completely safe and predictable—perfect background TV when you need 22 minutes of peace
Familiar characters that nostalgic parents remember from the comics
Mild slapstick humor that won't offend anyone or give kids nightmares
Available on multiple streaming platforms including Netflix Kids

⚠

What to Watch For

Garfield's whole personality is being lazy, greedy, and selfish—not exactly role model material
The humor is so repetitive that even young kids might get bored after a few episodes
2009 CGI hasn't aged well; looks dated and uninspired compared to modern animation
Zero educational value or meaningful lessons—pure empty calories

Conversation Starters

"Why do you think Garfield is always so grumpy? What makes you feel grumpy?"
"Garfield loves lasagna so much he eats it all the time. What's your favorite food, and would you want to eat it for every meal?"
"Jon takes care of Garfield even when he's lazy. How do you help take care of your pets or family?"

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