Funny nature docuseries has a little insect peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
Real-life insect aggression shown in this nature documentary (for example: a mantis eating a cockroach's head). It's not particularly gory or gross. There also is bug peril played up for dramatic tension, so there's ominous music and camera angles used to heighten the tension.
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Visible logos when bugs are in the human world. Some self-promotion, with the series' name being referential to a Disney movie.
Sex, Romance & Nudity
very little
Brief mentions of insects "breeding" without explanation or visuals. Some mild bug innuendo (like a male bug being excited to see female bugs) that will go over many kids' heads.
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Lots of learning about the lives of bugs and fun facts about the tiny creatures.
Diverse Representations
some
This is a nature documentary, but it's narrated by Awkwafina, who's of Chinese-American and Korean-American descent. Her narration is a departure from the serious male narrator typical to the nature documentary genre.
Vaguely eco-friendly theme, but there's not a lot of emphasis on bigger picture lessons.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Real Bug's Life is a nature documentary narrated by Awkwafina. While it's not overly gross, it does have some bug hunting and eating scenes. A fair amount of bug peril is played up through the narration, ominous music, and dramatic tension. Brief bug innuendo includes mentions of "breeding," but nothing is shown on-screen. Otherwise, it's a fun, educational look at the lives of some of Earth's tiniest creatures.
Nature's tiniest creatures live them all. Get ready on a documentary nature drama series 'A Real Bug's Life' narrated by Awkwafina on National Geographic Productions.
I loved the show I never review on shows, but I specifically wanted to note that the voice actor that you chose for the show was perfect for it and I would really like to see her in the second season if possible, she really live in up the show so much so that I watched all of it at once and wanted more immediately
What's the Story?
Each episode of the nature docuseries A REAL BUG'S LIFE features bugs living in a different habitat. Viewers might see bugs living in a jungle, a suburban backyard, or New York City. Narrator Awkwafina helps bring different insects' daily lives into focus. A jumping spider living in Manhattan has to navigate people, strollers, birds, and mantises just to survive another day. City ants are on the lookout for people's discarded food scraps to feast on, and dumpster-diving cockroaches survive their heads being eaten (gross, but true). A Real Bug's Life focuses on the trials and tribulations of the tiny creepy crawlies living all around us.
A Real Bug's Life is great fun, and kids into science and animals will love it. By giving the tiny creatures inner lives and stories, Awkwafina's funny narration helps make the amazing world of bugs more relatable to kids. Grown-ups may have a small quibble with the series: some of the scenes are shot on film sets instead of in nature. Some scenes are even hyperrealistic animation trying to be passed off as "real." The movie magic is used in service of trying to get kids (and adults) more engaged in learning about bugs, so the truth-bending is probably forgivable. A Real Bug's Life is entertaining and easy to watch, feeling less like homework and more like any other character-focused show in Disney+'s catalog.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the narrator of the series. Does this sound and feel like other nature documentaries? Why do you think the show producers chose Awkwafina as the narrator?
What was the most surprising thing you learned about bugs? Is there anything else you'd like to learn more about?
The series makes bugs seem like they have the same thoughts and emotions as humans. Why do you think the show chose to tell bug stories this way?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Ashley Moulton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
