The series centers around a Black family who are all different skin tones and body shapes, with unique abilities and characteristics. Natural hair textures and hairstyles are prominently featured. Voice actors are also diverse, featuring mostly Black voices.
Family bonding time can come in unexpected ways! You can depend on the people you love to keep you safe. Don't judge a book by its cover.
Positive Role Models
some
Characters display compassion, empathy, and love for each other, as well as teamwork and bravery during difficult tasks. However, the series also shows children disobeying their parent.
Educational Value
very little
Explores complicated family dynamics of marriage separation. Tic disorder and its causes in young children are briefly discussed. Viewers get some exposure to fact-based principles of outer space.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that My Dad the Bounty Hunter is an animated series about a family with a dad who's a bounty hunter (in space!). The show boasts a star-studded and diverse cast, including Yvonne Orji, Laz Alonso (Stomp the Yard), and Russell Hornsby. Some storylines include mild violence and danger, including weapon use, lasers, and fistfighting. Themes include space travel, family dynamics, teamwork, and overcoming fears to act bravely.
Compelling writing & animation for older kids, and love the diversity. But quite violent! My mistake for not noticing until the incredibly long brutal fight scene in episode 10, where children are attacked with knives, strangled, punched, thrown, etc. by a psychotic lizard alien. I’m surprised that this show got a 2 for violence - maybe based on the first episodes?
As you would expect with that title, the bounty hunter has fistfights and shootings involving guns and lasers. Even though it shows diverse representations of family and society, the fact the dad is a hunter keeps my little 4 years old asking questions about why he shoot others and want to kill them, you can take this oportunity to clear about this and talk about noone have the right to take others life, and talk about weapons use, said that i wouldnt recomend this for little children, maybe 7 or 8 years old is ok.
What's the Story?
MY DAD THE BOUNTY HUNTER throws siblings Lisa and Sean into an unexpected adventure. After stowing away in the trunk of their father's car in an effort to spend more time with him, they find out his job isn't quite what they expected. Instead of being a delivery driver, he's really an alien bounty hunter in another galaxy. The pair quickly receive a crash course in all things intergalactic travel, combat, and missions. The family goes through fun, suspenseful, and scary twists and turns as they must work together to safely return to Earth -- before Mom finds out where they are.
This show, part of Netflix's "Representation Matters" collection, does a great job of positively portraying a modern and diverse family. My Dad the Bounty Hunter has a great mix of tender moments, comedy, and thrills. The show doesn't shy away from discussing important topics, such as the effects of stress on children, and navigating difficult family dynamics. The show's soundtrack, action, and detailed animation are all very engaging for young children. The show does include mild danger and violence that could frighten younger viewers. Overall, it's an absolutely fun watch for the whole family.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how in My Dad the Bounty Hunter, Lisa and Sean learn their dad is an alien bounty hunter. How would you feel if you learned one of your parents had this job?
Why is teamwork important in this show? Would Sean and Lisa be able to stay safe in outer space if they didn't work as a team with their dad? Why, or why not?
What do you think is the hardest thing about living in a different galaxy?
Use paper and colored pencils to design your own space suit!
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 Diondra K. Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
