The Thundermans: Critical Reception and Award History
Since its debut, The Thundermans franchise has carved out a specific niche in children's television, blending superhero tropes with family comedy. While it has maintained a dedicated fanbase and achieved significant viewership milestones, its journey through the eyes of critics and award bodies has been a mixture of high-energy success and polarizing reviews.
Key Facts
- Won the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite TV Show in 2016.
- The Thundermans Return was the top entertainment telecast of the year for kids aged 6-11 (Nielsen Live+3).
- The Thundermans: Undercover secured three wins at the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards.
- Critical reception across the franchise has generally been mixed.
Critical Analysis of the Franchise
The overall critical consensus for The Thundermans has been mixed. On the review aggregator Metacritic, the series received average scores. Some critics were particularly harsh; Brian Lowry of Variety described the effort as "lifeless" and lacking original thought, while Michael Starr of the New York Post stated simply that the show was "not funny." Conversely, Mark Perigard of the Boston Herald noted that while the show doesn't do "heavy lifting," it "waves its cape proudly." Both Variety and the Boston Herald drew comparisons between the series and the film The Incredibles.
The franchise expanded with The Thundermans Return. Despite receiving mostly negative reviews—including a 2-out-of-5 star rating from Polly Conway of Common Sense Media, who called it "campy, goofy, and over the top"—the film was a commercial success. According to Nielsen’s Live+3 ratings, it was the number one entertainment telecast of the year among children aged 6-11, attracting 1.6 million viewers during its premiere weekend across four telecasts.
The most recent entry, The Thundermans: Undercover, saw a shift toward mixed-to-positive reception. Mae Trumata of The Upcoming praised it as a "celebration of 2010s children’s television," and Nick Williams of Feature First viewed it as a "true successor" that captured the original series' comedy. However, Fernanda Camargo of Common Sense Media maintained a 2-out-of-5 star rating, suggesting that while it makes children laugh, parents may find it eye-rolling.
Awards and Nominations
Despite the mixed critical reviews, the franchise has been highly successful with its target audience, as evidenced by numerous nominations and wins at the Kids' Choice Awards across various regions, including Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite TV Show | The Thundermans | Won |
| 2016 | British Academy Children's Awards | BAFTA Kids' Vote - Television | The Thundermans | Nominated |
| 2017 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite TV Show – Kids' Show | The Thundermans | Nominated |
| 2025 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Kids TV Show | The Thundermans: Undercover | Won |
| 2025 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Male TV Star (Kids) | Jack Griffo | Won |
| 2025 | Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Female TV Star (Kids) | Kira Kosarin | Won |
Frequently Asked Questions
How did critics generally view the original Thundermans series?
Critical views were generally mixed or average. While some critics found it lacking in originality or humor, others felt it was a proud, if simple, production.
Was The Thundermans Return successful in terms of viewership?
Yes. It was the number one entertainment telecast of the year for children aged 6-11 according to Nielsen’s Live+3 ratings, reaching 1.6 million viewers over its premiere weekend.
Which actors won awards for The Thundermans: Undercover?
Jack Griffo won for Favorite Male TV Star (Kids) and Kira Kosarin won for Favorite Female TV Star (Kids) at the 2025 Kids' Choice Awards.
How does The Thundermans: Undercover compare to the original series in reviews?
Reviews for Undercover were more mixed-to-positive than the original, with some critics calling it a true successor and a celebration of 2010s children's television, though some still found it too campy for adults.
Did the show receive any international recognition?
Yes, the show received multiple nominations for Favorite International Program at the Kids' Choice Awards in Argentina, Mexico, and Colombia.