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Black-ish

Black-ish

2014–2022Ended8 seasons176 episodes~22 min/epTV-14Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

A family man struggles to gain a sense of cultural identity while raising his kids in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighborhood.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Black-ish?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Black-ish streaming on Disney+, Hulu and Netflix and to rent or buy on Apple TV and Prime Video.

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Highlights

What stands out about Black-ish?

Black-ish earns 4 badges, led by Preferred by Women and Feel-good.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Black-ish worth watching?

Black-ish's Midcredits score is the 61st percentile of all shows, from 28K ratings across 2 sources. 76% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

61st percentile

Better received than 61% of shows

59th percentile among Comedy59th percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)58th
Approval (how many liked it)62nd

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

72 /100

58th percentile of all shows

58th percentile among Comedy56th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

Big peaks at both ends — people either love this or bounce off it hard.

Approval

How many liked it

76% liked it

62nd percentile of all shows

57th percentile among Comedy61st percentile among 2010s
76% rated it 7–1024% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

96th percentile

28K ratings across platforms

95th percentile among Comedy96th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 13% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The show is a sitcom about an upper-middle-class black family that frequently uses race as a central comedic and dramatic topic.

Fans praised

  • satirical take on black identity and stereotypes
  • strong ensemble cast with great chemistry
  • balances humor with thought-provoking social commentary

Detractors panned

  • preachy and overly political, especially in later seasons
  • reinforces racial stereotypes rather than breaking them
  • main character Dre is whiny and repetitive in his identity crisis

What stands out

ActingDivisive78

strong ensemble with standout performances by Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Laurence Fishburne, and child actors Marsai Martin and Marcus Scribner

DialogueDivisive72

witty, satirical exchanges, especially from Charlie and Pops; some find it preachy or heavy-handed

HumorDivisive71

consistently laugh-out-loud for fans; detractors find jokes forced or unfunny

CharactersDivisive70

well-drawn family archetypes but some critics find Dre's obsession one-note and the white characters caricatured

OriginalityDivisive68

fresh take on black upper-class family sitcom, but some compare to Cosby Show and find formulaic

Emotional impactDivisive65

effective catharsis on serious issues like police brutality, postpartum depression; some feel manipulative

Plot and storyDivisive58

season 1-3 strong family and race storylines; later seasons criticized for repetitive conflicts and overly dramatic turns

PacingDivisive55

first seasons well-paced; later seasons bogged down by drama and repetitive arguments

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Women

Women scored it 23 points higher than men.

Under-30s vs over-30s

Preferred by Under-30s

Under-30s scored it 10 points higher than over-30s.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Users

Users scored it 10 points higher than critics.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • US vs non-US 5 points apart

Episodes

8 seasons

Season 8 · 2022 · 13 episodes

  • S8E1

    That's What Friends Are For

    Jan 4, 202223 min
  • S8E2

    The Natural

    Jan 11, 202223 min
  • S8E3

    Bow-Mo

    Jan 18, 202223 min
  • S8E4

    Hoop Dreams

    Jan 25, 202223 min
  • S8E5

    Ashy to Classy

    Feb 1, 202223 min
  • S8E6

    Mom Mentor

    Feb 8, 202223 min

Watch experience

What is Black-ish like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, light and gentle — a slow-burn watch that leaves you feeling good.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
JoyfulContemplativeWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Satirical · 5% of showsWarm
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Resets each episode · 10% of showsStatus quo each season
ToneThe show balances satirical critique of racial stereotypes and assimilation with warm family comedy, never losing affection for its characters.
The rideThe series maintains a generally light, warm, and comedic feel, with contemplative moments arising during identity conversations, but the emotional weight is evenly distributed rather than concentrated in any season.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional sitcom structure, often opening with a domestic situation that triggers Dre's anxiety, leading to comedic conflicts resolved by the episode's end.
Episode formatThe vast majority of episodes follow a classic sitcom pattern: a family situation arises, is comically resolved, and the status quo is restored by the end, though later seasons allow for minor developments.
Season formatAcross its long run, the show maintains a consistent core premise and cast; viewers can jump into most seasons without prior knowledge, as each season largely resets to the same family dynamic.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Feel-goodThought-provoking
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves you with a warm, entertained feeling while still sparking reflection on race and identity.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Comedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12% (this title): Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2% (this title)
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Comedy: Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony. · Comedy of manners: Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).

12% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe typical episode follows Dre Johnson's comedic struggle to reconcile his family's affluent lifestyle with his desire to instill a stronger sense of Black cultural identity.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfIdentitySelf
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27% (this title): Identity 20% (this title) · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% (this title) · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11%: Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Self

IdentityFamily bondsClass · 4% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series explores what it means to be Black in a predominantly white upper-middle-class world, repeatedly cycling through questions of cultural belonging, self-perception, and generational difference.
StanceThe show consistently interrogates the meaning of Black identity in a predominantly white context, presenting questions without settling them definitively, though from an ultimately affirming place.

The world

ContemporarySuburbanDomesticInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral classicalPopSupportive music · hybrid
Settingupper-middle-class Los Angeles suburb, the Johnson family home and Dre's advertising office
MusicThe theme song and source cues support the show's warm, upbeat tone; licensed music occasionally underscores key emotional beats.

Content guide

Is Black-ish okay for kids?

TV-14

Black-ish is rated TV-14. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at moderate (36/100), sexual content at moderate (45/100), language at moderate (43/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (41/100) and frightening material at mild (22/100). Overall it is heavier than 27% of TV-14 shows.

Ratings in 25 other countries
  • CanadaPG
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Ireland15
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil12
  • Austria16
  • Belgium14
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK16
  • IndiaU
  • ItalyT
  • LU16
  • MexicoB
  • MYU
  • Netherlands9
  • Norway15
  • Poland16
  • PortugalNR
  • RO15
  • SingaporeNC16
  • Spain7
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Switzerland16
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 24% of all showsHeavier than 27% of TV-14 shows
Violence & Gore
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 27%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 66%
Profanity
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 60%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for a TV-14 show
heavier than 63%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for a TV-14 show
heavier than 20%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

Nothing here is extreme. The strongest element is sexual content, heavier than 66% of TV-14 shows.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Black-ish have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Black-ish?

Cast

3 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Anthony Anderson
as Andre 'Dre' Johnson
Emmy nominee: Primetime Emmy nomination — Outstanding Comedy SeriesTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Tracee Ellis Ross
as Rainbow Johnson
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Marcus Scribner
as Andre Johnson, Jr.
SAG nominee: Screen Actors Guild Award nomination — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Miles Brown
as Jack Johnson
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Marsai Martin
as Diane Johnson
SAG nominee: Screen Actors Guild Award nomination — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Peter Mackenzie
as Mr. Stevens
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Jenifer Lewis
as Ruby
SAG nominee: Screen Actors Guild Award nomination — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
Jeff Meacham
as Josh
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Deon Cole
as Charlie Telphy
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Yara Shahidi
as Zoey Johnson
SAG nominee: Screen Actors Guild Award nomination — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesTop draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.

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TMDB's suggestions for shows like Black-ish include American Housewife (2016), All in the Family (1971) and Father Knows Best (1954).

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