Big Nate is an American animated television series developed by Mitch Watson and based on the comic strip and book series of the same name by Lincoln Peirce. It follows the adventures of the titular protagonist, alongside his friends, in sixth grade. The executive producers are Mitch Watson and John Cohen. Peirce is also collaborating with the producers for the show. The show premiered on Paramount+ on February 17, 2022. In March 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on July 7, 2023.
On March 28, 2024, the series was removed from Paramount+ as part of a "strategic decision to focus on content with mass global appeal". Production on the series ended on July 25, 2024. Despite the removal from Paramount+, most episodes of the show are still available to purchase on digital platforms. On August 26, 2024, every season two episode, including all of the previously unreleased episodes of the season, were put on Apple TV and Amazon Prime for purchase.
The show received mixed reviews from audiences, who criticized its gross-out humor, although the animation and voice acting were praised.
Big Nate follows the adventures and misadventures of Nate Wright, a semi-incompetent, spirited, and rebellious sixth-grader. His friend group includes Francis, Dee Dee, Teddy, and Chad. Nate hates social studies teacher Mrs. Godfrey, whom he considers his nemesis and calls her names like "the school's Godzilla", and tends to run afoul of her, the firm Principal Nichols, and the aging science teacher Mr. Galvin. At home, Nate lives with his single father Martin and older sister Ellen.
The series was originally planned to premiere on Nickelodeon in September 2021. However, in December 2021, with the casting, it was announced that it would premiere on Paramount+ in early 2022, later specified as February 17. On August 3, 2022, it was announced that nine new episodes would release on Paramount+ on August 19, 2022. The series began airing on Nickelodeon on September 5, 2022.
In 1991, the first year the Big Nate comic was published, Peanuts executive producer Lee Mendelson purchased the option from Lincoln Peirce to make an animated Big Nate television series for Saturday-morning cartoons at NBC; Peirce "was paid $5,000 to write a quote-on-quote bible describing the characters and outlining a few story ideas". However, the day after this deal was finalized, all NBC Saturday-morning cartoons were cancelled, sending the series into development hell.
On February 19, 2020, Nickelodeon announced an animated Big Nate series. Nickelodeon's executive vice president of animation production and development, Ramsey Ann Naito, stated that she had wanted to adapt the Big Nate book series into an animated series for a long time.
On March 24, 2022, the series was renewed for a second season of 10 episodes. On August 3, 2022, it was announced that 10 additional episodes were ordered for the second season. On June 22, 2023, it was announced that the second season would premiere on July 7, 2023.
Ashley Moulton from Common Sense Media gave the series three-out-of-five stars, stating "like the book series the show is based on, the TV show is likely to be loved by kids and to divide parents."