Ben 10: Alien Force
Good, with a catch
Ages 8–13First shown 2008
Ben 10: Alien Force is the sequel to the hit Cartoon Network series, Ben 10. The series takes place five years later after the original. Ben no longer wears the Omnitrix, and his cousin, Gwen, has honed her skills in magic. But when an alien invasion of the DNALIENS strike Earth and Grandpa Max goes missing, Ben decides that it's hero time once again. He's not alone, as he is joined by Gwen, and even his old archenemy, Kevin Levin comes along for the ride. Now it's time once again for Ben to begin his quest to find his grandfather and stop the invasion from the evil DNALIENS.
Our verdict
- Good influence 3/5
- Parent appeal 4/5
- Well made 4/5
Calm and gentle Grating audio
Reviewers generally praise this sequel for its mature storytelling, complex character arcs, and award-winning sound design, making it engaging for both its target audience and adults. However, the show suffers from a perceived decline in writing quality and character consistency in its final season. While it promotes strong values like responsibility and redemption, some parents may find the frequent shouting of catchphrases and the intensity of the action to be a drawback.
Why these scores
Good influence
Does it show behaviour you'd be happy to see copied?
3out of 5
For the first two seasons, reviewers highlight significant character growth, with the protagonist maturing into a responsible leader and a former enemy seeking redemption. However, the final season is heavily criticised for regressing the lead into an arrogant and immature character, alongside some parental concerns regarding repetitive violence and the depiction of corporal punishment by adults. While the show promotes empathy and teamwork, the inconsistent character arcs and reliance on physical conflict lower the overall score.
Parent appeal
Will you enjoy watching it with them?
4out of 5
The series is frequently praised for its sophisticated 'space opera' narrative, darker themes, and mature tone that respects the viewer's intelligence. Many adults find it genuinely entertaining due to its complex plot points and humor that works on multiple levels. While a few viewers find certain seasons boring or the protagonist's later behaviour irritating, the consensus is that it is a high-quality show that parents can enjoy alongside their children.
Well made
Are the writing, animation and sound made with care?
4out of 5
The show is a high-effort production that earned an Emmy for its outstanding sound mixing and is lauded for its excellent voice acting and symphonic score. The animation generally features a detailed, moodier aesthetic, though some reviews point out occasional animation errors and a noticeable dip in writing quality during the final season. Despite these later inconsistencies, the overall world-building and technical execution remain strong.
Watch-outs
Calm and gentle
While one review mentions fluorescent colors and flickering lights, most commentary describes the show as having a dark aesthetic that is sometimes even difficult to see. The pacing is noted as action-heavy but coherent rather than chaotic.
Toy-led: not enough data
We haven't found enough independent sources to say yet.
Grating audio
There are consistent reports of the main character's habit of shouting out alien names during transformations becoming annoying over time. Additionally, some reviewers found certain alien voices difficult to understand or incomprehensible, though others found the overall sound design to be high quality.
Where to watch
Stream for free
- Not that we know of
Stream with a subscription
Rent or buy
- Not that we know of
DVD and Blu-ray
Streaming availability from Watchmode.
Last updated 18 October 2026.