Alvin and the Chipmunks

Three chipmunk brothers, Alvin, Simon, and Theodore are adopted by human, Dave.

Alvin and the Chipmunks is an American animated family comedy series from the 1980s, built around three mischievous chipmunk brothers who are adopted by a human named Dave Seville. Each half-hour episode runs on the brothers' schemes and pranks against their guardian's patience, turning everyday household routines into chaotic setpieces. The series is episodic rather than serialized, so viewers can dip in at any point without losing the thread. Its tone is light, breezy and gently silly, carried by squeaky character voices, musical novelty and a wholesome, kid-friendly warmth. The contemporary American home setting keeps the stakes low and the comedy familiar, with the brothers' mischief providing the main source of fun. Sitting firmly within the Saturday morning animation tradition, it suits viewers who want an uncomplicated family comedy with a playful edge, and it will especially appeal to fans of The Smurfs and Animaniacs looking for cheerful, undemanding entertainment.

Audience reception is mixed, with a modest 6.6/10 average across a small pool of ratings.

• The Smurfs (1981)family animated comedy, musical novelty, kid-friendly slapstick
• Animaniacsanimated family comedy built around anthropomorphic animals and a human guardian
• The Real Ghostbustersanimated sitcom-style family comedy, light and wholesome tone

Created by

Ross Bagdasarian, Joe Ruby, Ken Spears, Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman

Release Date

1983-09-17

Episode runtime

30 min

Rating

6.6 / 10 (84)

What is Alvin and the Chipmunks about?

Three mischievous chipmunk brothers are adopted by a songwriter named Dave and turn his home into a comic battleground.

What is Alvin and the Chipmunks like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Alvin and the Chipmunks as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is Alvin and the Chipmunks violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Alvin and the Chipmunks.

What did critics think of Alvin and the Chipmunks?

Audience reception is mixed, with a modest 6.6/10 average across a small pool of ratings.

Which shows are like Alvin and the Chipmunks?

Shows with a similar feel include The Smurfs (1981), Animaniacs, and The Real Ghostbusters.

How long is Alvin and the Chipmunks?

Alvin and the Chipmunks: 8 seasons, 172 episodes.

Is Alvin and the Chipmunks still running?

No, Alvin and the Chipmunks has ended.