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The Fosters

2013·Show
104Episodes in5Seasons·TV-14
81
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.9Metacritic698.4Rotten Tomatoes97%85%
Episodes
IMDb7.9Metacritic698.4Rotten Tomatoes97%85%
Episodes

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The Fosters fingerprint

Big heart, strong craft, low-key.

Energy

Calm and low-key

  • Tension6
  • Fast Pace3
  • Violence3

Heart

Deeply moving and wholesome

Much of it is about growing up and family.

  • Coming of Age10
  • Family Dynamics10
  • Pathos9

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay5
  • Situational Comedy4
  • Cringe Humor2

World

Growing up, family, and everyday modern life

  • Dialogue Centrality8
  • World Immersion7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances and characters

  • Acting8
  • Character Depth8
  • Direction7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Music Composition5

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFamily Movie NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyComfort WatchThought-Provoking

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Feel Good shows

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10Episode 11Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14Episode 15Episode 16Episode 17Episode 18Episode 19Episode 20Episode 21Episode 22
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
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Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episode 17
Episode 18
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21
Episode 22

About

How do you define family?

Stef Foster, a dedicated police officer, and her partner Lena Adams, a school vice principal, have built a close-knit, loving family with Stef's biological son from a previous marriage, Brandon, and their adopted twins, Mariana and Jesus. Their lives are disrupted in unexpected ways when Lena meets Callie, a hardened teen with an abusive past who has spent her life in and out of foster homes. Lena and Stef welcome Callie and her brother, Jude, into their home thinking it's just for a few weeks, until a more permanent placement can be found. But life has something else in store for the Fosters.
LGBTQ+ Family DramaFoster Care System CritiqueMulticultural HouseholdTeen Coming-of-AgeEmotional ResilienceSocial RealismFound FamilyHeartwarming & HeartbreakingProgressive ValuesCharacter-Driven Narrative

Crew

Directed by:
Peter Paige, Joanna Johnson, Rob Morrow
Written by:
Joanna Johnson, Wade Solomon, Megan Lynn

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Fosters

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Fosters legally?

Disney+HulufuboTVYouTube TVFreeform

The Fosters is included with a subscription to Disney+, Hulu, fuboTV, and YouTube TV in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Apple TV, Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Fosters worth watching?

81
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82/100 (IMDb 7.9, Rotten Tomatoes 97%, and Metacritic 69). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Fosters rated?

TV-14ViolenceDrug useStrong languageSexual content

It's rated TV-14 in the United States. Content advisories: violence, drug use, strong language, and sexual content.

How many seasons does The Fosters have?

5 seasons

It has 5 seasons with 104 episodes of about 42 minutes each.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Fosters?

Critics83
Audiences83

Yes. Critics average 83 and audiences 83 out of 100, so both groups see The Fosters much the same way.

When did The Fosters air?

It ran from 2013 to 2018 and has ended.

What language is The Fosters in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Fosters?

48ADALATAUBABEBGCACHCZDEDKEEEG+34

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Fosters in 48 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Fosters use?

Berserk ButtonAborted ArcEphebophileBig Damn HeroesAll Lesbians Want KidsDrunk DriverPlaying the Heart StringsFrozen in TimeMissing MomDark and Troubled PastThe Lad-etteShout-Outand 51 more

TV Tropes lists 63 storytelling tropes for The Fosters, including Berserk Button, Aborted Arc, Ephebophile.