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The Partridge Family

The Partridge Family

1970–1974Ended4 seasons96 episodes~30 min/epNot RatedMidcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

The Partridge Family is an American television sitcom series about a widowed mother and her five children who embark on a music career.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Partridge Family?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Partridge Family streaming on Howdy via The Roku Channel, The Roku Channel (free) and Tubi (free) and to rent or buy on Apple TV.

Rent / Buy

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Highlights

What stands out about The Partridge Family?

The Partridge Family earns 1 badge: Feel-good.

Reception

Is The Partridge Family worth watching?

The Partridge Family's Midcredits score is the 31st percentile of all shows, from 5.6K ratings across 2 sources. 60% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

31st percentile

Better received than 31% of shows

28th percentile among Comedy19th percentile among 1970s
Acclaim (how much people like it)32nd
Approval (how many liked it)32nd

Acclaim

Mixed: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

67 /100

32nd percentile of all shows

32nd percentile among Comedy20th percentile among 1970s

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 6.9 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

60% liked it

32nd percentile of all shows

26th percentile among Comedy19th percentile among 1970s
60% rated it 7–1040% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

80th percentile

5.6K ratings across platforms

69th percentile among Comedy71st percentile among 1970s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 17% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A light, innocent family sitcom built around a single mother and her children forming a band – fans enjoy the charm and music, detractors find it corny and shallow.

Fans praised

  • lived-in family chemistry among the core cast
  • catchy music with several genuine hit singles
  • Danny Bonaduce's wisecracking and Dave Madden's comic timing

Detractors panned

  • thin, formulaic plots with predictable happy endings
  • comedy judged weak by adult standards, reliant on laugh track
  • music derivative and only promoted by the show itself

What stands out

ActingDivisive72

strong ensemble chemistry; Shirley Jones, David Cassidy, Danny Bonaduce, Dave Madden praised; Tracy actor seen as stiff

Sound and musicDivisive68

catchy pop tunes, several chart hits; studio musicians augment; detractors call songs unremarkable without show

CharactersDivisive63

distinct personalities for Keith, Laurie, Danny, Reuben; two youngest kids largely background; character of Reuben a comic foil

AtmosphereDivisive60

early 70s suburban nostalgia; colorful bus; innocent era feel

DialogueDivisive58

snappy script with good one-liners; some adult references; detractors call jokes lame

HumorDivisive55

Danny Bonaduce's sarcasm and Reuben Kincaid's frustration are comic high points; detractors find no real comedy

Plot and storyDivisive40

repetitive storylines; predictable happy endings; episodes follow formula (tour, scheme, personal issue)

OriginalityDivisive40

derivative of The Brady Bunch and earlier musical family shows; unique as a single-mom band premise

Preferred by

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

  • Women vs men 5 points apart
  • Critics vs users 5 points apart
  • US vs non-US 9 points apart

Episodes

4 seasons

Season 4 · 1973 · 22 episodes

  • S4E1

    Hate Thy Neighbor

    Sep 15, 197330 min
  • S4E2

    None But the Onely

    Sep 22, 197330 min
  • S4E3

    Beethoven, Brahms and Partridge

    Sep 29, 197330 min
  • S4E4

    The Strike-Out King

    Oct 6, 197330 min
  • S4E5

    Reuben Kincaid Lives

    Oct 13, 197330 min
  • S4E6

    Double Trouble

    Oct 20, 197330 min

Watch experience

What is The Partridge Family 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
JoyfulWarm
Heaviest: throughout
Warm humor
Register
WarmPlayful
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.Resets each episode · 10% of showsStatus quo each season
ToneThe show plays its family situations and musical numbers with a light, earnest warmth, never mocking its characters.
The rideThe series sustains a consistently light, cheerful mood with only mild comic tension, never dark or heavy.
StructureEpisodes follow a conventional sitcom setup, conflict, and resolution with status quo restored.
Episode formatEach episode is a self-contained comedic scenario that returns the family to its status quo by the end.
Season formatSeasons are interchangeable batches of episodes; the family and their basic situation remain constant throughout the run.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Feel-goodCozy · 5% of shows
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves viewers with a warm, uplifting feeling after each episode's lighthearted family antics.
How it ends · evidence
Happy 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% (this title) · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • 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 errors: Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.

12% of shows fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeTypical episodes follow the Partridge family's humorous domestic and musical misadventures, driven by misunderstandings and comic setups.

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 showsSelfFamilybonds
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31% (this title): Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% (this title) · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · 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% · 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% (this title) · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Bonds

Family bondsFame · 5% of shows
Celebrates its theme: Affirms its theme — this is good and worth having.Intimate stakes: Consequences reach a person or a household.Ensemble lead
How it treats its themeThe series centers on a single-parent family navigating life, music, and adolescence together, with the family unit as the emotional anchor.
StanceThe series celebrates family togetherness and the joy of making music, never questioning or satirizing the central bond.

The world

ContemporaryUrbanDomesticRealistic
PopOrchestral modernForeground music · original score
SettingSuburban California of the early 1970s, centered on the Partridge home and their tour bus.
MusicThe show's original songs, including 'I Think I Love You,' became pop hits and define its sunny sound.

Content guide

Is The Partridge Family okay for kids?

TV-PG

The Partridge Family is rated TV-PG.

Ratings in 5 other countries
  • AustraliaG
  • Germany12
  • France12
  • Spain13
  • Türkiye13+

No detailed content scores for this title yet.

What content warnings does The Partridge Family have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Partridge Family?

Cast

At least 7 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen.

Shirley Jones
as Shirley Partridge
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
David Cassidy
as Keith Partridge
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Susan Dey
as Laurie Partridge
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Danny Bonaduce
as Danny Partridge
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Suzanne Crough
as Tracy Partridge
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Dave Madden
as Reuben Kincaid
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Brian Forster
as Christopher 'Chris' Partridge
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Jeremy Gelbwaks
as Christopher 'Chris' Partridge
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Rick Segall
as Ricky Stevens
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Gordon Jump
as Albertson

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