Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a high school era prequel that follows a young Flint Lockwood as he tests wild inventions while juggling the quirks of teen life in Swallow Falls. When Sam Sparks arrives as the new girl and aspiring school reporter, she teams up with Flint and his pet monkey Steve. The series also highlights Flint's dad Tim, Manny who runs the audiovisual club, gym teacher Earl, baby model Brent, and Mayor Shelbourne, who campaigns on a pro-sardine platform and keeps winning. Each episode throws in a new invention mishap, keeping the tone upbeat and the pacing brisk.

Released in 2017, the series was created by Mark Evestaff and Alex Galatis as a television prequel to the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs films, translating the franchise's look and tone for TV. It aired internationally on kids networks.

Bringing a movie property to television helped the franchise reach younger viewers on a weekly basis. While it didn't eclipse the films, the show kept the franchise's visual gags alive and made Flint and Sam into recurring characters kids could follow. Clips and merch kept younger viewers engaged.

Critical response was mixed, reflected in modest viewer ratings like a 5.7/10 from a small sample. Reviewers and parents praised its humor and energy but noted simpler plots compared with the theatrical entries. Parents liked its positive messages for kids. Recurring themes include creativity, teamwork, small-town politics, and the ups and downs of scientific curiosity.

The series did not earn major industry awards or high-profile nominations. Its recognition has been limited to fan attention and franchise visibility rather than formal accolades, and it remains a noted entry in the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs universe to fans.