archytele The Vault

Recess 1997

★ 7.7/10 · 525 votes TV-Y7 AnimationKidsComedy 6 seasons · 127 eps Ended
Where to watch: Disney Plus
Quick answer

What is Recess?

Recess is an American animated television series that follows the daily adventures of six fourth-grade friends at Third Street Elementary School. Created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere, the show explores the social dynamics and imaginative world of elementary school students during recess.

Type
TV series
Year
1997
Status
Ended
Episodes
127
First aired
Sep 13, 1997
Last aired
Nov 4, 2001
Original language
EN
Origin
US
Networks
ABC, UPN
Genres
Animation, Kids, Comedy
Updated
Availability by region

Where to watch

Stream

Disney Plus
Check current availability ↗

Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.

Planning tool

How long to binge?

Estimate the schedule using 127 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.

Trailer

No official trailer is available for this title yet.

Find the trailer on YouTube ↗

Overview

Recess is an American animated television series that follows the daily adventures of six fourth-grade friends at Third Street Elementary School. Created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere, the show explores the social dynamics and imaginative world of elementary school students during recess. The series portrays the children navigating friendships, dealing with authority figures, and engaging in playful activities such as kickball. It premiered as part of Disney's One Saturday Morning programming block and was produced by Walt Disney Television Animation. The show's setting reflects a child-centered society complete with its own government and class system, all observed through the lens of schoolyard life. The series aired from 1997 to 2001 and featured animation work by multiple studios including Grimsaem, Anivision, Plus One Animation, Sunwoo Animation, and Toon City. Recess focuses on relatable themes of childhood including loyalty, fairness, and growing up, making it a memorable depiction of elementary school experiences. The main characters include four boys and two girls who spend their recess periods together, encountering various situations that reflect real-world issues through a youthful perspective. The program was broadcast on ABC and later continued in reruns until 2004.

Advertisement

Should you watch it?

“Six fourth-grade friends navigate the complex social dynamics and daily adventures of their elementary school playground.”

Reasons to watch
  • engaging group dynamics
  • relatable school-age themes
Keep in mind
  • limited to a school setting

Watch it if you enjoy animated stories about childhood friendships and playground politics.

The series is suitable for general audiences and focuses on the experiences of elementary school students.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about Recess — answers are spoiler-safe.

Your verdict

Is Recess worth watching?

Cast

Episode guide

Season 1 · 26 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide →
Season 2 · 25 episodes
Season 3 · 16 episodes
Season 4 · 44 episodes
Season 5 · 11 episodes

Frequently asked questions

Who created the show?

The series was created by Paul Germain and Joe Ansolabehere.

Where does the show take place?

The stories are set at Third Street Elementary School.

How many friends are in the main group?

The group consists of six fourth-grade students.

What is the premise of the show?

The show follows the adventures of friends as they navigate the school playground and its unique social structure.

When did the series air?

The series aired from 1997 to 2001.