Little House On The Prairie Review: Netflix Gives The Ingalls Family A Much-Needed Update

An adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic novel, Netflix's Little House on the Prairie has big shoes to fill, but it does it tremendously with beautiful, sweeping visuals and a distinct point of view. While adapting Wilder's work, which was based on her young years growing up as a young mid-west pioneer, isn't a new challenge, it's one that's always to be taken seriously. Wilder's novels, including 1932's Little House on the Prairie among others, are some of the most honest and compelling works from the time period, and after a successful adaptation in the 1970s, have been tough to match.

After an attempt at a remake fell through in 2020, Netflix's decision to bet on the project made it clear that they felt strongly about the messaging of Wilder's family's story. The struggles of pioneer settlement may not be something viewers are intimately familiar with, but Netflix's series ensures that its audience is immersed in a whole new world. Following young Laura (Alice Halsey), her older sister Mary (Skywalker Hughes), and their loving parents, Ma Caroline (Crosby Fitzgerald) and Pa Charles (Luke Bracey), as they settle in Kansas, the series makes its viewers feel like they're part of the family.

With an extended ensemble cast that does tremendous work in fleshing out the world of Independence, Kansas, gorgeous visuals of the homestead that heighten the experience on screen, and a well-woven story leading to the Ingalls' next journey, Little House on the Prairie is a soothing, soulful series with spark.

Little House On The Prairie's Charming Cast Brings The Ingalls' World To Life

The 1970's version of Little House on the Prairie, which notably starred Michael Landon as Pa and Melissa Gilbert as Laura, is one of the most well-known TV adaptations of all time, and while Netflix's version definitely pays homage to the long-running series, it paves its own path. Throughout the first moments of the eight-episode Netflix series, the Ingalls family is established so clearly, and the magic that many felt was impossible to revive without Landon at the helm comes to life. Bracey's Pa is magnetic, charming, and a clear leader, with Fitzgerald's Ma working calmly in tandem alongside him.

There can't be enough said about how phenomenal it is watching Halsey, who was previously tremendous in Apple TV's Lessons in Chemistry. Playing a young, curious Laura, Halsey captures the spirit of the character so innately, creating adventures wherever she goes and caring for those around her. Interested in getting to know everyone on the homestead, Halsey navigates tricky moments with her family and new friends, especially Good Eagle (Wren Zhawenim Gotts), with a patience and wisdom that feels well beyond her years. The chemistry between the cast, both within the Ingalls family and throughout Independence, is a major win.

While the entire cast of Little House feels like a standout, one of the most underrated parts of the show's first season is watching the family find their way through their days at camp, and then at home, in a world that feels so intensely unrelatable. From log cabins to bonfires and horse-drawn carts, the life depicted on Little House on the Prairie often looks so otherworldly to a modern audience, but it never feels so far away that it's unbelievable. The cast's performances are authentic and honest, which sells the ever-journeying pioneer setting in a fun, refreshing way.

Little House On The Prairie's Beautiful, Cinematic Style Is A Visual Dream

Netflix

Though the series is meant to depict the settlement of the Wisconsin-born Ingalls family as they move to the Midwest (and does it well), Little House on the Prairie was filmed throughout parts of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, and the visual style its location lends to the series is nothing short of breathtaking. The vast fields, dusty roads, and sun-drenched hills of the series give it a distinct visual identity, which allows the setting to help usher in the beats of the story as they ebb and flow. Along with visual language, the show's hair and costuming are on point.

While Little House has its tough moments, the majority of the series' drama is lighter fare, though the stakes may change in the coming seasons. The gorgeous cinematography lends to this style of storytelling, providing nuanced cues for viewers as the story progresses. Throughout Little House on the Prairie's first season, the series allows its setting to do some of the heavy lifting when it comes to sharing the Ingalls' journey, and the choice from creator Rebecca Sonnenshine is a great one, wrapping up the idea of the frontier and the family's journey into one tightly wound package.

Netflix's Little House On The Prairie Goes Deeper Than The 1970s Version

Despite the fact that the drama of Little House on the Prairie is often delivered with a lighter touch, the stories run deep, marking a clear delineation from the 1970s iteration of the show. While the older version did touch on tougher subjects, the plots stayed notoriously rooted within the Ingalls family as a whole. In the 2026 version of the series, the importance of Osage culture is woven throughout the series, and indigenous stories are told in a nuanced way that allows them to become part of the fabric of the show, rather than sticking out against the rest.

While there are moments throughout Little House on the Prairie that feel predictable or find problems to be a bit too easily resolved, the series doesn't falter because of it. In fact, the lighter sense of drama baked into the heavy foundation of an epic pioneer story makes the show far better than expected. With great performances, beautiful storytelling, and an unexpected sense of depth, Little House on the Prairie is a great addition to the Netflix catalog.

Little House on the Prairie season 1 is currently available to stream on Netflix.

Release Date July 9, 2026

Network Netflix

Episodes 8