Finding movies and shows that are appropriate for the kids to stream can be tricky. The good news is, Netflix has a huge selection of kids shows and movies, along with plenty of family-friendly classics to keep everyone entertained. Let’s take a look at some of the best kids shows and movies currently streaming on Netflix.
Best Kids Movies on Netflix
Detective Pikachu
As close as Pokémon will ever get to a live-action film, Detective Pikachu was a surprise hit with Pokémon fans in 2019. It also helps that the cute little fuzzy Pikachu is voiced by Ryan Reynolds, who injects a lot of personality and humour into his work. While this isn’t the typical Pokémon story you might expect if you’ve seen any of the shows (and the detective Pikachu involved is not Ash Ketchum’s Pikachu), it’s a fun ride for kids and adults alike.
Shrek
One of the greatest kids movies ever made, Shrek was a cultural phenomenon and one of the biggest non-Disney kids franchises from the 2000’s. It’s a classic, iconic and the perfect animated movie for the whole family. With Mike Meyers voicing Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, this movie is filled with classic characters, quotes and plenty of references to classic fairy tales thrown in for good measure. Netflix also has the second and third movies, as well as its various spin-offs.
Subscribe to Disney+ — Streaming for the whole family
Disney is undoubtedly the biggest name in kids entertainment. Now you can stream Disney classics, along with Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars through Disney+. There are two plan options to choose from – a monthly subscription, or prepay for a year. Both plans include the same features, with unlimited downloads and the ability to stream on up to four screens at the same time. This table includes links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month or year | |
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min. cost $13.99 over one month |
4 | $13.99 |
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min. cost $139.99 over one year |
4 | $139.99 |
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^^View important information | |||
Studio Ghibli films
Studio Ghibli is one of the biggest names in Japanese animation, and Netflix now plays home to a range of 21 Studio Ghibli films. If you’re looking for something a bit different to the typical kids animated movies, there are plenty of options to choose from. Netflix is periodically releasing batches of these films, but currently you can watch classics such as Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro.
Happy Feet
Is there anything cuter than dancing penguins? Didn’t think so. Happy Feet was one of the breakout animated kids films of the 2000’s and it’s really fun for the whole family, following the story of Mumble, the little tap-dancing Emperor Penguin. With character voices from iconic actors including Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Hugo Weaving, it won a string of awards and will no doubt get the kids up and dancing along.
Best Kids Shows on Netflix
Pup Academy
It’s exactly what it sounds like — a school for dogs. A pack of furry friends set out on a ‘re-bark-able’ journey at a school for cute puppies (set in a parallel world) where they learn how to be dogs. It’s all about the special bond between humans and dogs, and while it might sound a bit weird, there’s no doubt that the kids will love it. Plus, there are cute dogs.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
A Netflix Original series based on a book series Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, this show follows the Baudelaire children after the death of their parents, as they’re pursued by Count Olaf (played by Neil Patrick Harris), who tries to get his hands on the children’s family fortune. There are three seasons currently available on Netflix, and its probably best suited to older kids.
Green Eggs and Ham
Based on the classic Dr. Seuss book of the same name, this animated series is about Sam (who loves green eggs and ham) as he tries to save a rare animal called a Chickeraffe. He meets a man called Guy (voiced by Michael Douglas), and the two end up on an adventure, along with a girl called EB and her mother Michellee. This series is packed with humour and lots of fun, and it’s also been picked up for a second season to be titled Green Eggs and Ham: The Second Serving.
Dragons: Race to the Edge
A spin-off from the popular How to Train Your Dragon film, this series occurs between the first and second movie, as Hiccup tries to keep balance between the Dragons and the Vikings. Hiccup, Toothless and the other Dragon Riders embark on a series of adventures over the course of six seasons. If your kids loved the movies, this show should definitely be on your Netflix Watch list.
Sign up to BINGE!
Are you looking for something binge-worthy? Why not check out BINGE? With multiple subscription plans available, you can choose a plan that suits you (or your family) and settle in for a night on the couch with a wide range of movies and shows!
| Brand | Subscription Type | No. of Screens/same time viewing | Advertised Cost^^/month | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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min. cost $10 over one month |
1 | $10 |
Go To Site |
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min. cost $16 over one month |
2 | $16 |
Go To Site |
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min. cost $18 over one month |
4 | $18 |
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^^View important information | |||
What can the kids watch on Netflix?
Every Netflix account, regardless of subscription level, has access to a ‘Kids’ account, which restricts inappropriate content. While it’s good for parents to have this function to easily filter out content that isn’t child-friendly, it’s still worth checking out what’s available so you can determine which Netflix shows and movies are appropriate for your children to watch. Happy streaming!
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