For the most part, finding the best kids movies on Netflix is not always as easy as we’d like to believe it is. We just want our kids to enjoy watching, safe and age-appropriate films, but there are just that many choices and it’s hard to know what to pick. This guide to the best picks on Netflix will cover something calm and colorful for toddlers. It also has educational content for preschoolers and adventurous films for tweens.
To ensure that whatever you do, regardless of what age, you’ve got something perfect for movie night, we’ve broken down the top Netflix picks by age. We’ll also give you some tips on using the parental controls built into kids Netflix to keep your kids safe while they watch. For worry-free viewing here is everything you need to know.
Best kids movies on Netflix for toddlers
They have short attention, and they tend to want simple stories with bright colors, repetitive music, and tender storylines. When you’re this age, it’s best to avoid anything overly complicated or intense and keep it on the safe and positive side. Here are some good movies on Netflix 2024 for little ones
Top Netflix movies for toddlers
- Cocomelon: This ultra-popular show, full of short catchy songs, is all about numbers, letters, and social skills, and kids just love it. They are ideal for little ones to be entertained with educational music and short episodes.
- Llama Llama: Based on children’s books that are beloved by kids all over the world, Llama Llama tells the story of a young llama and his friends and family. The highlights of the episodes are friendship, family, and basic social skills.
- Ask the StoryBots: Short, educational episodes with colorful characters such as StoryBots. It answers questions children might ask: ‘Why is the sky blue?’ This show has a twist because it’s interactive and sparks early curiosity in kids.
Safe Netflix shows for young children
- Puffin Rock: Having followed Oona the Puffin and her family and friends through the beautiful island on which they live. Now you can experience island life from the Puffin’s perspective. This calm, gentle show teaches kids about nature and friendships all in a beautiful seaside setting. All of this makes it ideal for entertainment for four and five-year-olds. Ideal for bedtime.
- Octonauts: This series is dedicated exclusively to the little kids to get acquainted with the underwater world. This includes a small but creative organism, the Octonauts. It explores the sea, helps other sea creatures, and solves underwater mysteries. Not too intense, but action-packed enough for curious toddlers.
- If I Were an Animal: Each show focuses on an animal family, kids are really making them see life in the different animals. It’s sort of calming, sort of educational, and helps young viewers who are developing their empathy. It also helps their understanding of nature and animals.
Best kids movies on Netflix for preschoolers
The plots of these movies are among the simplest that preschoolers can follow. These include catching their attention with catchy music, colors, and lots of them. This is why it’s important to engage them with some fun and some learning at this age. What are the best kids movies for creative preschoolers, that teach you something, and are fun?
Netflix movies for preschool age
- My Little Pony: A New Generation: Going into that, you know it’s got colorful characters, catchy songs, and more. Since it’s Netflix, you can expect strong themes of friendship, understanding, and diversity. Preschoolers love it and so does it deliver a positive message while keeping them entertained.
- Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy Bottom: Funnily, quirky adventures that get you to the farm with no dialogue, are a classic. And this is lighthearted and perfect for preschoolers who LOVE silly, slapstick humor.
- Go! Go! Cory Carson: Cory Carson is a little animated car who’s going to school, making friends, and spending time with family. Each episode is short, jam-packed full of positive social interactions and problem-solving. So, in a way that is relatable for preschoolers.
Educational Netflix content for preschoolers
- Word Party: The baby animal characters included in this interactive show encourage preschoolers to learn new words. Good for early language development, the show is focused on vocabulary, colors, and shapes in a fun way.
- Numberblocks: A cool but simple show that demonstrates numbers and early math concepts in a colorful and musical format. Numberblocks are clever for making math fun and easy to remember.
- Mighty Little Bheem: A curious and strong toddler—Bheem. This content shows us Bheem exploring his village and showcasing Indian culture through simple stories and humor. It’s entertaining, and educational, with an international flavor for young viewers.
Best kids movies on Netflix for elementary school kids
More complex plots and relatable characters are right up elementary-age kids’ alley. At this stage, movies can include themes such as teamwork, friendship, and small adventures. Here are some good Netflix student favorites that blend fun with lessons.
Family-friendly Netflix films for kids
- The Willoughbys: First, this animated movie is about four siblings leaving their neglectful parents. This helps them to escape a bad situation and begin a much better life. It’s breezy and wholesome, about family and teamwork.
- The Little Prince: The Little Prince Story is based on the classic tale where a little girl finds out the story about the little prince. From there, it’s her being curious and kind. It also shows why we need to connect with people.
- Despicable Me: Gru and his Minions get into all sorts of wild, silly antics balanced by themes of family, kindness, and love. Follow along. It’s a laugh and a life lesson-filled movie for the entire family.
Adventure movies for kids on Netflix
- Over the Moon: A rather magical animated adventure film about a young girl who journeys to the moon to find a long-ago (but now extinct) moon goddess. The story about love, resilience, and acceptance, over-conjoined visuals, changes all that.
- The Angry Birds Movie 2: Joining forces the birds and the pigs to save their islands, in this action-packed adventure. It’s chocked full of laughs and is just right for elementary kids who want color, animation, and humor.
- Klaus: This Christmas tale is about a resentful postman and a quiet toy maker teaming up to bring a little magic to a less-than-magical small town. This is wonderfully animated, it’s about being kind and generous.
Best kids movies on Netflix for tweens
This is usually because tweens are interested in movies that are more relatable, and more engaging! The balance of humor, adventure, and life lessons these picks provide offer them something to do.
Netflix movies for tweens and pre-teens
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines: This hilarious, action-packed family adventure where the Mitchells have to save the world. This adventure is against a form of tech uprising! It’s entertaining and has messages about family and technology.
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: It’s an incredible amalgamation of visuals and a coming-of-age story. This will teach you resilience, courage, and the importance of teamwork. Consider it an original version of a superhero story for kids.
- Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting: Along with a brave young girl, see her join a secret society of babysitters that protect the children… from the monsters. Tweens who enjoy a little mystery will enjoy this movie’s mild thrills as well as the fun.
Inspirational movies for tweens on Netflix
- Dolphin Tale: The touching, true story of how a young boy befriends a dolphin with a prosthetic tail. It promotes compassion, resilience, and caring for animals and the environment.
- Yes Day: This fun family movie teaches responsibility and the idea of being able to balance the fun with the real rules in life. It is based on the idea that if a parent’s going to say yes to everything their kid wants them to do for one day, then they can handle balancing the two sides out.
- Raising the Bar: A story of both resilience and sportsmanship. This content will be a great movie for tweens alike to watch about overcoming challenges.
What is the scariest thing on Netflix for kids?
Parents should be careful, sometimes kids ask to watch spooky movies when they’re still growing. Netflix has some thrills and even even some horror but it’s essential to know what’s good for kids. Nudity on Netflix and Netflix porn should be filtered, because some of the shows on Netflix may be listed as Netflix porn shows. Here’s what parents should look for and some safe spooky recommendations:
- Avoid Adult Content: Titles with the tag of maturity or that are listed as adult should be prevented from being watched.
- Check for PG Ratings: Avoid choosing any movies at all that are overly intense and pick age-appropriate movies with a PG or PG-13 rating.
Older kids scary but safe movies
- Goosebumps: Goosebumps is based on popular books, with spooky adventures laced with mild scares and a whole load of fun. For kids who want mystery, but no real frights.
- Monster House: While a suspenseful theme, this animated film manages to be at a manageable level for kids. It also offers a blend of humor, and a great creative storyline to offset the spookiness of it all.
- A Counter of Unfortunate Events: An eerie and darkly humorous series about this terrifying situation that follows 3 siblings. You’ll be taken through a flurry of spooky events. It’s thrilling, quirky, and not inherently frightening.
Keep safe for kids on Netflix
With its vast library, you’ll have endless options to supply kids with endless back-and-forth debate nights. Still, you’ll also need proper parental controls to ensure only age-appropriate content sneaks through. I share here the best way to keep everyone safe and family-friendly.
Why is horror not for kids?
Horror is fascinating to kids but can lead to nightmares, anxiety, or even the belief that it’s real if you’re watching it too young. Even horror movies like animated ones can involve plenty of intense/strong images and themes to take away from. Parents should also be open with kids about understanding some movies are best left for when they’re older.
How to use parental controls on Netflix?
Parental controls on Netflix can put a stop to your kids watching something inappropriate. Here are some tips:
- Set Up a Kids’ Profile: It’s also possible to create a kids-only profile that shows you safe content or removes any inappropriate stuff. By default, Netflix has pre-set restrictions depending on age with the category from “Little Kids” to “Older Teens.” All of this helps in blocking adult content.
- Ratings and Restrictions: Each profile can limit certain content restrictions from ratings (G, PG, PG-13). This means that kids can only read titles appropriate to their age level.
- Use FlashGet Kids for Extra Safety: FlashGet Kids comes with extra protection like screen time monitoring, filtering content, and safer browsing. It is For parents who want a little more security than Netflix’s native controls. So, if you’re skeptical about your kid’s digital experience, FlashGet Kids can take your worries away. Consider it a one-stop solution for all parental controls.
- Monitor Viewing History: You can get a look at what your kids are watching by checking their profile history. It also helps parents know what’s happening and everything to be on schedule.
Quick tips for safety
- Set profile pins to ensure kids don’t switch to adult profiles.
- Use the “Kids” profile regularly to review recommended content.
- Stay engaged by watching previews or reviews for shows before letting kids view them.
Conclusion
Finding the best kids’ movies on Netflix is fun when you know what’s appropriate for each age range. Netflix has something for everyone from gentle movies for toddlers to inspirational options for tweens. The right parental controls mean that keeping children safe is easy. This includes setting up restricted profiles, monitoring viewing habits, and using tools like FlashGet Kids. Hopefully, you’ll never have to worry about your kid being exposed to mature content again.
You’re now ready to have safe, fun, and entertaining Netflix time with your kids. Happy family movie nights, laughs, learning, and just worry-free entertainment. Here’s to many!