Best Family-Friendly Shows on Every Streaming Platform

Finding shows that genuinely entertain both adults and kids is harder than it should be. Most “family” content is either targeted at small children (fine for them, torture for parents) or aimed at adults with a vague “the kids can watch too” label. The shows on this list are the rare ones where everyone in the room is actually engaged. Here are the best family-friendly picks on every major streaming platform.

How We Selected: We examined options using full-season viewing, critical analysis, and production quality assessment. Factors in our assessment included production values, narrative quality, acting performances, thematic depth. Brands featured did not pay for or influence their inclusion.

Disney Plus

Bluey is not just the best kids’ show on streaming. It is one of the best shows on streaming, period. The Australian animated series about a Blue Heeler puppy and her family tackles themes of parenting, imagination, resilience, and growing up with a warmth and intelligence that makes parents cry as often as kids laugh. Seven-minute episodes make it endlessly rewatchable and perfect for any gap in the day.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians is the adaptation that fans of Rick Riordan’s books always deserved. Walker Scobell captures Percy’s humor and determination as the 12-year-old son of Poseidon navigates Greek mythology brought to life. The show respects its source material and delivers adventure that works for kids and adults. Two seasons available.

The Mysterious Benedict Society adapts Trenton Lee Stewart’s novels about four gifted children recruited for a secret mission to infiltrate a dangerous academy. Tony Hale leads the adult cast, but the young actors carry the show with charm and intelligence. Two seasons of puzzle-filled adventure.

National Geographic content on Disney Plus includes nature documentaries narrated by David Attenborough and others that are educational and visually spectacular. Secrets of the Whales and America’s National Parks are standouts.

Netflix

Stranger Things works as a family show for households with older kids (roughly 12 and up). The Duffer Brothers’ love letter to 1980s adventure films delivers genuine scares alongside heartfelt friendships. Five seasons tell a complete story about kids battling supernatural threats in small-town Indiana.

One Piece (live-action) adapts the beloved anime into a swashbuckling adventure about pirates, treasure, and friendship. The practical sets and genuine stunt work give it a tactile quality that CGI-heavy shows lack. Fun, colorful, and appropriate for kids 10 and up.

Avatar: The Last Airbender (live-action) brings the animated classic to life with impressively realized bending effects and a diverse cast. While the animated original remains superior, the live-action version introduces the story to a new generation.

Cobra Kai extends the Karate Kid franchise into a multigenerational story about rivalry, mentorship, and second chances. Six seasons of crowd-pleasing martial arts action with a surprisingly big heart.

Amazon Prime Video

The Legend of Vox Machina is an animated fantasy adventure based on Critical Role’s D&D campaign. The humor skews slightly older (PG-13 territory), but the adventure, character development, and animation quality make it an excellent family watch for households with tweens and teens.

Invincible is NOT family-friendly despite being animated. It is extremely violent. Mentioning it here as a warning because the animation style misleads some parents.

Good Omens adapts Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett’s novel about an angel and demon teaming up to prevent the apocalypse. Michael Sheen and David Tennant have irresistible chemistry. Appropriate for older kids who enjoy British humor.

Apple TV Plus

Ghostwriter reimagines the PBS classic for a new generation. A ghost releases fictional characters into the real world, and four kids must work together to solve literary mysteries. Charming and educational.

Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock revives Jim Henson’s beloved puppet series with new episodes that maintain the original’s spirit of adventure, music, and gentle life lessons.

Snoopy in Space and other Peanuts specials on Apple TV Plus bring Charles Schulz’s characters to a new generation with updated animation and timeless humor.

Max

His Dark Materials adapts Philip Pullman’s trilogy about a brave girl traveling between parallel worlds. Three seasons of ambitious fantasy suitable for families with kids 10 and up. Dafne Keen and Ruth Wilson lead the cast.

Sesame Street has new episodes exclusively on Max, alongside decades of classic content. The longest-running educational show in television history remains essential for preschoolers.

Paramount Plus

SpongeBob SquarePants and its various spinoffs are all streaming here, making Paramount Plus the default Nickelodeon archive for families.

iCarly (reboot) brings back Miranda Cosgrove for an updated version of the web-show comedy that resonates with older kids and their nostalgic millennial parents.

For a comparison of which platform is best for your family, check our Disney Plus vs Netflix for families guide. For shows aimed specifically at teens, see our teen shows roundup.