Kids and Family Movies on Streaming: The Best Picks per Service in 2025

With so many streaming services offering kids and family movies, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. You’re not alone. Parents in Brisbane, Sydney, and beyond are scrolling through apps every weekend trying to find something that both toddlers and teens will actually sit through. The good news? Each major service has its own sweet spot when it comes to family-friendly content. You don’t need to subscribe to all of them. You just need to know where to look.

Disney+: The Go-To for Animated Classics and New Hits

Disney+ is the default choice for most families. It’s packed with animated films from Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and classic Disney titles that have been watched by multiple generations. If your kids love Toy Story, Frozen, or Moana, this is where you’ll find them-all in 4K with no ads.

Recent additions like Wish (2023) and The Little Mermaid (2023 live-action) are available right away. The service also has exclusive originals like Baymax! and Monsters at Work, which are perfect for younger viewers who’ve already seen the movies. The Kids Profile feature lets you lock content to age-appropriate titles, so you don’t have to worry about your 5-year-old accidentally clicking on Deadpool.

Disney+ also includes the entire Marvel Animated Universe, including Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Big Hero 6, which are hits with older kids who want action without the violence.

Netflix: The Wildcard with Surprising Depth

Netflix doesn’t have the same legacy of animated classics as Disney+, but it makes up for it with original content that feels fresh and often smarter than you’d expect. Shows like Bluey and CoComelon are huge with preschoolers, while older kids love Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024 live-action) and The Mitchells vs. The Machines.

Netflix’s strength is in variety. You’ll find international hits like My Father’s Dragon (a quiet, beautiful animated film from Ireland) and The Sea Beast, a swashbuckling adventure with emotional depth that adults actually enjoy. Their Family category is well-organized and updated weekly. Plus, Netflix lets you download movies for offline viewing-great for long car rides or flights.

One downside? Some older Disney titles like The Lion King or Aladdin are no longer on Netflix in Australia. If your kids are fans of those, you’ll need Disney+.

Amazon Prime Video: Hidden Gems and Budget-Friendly Picks

Amazon Prime Video doesn’t have a dedicated kids section that feels as polished as Disney+ or Netflix, but it’s full of underrated treasures. The PAW Patrol movies, The Boss Baby franchise, and The Smurfs movies are all included with your Prime membership.

Prime also offers a lot of live-action family films that other services ignore, like Paddington 1 & 2, The Incredibles (if you’re in a region where it’s licensed), and Stuart Little. You’ll find plenty of older 90s and early 2000s classics too-Matilda, Home Alone, and The Princess Diaries are all there.

Amazon’s free ad-supported channel, Freevee, has a surprisingly strong kids section with shows like Thomas & Friends and Ben 10. If you’re trying to cut costs, Prime’s free content can replace a separate subscription.

Hulu: The Nostalgia Hub for Parents Who Grew Up in the 90s

Hulu is the service that remembers your childhood. If you grew up watching The Land Before Time, Beethoven, or Inspector Gadget, Hulu has them. It’s the only major platform that still carries a solid collection of 90s and early 2000s live-action family films.

Its original content is limited, but The Muppets (2015 series) and Family Guy (for older kids who can handle the humor) are solid picks. Hulu also has the Harry Potter movies-yes, all eight. That’s huge for families with kids aged 8 and up who are ready for fantasy adventures.

Hulu’s interface isn’t as intuitive for kids as Disney+, but you can create a Kids Profile that filters out inappropriate content. The real value here is the library of older films that aren’t on other platforms. If your kids love classics, Hulu is worth adding.

Apple TV+: The Quiet Contender with High-Quality Storytelling

Apple TV+ doesn’t have the biggest library, but what it has is consistently excellent. If you’re tired of loud, fast-paced cartoons, Apple TV+ delivers calm, thoughtful stories. Wolfwalkers (2020) is an Oscar-nominated animated film with hand-drawn art and a quiet, emotional core. Helpsters is a gentle, educational show for preschoolers that teaches problem-solving.

It’s also home to The Snoopy Show, which is a hit with kids who love Peanuts. The animation style is simple but charming, and the stories are timeless. Apple TV+ doesn’t have hundreds of titles, but each one feels carefully chosen. For families who value quality over quantity, this is the service to try.

It’s also the only service that lets you share your subscription with up to six family members without extra cost-no need for a Family Plan upgrade.

Stan: Australia’s Local Favorite with Strong Kids Content

If you’re in Australia, Stan is worth considering. It’s not as big as Netflix or Disney+, but it has a solid selection of local and international kids’ content. You’ll find Bluey (which is produced in Australia), Peppa Pig, and Arthur all available. Stan also licenses popular films like Paddington, Madagascar, and Despicable Me.

Stan’s interface is clean and easy to navigate. Their Family section is well-curated, and they often add new titles on weekends. For Australian families, it’s a great way to support local production while still getting global hits.

What to Skip

Not every streaming service is worth it for families. HBO Max (now Max) has almost no family-friendly content outside of Harry Potter and Looney Tunes. Paramount+ has a few Nick Jr. shows but lacks feature films. Peacock has a small selection of classic cartoons but not enough to justify the price.

Stick to the top five: Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Apple TV+. Add Stan if you’re in Australia. That’s all you need.

How to Pick the Right One for Your Family

Here’s how to decide:

1. Check what your kids already love. If they’re obsessed with Encanto, get Disney+. If they’re into Bluey, you’re covered on Stan or Netflix.
2. Look at your budget. Prime Video comes free with Amazon Prime. Apple TV+ is $11/month but has no ads. Hulu’s cheapest plan has ads, but it’s $9/month.
3. Think about offline use. If you travel often, Netflix and Amazon let you download. Disney+ doesn’t allow downloads on all devices.
4. Check for local content. Stan has Australian shows you won’t find elsewhere.

You don’t need to pay for all of them. Most families do fine with just one or two. Start with Disney+ if you have young kids. Add Netflix if you want variety. Use Prime for extras and Hulu for nostalgia.

Final Tip: Use the Kids Profiles

Every service lets you create a separate profile for kids. Turn it on. Lock it to age-appropriate content. It saves you from accidental clicks, embarrassing moments, and endless "Mom, why is that movie so scary?" questions. It’s free. Use it.

Next Steps

Start by checking what your kids already watch. Then pick one service that matches their favorite genre. Try a free trial if you’re unsure. Most services offer 7-30 days free. After a week, you’ll know if it’s worth keeping. You don’t need to subscribe to everything. Just the right one.