Saturday morning cartoons on network television may be a thing of the past but that doesn’t mean that cartoons have evaporated for kids. The medium has merely shifted platforms and children now have a host of new options through online services when it comes to consuming their cartoon content. Arguably one of the biggest spots for original content is Netflix and the streaming service has no shortage of kid-oriented animated movies and series. But with so much to choose from, where do you start? Well, here are 10 interesting titles that kids should certainly check out while browsing the platform, hopefully to conquer the issue of endlessly scrolling that even us adults have problems with when it comes to choosing our entertainment.
1. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power
Adora thought she was living the noble life of a warrior under her mother, Shadow Weaver of the Horde. However, she soon comes to learn the truth and finds herself fighting for the freedom of magical kingdoms alongside such charming sidekicks as Princess Glimmer of Bright Moon and the archer Bow. As a remake of the classic 1980s fantasy saga, itself a spin-off of He-Man, this new take is far more engaging past the 80s prerogative of selling toys. Here is a show that not only showcases intriguingly honest depictions of families but also boasts positive representations of the LGBTQ+ community.
2. Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
In a dystopian future, the young girl Kipo soon finds herself on an adventure when she is thrust from her home underground amid a post-apocalyptic urban wasteland. Forced to explore in a new world, she learns to survive in a world whimsical creatures and dangerous mutants, using the power of music and problem-solving to find her way back home. She teams up with such humans as Wolf and Benson as well as Dave the insect and Mandu the mutant pig. With lush visuals and quirky characters, Kipo is a fantastically wondrous adventure saga of brilliant design and inspiring stories for kids of all backgrounds.
3. Dino Girl Gauko
Naoko appears to be a typical tween of Japan, living a somewhat normal life at home and school. When she gets all mad, however, she transforms from your average girl to the towering dinosaur girl Gauko, breathing fire and causing destruction. She would seem odd if it weren’t all the other strange characters of her neighborhood. Tackling relatable scenarios, Dino Girl Gauko has a playful tone while addressing issues of coming to terms with anger and those around you. A creative bit of kid-oriented entertainment for blowing off some steam (or fire), this is surprisingly fun and adorable anime for kids.
4. The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance
A prequel to The Dark Crystal movie, this dark fantasy follows the adventures of the oppressed Gelfling race rebelling against the evil Skeksis that harvest their souls. Various Gelflings, of ecological spiritualness and wealthy monarchies, find themselves thrown out of their colonies and into a dangerous war of fluctuating loyalties. They’ll need to band together if they hope to stage and survive this revolution. Staged with the familiar puppetry techniques of the Jim Henson Workshop, as well as some computer graphics, this is a rather dark fantasy of magic and war that is perfectly suited for the older kids who desire a bit of grit and thrill with their adventure stories.
5. Rilakkuma and Kaoru
Kaoru is a typical Japanese woman working an office job in modern day Japan with a not-so-typical roommate living in her place. She resides in an apartment with Rilakkuma, a bear with a zipper on his back. Though Rilakkuma appears to do little more than lounge about the apartment, they find all sorts of charming fun with their quaint lifestyle. With a gentle touch and an identifiable modern setting, there’s a lot to love in this stop-motion animated series from Japan with a slice-of-life wonder and undeniably cute vibe that is sure to warm the hearts of young and old.
6. Twelve Forever
Reggie is a twelve-year-old girl that is finding it rather difficult to make that jump from child to young adult. Not desiring to grow up, she manages to find an escape in the form of an imaginative fantasy world where toys and drawings come to life. More appealing, however, is the prospect of her not being able to grow up. She embarks on all sorts of adventures with her friends Todd and Esther in this magical world. Tackling tough topics of growing up, Twelve Forever is a vibrant mixture of relatable childhood issues as well as amazing fantasy adventure to make that coming-of-age story shine extra bright through animation.
7. The InBESTigators
A collective of fifth graders (Ezra, Ava, Kyle and their leader Maudie) bring together their many talents to solve the many mysteries of the local neighbourhood. Whether it’s baffling investigations at school or head-scratching investigations from their backyard, no mystery seems too tough for the plucky young investigators. Sorry, InBESTigators! This Australian program created by Robyn Butler and Wayne Hope, filmed in a mockumentary style, is a great bit of inspiring problem solving entertainment for kids that’ll get their minds moving with relatable stories and great storytelling by a talented young cast of actors (Anna Cooke, Aston Droomer, Jamil Smyth-Secka and Abby Bergman).
8. Hilda
Hilda is a little girl with blue hair and a fearless nature, eager to explore whatever secrets the woods may hold. She is surprised to discover that the woods just outside her home is a haven for all sorts of mythical creatures, including the likes of elves and trolls. She’ll soon make unique friends with the deerfox Twig and the elf Alfur, as well as her more human friends of David and Frida. Adventure awaits Hilda as she goes on explorations of the wood’s many secrets with its animals and spirits. Based on the graphic novel series created by Luke Pearson, Hilda has plenty of colorful whimsy and a chipper spirit for its equal mixture of magical danger and wonderment.
9. Klaus
In 19th-century Europe, Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman) finds himself kicked out of the lazy lifestyle as the wealthy son of a Postmaster General and into a feuding small town where he must establish a post office. Setting up such an operation won’t be easy, especially since the heated town has no use for mail communication. That may all change when Jesper runs into the kindly giant hermit Klaus (J.K. Simmons) as a mythos of Santa Claus is soon born with the prospect of toys being delivered. Directed by Disney animator Sergio Pablos, the film has a fascinating mixture of computer and traditional animation that is sure to please kids as well as give adults a nostalgic vibe of the Disney Renaissance in this Academy Award nominated film perfect for the family.
10. The Magic School Bus Rides Again
Ms. Frizzle may be a little too old to keep up the educational adventures on her magical school bus of limitless potential. But her younger sister, Fiona Frizzle (Kate McKinnon), is ready to take over the classroom and bus for more unorthodox field trips of traveling everywhere from as far off to the depths of outer space to the more microscopic realms of the human bodies. Harkening to the classic 1990s series, including a nostalgic tinge with Lily Tomlin returning to voice the original Frizzle, kids will dig the fantastical field trips that defy reality while also learning plenty of interesting facts about science and the world around them.