A midweek Children’s Day probably means that this year’s celebrations are all at home. If you’re staying in with the kids, a great way to spend some time together is watching a movie or series. OTTs rein in all television sets at homes, and there is some great content for kids and young adults available online, from classics to new hits, animation to live-action. My Kolkata brings you a complete watchlist to indulge in, across streaming platforms.
Loki (14+ years)
Tom Hiddleston’s greatest skill is his ability to make the God of Mischief effortlessly likeable. MCU’s standout show about the consequences of fiddling with time. It excels in making viewers feel a plethora of emotions, while breaking down complex sci-fi concepts with swagger. Moreover, how can we have a Children’s Day watchlist without a superhero entry?
Watch on: Netflix
Stranger Things (13+ years)
No one could have predicted the global phenomenon that this show would become. Centred around nerdy children living in a small American town in the 1980s, the show pays homage to a lot of golden moments from geek culture, while also delivering nostalgia. Despite high-octane drama, the best thing about Stranger Things is the camaraderie between characters, perfectly capturing the beautiful mess that is growing up.
Watch on: Netflix
Baymax (12+ years)
If Big Hero 6 introduced us to the adorkable Baymax, the character’s spin-off show transcended all boundaries of cuteness. Following the robot who doubles up as a healthcare companion while helping people around fictional San Fransokyo, this series of shorts had a whole lot of heart, capturing the power of empathy to bring positive change. It even goes a step further, representing important issues like menstrual health and queer rights. Our only gripe? The episodes are way too short!
Watch on: Disney + Hotstar
Naruto (12+ years)
One of the most popular manga series on the planet, its anime adaptation has made Naruto a household name. The show is packed with character development, with each character having demons in their past and evolving to leave them behind, mirroring the real world where no one is black or white. The intensely idealistic themes add even more depth to the well-choreographed action. With 720 episodes on Netflix, this is a binge-treat.
Watch on: Netflix
Power Rangers (12+ years)
Every kid since the 1990s has had a Power Rangers phase. The biggest coup Amazon’s streaming platform pulled is collecting multiple iterations of the show in its catalogue. The show is about… colour coordinated heroes with ninja-like fighting prowess, wielding the coolest tech and driving the fastest bikes. What’s not to like?
Watch on: Netflix
Mr. Bean (7+ years)
The 1995 series has made people laugh for almost three decades now, cementing Rowan Atkinson as one of the greatest comedic actors of all time. Mr. Bean is the perfect reflection of life, where it rarely goes according to plan and yet, it is funny when you see it objectively. The simplicity of the gags, many of which induce abject hilarity without uttering a single word, keeps it a fresh and enthralling watch in 2023, for kids and adults alike.
Watch on: Prime Video
Bluey (5+ years)
This Australian animated show is a delight for preschoolers, featuring an energetic anthropomorphic Blue Heeler puppy who lives with her father and sister and embarks on adventures with different dog breeds. The central theme of family is extremely heartwarming, and its depiction of a healthy father figure makes it stand out.
Watch it on: Disney+Hotstar
Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom (3+ years)
Another gem for preschoolers, this animated series is set in a fantastical world of elves and fairies, with distinct parallels to our very human world. Created by the people behind the iconic Peppa Pig, the show captures the nuances of recognising differences, and the beauty in accepting them when a fairy and an elf become best friends, emphasising on how friendship extends beyond boundaries.
Watch on: Netflix