Current:Home > reviews10 streaming movies that will keep your kids entertained during the August doldrums -FinTechWorld
10 streaming movies that will keep your kids entertained during the August doldrums
FinLogic FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-09 14:20:16
So your kids have gone to see "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." Now what?
Many young film fans are still a couple of weeks out from going back to school, but once you get past "Turtles," the choices at the local movie theater – especially for those who aren't yet ready for living dolls with existential crises or the history of the atomic bomb – are pretty slim in the doldrums of August. Fortunately, streaming services have you covered with fun cartoons, coming-of-age stories and other movies that will keep everyone entertained in between last-minute summer reading lists and back-to-school shopping.
Here are 10 recent at-home options (of the PG- and G-rated variety) streaming now or coming soon for kids to watch:
'The Super Mario Bros. Movie'
The animated blockbuster made so much money ($1.4 billion worldwide!) that you may have already seen it. If you haven't, get in your go-kart and enjoy an action-packed outing with Mario (Chris Pratt), his bro Luigi (Charlie Day), new pal Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), bad guy Bowser (Jack Black) and more. Or watch it again and check out all the nifty Nintendo video game references sprinkled throughout the fantasy comedy you missed the first time.
Where to watch: Peacock
Game on!How Chris Pratt and 'Super Mario Bros.' freshen a Nintendo classic
'Nimona'
When knight Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Riz Ahmed) is framed for the murder of his queen, he befriends the rebellious shapeshifting teen Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), they go on a wild mission to clear his name and Ballister discovers his new sidekick has quite the backstory. Gloriously subversive and featuring great queer characters, it's an inclusive alternative to the usual dull fantasy adventure.
Where to watch: Netflix
'The Slumber Party'
Your kids might not be old enough to watch "The Hangover" yet but they'll get the gist of it from this coming-of-age comedy. Three teens wake up from a birthday slumber party with their friend missing, so they head off on a chaotic mission to find her that involves an onion-eating contest, a gaggle of baby ducks, ticked-off marching band kids and a runaway hedgehog float.
Where to watch: Disney+
'The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse'
Little cinephiles-in-training will appreciate this beautiful Oscar-winning animated short film about a boy (voiced by Jude Coward Nicoll) lost in the snow-covered wilderness. He first bonds with a cake-obsessed mole (Tom Hollander), who saves a hungry fox (Idris Elba) from a snare trap, and the unlikely trio meets an outcast white horse (Gabriel Byrne) in a thoughtful narrative about kindness, friendship and empathy.
Where to watch:Apple TV+
'The Amazing Maurice'
Go have some lasagna, Garfield, because Hugh Laurie's title feline is the new coolest cat in this animated comedy based on a Terry Pratchett children's novel. Maurice, his piper friend Keith (Himesh Patel) and a crew of rats take their cash-grabbing rodent infestation schemes on the road, and while stopped at a poverty-stricken town, they help the mayor's quirky daughter (Emilia Clarke) tackle rampant food thievery and a seriously creepy villain.
Where to watch:Hulu
'World’s Best'
Assigned to craft an equation that defines him, 12-year-old math genius Prem (Manny Magnus) decides to seek out more about the late father (Utkarsh Ambudkar) he never really knew. Discovering his dad was a talented rapper sparks Prem's imagination, with father and son performing together in hip-hop fantasies, but the kid ultimately has to find his own identity in the heartwarming musical comedy.
Where to watch: Disney+
'Mummies'
Here's something your adventurous kiddos might dig: In this flick, an ancient world of living mummies exists underneath our own! When a royal wedding ring is stolen from the kingdom by an ambitious archaeologist, a chariot racer (voiced by Joe Thomas), his princess fiancée (Eleanor Tomlinson), his younger brother (Santiago Winder) and their crocodile buddy venture into 21st-century London to retrieve the jewelry and get into all sorts of fish-out-of-water high jinks.
Where to watch: Hulu
'Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, the Movie'
If the superhero lovers in your household need something other than DC or Marvel, push play on this French action-adventure origin story. Given superpowers by magical baubles, Ladybug (voiced by Anouck Hautbois) and Cat Noir (Benjamin Bollen) are rival teen do-gooders in Paris who have to team up to defeat a mysterious supervillain and his creatures made of hate and evil. (And if the kids dig this, then check out five seasons of the "Ladybug & Cat Noir" cartoon streaming on Disney+.)
Where to watch: Netflix
'Snoopy Presents: One-of-a-Kind Marcie'
While adults back in the day had to wait months to watch Charlie Brown specials on network TV – and we loved them! – youngsters can stream them to their hearts' content, including a new one spotlighting bespectacled introvert Marcie. Peppermint Patty's best friend and No. 1 caddie helpfully solves her peers' problems with school hallway traffic and pizza shortages, but Marcie gets thrown for a loop when she's unexpectedly elected class president.
Where to watch:Apple TV+ (premieres Aug. 18)
'The Monkey King'
In the animated action comedy inspired by an ancient Chinese tale, the extremely confident Monkey King (voiced by Jimmy O. Yang) has big dreams of glory but to accomplish that, he needs to defeat 100 demons. With his magical fighting stick and a young village girl sidekick, Monkey King goes on a quest of self-discovery that includes taking on the eccentric Dragon King (Bowen Yang).
Where to watch: Netflix (premieres Aug. 18)
From 'Evil Dead Rise' to 'Extraction 2':15 movies you need to stream right now
veryGood! (1885)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Ex-Tesla worker says he lost job despite sacrifices, including sleeping in car to shorten commute
- St. Louis school district will pay families to drive kids to school amid bus driver shortage
- The Book Report: Washington Post critic Ron Charles (April 28)
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- RJ Davis' returning to North Carolina basketball: What it means for Tar Heels in 2024-25
- Richard Simmons Defends Melissa McCarthy After Barbra Streisand's Ozempic Comments
- Remains of child found in duffel bag in Philadelphia neighborhood identified as missing boy
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Kansas has new abortion laws while Louisiana may block exceptions to its ban
Ranking
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Tiger Woods goes on Jimmy Fallon, explains Sun Day Red, has fun with Masters tree memes
- The Best Spring Jackets That Are Comfy, Cute, and Literally Go With Everything
- 'Welcome to Wrexham' Season 3: Release date, where to watch Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's docuseries
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Jerry Seinfeld Shares His Kids' Honest Thoughts About His Career in Rare Family Update
- Northwestern, Brown University reach deals with student demonstrators to curb protests
- 'Dad' of Wally, the missing emotional support alligator, makes tearful plea for his return
Recommendation
At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
Jason Kelce Details Why Potential Next Career Move Serves as the Right Fit
White House considers welcoming some Palestinians from war-torn Gaza as refugees
Trapped baby orca nicknamed Brave Little Hunter dodges rescue attempts, swims to freedom on her own in Canada
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
Maine governor will allow one final gun safety bill, veto another in wake of Lewiston mass shootings
Jason Kelce Details Why Potential Next Career Move Serves as the Right Fit
Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval Slam Raquel Leviss' Revenge Porn Lawsuit