These are the 100 best films and TV series for kids to watch during lockdown you can stream right now
We get it, parents. Lockdown is a drag. The kids are either running wild, or complaining that they've nothing to do.
They say they've watched everything, but we know better.
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To help you out during this time of need, here's our list of over 100 films and TV shows that you can sit them down in front of for some peace and quiet. Every one's a classic!
Note: numbers given are age recommendations provided by commonsensemedia.org, and do not necessarily reflect the film's BBFC rating
5 years
Charlotte's Web
Enchanting take on the beloved children's classic.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Amazon Prime
Frozen
Wintry animated Disney musical.
Where to stream it: Disney+
Happy Feet
Ultra-cute kid flick about a dancing penguin chick.
Where to stream it: Netflix/Amazon Prime
Monsters Inc. and Monsters University
Pixar's duo of colourful monster animations are surprisingly youngster friendly.
Where to stream them: NowTV/Disney+
Mulan
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Disney's animated take on the tale of Chinese warrior is a must-see.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
My Neighbour Totoro
Beautifully animated fantasy Studio Ghibli about the wondrous spirits of the forest.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Ponyo
Another Ghibli classic about a young goldfish princess who longs to become a human.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Shaun the Sheep Movie
Aardman animation about a flock of sheep on an adventure.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Tangled
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A more modernised take on the Rapunzel story, with heaps of Disney charm.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
Toy Story 1-4
Revolutionary animated films about the toys that come to life when we're not looking.
Where to stream them: Disney+
WALL·E
Pixar great about the adventures of a lonely cleaning robot.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
6 years
Babe
Talking animals abound in this family-friendly classic.
Where to stream it: Netflix/NowTV
Despicable Me
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The film that launched the Minions. You might hate it; they'll love it.
Where to stream it: NowTV
Early Man
Aardman animation about the prehistoric origins of football.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Finding Nemo and Finding Dory
Pixar does it again with two tales of fish lost in the big wide ocean.
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Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+ (Finding Dory on Disney+ only)
Inside Out
Introspective Pixar animations about the machinations of the inside of a young girl's head.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
Kung Fu Panda
Jack Black stars in this bouncy comedy about a martial arts master - who's also a panda.
Where to stream it: iPlayer
The LEGO Movie 1-2
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Hilarious movies that both adults and kids can enjoy - and all made from 'plastic' bricks!
Where to stream it: NowTV
The Lion King
The animated original still reigns supreme.
Where to stream it: Disney+
Mary Poppins Returns
Recently released sequel to the Disney classic brings even more memorable songs.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
Moana
Like a summery Frozen, catchy songs aplenty in this Disney animation.
Where to stream it: Disney+
Paddington 1 and 2
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Decidedly British comedies about the bear from Peru who loves marmalade sandwiches.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime (2 also available on iPlayer)
Pokémon
The animated series of the Nintendo games that feature a wealth of cute creatures.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Puss in Boots
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Spin off from the Shrek films sees the cute, swashbuckling cat go his own way.
Where to stream it: Netflix/NowTV
Ratatouille
There's a rat in the kitchen in one of Pixar's most overlooked gems.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
SpongeBob SquarePants
Classic cartoon - and latter day meme fodder - about a bepanted sponge.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
The Sound of Music
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All-time great musical will have kids singing along - if they can sit still long enough.
Where to stream it: Disney+
Up
One of Pixar's most emotionally charged animations; a modern day classic.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
The Wizard of Oz
The effects may have date but the classic story holds up.
Where to stream it: Netflix
7 years
The BFG
Spielberg-directed adaptation of the classic Roald Dahl tale.
Where to stream it: Netflix/Amazon Prime
Chicken Run
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Aardman animation set on a chicken farm, with an A-list cast of stars.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Coco
Another Pixar great, this time dealing sensitively with the traditions of the Day of the Dead.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
80s classic that will have fans new and old weeping along.
Where to stream it: NowTV
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Another Roald Dahl adaptation, this time from kooky director Wes Anderson.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
How to Train Your Dragon
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Dreamwork were on to a winner with this animation about a boy and his dragon.
Where to stream it: Netflix/NowTV
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
The second in the trilogy is strangely absent from streaming services, but the third film is a fitting conclusion.
Where to stream it: NowTV
James and the Giant Peach
Spindly, Tim Burton-esque animated take on another Roald Dahl classic.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Pete's Dragon
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The adventures of an orphaned boy named Pete and his best - dragon - friend Elliott.
Where to watch it: NowTV/Disney+
Song of the Sea
Irish folk tales brought to vivid life in this Ghibli-esque animation.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Star Wars Resistance
The most recent animated Star Wars series will have young fans gripped.
Where to stream it: Disney+
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
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The eccentric inventor and his dog embark on a big-screen adventure.
Where to stream it: Netflix/NowTV
8 years
Cool Runnings
The unlikely true-story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team.
Where to stream it: Disney+
Howl's Moving Castle
Another Ghibl classic about an unconfident young woman cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch.
Where to stream it: Netflix
The Incredibles 1 and 2
Pixar takes on the superhero genre with this brace of classics.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Disney+
Mary and the Witch's Flower
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Japanese animation about a strange flower that grants a girl magical powers.
Where to stream it: All4
Missing Link
The unsung heroes of animation Laika deliver a film about Mr. Link on the hunt for his long-lost relatives.
Where to stream it: Netflix
The NeverEnding Story
80s classic just dying to take on a set of new fans.
Where to stream it: Netflix
The Prince of Egypt
Religiously tinged animated take on the tale of Moses, but one even non-believers can enjoy.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Amazon Prime
Star Wars (Original trilogy)
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No introduction needed: classic sci-fi capers that are sure to enrapture young and old.
Where to stream them: Disney+
Wreck-It Ralph series
Ralph takes on the internet in two of Disney's best recent animations.
Where to stream them: NowTV/Disney+
Zootropolis
Anthropomorphic animals work together to protect the city in this Disney animation.
Where to stream it: Disney+
9 years
Matilda
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This Roald Dahl adaptation remains deliciously dark in places.
Where to stream it: Now TV
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Animated superhero tale that went under the radar, but remains highly worth a watch.
Where to stream it: Now TV
Spirited Away
Ghibli must-see about a sullen 10-year-old girl who wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits.
Where to stream it: Netflix
When Marnie Was There
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More Japanese animation goodness, about a 12-year-old girl sent to stay with relatives in the Japanese countryside on account of her asthma.
Where to stream it: Netflix
10 years
Doctor Who
The rebooted series of the classic sci-fi show are present and correct across both Netflix and iPlayer.
Where to stream it: Netflix/iPlayer
The Goonies
Cult classic 80s movie about a group of young misfits who discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure.
Where to stream it: NowTV
Pom Poko
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Animation from the land of the rising sun, about a community of magical shape-shifting raccoon dogs.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Star Wars (Prequel trilogy)
Fans may besmirched them, but George Lucas' Star Wars revival will certainly entertain younger fans.
Where to stream them: Disney+
Star Wars (Sequel trilogy)
The newest entries into the saga are just as divisive; make up your own mind!
Where to stream them: Disney+
The Truman Show
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Jim Carrey classic with a high-concept that belies the funnyman's usual slapstick silliness.
Where to stream it: NowTV
11 years
Bumblebee
Better-than-it-should-be prequel to the Transformers franchise, full of action.
Where to stream it: NowTV
The Farewell
Awkwafina's sensitive rumination on culture clashes, and the health of family members.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Harry Potter series
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All of the boy wizard's outings are available to binge through NowTV.
Where to stream it: NowTV
The Karate Kid
Wax on, wax off. Classic 80s tale about a teenage who learns the ways of karate.
Where to stream it: Netflix
My Life as a Courgette
Colourful French animation about a young boy who is sent to a foster home with other orphans.
Where to stream it: All4
School of Rock
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Jack Black-centric musical comedy about a group of studious kids becoming rock stars.
Where to stream it: NowTV/Amazon Prime
The Wind Rises
Studio Ghibli take a look at the life of Jiro Horikoshi, who designed Japanese fighter planes during World War II.
Where to stream it: Netflix
12 years
Big Game
Samuel L Jackson plays a US president downed in the wilds of Finland in an action thriller that is stupid fun.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
A Monster Calls
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A boy seeks the help of a tree monster to cope with his single mother's terminal illness.
Where to stream it: iPlayer
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
Hilarious comedy about a rebellious kid and his foster uncle who go missing in the New Zealand bush.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Jurassic Park
Dino-classic from Steven Spielberg, with special effects that look as good as any of today's efforts.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Return of the King
The first of Peter Jackson's epic Tolkein adaptations isn't available, but the last two chapters are.
Where to stream them: Netflix
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Disney+ holds the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. That's hours of superhero action.
Where to stream them: Disney+
Midnight Special
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A father and son go on the run, pursued by the government and a cult drawn to the child's special powers.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime/iPlayer
Princess Mononoke
Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony, in this Ghibli classic.
Where to stream it: Netflix
The Simpsons
Another reason to subscribe to Disney+: all 30 seasons of the classic cartoon are available!
Where to stream it: Disney+
The Simpsons Movie
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Not only are there 30 seasons of the yellow family to binge, they did a movie too!
Where to stream it: Disney+
Stardust
In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved.
Where to stream it: NowTV
13 years
Avatar
A paraplegic Marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world.
Where to stream it: Disney+
Blinded by the Light
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Teens might not be enthralled with the music of Bruce Springsteen, but this jukebox musical will give them an education on The Boss.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Fast Colour
Inventive 'superhero' film about a woman who is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Futurama
Simpsons creator Matt Groening took things to the future with Futurama, every bit as good as his previous cartoon!
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
His Dark Materials
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The long-awaited adaptation of the classic children's books is still available on iPlayer.
Where to stream it: iPlayer
Source Code
Time repeats in this tense thriller in which Jake Gyllenhaal must diffuse a bomb on a train.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime/iPlayer
14 years
Edge of Tomorrow
Time also repeats in this Tom Cruise-starring sci-fi in which he goes back to the start after every death.
Where to stream it: NowTV
I Am Mother
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A teenage girl is raised by a robot designed to repopulate the earth, in this sci-fi chiller.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Late Night
Comedy in which a late night talk show host suspects that she may soon lose her long-running show.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
The Other Guys
Madcap comedy in which two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up.
Where to stream it: Netflix/NowTV
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
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Scott Pilgrim must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes in order to win her heart in this slick comedy.
Where to stream it: Netflix/NowTV
15 years
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
A young programmer starts to question reality when he adapts a mad writer's fantasy novel in this choose-your-own-adventure film.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Brittany Runs a Marathon
Wine guzzling Brittany attempts to slim down for the sporting challenge of her life.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Intolerable Cruelty
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Coen Brothers comedy about a shrewd Beverly Hills divorce lawyer.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Pan's Labyrinth
Visually stunning fantasy about a girl who escapes into an eerie but captivating world.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
The Matrix series
The Wachowski's explore the fabric of reality in this trilogy of thinky sci-fi films.
Where to stream them: NowTV
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
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An introvert freshman is taken under the wings of two seniors who welcome him to the real world.
Where to stream it: Netflix/Amazon Prime
See You Yesterday
Two Brooklyn teenage prodigies build makeshift time machines to save a friend from being wrongfully killed by police.
Where to stream it: Netflix
Sharknado
A freak hurricane swamps Los Angeles with nature's deadliest killer as thousands of sharks terrorise the populace.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime
Speed
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Bomb-on-a-bus action classic that wouldn't slow down even if it could.
Where to stream it: NowTV
Wild Rose
Scotland's answer to A Star Is Born follows a troubled young Glaswegian who dreams of becoming a country star.
Where to stream it: Amazon Prime