Classic TV Shows & Movies to Watch As a Family

Do you ever scroll through Netflix looking for something for your children to watch that’s not just completely mindless or sassy nonsense? In the spirit of summer and because I’ve gotten lots of questions about appropriate movies and TV shows for children, I’ve done some research and pulled together a list of classic TV and movie options available on Netflix, Amazon, and more.

P.S. Common Sense Media is a good resource to check for age-range recommendations and appropriateness. 

CLASSIC CARTOONS

Little Bear (Prime Video)

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Disney+)

The Snowy Day (Prime Video)

The World of Peter Rabbit and Friends (YouTube)

Looney Tunes “Eh, What’s Up, Doc?” (Prime Video)

Angelina Ballerina (YouTube)

CLASSIC TV SHOWS

Little House on the Prairie (Prime Video)

Reading Rainbow (Prime Video)

Anne of Green Gables (Amazon – DVD)

Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (Prime Video)

Gumby (Prime Video)

Leave It to Beaver (Peacock)

CLASSIC MOVIES

The Secret Garden (Apple TV)

Stuart Little (Netflix)

Swiss Family Robinson (Disney+)

Where the Red Fern Grows (Peacock)

Hook (Netflix)

The Parent Trap (Disney+)

Benji (Amazon – DVD)

Pippi Longstocking (Amazon)

Dennis the Menace (Apple TV)

Pollyanna (Amazon)

Lassie (Amazon – DVD)

The Railway Children (Amazon – DVD)

CLASSIC MUSICALS

Shirley Temple (Prime Video)

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Prime Video)

The Sound of Music (Vudu)

Mary Poppins (Disney+)

The Wizard of Oz (HBO Max)

Annie (Apple TV)