Look, Apple TV+ doesn't have the massive library that Disney+ or Netflix has, but here's the thing: what they do have is surprisingly solid. And if you're already paying for the service (or got it bundled with your iPhone), you might as well know what's actually worth watching with your kids.
Apple TV+ has been quietly building a decent collection of family films—some original, some licensed. The originals tend to skew toward that wholesome, earnest vibe that Apple does well (think Ted Lasso energy but for kids). The licensed stuff varies wildly in quality, so I'm going to help you separate the genuinely good from the "well, it's technically a movie."
The real question: Is Apple TV+ worth it just for kids content? Honestly, no. But if you've already got it, there are some gems here that deserve your attention.
Wolfwalkers (Ages 7+)
This is the crown jewel. Stunning hand-drawn animation from the same studio that made The Secret of Kells. It's set in 1650s Ireland and follows a girl whose father is hired to wipe out the last wolf pack. The animation style alone is worth it—it looks like a living, breathing storybook.
Fair warning: there are some intense scenes (wolves being hunted, a father-daughter conflict that gets pretty heavy), but it's the kind of movie that treats kids like they can handle real emotion. My favorite kind.
Luck (Ages 6+)
Apple's answer to Pixar. A girl who's had bad luck her whole life stumbles into the secret world where good and bad luck are manufactured. It's got that classic "kid discovers magical world" structure, but it's executed well. The animation is gorgeous, the voice acting is solid (Simon Pegg as a talking cat? Yes please), and the message about accepting both good and bad in life actually lands without being preachy.
Not groundbreaking, but genuinely enjoyable. The kind of movie you can put on and not feel like you're losing brain cells.
Cha Cha Real Smooth (Ages 13+)
Okay, this one's not technically a "kids movie," but if you've got teens, it's worth watching together. It's about a recent college grad who becomes a party starter at bar/bat mitzvahs and befriends a mom and her autistic daughter. It's sweet, funny, and handles disability representation really well.
The age rating is for some language and adult themes (romantic relationships, drinking), but it's the kind of coming-of-age story that can spark good conversations with older kids.
Hala (Ages 12+)
Another one for older kids. It's about a Pakistani-American teen navigating her Muslim faith, her sexuality, and her family's expectations. Heavy stuff, but important. The film doesn't pull punches about the real conflicts many teens face between cultural identity and personal desires.
This is the kind of movie that matters more than it entertains, if that makes sense. Watch it with your teen and be ready to talk afterward.
The Snoopy Show (technically a series, but short episodes)
If your kids are in that preschool-to-early-elementary sweet spot, the Snoopy content on Apple TV+ is perfect. It's exactly what you'd expect: wholesome, gentle, zero-stakes Peanuts content. Nothing revolutionary, but sometimes you just need something that won't make you want to tear your hair out.
Stillwater (also a series, but worth mentioning)
Based on the Zen Shorts books. A giant panda moves in next door to three kids and helps them work through everyday problems with Zen wisdom. It's genuinely calming—the kind of show that might actually help with bedtime wind-down rather than ramping kids up.
Here's where I'm going to be real with you: a lot of the other "family" content on Apple TV+ is just... fine. Not terrible, not great. Movies like Luck and Wolfwalkers are the standouts, but you'll also find a bunch of licensed films that rotate in and out—some Peanuts specials, some random animated films you've never heard of.
The problem is that Apple TV+'s library is small enough that you'll burn through the good stuff pretty quickly. Unlike Netflix or Disney+, you're not going to find 47 different options for "animated movie about talking animals." You've got maybe a dozen truly solid picks.
Ages 4-7: Stick with The Snoopy Show and Stillwater. The movies skew a bit older.
Ages 7-11: Wolfwalkers and Luck are your sweet spot. Both have enough visual interest to keep younger kids engaged but enough story depth that they're not insulting to older elementary kids.
Ages 12+: Hala and Cha Cha Real Smooth open up, but watch them with your kids. These aren't "drop them in front of the TV" movies—they're conversation starters.
The Apple TV+ vibe: Everything feels very... produced. High quality, earnest, a little safe. You're not going to find edgy content here. Even their "teen" movies are pretty tame compared to what's on Netflix.
The rotation problem: Unlike Disney+ where the catalog is pretty stable, Apple TV+ rotates licensed content in and out. That movie you bookmarked might be gone next month. The originals stick around, but the rest is unpredictable.
The value question: If you're trying to decide whether to subscribe just for kids content, I'd say no. But if you're already watching Ted Lasso or Severance or whatever else Apple's making for adults, then yeah, there's enough here to keep kids entertained occasionally.
No algorithm chaos: One nice thing about Apple TV+'s smaller library—you're not fighting the algorithm. You can actually browse everything without falling down a rabbit hole of "recommended" garbage. It's refreshing, honestly.
Apple TV+ isn't going to replace your Disney+ or Netflix subscription for kids content. But Wolfwalkers alone is worth seeking out—it's genuinely one of the best animated films of the last few years. Luck is solid, and if you've got teens, Hala and Cha Cha Real Smooth offer something more substantive than your typical teen fare.
The real value here is quality over quantity. You're not going to find endless options, but what's there is generally well-made and thoughtfully produced. Sometimes that's exactly what you need—especially when you're tired of scrolling through 200 options on Netflix only to settle on Bluey for the 47th time (not that there's anything wrong with Bluey).
Pro tip: If you're new to Apple TV+, they often offer free trials or bundle it with device purchases. Take advantage of that, binge the good stuff, and then decide if it's worth keeping around.