Vudu is one of those streaming services that somehow flew under the radar while everyone was busy arguing about Netflix vs. Disney+. It's owned by Fandango (yes, the movie ticket people), and here's the thing that makes it different: it's primarily a digital store where you buy or rent movies, not a subscription service.
Think of it like the iTunes Store, but for movies and TV shows. You can rent a new release for $5.99 or buy it to own digitally forever (or, you know, until the digital apocalypse). They also have a free ad-supported section called Vudu Free, which is... fine. We'll get to that.
The good news? If you've been buying digital movies through other services, there's a decent chance they're already in your Vudu library thanks to Movies Anywhere. The confusing news? Navigating Vudu's kids section can feel like wandering through a digital yard sale where Paw Patrol sits next to Saw III.
Here's the appeal: you actually own the content (digitally speaking). No more "Wait, where did Moana go?" moments when Disney shuffles their catalog around. If you buy it on Vudu, it stays in your library.
Also, Vudu often has solid deals on kids' movies—$4.99 sales on older titles, bundle deals, and that free section if you can tolerate ads. For families who rewatch the same movies approximately 47,000 times (looking at you, Frozen), buying makes more financial sense than renting or maintaining multiple streaming subscriptions.
The rental option is clutch for those "it's a snow day and we need something NOW" situations. New releases hit Vudu pretty quickly, often before they land on subscription services.
Ages 2-5: The Repeat Offenders
This age group will watch the same movie daily for six months straight, so choose wisely:
- Bluey: The Movie (when it releases) - If you know, you know
- Encanto - We don't talk about Bruno, but we DO talk about how this movie slaps
- Turning Red - Pixar doing Pixar things
- The Secret Life of Pets - Harmless fun, nothing objectionable
- Paddington and Paddington 2 - Genuinely delightful, even for adults
Skip: Most of the bargain-bin animated knockoffs with titles like "The Little Panda Fighter" or "Ratatoing." Vudu's algorithm will try to trick you. Don't fall for it.
Ages 6-9: Leveling Up
This crew wants more story, more adventure, but isn't quite ready for intense peril:
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines - Smart, funny, surprisingly moving
- Luca - Sweet summer vibes, friendship goals
- Raya and the Last Dragon - Adventure without being too scary
- Big Hero 6 - Action, heart, and a huggable robot
- How to Train Your Dragon trilogy - Peak Dreamworks
Parent note: Some kids in this range are ready for the first Harry Potter movies, but know your kid's tolerance for mild scares.
Ages 10-13: Pre-Teen Territory
They're too cool for "baby movies" but you still need to vet content:
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Genuinely one of the best animated films ever made
- The Incredibles - Still holds up, great family themes
- Kubo and the Two Strings - Gorgeous stop-motion, deeper themes
- The Princess Bride - If they haven't seen it, fix that
- Ender's Game - Sci-fi that respects kid intelligence
Real talk: The Marvel movies on Vudu vary wildly in appropriateness. Check individual titles before assuming all superhero content is kid-friendly.
The Rating Trap
Vudu's "Kids & Family" category is... generous. You'll find PG-13 movies mixed in with G-rated content. Always check the actual rating, not just the category placement.
The Free Section Is a Minefield
Vudu Free has some decent kids content buried under a mountain of ads and questionable choices. Yes, you can watch Barney episodes for free. You'll also see ads for horror movies between segments. Fun!
The ad frequency is aggressive—think old-school cable TV levels. If that's going to drive you bonkers, just buy or rent instead.
Auto-Play Trailers
Vudu loves auto-playing trailers while you browse. This means your 6-year-old searching for Paw Patrol might suddenly see a preview for The Conjuring. Browse without kids looking over your shoulder, or adjust your settings to disable previews.
Purchase vs. Rental Confusion
The interface makes it very easy to accidentally buy instead of rent. A $19.99 mistake is a painful way to own Trolls World Tour forever. Double-check before clicking.
Create a Kids Profile: Vudu offers a Kids Mode that filters content to G and PG ratings. It's not perfect, but it's better than nothing. Enable it under Account Settings → Parental Controls.
Set a Purchase PIN: Seriously. Do this immediately. Kids + one-click purchasing = your credit card crying.
Link Movies Anywhere: If you've bought digital movies through Amazon, iTunes, or Google Play, link your Movies Anywhere account to Vudu. Your library will magically expand, and you might already own movies you were about to rent.
Check Your Library First: Before renting anything, search your existing library. You might already own it through a previous purchase or a digital code that came with a Blu-ray.
Vudu isn't flashy, and it definitely isn't trying to be the next Netflix. But for families who are tired of subscription fatigue and content rotation, owning your favorite kids' movies makes sense.
The platform works best when you:
- Use it to build a permanent library of rewatchable favorites
- Take advantage of sales (they run them constantly)
- Set up proper parental controls before handing over the remote
- Accept that the free section is more "tolerable" than "great"
Is it perfect? No. Will your kids care? Also no. They just want to watch Encanto for the 94th time, and Vudu will happily deliver that.
New to Vudu? Learn how to set up parental controls before your first family movie night.
Building a digital library? Check out our guide to Movies Anywhere to maximize your purchases across platforms.
Not sure what's age-appropriate? Browse our movie database with parent reviews and detailed content breakdowns.