Peacock isn't Netflix or Disney+, and that's actually kind of refreshing. Their kids library is smaller but more curated—mostly DreamWorks and Illumination titles, plus some Universal classics. You're not scrolling through 800 options trying to figure out what's actually new versus what's been there since 2019.

The platform also tends to get newer theatrical releases faster than some competitors, which is why you'll find recent hits like Dog Man and The Wild Robot already available.

Ages 6+

If your kid has read even one Dav Pilkey book, they're already asking to watch this. The movie adaptation captures that chaotic, flip-o-rama energy of the books while actually having a coherent story about friendship and doing the right thing.

What parents should know: It's silly without being stupid. There's potty humor (it's Dog Man, come on), but it's the kind that makes kids laugh without making you want to leave the room. The animation style mimics the hand-drawn look of the books, which is a nice touch. Runtime is a breezy 90 minutes.

Perfect for: Kids who love Captain Underpants, graphic novel readers, families who appreciate meta humor about storytelling.

Ages 7+

This is the movie that had parents texting each other "bring tissues." Based on Peter Brown's beloved book, it's about a robot named Roz who crash-lands on an island and learns to survive—and eventually parent—in the wilderness.

What parents should know: This one hits different. It's visually stunning (the animation is genuinely gorgeous), and it deals with themes of belonging, motherhood, and what it means to be alive. There are some intense moments—predator/prey dynamics, a forest fire, genuine peril—that might be too much for sensitive younger kids. But for families ready for something with emotional depth, this is gold.

Perfect for: Kids who loved WALL-E or The Iron Giant, families who want to talk about big feelings, anyone who ugly-cried during the first ten minutes of Up.

Ages 5+

The Kung Fu Panda series has always been better than it needed to be, and the fourth installment maintains that tradition. Po has to train a new Dragon Warrior while facing a shapeshifting villain. The action sequences are excellent, the humor lands, and Jack Black continues to be perfect voice casting.

What parents should know: It's a solid entry in the franchise, though not quite as transcendent as the second film. The themes about mentorship and letting go are handled well. No scary moments that would freak out younger viewers. It's just... good? Sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Perfect for: Fans of the series, kids into martial arts, families who want action without violence that feels real.

Ages 7+

This movie has no business being as good as it is. A sequel to a Shrek spinoff released 11 years after the original? Should be straight-to-streaming garbage. Instead, it's one of the best animated films of the past few years.

Puss discovers he's on his last life and has to confront his own mortality while searching for a wishing star. The animation style is breathtaking—it looks like a living painting. The villain (a literal personification of Death) is genuinely menacing in a way that elevates the whole story.

What parents should know: This gets real. There are panic attacks depicted on screen. Death is scary in a way that might be too intense for younger or more sensitive kids. But for families ready to talk about fear, legacy, and what makes life meaningful, it's phenomenal. Also, there's a therapy dog character who steals every scene.

Perfect for: Older elementary kids, families who appreciate sophisticated storytelling, anyone who thought DreamWorks peaked with How to Train Your Dragon 2.

Ages 6+

These movies are old enough to vote, and they still hold up. The first one is a perfect subversion of fairy tale tropes. The second one is somehow even better—the Fairy Godmother is an all-time great villain, and the "I Need a Hero" sequence is chef's kiss.

What parents should know: You've probably seen these. Your kids probably haven't, or they've only seen them once when they were too young to appreciate the jokes. Time for a rewatch. The humor works on multiple levels, there are enough adult references to keep you entertained, and the message about inner beauty versus outer appearance is still relevant.

Skip: Shrek the Third. Just... skip it.

Ages 7+

All three films are on Peacock right now, which is the perfect excuse for a weekend marathon. The first movie is a masterclass in "show, don't tell" storytelling. The second one deals with family trauma and moral complexity. The third one provides a genuinely satisfying conclusion to Hiccup and Toothless's story.

What parents should know: These get progressively more intense. The first film has some scary dragon moments. The second film deals with parental death and features a genuinely frightening villain. The third film has romantic subplots and themes about growing up and letting go. Plan accordingly based on your kid's age and sensitivity.

Perfect for: Multi-generational viewing, kids who love dragons (obviously), families who want an emotional journey that respects its audience.

Ages 6+

Illumination's latest about a family of ducks who migrate to Jamaica. It's not going to change your life, but it's pleasant, funny, and features some impressive animation of birds in flight. The family dynamics feel real—overprotective dad, adventurous mom, kids who just want to experience the world.

What parents should know: This is comfort food. There's mild peril, some slapstick comedy, and a positive message about facing your fears. It's 90 minutes, moves quickly, and won't make you want to fake a work emergency to leave the room.

Ages 4+

Look, you know what you're getting. It's Minions. They speak gibberish, they cause chaos, kids lose their minds laughing. The 70s soundtrack is fun, the villain origin story is surprisingly coherent, and it's mercifully only 87 minutes long.

What parents should know: This is pure kid crack. They will quote it. They will want Minions toys. They will ask to watch it again immediately. Set your boundaries now.

Ages 5+

The third Trolls movie leans into boy band nostalgia (*NSYNC is literally in it) while telling a story about family and finding your voice. The animation is characteristically vibrant, the music is catchy, and there's a surprising amount of heart.

What parents should know: If you hated the first two Trolls movies, this won't convert you. But if your family is Trolls-positive, this is a solid entry. The songs will be stuck in your head for days. You've been warned.

Peacock's kids library has some notable gaps. You won't find much Disney or Pixar (that's all on Disney+), and their Netflix-style original kids content is pretty thin. If you're looking for Bluey, Encanto, or Spider-Verse, you'll need to look elsewhere.

But what Peacock does have—especially the DreamWorks catalog—is solid. And they're getting newer releases faster than some competitors, which matters when your kid's entire class is talking about Dog Man on Monday morning.

Preschool (3-5): Stick with Minions, Trolls, and maybe Kung Fu Panda 4 if they're on the older end. Skip anything with "Dragon" in the title—too intense.

Early Elementary (6-8): This is the sweet spot for most of Peacock's library. Dog Man, Shrek, Migration, and Kung Fu Panda are all great. Consider The Wild Robot if your kid handles emotional content well.

Upper Elementary (9-11): Everything's on the table. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and How to Train Your Dragon trilogy are particularly good for this age—sophisticated enough to stay engaged, but still age-appropriate.

Middle School (12+): Honestly, they might be aging out of most of these, but Puss in Boots: The Last Wish has enough depth to work, and the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy holds up for rewatches. Consider branching into Peacock's broader library at this point.

Peacock isn't trying to be everything to everyone, and that's actually refreshing. Their kids movie selection is focused, mostly high-quality, and gets updated with newer releases regularly. You're not going to find the breadth of Disney+ or the algorithm-driven chaos of Netflix, but what's there is worth your time.

Start with: The Wild Robot if you want something beautiful and meaningful, Dog Man if you want something fun and silly, or Puss in Boots: The Last Wish if you want to be surprised by how good a DreamWorks sequel can be.

And if you need more guidance on navigating streaming services with kids, check out our guide to age-appropriate streaming content or ask specific questions about any of these titles in our Screenwise chat.