Amazon Prime Video is one of those services you probably already have because you wanted free shipping, and then suddenly you're scrolling through thousands of movies at 8pm on a Friday wondering what's actually appropriate for your 7-year-old. Unlike Netflix's pretty well-curated kids section, Prime Video can feel like the Wild West – tons of content, but finding the good stuff requires actual work.
The kids section exists, but it's not as locked down or intuitive as other platforms. You've got everything from legitimately great films to direct-to-streaming movies that look like they were made for $47. The search function is... let's just say it's not winning any awards.
Here's the thing: Amazon Prime Video has some genuinely excellent kids movies buried in its catalog. We're talking Pixar films, Studio Ghibli classics, and some hidden gems you won't find elsewhere. But it also has a LOT of filler content that auto-plays into questionable territory if you're not paying attention.
Unlike Disney+ where you can basically let your kid loose with minimal concern, Prime Video requires more active curation. The parental controls exist but aren't as robust, and the algorithm will absolutely suggest a PG-13 superhero movie right after Paddington.
The good news? Once you know how to navigate it, Prime Video can be a fantastic resource for family movie nights without paying $6.99 per rental.
For Ages 3-6:
- Paddington and Paddington 2 – Genuinely delightful, even for adults
- Shaun the Sheep Movie – No dialogue, pure visual storytelling, absolutely charming
- The Gruffalo – Short, sweet, perfect for younger attention spans
For Ages 6-9:
- Ratatouille – A rat chef in Paris, what's not to love
- Spirited Away – Studio Ghibli magic (note: some kids find it intense)
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines – Hilarious family road trip meets robot apocalypse
For Ages 9-12:
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – Visually stunning, genuinely moving
- The LEGO Movie – Everything is awesome, including this movie
- Kubo and the Two Strings – Beautiful stop-motion, deeper themes about family
Fair warning: Prime Video's catalog rotates, so some of these might move to "rent/buy" status. Always check before promising your kid a specific movie.
Create a Kids Profile: Go to Prime Video settings and set up a dedicated kids profile. It's not perfect, but it filters out most adult content and makes browsing less overwhelming.
Use the "Family" Category: Under Browse, there's a Family section that's better curated than just searching "kids movies." Still requires some judgment calls, but it's a good starting point.
Check the Rating Before Hitting Play: Prime Video will show you G, PG, or PG-13 right on the thumbnail. Don't assume everything in the kids section is appropriate – I've seen PG-13 action movies pop up there regularly.
Make a Watchlist: When you find something good, add it to your watchlist immediately. Future you will thank present you when it's movie night and you're not frantically scrolling.
Search by Studio: If your kid loves Pixar or Disney, just search those terms directly. It's faster than browsing.
Here's how to lock things down a bit more:
- Go to Account & Settings → Select your profile → Parental Controls
- Set a PIN for purchases and viewing restrictions
- Choose a viewing restriction level: Kids (G and some PG), Pre-Teens (adds more PG content), Teens (adds PG-13)
- Turn on Purchase PIN so your kid doesn't accidentally rent Dune: Part Two for $19.99
The controls aren't as sophisticated as Netflix or Disney+, but they're better than nothing. The PIN requirement for anything above your set rating is the most useful feature.
The Autoplay Problem: Prime Video loves to autoplay the next thing, and it's not always logical. A G-rated movie might lead into a PG-13 trailer or suggested content. Turn off autoplay in settings if this stresses you out.
The "Included with Prime" vs. "Rent/Buy" Confusion: Prime Video will show you EVERYTHING available, not just what's free with your subscription. Look for the "Prime" banner on thumbnails. This has caused many accidental $4.99 rentals.
Quality Varies Wildly: Not all kids movies are created equal. Some of the lesser-known titles in the kids section are... not great. Check Common Sense Media ratings
or read parent reviews before committing to something you've never heard of.
Studio Ghibli Is There: This is actually a huge win for Prime Video. Films like My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki's Delivery Service are available, and they're wonderful for kids who can handle subtitled content or dubbed anime-style voice acting.
Amazon Prime Video has excellent kids movies, but you have to work harder to find them than on other platforms. The parental controls are functional but not foolproof, and the interface can be frustrating.
Best approach: Spend 15 minutes this weekend building a watchlist of pre-approved movies. Set up a kids profile with viewing restrictions and a purchase PIN. Then you've got a ready-made library of quality content for movie nights without the stress of real-time scrolling while your kid asks "what about this one?" forty-seven times.
It's not the most elegant solution, but once you've done the initial setup, Prime Video can be a solid addition to your family's streaming rotation – especially since you're already paying for it anyway.
This weekend: Set up that kids profile and create a watchlist of 5-10 movies you feel good about. Future movie night you will be grateful.
If you want to go deeper: Check out our guide to streaming service parental controls to see how Prime Video compares to Netflix, Disney+, and others for your family's needs.