Look, I get it. You've already got Netflix, Disney+, maybe HBO Max (sorry, "Max"), and now you're scrolling through Peacock wondering if there's anything here worth your kid's eyeballs. The short answer: yes, actually. Peacock has a surprisingly solid kids' movie library, especially if your household is into Illumination and DreamWorks content.
Peacock is NBCUniversal's streaming service, which means it's got the whole Universal Pictures catalog—including all those Minions movies your 6-year-old has memorized, the entire Kung Fu Panda franchise, and a bunch of other animated hits. It also has a free tier (with ads), which is honestly pretty decent if you just want to test it out.
The interface is... fine. Not as polished as Disney+ or Netflix, but it gets the job done. The kids' section exists and is reasonably well-curated, though you'll still want to scroll through with your kid the first time to set expectations.
Let's cut to the chase. Here's what's genuinely worth your time:
Ages 4-8:
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Sing and Sing 2 - These are legitimately charming. Yes, they're jukebox musicals with anthropomorphic animals, but they've got heart, the animation is gorgeous, and the voice acting (Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson) is top-tier. Plus the music slaps. Your kid will be belting "I'm Still Standing" for weeks. You've been warned.
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The Secret Life of Pets - What do your pets do when you leave? This movie answers that question with slapstick humor and a surprising amount of heart. The sequel is also on there and equally solid. Great for animal-loving kids.
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Trolls franchise - If you can handle the aggressively bright colors and non-stop pop music, these are actually pretty fun. Trolls World Tour has a surprisingly nuanced message about respecting different cultures and music genres. But yeah, it's a lot.
Ages 6-10:
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Kung Fu Panda trilogy - Honestly? These are some of DreamWorks' best work. The first one is a genuine classic about finding your purpose, the second has a surprisingly emotional villain backstory, and the third wraps it up beautifully. Jack Black is perfect as Po, and the animation holds up incredibly well.
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How to Train Your Dragon trilogy - If your kid hasn't seen these yet, stop reading and go watch them now. Seriously. These are beautiful films about friendship, disability representation (yes, really), and growing up. The third one will make you cry. The whole trilogy is on Peacock and it's a genuine gift.
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Puss in Boots: The Last Wish - This is the surprise hit from 2022 that somehow became one of the best animated films of the decade. It's about mortality, anxiety, and found family, wrapped in a gorgeous Spider-Verse-inspired animation style. Ages 7+ for some genuinely intense villain moments, but wow, this one's special.
Ages 8-12:
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Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure - If your kid is into dinosaurs and interactive storytelling, this choose-your-own-adventure movie is actually really well done. It's part of the Camp Cretaceous universe, which is a solid show on its own.
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The Bad Guys - A heist movie for kids with gorgeous animation and a surprisingly clever script. It's about a crew of criminal animals trying to go legit. Think Ocean's Eleven meets Zootopia. Really fun for the whole family.
Some movies on Peacock are... fine. They'll keep your kid entertained during a rainy afternoon, but you're not going to be writing home about them:
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Minions: The Rise of Gru - Look, if your kid is already into Minions, they'll love it. If not, this isn't going to convert them. It's exactly what you think it is: chaotic yellow pill-shaped creatures speaking gibberish for 90 minutes. Some parents find it charming. Others find it... less so.
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The Boss Baby - This has a weirdly devoted fanbase, but I'm not entirely sure why. It's about a baby in a suit who's actually a corporate spy? The premise is bizarre, the humor is hit-or-miss, and the message about sibling rivalry is fine but nothing groundbreaking.
Trolls Holiday specials - If you've already survived the main Trolls movies, you might think "how much more colorful chaos could there be?" The answer is: so much more. These holiday specials are pure sensory overload with minimal plot. Only watch if you've got a migraine medication handy.
Most of the direct-to-video sequels - Peacock has a bunch of these (looking at you, random Land Before Time sequels). They're cheap, the animation is rough, and they're basically just there to fill space in the catalog. Your kid deserves better.
The ad situation: If you're on the free tier, your kid is going to see ads. Some parents are fine with this, others find it disruptive. The ads aren't terrible—mostly other Peacock shows and family-friendly products—but they do break up the flow of the movie. The premium tier ($7.99/month) removes most ads, and Premium Plus ($13.99) removes them entirely.
Download capability: Only available on Premium Plus, which is annoying if you're trying to load up movies for a road trip or flight. Something to consider if offline viewing is important to your family.
Content ratings: Peacock's kids' section is generally well-filtered, but it's not perfect. I've seen some PG-13 content slip through occasionally, so it's worth doing a quick check before your 5-year-old starts browsing solo. Set up parental controls if you haven't already.
The Universal back catalog: Beyond the animated hits, Peacock also has some classic family films like E.T., Back to the Future, and The Goonies. These are great for slightly older kids (ages 8+) and can be fun "retro movie nights" if your kid is into that vibe.
Peacock isn't going to replace Disney+ or Netflix as your primary kids' streaming service, but it's got a solid enough library that it's worth having in your rotation—especially if you can snag it for free or bundled with another service (it often comes with Xfinity or other cable packages).
The DreamWorks catalog alone makes it worthwhile. How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish are genuinely excellent films that hold up to repeated viewings (and trust me, there will be repeated viewings).
If your kid is in the 6-10 age range and loves animated movies, Peacock is a solid addition to your streaming lineup. Just maybe skip the Trolls holiday specials.
- Try the free tier first to see if your family actually uses it before committing to a paid plan
- Browse the kids' section together the first time to set expectations and find movies that match your family's vibe
- Check out our guide to setting up Peacock parental controls if you're letting your kid browse independently
- Consider pairing it with alternatives to Disney+ if you're trying to diversify your streaming diet beyond the Mouse House
And hey, if you end up watching Sing 2 for the fifteenth time, at least the soundtrack is good.