The appeal of Vudu for families usually falls into a few categories:

You want something specific that's not on your current streaming services. Your kid is obsessed with a particular movie or show that just left Netflix? Vudu probably has it. This is especially common with Disney content that rotates in and out of Disney+ (yes, that happens) or newer releases that aren't streaming anywhere yet.

You're trying to reduce monthly subscription costs. If your family only watches a handful of things regularly, paying $4 to rent a movie twice a month is cheaper than another $15/month streaming subscription. The math can actually work out, especially if you're intentional about it.

You want to "own" digital copies of favorites. Some families like having a permanent digital library of their kids' favorite movies—the ones that get watched 47 times. Buying on Vudu means it's there whenever you need it, no subscription required. (Though worth noting: "buying" digital content is really just buying a license to access it, but that's a whole other conversation.)

The free section is actually decent. Vudu's ad-supported free content includes some solid kids' shows and movies. Yes, there are ads, but if you're trying to avoid adding yet another subscription, it's an option.

Here's the thing about pay-per-title: it feels cheaper in the moment, but it can add up fast if you're not paying attention. A kid who wants to watch three new movies in a weekend just cost you $12-18. Compare that to a monthly Netflix subscription at $15, and suddenly the math shifts.

The "buy" option is especially tempting for kids who want to own their favorites, but at $15-20 per movie, that's a real budget consideration. Some families set up a system where kids can "earn" digital purchases or have a monthly entertainment budget—whatever works for your household.

Vudu uses standard MPAA ratings (G, PG, PG-13, etc.) and TV ratings (TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-PG, etc.), which is helpful. But as always, ratings are a starting point, not a guarantee that something is right for your kid. A PG movie from 1985 hits different than a PG movie from 2024.

The platform does have preview trailers for most titles, which is useful. If your 6-year-old is begging for something that looks questionable, you can at least watch the trailer together before committing.

Let's be real: Vudu's parental controls are pretty basic. You can set up a PIN to restrict purchases and rentals by rating (block R-rated movies, for example), but that's about it. There's no robust profile system like Netflix where each kid gets their own curated experience.

This means if your child has access to the device with Vudu on it, they're browsing the entire catalog—which includes plenty of adult content. The interface doesn't have a dedicated "Kids" section that filters everything automatically. You're relying on search, browsing by category, or manually curating what they can access.

Practical tip: If you're using Vudu for kids, consider keeping it on a shared device where you can supervise, rather than giving them free rein on a tablet or their own TV.

The app might say "Fandango at Home" now, but your purchased content is still there, and everything works the same. Just know that if your kid says "I can't find Vudu!" they might be looking at the new name and not recognizing it. Same platform, new logo.

The free, ad-supported section can be great for stretching your entertainment budget, but be prepared for actual commercials. If your kids are used to ad-free streaming, this might be an adjustment (or a teaching moment about how TV used to work for all of us). The ads aren't targeted to kids specifically, so you might get commercials for cars, insurance, or other random adult stuff.

Ages 3-7: Vudu can work for this age group, but you'll need to be very hands-on. Search for specific titles you know are appropriate (like Bluey, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, or classic Disney movies), and start the content for them. Don't let them browse unsupervised—the interface isn't designed to protect them from stumbling onto something inappropriate.

Ages 8-12: Kids in this range can start to navigate Vudu with some guidance. You might set up a system where they ask before renting or buying anything, or you could create a shared wishlist of approved titles. This is also a good age to talk about the cost of digital rentals vs. subscriptions—it's a real-world math lesson.

Ages 13+: Teens can probably handle browsing Vudu more independently, but you'll still want to set up that PIN for purchases unless you're okay with surprise charges. This is also when conversations about content choices get more nuanced—what's worth paying for vs. what's available free elsewhere, and what kind of content aligns with your family values.

Vudu (Fandango at Home) is a solid option for families who want flexibility and don't mind paying per title. It's especially useful when you need something specific that's not on your current streaming services, or when you're trying to cut down on monthly subscriptions.

But it requires more active parenting than set-it-and-forget-it streamers like Disney+ or Netflix. The lack of robust parental controls and a kid-safe interface means you need to be involved in what gets watched and what gets purchased.

If you're considering Vudu for your family, think about how you'll manage costs (set a monthly budget? require permission for each rental?) and how you'll curate content (pre-approved titles only? supervised browsing?). With some structure, it can be a useful tool in your family's media mix.

And if you're trying to decide between Vudu and other platforms, check out this guide on streaming service comparisons for families to see what might work best for your household.

Need help figuring out what's actually worth renting for your kids' age group? Ask about age-appropriate movies and shows and get some personalized recommendations.