Netflix is leaning hard into nostalgia and sequels this month, but the real standout is finally seeing the Upside Down in 2D animation—and yes, it’s actually creepy enough to justify that TV-14 rating, so maybe keep the elementary schoolers away from this one.
TL;DR: April 2026 is a heavy-hitter month for Netflix, headlined by the premiere of Stranger Things: The First Shadow and the high-energy return of The Bad Guys 2. While XO, Kitty Season 2 is the main event for the middle school "shipping" crowd, Screenwise recommends checking out the new The Wild Robot adaptation if you want a movie that actually has some soul and won't make you want to scroll on your phone the whole time.
We’ve been hearing about the "Stranger Things anime" for what feels like a decade, and it’s finally here. If you were hoping for a "Stranger Things Kids" version that’s safe for your 8-year-old who is obsessed with the Demogorgon toys at Target, I have bad news: this is not it. It’s dark, moody, and leans heavily into the psychological horror of Henry Creel’s early years.
Why kids love it: It’s Stranger Things. At this point, the brand is basically the "Star Wars" of the 2020s for Gen Alpha. They love the lore, the "Ohio" memes (even though it's set in Indiana, don't ask), and the absolute dread of the Upside Down.
The Screenwise Take: It’s visually stunning, but it’s intense. If your kid handled the live-action Stranger Things fine, they’ll be okay here, but the animated medium allows them to do things with body horror that live-action budgets usually shy away from. It’s "prestige" TV, not a Saturday morning cartoon.
Mr. Wolf and the gang are back, and honestly, thank god, because the first movie was one of the few Dreamworks projects in recent years that didn't feel like it was written by an algorithm. The sequel doubles down on the "heist movie for kids" vibe.
Why kids love it: It’s fast-paced, funny, and Mr. Piranha is still the chaotic king of physical comedy. It captures that "cool" energy without being cringey.
The Screenwise Take: This is a safe bet for a family movie night. It’s one of those rare instances where the sequel maintains the quality of the original. It’s also a great springboard to get kids into the The Bad Guys book series by Aaron Blabey if they haven't devoured those already.
If you have a middle schooler, your Netflix "Continue Watching" list is likely already haunted by this show. The To All The Boys spinoff returns with more K-Drama tropes, love triangles, and enough teenage angst to power a small city.
The Screenwise Take: Look, it’s a soap opera for 13-year-olds. It’s sugary, it’s dramatic, and it’s largely harmless, though it does feature the "everyone is dating everyone" complexity that defines modern teen media. If your kid is obsessed with the aesthetic, you might want to point them toward learning Korean on Duolingo or exploring actual K-Dramas for beginners rather than just the Americanized versions.
Netflix drops a lot of "trash" every month—low-effort, neon-colored sensory overload designed to keep toddlers in a trance. This month, we’re seeing a few new entries in the CoComelon extended universe that Screenwise suggests you skip in favor of something with a bit more substance.
Instead of the latest generic 3D animal show, try:
- StoryBots: Answer Time – Still the gold standard for educational content that doesn't make parents want to lobotomize themselves.
- The Sea Beast – If they missed this a couple of years ago, it’s a much better "monster" movie than the cheap spin-offs appearing on the homepage lately.
- Puffin Rock – The ultimate "calm down" show for younger kids.
Check out our guide on identifying high-quality vs. low-quality kids' media
Netflix is pushing their gaming tab harder than ever this month. You’ll see a mobile version of a Stranger Things puzzle game and a Bad Guys runner. They’re fine, but if your kid is looking for that "vibe" in a more robust gaming environment, we have better ideas.
If they love the mystery of Stranger Things, they should be playing Terraria or Stardew Valley. Both offer that sense of exploration and "world-building" without the predatory microtransactions or "social" risks found in the big platforms.
If they love the heist/teamwork aspect of The Bad Guys, check out Codenames for a family game night. It builds the same "secret agent" mental muscles but involves actually looking at each other across a table.
Netflix’s UI is designed to keep you clicking. In April 2026, the "Auto-Play" feature for trailers is more aggressive than ever. If you find your kids getting sucked into "trailer loops" where they just watch previews for an hour, it might be time to revisit your Netflix parental controls.
A note on "The First Shadow": Because it's animated, your younger kids will think it's for them. It’s not. The opening scene alone involves a level of psychological tension that will result in them sleeping in your bed for a week. Use the "Profile" settings to lock the TV-14 content behind a PIN if you have "curious" 7-year-olds.
Q: Is the animated Stranger Things show okay for a 10-year-old? It depends on the kid, but generally, Screenwise recommends waiting until 12 or 13. While it’s "just a cartoon," the themes of isolation, trauma, and the literal monsters are just as intense as the live-action show.
Q: Are the Netflix games safe from in-app purchases? Yes, currently Netflix games are included in your subscription and don't have the "pay-to-win" mechanics or hidden costs that plague most mobile games. They are a much safer alternative to the random "free" games on the App Store.
Q: What is the best family movie on Netflix right now? For April 2026, The Bad Guys 2 is the winner for broad appeal, but The Wild Robot is the "better" film if you want something with emotional depth.
Q: Why is my kid calling everything "Ohio" while watching Netflix? It’s a Gen Alpha meme that basically means "weird" or "cringe." If they see a weird monster in Stranger Things and say "Only in Ohio," they aren't talking about geography—they're just speaking the language of the internet.
April is a "sequel and spinoff" month. It’s comfortable, it’s familiar, and for the most part, it’s high-quality. Just be the "gatekeeper" for the Stranger Things animated series—don't let the medium fool you into thinking it's for the Bluey crowd.
Next Steps:
- Update your Netflix PIN if you’re planning to watch The First Shadow and don't want the little ones stumbling into it.
- Schedule a family movie night for The Bad Guys 2—it’s a rare "no-argument" win.
- Check the Screenwise app to see what percentage of your kid's classmates are actually being allowed to watch the new Stranger Things before you say "yes" or "no."