Paramount+ has spent years as the "break glass in case of toddler meltdown" app, mostly because it’s the only place to find every single episode of Paw Patrol. But as of June 2026, the vibe is shifting. The platform is finally leaning into its status as the Nickelodeon vault while actually funding high-budget movies that don’t feel like extended toy commercials. If you’re still only using it for the pups, you’re missing the best part of the library.
TL;DR: Paramount+ is successfully pivoting from "toddler app" to a legitimate family powerhouse with recent wins like Transformers One and Sonic the Hedgehog 3. While it’s still the mothership for the Paw Patrol phase, the real value now lies in its ambitious animated reboots and the massive Nick archive. For a full age-by-age breakdown of the best stuff on every platform, see our best movies for kids list.
For a while, Paramount’s strategy was "just put a Nickelodeon logo on it." Now, they’re actually making movies that look and feel like cinema.
This isn't the Michael Bay "explosions and shaky cam" era. It’s a fully animated origin story that actually cares about the relationship between Orion Pax and D-16 before they became Optimus and Megatron. It’s colorful, the voice acting is top-tier, and it manages to be funny without being "cringe." It’s the rare franchise movie that works as well for a 7-year-old as it does for a parent who grew up with the 80s toys.
If your kid is into the Sonic cinematic universe, this is the current crown jewel. It leans into the "Shadow the Hedgehog" lore, which means it’s a bit moodier and more action-heavy than the first two, but it keeps the heart. It’s a masterclass in how to do a video game adaptation: respect the fans, but make it a real movie.
A bit of a sleeper hit that landed on the platform recently. It follows a Chinese-American boy who discovers he’s part of a magical lineage. It’s fast-paced, heavy on the mythology, and features a talking tiger voiced by Henry Golding. It’s a solid pick if you’re tired of the usual superhero tropes and want something with a different cultural flavor.
Paramount+ knows you probably watched Nickelodeon in the 90s or 2000s. They are banking on that, but the results are surprisingly watchable.
Is it high art? No. Is it exactly what you expect? Yes. Kenan and Kel have the same chemistry they had decades ago, and the humor is the kind of harmless, slapstick absurdity that hits the 8-to-11-year-old sweet spot. It’s a "Friday night with pizza" movie.
If you haven't seen this yet, it’s the best thing on the app. The art style looks like a teenager’s sketchbook come to life—messy, vibrant, and cool. The turtles actually sound like teenagers for once. It’s funny, the soundtrack is incredible (heavy on the 90s hip-hop), and it’s the rare reboot that feels more creative than the original.
Paramount is sitting on some of the biggest animation IPs in the world. Based on the production schedules and trailers, here is what’s set to drop or hit the streaming window soon.
This is the big one. After years of waiting, we’re finally getting an animated feature film that follows Aang and the crew as young adults. From the early looks, it keeps the original series' art style but elevates it for the big screen. If your kid is currently obsessed with the Avatar: The Last Airbender series, this is going to be their Super Bowl. It’s expected to hit the platform later this year after its theatrical run.
SpongeBob is the cockroach of media—it will outlast us all. This upcoming movie is set to go "under the ocean" in a new way, reportedly featuring a journey to the deep sea to find a missing SpongeBob. If your kid still finds the laugh infectious, this will be a mandatory watch.
Don't roll your eyes yet. This is a musical, and the cast list is absurd (Rihanna is Smurfette). It’s set to release in theaters first, but given Paramount’s track record, it will be the centerpiece of their holiday streaming lineup. It looks like a "high-energy, bright colors, catchy songs" play for the elementary school crowd.
The hardest part of Paramount+ is the interface—it’s notoriously clunky. If you’re looking for a specific vibe, don't just scroll the "Family" category; it’s a graveyard of direct-to-video sequels. Instead, use the Brand Hubs.
Click the Nickelodeon logo. That’s where the real curation is. You’ll find the "NickRewind" section for your own nostalgia and the "Nick Jr." section for the younger ones. If you have a kid who is into "how things are made," the Transformers and TMNT movies are great jumping-off points for talking about different animation styles—from CGI to the "sketchbook" look of Turtles.
Q: Is Paramount Plus worth it for families without toddlers?
Yes, but the value shifts to the Nickelodeon archive and the "big" animated features like Sonic and TMNT. If your kids are over 8, the real draw is the deep library of 2000s-era Nick shows and the newer, higher-budget movies that actually have some edge.
Q: What's the best movie for a 10-year-old on Paramount Plus?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is the winner here. It’s stylish, funny, and respects the audience's intelligence. Close second is Transformers One for the sheer quality of the animation and story.
Q: Are there any "hidden gems" on Paramount Plus for families?
Look for The Tiger's Apprentice or the Wonder Park series. While Wonder Park didn't set the world on fire at the box office, the world-building is actually quite creative and sparks great conversations about imagination and anxiety.
Paramount+ is no longer just the Paw Patrol app. It’s becoming the home for families who want high-quality animation that doesn't feel like it was made by an algorithm. Between the Sonic universe, the TMNT reboots, and the upcoming Avatar films, it’s earned its spot on the home screen.
- Dig into our best movies for kids list for more platform-agnostic picks.
- Check out our digital guide for elementary school to see how to balance big movie nights with other tech.
- Ask our chatbot for a personalized movie night recommendation
