Peacock is basically NBC's streaming service, which means you get access to Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation libraries. Translation: lots of Minions, lots of talking animals, and a surprisingly deep catalog of '80s and '90s classics that you actually want to rewatch with your kids.

The interface isn't as polished as Disney+ or Netflix, but the family content is legitimately good. Plus, if you're already paying for it to watch Premier League soccer or The Office for the 47th time, you might as well know what's actually appropriate for the kids.

Ages 7+

This movie is shockingly good. Like, "wait, this is a Shrek spinoff sequel?" good. It tackles anxiety, mortality, and found family without being preachy, and the animation style is gorgeous. The villain (a literal personification of death as a wolf) is genuinely scary in the best way—not nightmare fuel, but actual stakes.

Why it works: Kids love the action and humor. Parents appreciate that it treats big emotions seriously. Everyone wins.

Ages 6+

The entire trilogy is on Peacock, and it's one of the best animated series ever made. Full stop. The first movie is about a misfit Viking kid who befriends a dragon instead of killing it, and it builds into an epic story about growing up, leadership, and choosing your own path.

Parent note: The third movie gets emotional (spoiler: Hiccup has to say goodbye to Toothless), so have tissues ready. But it's the good kind of emotional that leads to actual conversations about change and letting go.

Ages 6+

If your kids haven't seen E.T., Peacock is your chance to fix that. Yes, it's from 1982. Yes, the special effects look dated. No, none of that matters because this movie is perfect.

Fair warning: The government agents are genuinely scary for younger kids, and the "E.T. is dying" sequence will wreck you (and them). But this is essential viewing for understanding approximately 40 years of pop culture references.

Peacock has basically all the Illumination movies, which means you're set if your kids are in that 4-8 sweet spot where fart jokes are peak comedy.

Ages 5+

Anthropomorphic animals putting on a singing competition. It's exactly as straightforward as it sounds, and kids absolutely love it. The music is catchy (prepare for "Set It All Free" to live in your brain rent-free), and there's a surprising amount of heart about following your dreams despite obstacles.

Bonus: The sequel is somehow better than the original, with a more coherent plot and even better musical numbers.

Ages 5+

The original Despicable Me is genuinely clever—a supervillain adopts three orphans as part of an evil plot and discovers he actually loves being a dad. The sequels lean harder into Minion chaos (which, let's be honest, is what the kids are here for anyway).

Reality check: These movies are fine. They're not going to change anyone's life, but they're reliably entertaining and the Minions provide enough physical comedy to keep younger kids engaged while you scroll your phone.

Ages 5+

"What do pets do when we're not home?" is a premise that sells itself. The first movie is better than the sequel, with some genuinely funny moments and a surprisingly touching story about jealousy and acceptance.

Heads up: There's some mild peril (pets getting lost in New York City, animal control as villains) that might upset very sensitive kids, but it's all resolved happily.

Ages 9+

If your kids are ready for dinosaurs eating people (mostly off-screen, but still), the Jurassic World movies deliver exactly what they promise: giant reptiles causing chaos at a theme park. It's loud, it's exciting, and it's a decent conversation starter about genetic engineering and corporate responsibility.

Be warned: These movies are rated PG-13 for a reason. There's genuine peril, some scary deaths (the assistant's death in the first one is brutal), and intense action sequences. Not for sensitive kids or anyone under 8.

Ages 8+

The entire trilogy is on Peacock, and it holds up remarkably well. Time travel, hoverboards, and a surprisingly complex plot about not accidentally preventing your own birth.

Parent note: There's some dated humor (the "sexual assault played for laughs" scene in the first movie is rough), but overall these are smart, fun movies that work for the whole family. Plus, your kids will finally understand why you keep saying "Great Scott!"

Ages 4+

Aggressively colorful, relentlessly upbeat, and featuring approximately 1,000 pop songs. Your kids will love them. You will tolerate them. The plot is whatever—it's really just a vehicle for glitter and Justin Timberlake songs.

Ages 6+

Jack Black as a clumsy panda who becomes a martial arts master. The first movie is legitimately good, with themes about believing in yourself and finding your own path. The sequels are progressively less essential but still entertaining.

Ages 6+

The original Shrek is a classic that's both a fairy tale and a parody of fairy tales. The humor works on multiple levels (kids laugh at the physical comedy, adults catch the pop culture references). The sequels have diminishing returns, but the first two are solid.

Peacock's family library is solid but has some gaps. If you're looking for:

If you want to compare streaming services for family content, check out our guide to the best streaming services for families.

Ages 4-6: Stick with Illumination movies (Sing, Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets). Simple plots, lots of physical comedy, happy endings.

Ages 7-9: This is the sweet spot for DreamWorks content. How to Train Your Dragon, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and Kung Fu Panda all have more emotional depth and better storytelling.

Ages 10+: You can start introducing classics like [E.T.](https://screenwiseapp.com/media/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial-movie and Back to the Future, plus PG-13 action like Jurassic World if your kid can handle it.

The "it depends on your kid" caveat: These age ranges are guidelines, not rules. You know your kid's sensitivity to scary scenes, sad moments, and potty humor better than any rating system. When in doubt, watch the first 20 minutes together or check Common Sense Media for detailed content warnings.

The ads situation: If you have the free or basic tier of Peacock, you're getting ads. The good news is they're generally family-friendly during kids' content. The bad news is they're still ads, and yes, your kid will immediately want whatever toy/snack/app they just saw.

Download capability: Premium Plus subscribers can download movies for offline viewing, which is clutch for road trips or flights. The basic tier doesn't have this feature.

Parental controls: Peacock has a Kids Mode that filters content to G, PG, and some PG-13 titles. It's not as robust as Disney+'s system, but it works. You can set up profiles and PIN-protect your main account to prevent kids from wandering into The Office or Law & Order: SVU.

Content rotation: Unlike Disney+ which keeps everything forever, Peacock rotates some titles in and out. If you see something your kids want to watch, don't wait—it might not be there next month.

Peacock isn't going to replace Disney+ as your primary family streaming service, but it's a solid supporting player. The DreamWorks library alone justifies having it, and the Illumination movies provide reliable entertainment for younger kids.

The real gems here are movies like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy—movies that treat kids like intelligent humans capable of handling complex emotions and sophisticated storytelling.

Pro tip: Use Peacock for movie nights when you want something different from the usual Disney/Pixar rotation. The classics like [E.T.](https://screenwiseapp.com/media/e-t-the-extra-terrestrial-movie and Back to the Future are perfect for introducing your kids to the movies you grew up with, and the newer DreamWorks stuff is legitimately good enough that you won't be checking your phone the whole time.

If you're trying to figure out which streaming services are actually worth paying for, our streaming service comparison guide breaks down the family content on all the major platforms.