Look, I get it. You've got Netflix, Disney+, maybe HBO Max (sorry, "Max"), and now someone's telling you about Peacock? NBC's streaming service isn't the first place most parents think of for kids' content, but here's the thing: Peacock actually has a surprisingly solid kids' movie library that flies under the radar.
The platform has a mix of classic Universal and DreamWorks titles, some Illumination favorites, and a rotating selection that's genuinely worth exploring. Plus, if you're already paying for it to watch The Office for the 47th time, you might as well see what's there for the kids.
Let me save you the scroll-through-endless-mediocre-options time and break down what's actually worth watching.
How to Train Your Dragon trilogy
Ages 7+
If your kids haven't discovered these yet, you're in for a treat. The entire trilogy is on Peacock, and honestly? These movies hold up. The animation is gorgeous, the story about a Viking kid befriending a dragon actually has emotional depth, and the themes about disability, found family, and growing up are handled with real care.
Fair warning: there are some genuinely scary moments with the dragons in the first film, and the third movie deals with letting go in ways that might make YOU cry, not just your kid.
Despicable Me series
Ages 6+
Love them or find them mildly annoying, the Minions have staying power for a reason. These movies are silly, colorful, and move fast enough that kids stay engaged. Gru's redemption arc from villain to dad is actually sweet, and there's enough physical comedy that even younger viewers can follow along.
The humor is pretty innocent—mostly slapstick and wordplay. No bathroom humor overload, which is refreshing. That said, if you're already at Minion saturation point from birthday parties and Happy Meals, maybe skip this one for your own sanity.
The Secret Life of Pets 1 & 2
Ages 5+
What do our pets do when we leave? It's a premise that basically sells itself to kids. The first movie is stronger—it's got that Toy Story energy of "what happens when we're not around" that kids find endlessly fascinating. The second one is fine but feels more like "we need a sequel" than "we have a story to tell."
Some mild peril and a pretty intense scene with animal control trucks in the first film, but nothing nightmare-inducing for most kids.
Curious George movies
Ages 3-7
For the younger crew, the Curious George films on Peacock are solid. They're gentle, educational without being preachy, and George's curiosity leading to chaos is relatable for any parent of a preschooler. These are perfect "I need 90 minutes of peace on a Sunday morning" movies.
The animation style is simple and colorful, and there's genuinely zero content concerns here. It's as wholesome as it gets.
The Croods 1 & 2
Ages 7+
A prehistoric family learning to adapt to change—it's basically a metaphor for parenting, honestly. The first movie is about stepping outside your comfort zone, and the second (subtitled "A New Age") tackles the classic "meeting new people who do things differently" dynamic.
The animation is stunning, the voice acting is great (Nicolas Cage as an overprotective caveman dad is chef's kiss), and there's actual character development. Some scary predator moments and peril, but handled in that DreamWorks way where it's thrilling without being traumatizing.
These won't change your life, but they'll keep kids entertained:
- Sing (Ages 6+) - Anthropomorphic animals in a singing competition. It's cute, the music is catchy, and it's basically harmless. The sequel is also on there.
- Trolls movies (Ages 5+) - Aggressively colorful, relentlessly upbeat, and packed with pop songs. Your mileage may vary based on your tolerance for glitter and happiness.
- The Boss Baby series (Ages 6+) - The premise is bizarre (a baby in a suit doing corporate espionage?), but kids find it hilarious. It's more clever than you'd expect, though the humor can be hit-or-miss for adults.
Minions: The Rise of Gru - I know I praised the Despicable Me series, but this one feels like it was made by an algorithm. It's not bad, it's just... there. If your kid is obsessed with Minions, sure, but don't go out of your way.
The Emoji Movie - If you see this in your search results, keep scrolling. Just trust me on this one. Life is too short.
Here's the reality: Peacock doesn't have the most robust parental controls compared to Disney+ or Netflix. You can set up a kids profile, which filters out mature content, but the age-gating isn't as granular.
My recommendation? Set up the kids profile (it's under Account > Profiles), which automatically filters to content rated TV-Y, TV-Y7, TV-G, G, and PG. For most families, this works fine.
If you've got younger kids (under 6) and older kids (8+) sharing an account, you might want separate profiles since a 5-year-old and a 10-year-old have very different tolerance levels for scary content.
The Peacock kids' section is smaller than Netflix or Disney+, but that's not necessarily bad. Sometimes having fewer options means less decision paralysis and more actual watching.
The library rotates, so if you see something your kid wants to watch, don't assume it'll be there in three months. (This is true for all streaming services, but Peacock seems to rotate faster than most.)
There are ads on the free tier, even in kids' content. If you've got the free version, your kids will see commercials—mostly for other Peacock shows and Universal movies, but still. The Premium tier ($7.99/month) removes most ads, and Premium Plus ($13.99/month) removes them entirely.
Peacock isn't going to replace Disney+ or Netflix as your primary kids' streaming service, but if you've already got it, there's genuinely good stuff here. The DreamWorks catalog alone makes it worth exploring, and having the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy in one place is a win.
Set up that kids profile, bookmark a few titles for rainy days, and you're set. And hey, at least you're not paying for another streaming service just for one show your kid is obsessed with.
Want to compare what else is out there? Check out our guides on the best kids movies on Netflix or Disney+ alternatives.