Apple TV+ launched in 2019 and took a "quality over quantity" approach. Instead of licensing a massive back catalog, they're making original content. For families, this means:

The Apple TV app itself can be confusing because it shows you stuff to rent/buy alongside the included subscription content. Make sure you're filtering to "Apple TV+" only or you'll be accidentally dropping $19.99 on a rental.

Luck (2022) - This one's about a girl who finds a portal to the Land of Luck. It's got that Pixar-adjacent vibe (some of the same creative team), solid animation, and a sweet message about making your own luck. Not groundbreaking, but totally watchable and genuinely funny in places.

Wolfboy and the Everything Factory (technically a series but works as movie-length episodes) - Visually gorgeous, imaginative world-building. If your kid loved The Mitchells vs. The Machines, they'll dig this.

Hilda and the Mountain King (2021) - Okay yes, this is technically a Netflix property but it's available through Apple TV channels in some regions. Regardless, if you can access it, this is the gold standard for family adventure films. Beautiful animation, genuine heart, actual stakes without being traumatizing.

Cha Cha Real Smooth (2022) - This one's PG-13 and honestly more for older tweens/teens, but it's a surprisingly sweet coming-of-age story with a neurodivergent character portrayed respectfully. Not your typical family movie, but great for families with older kids who want something with more substance.

CODA (2021) - Won Best Picture at the Oscars for a reason. It's about a hearing teenager in a deaf family navigating her dreams of singing while being her family's interpreter. Some mature themes (there's sexual content and language), but it's a genuinely beautiful film about family, identity, and communication. Perfect for family discussion afterward.

Wolfwalkers (2020) - Stunning Irish folklore-inspired animation from Cartoon Saloon. Visually unlike anything else, with themes about colonization, nature, and friendship. Works for younger kids but has enough depth for teens and adults to appreciate.

These won't change your life but they'll get you through a rainy Saturday:

Finch (2021) - Tom Hanks and a robot dog in a post-apocalyptic road trip. It's fine. Older kids (10+) will be okay with it. It's basically Cast Away meets WALL-E but less compelling than either.

Luck - Already mentioned this one, putting it here too because it really is the definition of "fine." Your kids will watch it, you won't hate it, nobody will remember it in a week.

Spirited (2022) - Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds in a Christmas Carol musical. Sounds fun in theory. In practice? It's trying way too hard. The songs are forgettable, the humor doesn't land, and it's somehow both too long and too shallow. Just rewatch Elf instead.

Emancipation (2022) - This is not a family movie. It's a brutal historical drama about slavery. I'm including it here only because parents sometimes see "Apple Original" and "Will Smith" and think it might work for family viewing. It absolutely does not. This is for adults only.

If you're open to series instead of just movies, Apple TV+ actually shines more here:

Ghostwriter (Ages 6-10) - A reboot of the 90s show about kids solving literary mysteries. Actually clever and encourages reading.

Snoopy in Space (Ages 4-8) - Exactly what it sounds like. Wholesome, educational, classic Peanuts charm.

Helpsters (Ages 3-6) - From Sesame Workshop, focuses on problem-solving. If your kid aged out of Sesame Street but you want that vibe, this works.

Apple TV+ uses standard ratings (G, PG, PG-13, etc.) but here's the real talk:

Ages 4-7: Stick with their animated content and shows designed for this age group. The movie selection is limited but safe. Luck and Snoopy in Space are your best bets.

Ages 8-11: This is where Apple TV+ gets tricky. There's not a ton in that sweet spot between "baby content" and "too mature." Wolfwalkers works beautifully here. You might also branch into their documentary content like Tiny World.

Ages 12+: More options here, but you'll need to screen for language and themes. CODA has sexual references and language but handles mature themes thoughtfully. Use your judgment based on your specific kid.

The Apple TV+ library is small by design. If you're used to scrolling through hundreds of options on Netflix, this will feel limited. But honestly? Sometimes constraints are helpful. You can actually watch everything worth watching in a few months.

Quality varies wildly. Apple is still figuring out their content strategy. Some of their originals are genuinely excellent (Ted Lasso, Severance, CODA). Others feel like they threw money at a concept without a clear vision.

The app is confusing. Seriously, Apple's UI for Apple TV+ is not intuitive. You'll see content available to rent/buy mixed with subscription content. Always look for the "Apple TV+" logo to confirm something's included.

International content is limited. Unlike Netflix which has tons of international kids' content, Apple TV+ is very US-focused. If you're looking for diverse global perspectives, you'll need to supplement elsewhere.

Here's how to actually use Apple TV+ for family movie nights:

Apple TV+ is not going to be your primary source for family movie nights. The library is too small, and the family-specific content is still growing. But - and this is important - what they do have is often higher quality than the endless content mill of other services.

For families with kids 8 and under, you'll burn through the age-appropriate content quickly. For families with tweens and teens, there's more to work with, especially if you're open to more mature themes and quality storytelling.

Is it worth paying for specifically for family movies? Probably not on its own. But if you've got it bundled with your phone or other Apple services, it's absolutely worth exploring. Wolfwalkers and CODA alone are better than 90% of what's on other platforms.

Want to compare what's available across all your streaming services? Check out our streaming comparison guide to see which platforms actually have the best family content for your kids' ages.