Time to Chill With the Family?

Here Are 5 Binge- Worthy Shows Clean Enough to Watch Together (and 5 Movie Suggestions, Too)

by | Jun 1, 2022 | Advice, Family Friendly

Shows to watch for adults? There’s plenty out there for all tastes and moods. Little kiddies around? Plenty of cartoons, anime, and live action to keep them entertained for maybe fifteen minutes. Tweens and teens rolling their eyes at most of your suggestions? Well, what can you do? 

With so much available to watch, it’s hard to know what is appropriate for the entire family to watch together. We previewed and then viewed entire shows that grabbed our attention and gave them a thumbs-up if they were clean enough for big and little eyes and ears. Usually the shows considered “family viewing” are for ages seven and up. This is just a guideline. You know your children best. Under-sevens may lack the attention span and their comprehension level may not be mature enough to sit for one-two hours watching a movie. Some teens can’t sit for that long either. 

Our “Family Thumbs-Up” list is just a small sampling of the plethora of offerings out there on your favorite platforms. 

The following list was compiled from Netflix, but there are many others to choose from. We recommend reading the show’s genre class, description of the story and age appropriateness. Also check warnings for profanity, violence and nudity and sexual acts (actual or implied scenes). We also like to check for what language is spoken. For some people, If they have to read the story via subtitles, it can become tedious and interest is lost almost immediately. Although there are some shows that could be watched with the sound off which are still great stories visually.

In random order, our Thumbs-Up recommendations are:

Alexa and Katie

This series aimed at middle/high schoolers is a wholesome sitcom that deals with the subject of childhood cancer in a way that is sensitive and reassuring. Although the content of the show is wholesome, the subject matter may be too heavy for a younger audience. The plot follows two best friends – Katie and Alexa through high school and Alexa’s cancer diagnosis, treatment and remission.

Our Great National Parks

  1. (7+) A limited series of 5 episodes, each approximately 50 minutes in length. Narrated by former U.S. President Obama. Regardless of your political views, he has a great voice for this docuseries of stunning views, incredible photography of beautiful wildlife in their natural habitats, mountains, oceans above and below, streams and waterfalls, caves and craters. Surely something to catch the attention of family members of any age.

 Heartland 

This (13+) family drama series has already been showing for 16 seasons! Netflix is currently releasing (in Israel) seasons 7-16. It’s an ongoing  heartfelt, sentimental story set on a horse ranch. Heartland is based on Lauren Brooke’s bestselling novels.

 Fuller House 

If you are old enough to have teenagers in the house, you are probably old enough to remember Full House. Known as “The Brady Bunch of the 1990s”, the original series, which ran from 1987 to 1995, chronicled the daily ins and outs of the Tanner family. Danny Tanner, a widowed father of three daughters enlists his brother-in-law and childhood best friend to move in and help him raise his children. In Fuller House, the Tanner kids are grown up and D.J., the eldest daughter, is now a widow with three sons of her own to raise.

The Healing Powers of Dude 

This comedy series is about a tween who manages his social anxiety disorder with the help of a support dog whose thoughts are audible to the audience. The story relates messages about extending kindness, respecting different abilities (both emotional and physical), and finding common ground with others.

Films you might also like:

Rescued by Ruby

(7+) If anyone was a fan of The Flash series, they’ll instantly recognize the star Grant Gustin as a state trooper who aspires to join an elite K-9 unit. One problem: he’s failed the requirements every year he’s applied. The other problem – he doesn’t have a dog. Ruby is a mischievous, undisciplined and destructive pup who keeps getting brought back to the shelter by every family that takes her. This charming tale is based on a true story.

Dolittle 

An engaging 2020 movie, 1 hour 41 minutes. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas and Michael Sheen. The good doctor is closed for business and has shut himself off from everyone. But his gift of talking to animals could be the Queen’s only hope. The whole family will be rooting for our reluctant hero!

Benji 

(7+) 2018 version. 1 hour 27 minutes. Wins the hearts of another generation. Voted Netflix’s most liked show in this genre.

Vicky and her Mystery 

(13+) 2021, 1 hour 24 minutes, based on a true story. French language with English subtitles – This story is visually captivating and could easily be understood visually. After her mother’s death, a heartbroken girl and her father settle in wild, beautiful Canada. Can a special creature help her heal? 

Blue Miracle 

(7+) 2021, 1 hour 36 minutes, based on the inspiring true story about the Casa Hogar Orphanage and a seaworthy challenge.

 

There are so many shows to choose from and several genres to consider. If you’d like to know whether or not a show you are considering watching with your family is appropriate, commonsensemedia.org has reviews, ratings and observations by parents about the content of almost everything out there.

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