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With the school year winding down and families gearing up for summer vacation, keeping everyone engaged and entertained is top of mind for many parents. Hosting a family movie night is always a good choice. After a day at the beach or hanging poolside, coming home to enjoy a family-friendly movie is what childhood memories are made of. If you’re looking for kid-friendly movies for the whole crew, here’s the scoop on what’s coming to Netflix May 2022.
Keep in mind that Netflix does not own a majority of the shows and movies offered on the service. Partnering with content providers, the company receives a license granting streaming rights for a specified period, resulting in content being rotated out or in, on a regular basis. While it can be disappointing when you don’t see your favorite show streaming on Netflix, chances are it’s just a matter of time before the content comes back to the streaming service.
Family-friendly movies coming to Netflix May 2022
‘Marmaduke’
Animal-loving kids will enjoy the antics of Marmaduke — the chaotic Great Dane we all grew up with — in a new 3D CGI animated eponymous movie streaming on Netflix May 6th. SNL’s Pete Davidson voices the pup, so if you’re a fan of his antics, this will be a win-win for the whole family.
‘Wild Babies’
If your crew prefers real-life animals, don’t miss this documentary which begins streaming on May 6th. The show, narrated by Helena Bonham Carter, follows 17 animal families through 16 countries. Your family will learn all about sea otters, lions, grizzlies, emperor penguins, and others in this eight-episode series.
Parents appreciate that documentaries can enhance learning. “We love homeschooling with Netflix and other streaming services,” Heidi S. told Mom.com. “There are always so many great documentaries to watch, whether they’re about history, science or animals, it’s a great way to break away from the books and get in some learning, in a fun and entertaining way.”
‘Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride’
This Halloween favorite is coming back to Netflix on May 1, 2022, after being removed from the streaming service in June 2021. According to Commonsense Media — an organization that provides media ratings and reviews — the movie is ideal for kids age 10 and up. It does reference death, skeletons, and dead bodies, but in a humorous and lighthearted way.
‘Stranger Things’
For families with more mature tweens and teens, season 3 of this long-awaited fan favorite is coming to Netflix May 26th. And while Commonsense Media deems it appropriate for kids over the age of 13, the nostalgic series is popular among families.
New kids' movies on Netflix 2022
If you’ve got a fall birthday in your midst, you may want to begin stocking up on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle party decor and table settings, because TMNT will likely be a popular theme in the coming months.
‘Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ (2018)
As they say, everything old is new again. And if you’ve been waiting for the perfect time to introduce your kids to Leonard, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello, now is your chance. Season 1 of the animated series is coming to Netflix on May 31st in preparation for the movie of the same name, which will debut on Netflix in early August.
‘Soul Surfer’
Discover the true story of Bethany Hamilton — surfer and shark attack survivor — in this 2011 film which begins streaming on Netflix May 1st. This one may be best for more mature kids age 10 and up, especially if there’s a fear of the water, sharks, or issues with seeing blood on screen.
Despite these concerns, the movie provides great insight into maintaining courage, perseverance, and pushing through when faced with challenges.
What to stream on Netflix this summer
Just because classic family favorite classics like Caddyshack, Kung Fu Panda, and The Karate Kid are leaving Netflix April 2022, there’s no need to worry. Plenty of family-friendly offerings have been added to the Netflix lineup to keep your whole crew engaged through the summer months.
One way to make family movie night special is to set up an outdoor movie theater for the neighborhood kids, right in your backyard. You’ll be the favorite house on the block with current streaming movies like, How to train Your Dragon, Hilda, or Where the Wild Things Are.
‘Our Great National Parks’
For something a bit more educational that’s currently trending on Netflix, Our Great National Parks — narrated and produced by former President Barack Obama — takes viewers on an eight-episode tour of national parks across the globe.
Can my kid watch that?
If you’re wondering about age-appropriatness in your movie selections, it’s important to note that government and industry ratings have gotten lax over the years so families should do their due diligence rather than rely on ratings to do their parenting for them.
“Look for ratings and warning labels on media such as movies, TV shows, music, videos, and video games. Look at the content information if it’s available too. It’s usually located in the same area as the rating,” pediatrician and author Cori Cross wrote for the Healthy Children website — a division of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “This will indicate details about why the raters gave the rating they did. It will also help you find age-appropriate content for your child.”
