Shubhabrata Dutta
Every parent wants to bring a smile to their kids’ faces. And needless to say, movies are a great means of doing that. Thankfully, we have made it across the COVID threshold, and the theaters are running smoothly again. So we can take our kids to the movies (but do take precautions, though) and let them enjoy a fun time watching their favorite superheroes. However, it is not always possible to catch a movie at a theater, right? Well, we are here to help you out with just that.
In this list, we bring you 10 PG/G-rated movies that are available for streaming on Peacock. Their rating proves that there is nothing inappropriate in them that can affect your child in a way you don’t want. All these movies offer fun and entertainment and have morals, making each of them an effective learning experience.
11. The Donkey King (2018)
Directed by Aziz Jindani, ‘The Donkey King’ is a Pakistani animated comedy. It shows how after King Badshah Khan, a lion, renounces his throne, his advisors, led by Miss Fitna, a fox, make an insignificant washer donkey named Mangu the new king though he performs not a single duty that is expected of him. But when he finds out that he is a part of a conspiracy by Fitna herself, he decides to do what’s right. One of the highest-grossing Pakistani movies ever, ‘The Donkey King’ voice cast features Afzal Khan as Mangu, Hina Dilpazeer as Fitna, and Ghulam Mohiuddin as Badshah Khan, along with Adeel Hashmi, Faisal Qureshi, and Jawed Sheikh. You can stream ‘The Donkey King’ here.
10. Curious George (2006)
Directed by Matthew O’Callaghan, this animated adventure flick is based on the children’s picture book series written by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey. The film follows a monkey named George and his curiosity, which brings him to New York from Africa, thanks to his new friend Ted, who is a museum tour guide. The adventures of the duo as George explores his new world and Ted has to clean after him make for all the fun and entertainment that the movie offers. The voice cast includes Frank Welker as George, and Will Ferrell as Ted, along with Drew Barrymore, Dick Van Dyke, David Cross, and Eugene Levy. You can stream ‘Curious George’ here.
9. Bee Movie (2007)
Directed by Steve Hickner and Simon J. Smith, ‘Bee Movie’ follows Barry B. Benson (voiced by Jerry Seinfeld), a bee who doesn’t want to get involved in the responsibilities within the hive. Intending to explore what’s outside, he ventures about Manhattan and meets a florist named Vanessa Bloome (voiced by Renée Zellweger). However, upon finding out that honey has been devoured by humans for centuries, which is a way of bee exploitation, he decides to sue them, assisted by Vanessa. And the reason why Vanessa knows what Barry is even saying is that the latter can communicate with humans. But how will the duo achieve this feat? Alongside Seinfeld and Zellweger, the voice cast of ‘Bee Movie’ also includes Matthew Broderick, John Goodman, Patrick Warburton, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates, and Oprah Winfrey. You can watch it here.
8. Shrek (2001)
‘Shrek,’ produced by DreamWorks Animation, won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film in 2001. Based on William Steig’s picture book of the same name, published in 1990, it tells the story of an anti-social ogre (giants that eat regular humans and have a taste for children) whose name is Shrek. After his swamp home becomes a ground zero for fairy tale creatures who have been banished by Lord Maximus Farquaad of Duloc, he goes and makes a deal with the ruler to rescue Princess Fiona and bring her to him, after which he shall re-locate the creatures and give Shrek his swamp back. In the endeavor, Shrek is accompanied by Donkey (a donkey), one of the exiled fairy tale creatures. How the two rescue Fiona is what the adventurous movie chronicles.
Filled with humor, that is found in many forms, including slapstick, an apt form for children, the movie’s voice cast includes some of the most iconic actors in Hollywood including Mike Myers (the ‘Austin Powers’ movies) as Shrek, Eddie Murphy (‘Dr. Dolittle,’ ‘The Nutty Professor,’ ‘Beverly Hills Cop’) As Donkey, John Lithgow (‘Cliffhanger,’ ‘Footloose,’ ‘The World According To Garp’) as Lord Farquaad and Cameron Diaz (‘The Mask,’ ‘Being John Malkovich,’ ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding,’ ‘Charlie’s Angels’) as Princess Fiona. It is directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson. You can watch the movie here.
7. Shark Tale (2004)
‘Shark Tale’ is set under the ocean wherein Oscar (voiced by Will Smith), who is a Bluestreak cleaner wrasse, rises to fame for killing a shark, a false credit. The truth is that it was an anchor that killed Frankie (voiced by Michael Imperioli), a great white shark, while he was trying to teach his vegetarian younger brother Lenny (voiced by Jack Black) how to hunt for fish. Oscar’s lie takes a toll on him as he now has a reputation to maintain as a shark killer, as well as stay hidden from Frankie and Lenny’s father, mob boss Don Lino (voiced by Robert De Niro) who has sent henchmen to find the fish that killed his son.
The voice cast also includes Renée Zellweger, Angelina Jolie, and Martin Scorsese. The movie’s primary moral is that a lie cannot survive and will only get one into more trouble, a lesson that kids need to learn big time. ‘Shark Tale’ is directed by Rob Letterman, Bibo Bergeron, and Vicky Jenson. Feel free to check out the movie here.
6. The Lorax (2012)
Directed by Chris Renaud, this animated musical drama is based on the 1971 children’s book of the same name by famous author/cartoonist Theodor Seuss Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss. In the movie, set in a world with artificial vegetation, we follow 12-year-old Ted Wiggins ( voiced by Zac Efron), who sets off on a quest to find a real tree, a Truffula tree, to be precise, to impress Audrey (voiced by Taylor Swift), the girl he likes or rather has fallen for. During his journey, he hears the story of Lorax (voiced by Danny DeVito), the guardian of the forest. How young Wiggins gets his hands on a Truffula seed and uncovers a conspiracy plotted by the city’s mayor, Aloysius O’Hare (voiced by Rob Riggle), is what we find out in this film which is a classic commentary on the importance of protecting nature. You can watch it here.
5. Shiloh (1996)
Directed by Chip Rosenbloom, ‘Shiloh’ is based on the 1991 book of the same name by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. The film explores the friendship of Marty Preston and his new best friend, a Beagle puppy whom he comes across and names Shiloh. After finding out how badly Shiloh’s owner, Judd, treats him, Marty ensures that Shiloh stays with him. He even makes a deal with Judd that will allow him to keep Shiloh if he does 20 hours of work for Judd. Will Judd keep his end of the deal? Will Marty and Shiloh be together? To find out, you can stream this classic right here.
4. The Croods: A New Age (2020)
The second film in ‘The Croods’ franchise, ‘The Croods: A New Age,’ can also be treated as a standalone film. Directed by Joel Crawford, the film follows the prehistoric Crood family as they search for a place they can call home. In the quest, they come across the Bettermans, who are more evolved than them. As the Croods try to adapt to the more beautiful Betterman household, both families face a new threat that they can only fight if they work together. How they do it is what the movie shows in a most epic, adventurous manner. The voice cast includes Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Cloris Leachman, Leslie Mann and Peter Dinklage. You can watch the movie here.
3. Despicable Me 2 (2013)
One of the best-animated movies for kids ever made, ‘Despicable Me 2’ is headlined by the beloved supervillain Gru and voiced by the genius comedic actor Steve Carell. In the first part, we saw how Gru became the father of Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes (Elsie Fisher). In this part, we see him retire from his job as a supervillain and go full-time as a loving father. However, he has to put his skills to the test again, having been contacted by the Anti-Villain League, who need him to track a new supervillain named El Macho (Benjamin Bratt) who wants to take over the world. Gru was a supervillain once, and this will allow him to think like one and thus track someone who has a similar line of thought. But will Gru be able to do it? To find out, you can watch the film with your kids right here.
2. Despicable Me (2010)
The first installment of the ‘Despicable Me’ franchise, this animated movie follows supervillain Gru, who intends to pull off the greatest heist ever, i.e., stealing the moon, assisted by his little yellow assistants known as minions. But his decision to adopt three young girls, namely Margo, Edith, and Agnes, and use them to distract his competitor, the budding supervillain Vector, backfires as he inadvertently begins to grow a soft corner for the girls. Will his newfound affection come in the way of becoming the most formidable villain of all time? Featuring a voice cast of Steve Carell (who immortalized the character of Gru), Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, and Kristen Wiig, ‘Despicable Me’ is a brilliant movie bound to be loved by kids. It is directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. You can play the movie here.
1. Where the Red Fern Grows (1974)
Based on Wilson Rawl’s timeless novel of the same name, ‘Where the Red Fern Grows’ is the story of twelve-year-old Billy Coleman (Stewart Petersen) and his two new best friends, Little Ann and Old Dan, both raccoon hound puppies. Through their friendship, we get to see a heartwarming tale of life itself, one accompanied by laughter, tears, happiness, and sadness. How Billy grows as a person while taking care of Ann and Dan makes this film a must-watch classic. Alongside Petersen, the cast includes James Whitmore, Beverly Garland, Jack Ging, and Lonny Chapman. You can stream it here.
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