It is freezing outside, which means it is officially duvet season!
Keeping the kids entertained during the winter holidays while escaping the winter chill requires the perfect streaming line-up.
Here are 5 of the highly-rated family movies and series currently capturing hearts (and keeping everyone on the couch) right now.
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Best for: Kids, teens and parents who love epic adventures.
The highly anticipated second season just dropped and is currently dominating the top charts in South Africa. If your family hasn’t watched season 1 yet, it’s the perfect time to binge-watch Aang’s journey to mastering the elements.
It’s visually stunning, packed with martial arts action, and has a great message about teamwork.
♦ Streaming on Netflix.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Best for: Kids, tweens and anyone who loves fantasy.
The series follows Percy, a 12-year-old boy who discovers he is actually a demigod, the son of the Greek god Poseidon. When Zeus accuses him of stealing his Master Bolt, the ultimate weapon of mass destruction, Percy’s world turns upside down.
To clear his name and prevent a catastrophic war among the gods, Percy must embark on an epic quest across America.
Alongside his friends, a satyr named Grover and Athena’s daughter, Annabeth, he braves mythological monsters, uncovers divine betrayals, and learns what it truly means to be a hero.
♦ Streaming on Disney+.
David
Best for: The whole family.
This is a Disney-style animated musical that tells the biblical story of David.
It covers his life from being a young shepherd boy writing music and protecting his flock to his legendary showdown with the giant Goliath, and his ultimate journey to the throne.
It features a sweeping soundtrack with music from Christian artists like Phil Wickham and Lauren Daigle. It’s physically gorgeous to look at and has a great “faith over fear” message for the whole family.
♦ Streaming on Netflix.
Elle
Best for: Teens and mothers.
If your family loves a fun, upbeat comedy, this is a “Legally Blonde” prequel series produced by Reese Witherspoon. It rewinds the clock to 1995 to follow a teenage Elle Woods navigating the brutal social hierarchies of high school.
It’s got that same bright optimism, humour and charm as the original movie, making it a great mother-daughter or family watch.
♦ Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Just Add Magic
Best for: Kids aged between 7 and 12 and parents who want a peaceful, low-stress family watch.
This live-action mystery/adventure is a multi- seasons binge. The show follows three best friends, Kelly, Darbie and Hannah, who discover a mysterious, ancient cookbook in Kelly’s attic.
They quickly realise the recipes aren’t normal; they are magical. From “Shut’Em Up Shortcake” (which literally silences people) to “Healing Hazelnut Tart”, the girls use the recipes to solve a mystery involving a curse on Kelly’s grandmother.
Because it’s a bit older, you won’t have to deal with the kids begging for a new season or waiting on cliffhangers; they can happily binge all 51 episodes from start to finish this winter!
♦ Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
