We’re part of the #StreamTeam and were compensated by Netflix for this post. All thoughts are our own. Happy Spring (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere) and Happy Fall (if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere)-and a big welcome to Netflix if you live in Australia! If the pollen gets you down or those spring showers make it so that you’ve got to spend some time inside here are some gems to watch on Netflix.
Chicken Run
Remember this movie from 2000? It’s from Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park. Essentially it’s The Great Escape, but with chickens and our kids-much to our delight loved it.
Phineas and Ferb
Yes, we’re re-watching Phineas and Ferb, it’s that entertaining. Our oldest will now call me into the living room when he starts to watch it. “Daddy, I’m watching Phineas and Ferb”, he’ll say, knowing that I’ll come into the room and watch it with him. And he’s right; it’s a show that everyone can laugh at for different reasons.
Larva
At first glance Larva is disgusting. Actually after a couple glances it’s disgusting. It’s the story of a red and yellow larva and their adventures in the sewer. Both children love it, the episodes are very short and it’s good G rated fun for them, but I still think it’s disgusting.
Pee-Wee’s Playhouse
Our children get points for laughing at Pee-Wee’s Playhouse. All of the original episodes are on Netflix and they are as silly, funny, creative and smart as you remember.
The Gruffalo
The Gruffalo the adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s children’s book and it’s almost beyond words how fabulous it is. It’s the story of a little mouse traveling through the forest to get to a tree full of nuts. Along the way he meets all sorts of predators who try to eat him. He constantly avoids being eaten by telling them that he’s having lunch with a large monster called a gruffalo.
Of course, in the end he actually meets a gruffalo. The detail in the animation is of the caliber that one doesn’t expect from a 30 minute short. It looks like old school claymation, but in reality it’s probably just really good computer animation, but it is really good.
The vocal talent suits each character to a “T” and the music is top notch. The Gruffalo is storytelling at its finest and something that you need to watch ASAP.
Animal Odd Couples
There is a book by the same title with the same animals. This video collection of stories about animals that shouldn’t be friends is comfort food for children that love animals, which is pretty much everyone.
For the parents who need some quality sofa time
The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness
Do you like Anime? If so you will love The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness. It’s the story of a year in the life of the business of Studio Ghibli. The film serves as a fascinating look behind their curtain, as well as, a travelogue for Japan.
November Man
This is #1 on our to-see list. It looks like old school action, plus we’re a sucker for Pierce Brosnan.
Bloodline
It’s hard for us not binge watch this. The language is rough, the characters are broken and the story is fascinating. It’s a mostly normal family that does a bad thing and how they deal with it. We’re only a couple episodes in and it’s great story telling, well acted and difficult to turn away from.
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