Enjoy Family Time with November's Top 7 Family-Friendly Streaming Picks

Movies

Audio By Carbonatix

7:05 AM on Friday, November 15, 2024

By Michael Foust, Movies

1. A Little Women's Christmas (Great American Family)

Four sisters navigate love and life in a small Tennessee town during the holiday season in this contemporary retelling of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel. Jillian Murray stars as Jo March, Jen Lilley as Meg March, Laura Osnes as Beth March, and Julia Reilly as Amy March. Trevor Donovan portrays Friedrich "Fritz" Baehr, and Jesse Hutch plays John. It also includes an original song, Joy, performed by Gladys Knight. Nov. 23.

Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Great American Family

2. I Heard the Bells (Great American Family)

A famous poet rediscovers joy following a family tragedy. It's based on the true story of 19th-century author Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who faced devastating losses at home and the darkness of the Civil War but found purpose again upon hearing the bells on Christmas morning. It inspired the creation of his timeless Christmas carol, I Heard the Bells, on Christmas Day. Nov. 28 and 30 (8 Eastern).

Photo Credit: ©Great American Media 2024

3. Music by John Williams (Disney Plus)

The life and music of one of America's most famous composers is celebrated in this excellent documentary, which features interviews with collaborators such as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and offers insights into Williams' creative process and enduring impact on cinema. You know him as the composer of Star Wars, Jaws, and Indiana Jones. But did you know he composed the well-known theme of the Olympics? And the anthem to NBC Sunday Night Football? Rated PG.

Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Disney Plus

4. Mr. Peabody & Sherman (Netflix)

A highly intelligent dog (Mr. Peabody) and his adopted human son, Sherman, embark on a time-traveling adventure throughout history. Adoption themes fill this 2014 movie: Peabody himself was adopted (as a dog) and must fight to keep Sherman when a misguided social worker gets involved. Rated PG for some mild action and brief rude humor. Clearplay offers a filter.

Photo Credit: ©YouTube/Awesomeness

5. A Paris Christmas Waltz (Netflix)

An office worker named Emma leaves her job to help a colleague and unexpectedly crosses paths with Leo, a professional dancer struggling with his passion for competitive dance. Of course, romance soon blooms. They compete in a prestigious dance competition, where Emma transforms from a novice to a skilled dancer under Leo's guidance. It stars Jen Lilley and Matthew Morrison. Rated TV-G.

6. White Bird (Home Video)

A teen boy's outlook on life is changed when he learns of his grandmother's experiences as a young Jewish girl hidden by a classmate's family in Nazi-occupied France during World War II. The film is both a prequel and sequel to the movie Wonder and opens by telling the story of Julian, the student who was suspended for bullying and was subsequently withdrawn from school by his parents in protest. White Bird picks up with Julian in a different school as he tries to find his way with a new set of friends. Rated PG-13 for some strong violence, thematic material, and language.

7. Our Oceans (Netflix)

The Earth's five oceans are highlighted in this five-episode nature documentary series that examines the unique behaviors and interactions of marine life, from humpback whale migrations in the Pacific to walruses adapting to climate change in the Arctic. "The world will never be the same once you've seen it from below," the narrator says. The series is a celebration of God's creation, even if the project is not faith-based. Rated TV-PG. Nov. 20.