While Netflix receives most of its critical acclaim for its daring dramas and over-the-top comedies, it has also carved out space in the children's television and family-friendly world of programming. While they may not be on par with the endless original programming of Nickelodeon and Disney Channel, Netflix does have several original children's series that are not only entertaining for kids, but the whole family.
From animated shows about superheroes and princes to live-action sitcoms centered around friendship, family, and adventure, there is a plethora of content to be found for children of all ages on Netflix.
The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show (2015) - 5.7
Based on the Netflix animated film Mr. Peabody & Sherman, The Mr. Peabody and Sherman Show centers on Sherman and Mr. Peabody, who host a late-night television show. With the help of Mr. Peabody's time machine, the duo is able to travel back in time to bring important historic characters back to the future in order to interview them.
The series premiered on Netflix in October 2015 and finished in 2017, with four seasons. The series was nominated for several Daytime Emmy Awards during its run.
No Good Nick (2019) - 5.8
No Good Nick ran for one season on Netflix, which dropped in April 2019. The dramedy series centers on Nicole Franzelli, a 13-year-old girl who shows up on the doorstep of the Thompson family, pretending to be a long longest relative who is now orphaned. However, she's really there to mess with the Thompson family who, unbeknownst to her, wronged her father.
Despite having a talented cast that included Sean Astin and Melissa Joan Hart, the series was unable to find its footing, with many critics citing that the show was too adult for its intended child audience.
Fuller House (2016) - 6.8
Rebooted from the hit 1980s-90s ABC family sitcom Full House, which taught audiences some of the best lessons, Fuller House revisits the Tanner family house that audiences fell in love with. This time around, the series centers on eldest daughter DJ Tanner, who finds herself in a similar situation as her father -- widowed with three children to raise.
Fuller House dropped on Netflix in February 2016 and aired five seasons before the series wrapped in June 2020. During the 2018 season, the series was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, making it the most well-reviewed season of the series.
Alexa & Katie (2018) - 7.4
Alexa & Katie could have found a home on any one of the children's cable networks but instead, the series found a home on Netflix. The series centered on Alexa, an incoming freshman undergoing cancer treatment, and her best friend Katie, who's always by her side.
Alexa & Katie ran for three seasons, although the third season was broken up into two parts, with the final episodes dropping in June 2020. The series was beloved by fans and even earned a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2018 for Outstanding Children's Program.
Last Kids On Earth (2019) - 7.5
Adapted from the children's novel series by Max Brailler, Last Kids On Earth follows Jack Sullivan, a young teenager, who enlists the help of his friends in order to survive the zombie and monster apocalypse that has hit his town.
Last Kids On Earth was released on Netflix in September 2019, and after the success of the first episode, the series received two full-season orders that both dropped in 2020.
A Series Of Unfortunate Events (2018) - 7.8
Though Lemony Snicket's popular children's book series A Series of Unfortunate Events had already been adapted for the screen, the series got another shot at telling a visual story when Netflix released an eight-episode first season in January 2017.
Similar to the books, the Netflix series centers on the lives of the Baudelaire children, who are shuttled from foster home to foster home after their parents' unfortunate death. The series ran for three seasons and told the story presented in all 13 of Snicket's books.
She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power (2018) - 7.8
Rebooted from the 1980s series of the same name, She-Ra and the Princess of Power centers on Adora, a young orphan girl who is able to transform into She-Ra, a fierce warrior. With her new powers, She-Ra must lead a team of other magical princesses in order to defeat the evil Lord Hordak and his minions.
The series premiered in November 2018 and its fifth and final season wrapped earlier this year in May. The series was highly praised by not only fans, but critics alike. It went on to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy and also a GLAAD Media Award.
Carmen Sandiego (2019) - 7.9
Netflix's children's show Carmen Sandiego is based on the popular Carmen Sandiego media franchise that was established with its educational mystery video games.
The series centers on the same educational mystery element, as audiences learn how Carmen Sandiego became Carmen Sandiego. This is actually the franchises fourth television show, but first on Netflix. Carmen Sandiego currently has three seasons on the streaming service and has been renewed for a fourth season.
Julie And The Phantoms (2020) - 8.4
Inspired by a Brazilian film of a similar name, Julie and the Phantoms follows Julie, a young teenager who once had a passion for music but has seen that passion dwindle after the death of her mother. While cleaning out the studio she shared with her mother, Julie finds an old demo CD that accidentally summons three members of the 90s band Sunset Curve, who have been dead for 25 years.
The nine-episode first season was released on Netflix in September 2020 and quickly gained a dedicated fanbase, with fans hoping for a second season.
The Dragon Prince (2018) - 8.4
Set in the fictional world of Xadia, in which a war is going on between the Xadia and the Human Kingdoms who want to harvest Xadia's magical powers, The Dragon Prince centers on two princes and 11 assassins who must put their differences aside and team up after learning a secret that could end the endless fighting once and for all.
The Dragon Prince is highly regarded by both critics and fans and currently boasts a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The animated series currently has three seasons on Netflix with four more seasons confirmed to be on the way.