Summary
- Family-friendly cartoons on Netflix offer entertainment for both kids and parents alike, with smart storytelling and creativity that elevate them from being just for little kids.
- These cartoons have age-appropriate content and bright colors, fun characters, and exciting action that captivate children while parents never feel like they are watching something beneath them.
- From LEGO adventures in Ninjago to the positive messages in Skylanders Academy and the dark yet responsible themes in Ben 10, these animated series provide a range of options that appeal to different age groups within the family.
While cartoons used to just be for kids, there are several family-friendly cartoons on Netflix that entertain kids and parents alike. The streaming giant has developed some of the highest-ranked animated original series airing today, some made just for adults, with examples like Big Mouth and Bojack Horsemen as something that young children should never watch until they're of a certain age. There are also those Netflix cartoons that are made just for little kids and often drive their parents up the wall watching them on repeat.
What used to be rare, however, were family-friendly cartoons that were not just children's entertainment but were also something their parents fell in love with as well. Not only are these animated shows age-appropriate, but they transcend their initial demographic. These are smart cartoons that tell interesting stories and have a level of creativity that elevates them from cartoons for little kids. However, these family-friendly cartoons on Netflix also have bright colors, fun characters, and exciting action that entertain the little kids while parents never feel like they are watching something beneath them.
25 Ninjago (2011-2022)
Ninjago offers one of the best family-friendly cartoons on Netflix that appeals to both kids and adults alike. For the little kids, there are bright colors, unique characters, and life lessons that all kids' cartoons need to succeed. However, for adults, there is a sense of adventure and fun. What really adds to the allure for kids and adults is the fact this is a LEGO cartoon, and there is always an interest in LEGO properties. Unlike other LEGO movies, Ninjago isn't a spoof movie and has a legitimately good story from start to finish.
24 Skylanders Academy (2016-2018)
Based on the Skylanders video game series, Skylanders Academy is a Netflix original animated series that premiered in 2016. It has a lot of things that really catch on with little kids, as the small and energetic creatures are fun, and the adventures keep things moving at a nice pace. It also has a strong message about self-confidence and self-awareness and contains positive messages for kids. However, it also has enough humor to keep it as one of the best family-friendly cartoons on Netflix, with some parents even recognizing Norm Macdonald's voice as Glumshanks.
23 Ben 10 (2016-2021)
Ben 10 is a great show for younger kids because it has action and adventure, but it is not too graphic or violent, making it okay for even the little ones. However, it is also one of the best family-friendly cartoons on Netflix thanks to its somewhat darker tone and jokes that are likely to go over the heads of the younger kids. Even with some darker tones, it is still a cartoon that has a child superhero learning what it means to be responsible and accept help from others to save the world. The animation was well received and there are some memorable alien forms in Ben 10.
22 Arcane: League Of Legends (2021- )
Arcane: League of Legends is really made for teens and up, but it is still one of the better family-friendly cartoons on Netflix as long as the parents are watching with their younger kids, so they can explain certain adult situations that pop up. Based on one of the most popular videogames in the world, Arcane does have some adult themes, including real-life issues surrounding love, death, and violence, but it never really overdoes it with the violence and it is really mostly similar to a PG-13 movie, which makes it a good set up for older pre-teens and up. There's also a highly anticipated Arcane season 2 on the horizon.
21 Kipo And The Age Of Wonderbeasts (2020)
Kipo And The Age Of Wonderbeasts is one of the best family-friendly cartoons on Netflix, offering what is mostly a simple story with bright colors and fun characters that kids of all ages can catch onto. However, it also has a nuanced story that will keep teenagers and adults entertained. The series is set in a futuristic world where mutant animals live out in the open and most humans live underground. With its visual appeal and creatively designed characters, this is a show that offers a lot for kids and their parents. There were three seasons, but all were released in 2020.
20 Carmen Sandiego (2019-2021)
Carmen Sandiego has been around since 1985 with the original video game Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego before expanding into comic books, book series, and television shows. In 2019, Netflix acquired the rights and created its own original animated series. Carmen Sandiego premiered in January 2019, introducing the famous sleuth to a new generation of children. It's been almost 20 years since the last series and critics called the revival a return to form for children of the '90s. There were four seasons and 32 episodes of one of the family-friendly cartoons on Netflix.
19 Stretch Armstrong And The Flex Fighters (2017-2018)
Stretch Armstrong was an action figure in the '70s who had arms and legs that kids could stretch out. The Hasbro toy was turned into a new Netflix animated cartoon in 2017 with new teammates, with the show called Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters. The Netflix original cartoon saw Stretch teaming with Wingspan (who can flatten his body to fly) and Omni-Mass (who can change his size and mass). The Netflix cartoon is made for kids but has some great action and remains a fun watch for adults sitting down for some family-friendly cartoons on Netflix.
18 Ultraman (2019-2023)
It has been over 50 years since Ultraman first arrived. The original Japanese series in the '60s featured a man named Hayata, a member of the Terrestrial Defense Force who could transform into the giant Ultraman to battle alien monsters that threatened the Earth. Interestingly, the Netflix series was not a reboot but a continuation of the original story. Here, the Ultraman did not grow into a giant. As different as it was, it was still a fun new take on the story with Shinjiro as a high school student who learns his lineage will make him the next Ultraman.
17 Voltron Legendary Defender (2016-2018)
If there is any Netflix cartoon that's nostalgic for adults while delivering a story for young newcomers, it is Voltron: Legendary Defender. This is one of the family-friendly cartoons on Netflix, reminding adults of a certain age why they loved to watch the original Voltron while playing with the toys in front of the TV all those years ago. The entire universe is in danger, and it is up to warriors to reassemble Voltron to save the day. The lion mech is just as impressive as ever, and there were eight seasons on Netflix with 78 total episodes, ending in 2018.
16 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2012-2017)
When it comes to family-friendly cartoons on Netflix, it is hard to go wrong with anything concerning the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The 2012 cartoon keeps the kids involved because it is easy to love the TMNT and their childlike attitudes. There is also a lot here for adults since the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise has been around since most parents were kids. However, the 2012 version takes that idea and makes it even more adult as it is a lot more mature and has the Turtles facing complex circumstances, making this one of the best takes on the Turtles in any television iteration.
15 She-Ra And The Princesses Of Power (2018-2020)
She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is the return of the classic She-Ra character to television. For adults, this brings back the classic He-Man spinoff character that originally had her own series in 1985. For kids, it is a new introduction to the classic female warrior. However, there is also more to it than that when it comes to its place among the best family-friendly cartoons on Netflix. It is a diverse series with a positive LGBTQ+ message and teaches both inclusivity and acceptance, so while this may persuade some, it is clearly a show meant for families to watch together with great role models and life lessons.
14 Transformers: War For Cybertron (2020-2021)
When it comes to family-friendly cartoons on Netflix, it is easy to look at the Transformers franchise. However, the TV shows vary widely. The classic show was something that attracted kids and adults alike. Then there were shows like Rescue Bots that were clearly meant for little kids, with little there for adults. However, with the Netflix trilogy War for Cybertron, the Transformers went to a more mature and action-packed place. This was more like the movies, with the action and battle scenes a little intense, but this is still the Transformers, so it is great for kids and adults.
13 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe (2021-2022)
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When Netflix brought back He-Man in a new cartoon, it gave the streaming service a chance to introduce the classic hero to a new generation. Netflix made it possible by making sure that the cartoon was geared toward kids of all ages, but there was still something there for adults, especially those who grew up watching the classic cartoons and playing with the toys as kids. For the kids, the show offers humor and action while also delivering life lessons and social issues geared toward kids. For adults, it is well-written, has great animation, and is a fun nostalgic family-friendly cartoon on Netflix.
12 The Last Kids On Earth (2019-2021)
The Last Kids on Earth is based on the popular books by Max Brallier and is one of the better family-friendly cartoons on Netflix. The series arrived as three "books," with each season based on a book story. There was even an interactive special after the third and final season that arrived in 2021. The show is about a 13-year-old orphan who teams up with his friends to survive a zombie apocalypse and monster invasion. The show is animated and geared toward pre-teens, but it is also a fun adventure story with great plot and character development that keeps older viewers' attention.
11 Justice League / Justice League: Unlimited (2001-2006)
One way to ensure that a cartoon is geared toward kids and adults is to bring a classic back on Netflix where a new generation can discover it. Both Justice League and its sequel Justice League: Unlimited are on Netflix. The two cartoons brought in just about anyone and everyone who has ever been part of the DC team and presented some comic book loyal moments. This is a show that most comic book fans fell in love with when it originally aired and now they can share it with their kids as one of the best family-friendly cartoons on Netflix.
10 Wizards (2020)
Wizards was the third Netflix original animated series in the Tales of Arcadia franchise, following Trollhunters and 3Below. Unlike the first two series, this was only one season of 10 episodes and led into the movie Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans, which finished the story. Just like the first two series, this was also critically acclaimed and is one of the best family-friendly cartoons on Netflix for kids and adults alike. It has groundbreaking animation and continues an already great story, picking up four Emmy nominations.
9 Dragons: Race To The Edge (2012-2018)
The most successful of DreamWorks Animation's movies was the wildly popular How to Train Your Dragon series. While many DreamWorks Animation features continued their stories with cartoons, How to Train Your Dragon did things differently. The Netflix DreamWorks Dragons franchise consists of three series, each taking place in between the movies and connecting the films. Riders of Berk was followed by Defenders of Berk and then six seasons of Race to the Edge. The last series was the best, but all eight seasons are worth watching as family-friendly cartoons on Netflix.
8 The Dragon Prince (2018- )
In 2018, Netflix released the original fantasy The Dragon Prince. The series was an immediate hit, receiving a second season just five months later, with more coming after that. By the end, there will be seven total seasons that will tell the complete story. The Dragon Prince takes place in a fantasy world with magic derived from the primal elements. When humans learned black magic which hurt the animals in their lands, the dragons drove them out. Over a thousand years later, humans killed the dragon king, and now a human prince sets out to return the king's egg to the dragons to prevent a war.
7 3Below (2018-2019)
This sequel to Trollhunters changed the story and the established formula while still setting it in the same world, keeping close to the quality of the original series. Unlike Trollhunters, which dealt with a boy dealing with the new knowledge of a world of monsters, 3Below followed aliens sent to Earth. One of the family-friendly cartoons on Netflix, it focused on two alien siblings who escaped their planet with their bodyguard and pet. They took human forms on Earth to hide from intergalactic bounty hunters. There were two seasons with it leading to Wizards, the third series in the franchise.
6 Castlevania (2017-2021)
When it comes to anime on Netflix, there's not a lot that could be called family-friendly cartoons on Netflix. While still violent and probably only suitable for teens at the youngest, Castlevania has been a pleasant surprise for Netflix in the realm of cartoons. There are four seasons of Castlevania, with the last arriving in 2021. Based on the video game of the same name, Castlevania is set in a dark world where Dracula declares war on humanity after people burn his wife at the stake. It's up to a monster hunter named Trevor Belmont and Dracula's son Alucard to stop him.