As we wrap up this year, we look back at a compelling mix of family-friendly entertainment that defined 2023. From the enchanting depths of “The Little Mermaid” to the multiversal exploits of “Spider Man: Across The Universe,” these releases offered something for everyone.
We followed the futuristic heroes of “Supa Team 4” in Zambia and witnessed the rise of basketball star LeBron James in “Shooting Stars.” Explored the fantasy of Disney’s “Wish” and savored the chocolaty escapades of young Willy Wonka in theaters.
Whether delving into the tech-infused tales of “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” or joining a family quest in “Curses!,” 2023 delivered diverse narratives. It was a year filled with laughter, adventure, and heartwarming moments as these films unfolded on screens worldwide. Check out the 15
We Have a Ghost
The discovery that their house is haunted by a ghost named Ernest makes Kevin’s family a social media sensation. But when Kevin and Ernest get to the bottom of the mystery of Ernest’s past, they become targets of the CIA.
Stream on Netflix
Saturdays
A group of friends who skate together at a local rink in Chicago. The series follows 14-year-old Paris Johnson and her friends Simone and Ari as they form the We-B-Girlz skate crew. The friends spend their Saturdays roller skating at Saturdays Rockin’ Roller Palace, and are determined to create the hottest skate routines in the area and become famous in Chicago.
Stream on Disney+
One Piece
With his straw hat and ragtag crew, young pirate Monkey D. Luffy goes on an epic voyage for treasure in this live-action adaptation of the popular manga.
Stream on Netflix
The Crossover
The series is about brothers coming of age on and off the court as their former pro-baller father adjusts to life after basketball and their mother pursues her own dreams. One review says the series is great for all ages, as long as you avoid the mishaps that the editors hadn’t noticed.
Stream on Disney+
Percy Jackson and The Olympians
Based on Riordan’s books, the series tells the story of Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old demigod who is coming to terms with his new divine powers. When the sky god Zeus accuses Percy of stealing his lightning bolt, Percy must work with his friend to restore order to Olympus.
Stream on Disney+
Young Love
The series is a spin-off of Cherry’s Academy Award-winning animated short film Hair Love. The series follows Millennial parents juggle their careers, marriage and parenthood as they strive for a better life.
Stream on Max
Wonka
Wonka is about a young Willy Wonka who moves to the city to open his own chocolate shop. He discovers that the chocolate industry is run by a cartel of greedy chocolatiers.
Stream on In theaters
My Dad The Bounty Hunter
The series is about two children who accidentally hitch a ride into outer space with their father, an intergalactic bounty hunter. When they crash his latest mission, they discover that their dad’s job is anything but boring. The series stars Laz Alonso, Yvonne Orji, Priah Ferguson, Jecobi Swain, and Patrick Harpin, who also created the series with Everett Downing Jr..
Stream on Netflix
Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire
The series is an anthology of sci-fi and fantasy stories that blend various mythologies. The 10-episode series is inspired by Africa’s diverse histories and cultures, and features advanced technology, aliens, spirits, and monsters.
Stream on Disney+
Supa Team 4
The series is about four teenage girls who become undercover superheroes after being recruited by a retired secret agent to save the world. The series is set in a futuristic version of Lusaka, Zambia, and is Netflix’s first original African animated series.
Stream on Netflix
Pretty Freekin Scary
It’s based on the book series of the same name by Chris P. Flesh. The series follows Frankie Ripp, a 14-year-old who seems to have a perfect life until she dies. After an accident, Frankie is allowed to return home to middle school with her new Underworld guardians, Pretty and Scary.
Stream on Disney+
Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures
The series is set 200 years before The Phantom Menace during the High Republic era. It follows a group of younglings as they learn to become Jedi Knights by studying the Force, exploring the galaxy, and helping others.
Stream on Disney+
Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes
It’s about three best friends, Kiya, Jay, and Motsie, who live in the fictional African town of Kimoja City. When there’s a problem in town, the friends head to Crystal Eyes, their headquarters, and put on their magical crystal headbands to become superheroes.
Stream on Disney
Curses!
In the series, Alex Vanderhouven is turned to stone by a generations-long family curse. His two children, Pandora and Russ, and his wife, Sky, must return artifacts stolen by their ancestors to their rightful homes to lift the curse.
Stream on Apple TV+
Haunted Mansion
The film is about a woman and her son who hire a group of spiritual experts to remove supernatural squatters from their home
Stream on Disney+
The Little Mermaid
In the film, Ariel is the youngest daughter of King Triton and Queen Athena of Atlantica, an underwater kingdom of merfolk. Ariel is fascinated with the human world, but her father forbids merfolk from surfacing there after Ariel’s mother is killed by a human. One day, Ariel visits the surface and falls for Prince Eric. To be with him, she makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, to become human for three days.
Stream on
Jessica’s Big Little World
The series follows Jessica, Craig’s resilient little sister, as she navigates a world where everything seems much bigger than she is. Jessica, voiced by Lucia Cunningham, is young enough to need supervision for her bedtime routine but old enough to want to go to the big-kid playground. With the help of her friends, real and imaginary, Jessica sets off to take on the world.
Stream on Max
Shooting Stars
The inspiring origin story of a basketball superhero reveals how LeBron James and his childhood friends became the No. 1 high school team in the country, launching James’ breathtaking career as a four-time NBA Champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Stream on Peacock
Peter Pan & Wendy
The film is about Wendy Darling, a young girl who doesn’t want to leave her childhood home. She meets Peter Pan, a boy who doesn’t want to grow up, and travels with him, her brothers, and Tinker Bell to the magical world of Neverland. There, she encounters an evil pirate captain.
Stream on Disney+
Spider Man: Across The Universe
Miles Morales is transported across the Multiverse after reuniting with Gwen Stacy. In the Multiverse, Miles joins forces with the Spider Society, a group of Spider-People who protect the Multiverse’s existence. Miles also tries to defeat a powerful foe called the Spot, while meeting other Spider-People. However, Miguel O’Hara doesn’t approve of Miles’ actions to save everyone.
Stream on Netflix
Elemental
It’s set in Element City, a place where residents of fire, water, land, and air coexist. The film is about Bernie Lumen, a fire element who runs a shop in Element City with his wife Cinder. The film is based on the relationship between fire and water, and the initial idea was based on the immigrant parents of director Peter Sohn.
Stream on
The Magician’s Elephant
It is about an orphan boy who sets out to find his missing sister. A fortune teller tells him to find a magician with an elephant, and that the elephant will help him.
Stream on Netflix
Wish
Wish is a 2023 American animated musical fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. It tells the story of Asha, a sharp-witted idealist who makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force. The film combines computer animation with the look of traditional animation.
Stream on In theaters
American Born Chinese
It is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The series follows Jin Wang, a teenager who is the son of Taiwanese immigrants. Jin is a typical high schooler who enjoys collecting manga and trying to join the soccer team. On the first day of school, Jin meets a new student and finds himself in a battle with Chinese mythological gods.
Stream on Disney+
Harlen Coben’s Shelter
Mickey lives with a mother in rehab, a dead father, an annoying aunt and a new school in New Jersey. When a creepy old woman tells him that his father isn’t dead, Mickey thinks he’s losing his mind.
Stream on Prime Video
Goosebumps
A group of five high schoolers embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle, while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.
Stream on Hulu/Disney+
Tiny Toons Looniversity
It is a reboot of Tiny Toon Adventures and features older versions of characters in a new continuity. The series follows the characters Babs and Buster Bunny, Sweetie Bird, Hamton J. Pig, and Plucky Duck as they attend Acme Looniversity and learn what it takes to be a professional toon.
Stream on Cartoon Network, Max, YouTube, Hulu