No other streaming service has entered the collective consciousness as deeply as Netflix has (and certainly, none has birthed lexicon as entertaining as the tongue-in-cheek “Netflix and chill”)! Recently, Netflix unveiled their upcoming family-friendly films and series at See What’s Next Jr. – Southeast Asia – a fun-filled, carnival-themed weekend in Manila, Philippines (the first Kids and Family event for the region) that had press, influencers and their families from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam joining in.
makchic was in attendance as well- and we have all the goss on the hottest titles to look out for on Netflix, the current shows you should be saving on your kids’ watchlist, and some special features that even seasoned users might not even be aware of!
Worth the wait
With new movies and series releasing each week, we’re spoilt for choice! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the exciting titles that are will be debuting soon on Netflix:
Some of our top picks for kids and families include:
- The Sea Beast
Just released on Netflix
Rating: PG
In an era when terrifying beasts roamed the seas, monster hunters were celebrated heroes – and none were more beloved than the great Jacob Holland. But when young Maisie Brumble stows away on his fabled ship, he’s saddled with an unexpected ally. Together they embark on an epic journey into uncharted waters and make history. From Academy Award winning filmmaker Chris Williams (Moana, Big Hero Six, Bolt), The Sea Beast takes us to where the map ends, and the true adventure begins.
- Storybots: Laugh, Learn, Sing (Collection 2: Learn to Read)
Releasing: 18th July 2022
Rating: TV-Y
Follow StoryBot pals Beep, Boop, Bing, Bang and Bo through three volumes of snack-sized early reading lessons set to a soundtrack of catchy tunes!
- Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous (Season 5)
Releasing: 21st July 2022
Rating: TV-PG
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous follows a group of six teenagers chosen for a once-in-a-lifetime experience at a new adventure camp on the opposite side of Isla Nublar. But when dinosaurs wreak havoc across the island, the campers are stranded. Unable to reach the outside world, they’ll need to go from strangers to friends to family if they’re going to survive.
- Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie
Releasing: 5th August 2022
Rating: TV-Y7
In Nickelodeon’s Rise of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie, the Ninja Turtles are faced with their greatest challenge yet when a mysterious stranger arrives from the future with a dire warning. Leo is forced to rise and lead his brothers, Raph, Donnie, and Mikey in a fight to save the world from a terrifying alien species – the Krang!
- 13: The Musical
Releasing: 12th August 2022
Rating: PG
After his parents’ divorce, Evan Goldman (Eli Golden) moves from NYC to small-town Indiana. As his 13th birthday nears, he must master the complex social circles of his new school and win friends by turning his Bar Mitzvah into the coolest party ever.
- Ivy & Bean
Releasing: 2nd September 2022
Rating: TV-Y
Ivy and Bean never expected to be friends. Ivy is quiet, thoughtful and observant. Bean is playful, exuberant and fearless. However, sometimes an adventure reveals that opposites can become the best of friends. Perfect for fans of the beloved “Ivy & Bean” book series by Annie Barrows.
And if you can’t wait, we’ve also got some personal recommendations of shows to watch right now – courtesy of Netflix representatives, Cat Avelino (Netflix’s Head of PR, Southeast Asia) and Portia Trinidad (Netflix Philippines’ PR Lead).
Add these to your watchlist
According to Portia, Netflix originals, star-studded global films such as The Adam Project and Yes Day, and popular franchises such as My Little Pony, Kung Pu Panda and Minions, have proved particularly popular amongst kids and families.
Also, if you’re looking for shows and movies that might have missed your radar, you can check out Back to the Outback and Wish Dragon for more family-friendly fun as well.
In an exciting step forward by Netflix, there has also been more of a move to collaborate with Southeast Asian storytellers and animators whom they feel can bring in more stories about communities and families across the region. Some popular shows featured on their platform include Singapore’s Sharkdog, Malaysia’s Upin & Ipin and Thailand’s Sea of Love, a Netflix original (in collaboration with Thai animators from The Monk Studios) about a group of loveable aquatic animal friends who learn to embrace their differences and form lasting friendships through fun adventures.
Keeping your kids safe
Want to know how to ensure a safer viewing experience on Netflix for your kids? Read on for some valuable tips:
- Set up a separate Kid’s Profile, and protect your personal profile with a 4-digit pin to prevent little hands from accessing more grown-up content – How? Just open the Profile and Parental Controls settings in your Account page, change the Profile Lock setting and enter your desired 4-digit numeric pin.
- Add an extra measure of security with Netflix’s Title Restrictions feature – How? Go to your Account page and change the Viewing Restrictions setting for the Kid’s Profile. Select Title Restrictions, type in the name of the TV show or movie, and then save your selection.
- Have greater visibility over your kid’s viewing preferences and monitor their content – How? Access your Account page and then open the Profile and Parental Controls settings on the Kid’s Profile. Open Viewing activity and all their activity will appear, starting with the most recently viewed.
You can also help your children discover more varied content through Netflix’s Mystery Box feature, their Top 10 list of trending kids’ shows, and bi-weekly e-mails that help to provide personalised viewing recommendations.
Enjoy exploring a world of entertainment with your families, #makchicmumsquad!
By Kimberly Lee
