Nostalgic watches for parents on Netflix that kids will also love

Jody Coffey

There’s nothing cooler than a child sharing the same love as their parent for a tv show or movie.

Every now and again, a new song or movie for the children of today will come about that gives a nod or holds remnants of our own childhoods.

When this happens, it’s a special way to introduce your little one to the things that made you laugh and smile as a kid and an opportunity for a lovely bonding experience where your child gets to know you a little better.

Netflix has a number of blasts from past shows, movies, sequels, and reboots with our favourite characters for your child to meet.

Space Jam: A New Legacy

This one will keep kids engaged while transporting parents back to the 90s. The sequel of Space Jam sees Bugs Bunny’s help enlisted when a rogue artificial intelligence kidnaps the son of famed basketball player LeBron James, who then has to work with the famous rabbit to win a basketball game. Sports, music, cartoons – it has it all and is available to stream on Netflix.

The Fairly OddParents

Any household that had Nickelodeon likely watched The Fairly Odd Parents. If you did, perhaps it’s time for your little one to meet Cosmo and Wanda as they grant the every whim of 10-year-old Timmy Turner and watch how it all humorously backfires.

Be aware that in this cartoon series, there is a lot of roughhousing and physical comedy; however, all characters who get injured recover instantly. There’s also a little sprinkle of innuendo and mature humour that parents will get more of now than they did as kids—just FYI for the kiddos.

Tom & Jerry: The Movie

Everyone’s favourite cat and mouse duo got themselves a reboot in 2021, taking their games to the big screen in Tom & Jerry: The Movie, and now Netflix. The voices of well-known names such as Chloë Grace Moretz, Ken Jeong, Colin Jost, and Michael Peña, as well as many more, leave their mark on this reboot.

Kids will love the introduction to the world’s most famous enemies, and parents will enjoy revisiting the much-loved slapstick animated comedy that began in the 1940s and joined us on many mornings throughout our childhoods.

iCarly

Noughties kids will remember the antics of Carly (Miranda Cosgrave), Sam (Jennette McCurdy), and Freddie (Nathan Kress) as they navigated the web space at the same time as us. Carly really was a girl before her time, as her web show featured everything from comedy sketches and talent contests to interviews, recipes, and problem-solving, resulting in quality watching for us in the 2000s, and now your kids will too as the series has hit Netflix.

The Smurfs

The loveable blue creatures now have their own TV show that you and the family can enjoy together. The Smurfs made their TV debut in the 1980s and have stood the test of time as they continue to entertain today on the streaming platform. Join Papa Smurf and the rest of the magical clan as they repeatedly try to outwit Gargamel, an evil sorcerer, and his mangy cat, Azrael.