Earlier this month, HBO made some of its content free to stream for nonsubscribers on their stand-alone streaming service apps HBO NOW and HBO GO. For parents who may be running out of new movies and TV shows for the kids (and sick of repeats, let's be honest), this low-cost refresh to the library could be a blessing when it comes to keeping kids entertained inside.
There's recent animated fare like "Smallfoot," a charming if slightly formulaic animated film in which Channing Tatum plays a Yeti yearning to explore outside his small mountainside village (this is also the origin of the "Zendaya is Meechee" meme _ Google it!). There's also the pleasantly bizarre and joke-dense animated flick "Storks" (about where babies come from of course), written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, known for his more adult comedy work like "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Neighbors." With a wealth of comedic voice talent from comedy greats like Andy Samberg, Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, and a seriously surreal bent, this is the kind of animated film that can bridge the kid-parent divide.
Another one that can please both kids and parents is "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part," which brings the same breathlessly giddy energy the first one did, and yet another earworm theme song, boasting "This Song's Gonna Get Stuck Inside Your Head," so buyer, do beware.
There are also some non-animated kid-friendly films available like the 2000 Frankie Muniz film "My Dog Skip," the 2019 Nancy Drew reboot "Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase," and Joe Wright's critically derided Peter Pan musical "Pan," which, just maybe, might magically take on a new sheen when viewed at home under quarantine?
For those who subscribe to HBO via app or cable subscription, there is a wealth of content for kids, including beloved long-running TV series "Sesame Street." Cue up classic episodes or take the new seasons for a spin. And while there are many animated series available for young kids, there are also some fun kid-centric selections for older kids, and a few that'll take you back to your own childhood.
Introduce your progeny to classics like the "Homeward Bound" films, featuring amazing live-action animal adventures, or, of course, the Disney pee-wee hockey classic "D2: The Mighty Ducks" (easily the best of the "Ducks" franchise, soon to be a Disney+ series). The Oscar-winning "Babe," and "Babe: Pig in the City," both directed by George Miller (of "Mad Max" and "Mad Max: Fury Road") are simply stone-cold classics for the whole family.
The entire "Land Before Time" series is also available, but I don't recommend that one due to my own personal childhood trauma inflicted by that film, but your mileage may vary. But there are plenty of other hidden gems, like the brightly-colored, if slight, "Rio," or kick it old school, Hanna-Barbera style with 1990's "Jetsons: The Movie."
For bookworms, there are plenty of hidden gems like "Akeelah and the Bee" (more spelling bee content), and "The Indian in the Cupboard," directed by frequent "Muppets" director Frank Oz, and an excellent watch along with the book series. Or plunge your young ones into the world of Arthurian legend with the excellent adventure film "The Kid Who Would be King," newly added to the HBO library.
