Here are a few family friendly book to screen streaming options you might have missed! These were all streaming as of January 25th, 2026.
Family Friendly Book to Screen Watches on Prime Video
Currently a lot of PBS shows have their first seasons and movie specials on Prime Video. Wild Kratts and many others have great educational content.
1) The Snowy Day is a short 40 min special based on the award winning picture book of the same name. Great for a snow day! The books illustrations are done with a collage technique. So you could make collage pictures after reading the book and watching the special.
2) Catherine Called Birdy is a movie based on a coming of age teen novel of the same name. It’s set during a time of arranged marriages and Lady Catherine is determined to get away from a truly vile suitor. But she also bears the burden of saving her family financially.
3) Little Women has many iterations. There is a newer, episodic, version on Prime right now. It’s a classic coming of age novel set during the civil war and following the lives of siblings. Considering how the family acts towards a local immigrant family, I think it’s a very relevant watch right now.
4) If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is a series based off of award winning picture books. It’s a sweet and simple series that both entertains the kids and is not annoying to have on in the background. The Christmas special is one of my favorites for elementary kids.
5) The Lego movies… not the super popular ones that came out in theaters, though they were fabulous! There are a ton of smaller lego movies based on lego sets, super heros, princesses, and more. It’s a snow day win because you can read your lego books, watch lego mini movies, and set up a big lego build. (If lego builds and books are outside of your budget- check and see what your local library has to rent.)
Kid Friendly Book to Screen Streaming Options on Netflix that you Might have Missed
1) How to Train Your Dragon: The live action version is out on Netflix now. And while it is very similar to the animated movie, it’s visually stunning enough to merit a watch. You might have seen the movie but not know that it was based on a chapter book series. Or that it has several spin off shows.
2) The Wild Robot: This heart wrenching story is based on a chapter book series. The movie was well received by fans of the series, my critique was that the previews made it look like a comedy and it is solidly a drama.
3) The Willoughby’s is also a movie for older kids based on a Lois Lowry book. Siblings work together to escape their abusive house.
4) The Magic School Bus has a large book and show series. It’s fun and educational! Kids in Ms. Frizzle’s class have some out of this world field trips!
5) The Bad Guys is a very popular book series aimed for elementary audiences. The animated movie was so clever and well done. A fun one to watch together.
*Bonus- The Lorax animated movie is also playing on Netflix right now and is super fun.
Family Friendly Book to Screen Watches on Disney Plus/Hulu
1) Upside Down Magic: This DCOM movie is based off of a fun and popular middle grade series. Kids discover that they’re magical, and a little odd, and have misadventures that teach them different lessons and help them become good friends.
2) Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Day: This is a fun movie! Based off of a picture book series of the same name. The second movie has different actresses and actors. In the first movie, the whole family is reminded to be grateful for their lives and each other.
3) Out of my Mind: Is a movie and book from the perspective of a teen with cerebral palsy. Her mind is sharp, but her disability makes it difficult for her to communicate. Her family advocates for her and she makes friends in this heartwarming and enlightening story.
4) Romana and Beezus is a Selena Gomez movie based on the beloved book series by Beverly Cleary. I really enjoyed the young chapter book series and the movie. It’s one a lot of people missed but it is a fun and sweet adaption of the story.
5) Vampirina! A vampire family moves from Transylvania. And Vampirina is just trying to fit in with her human friends. The series has picture and chapter books. And there are 2 Disney Plus shows based on it, an animated Disney Jr. and a newer live action one aimed at middle grade viewers.
It’s worth mentioning that Apple TV has SEVERAL kid series based on popular children’s picture and chapter books. Like The Sisters Grimm, Harriet the Spy, Frog and Toad, Duck and Goose, Interrupting Chicken, and more.