What’s Streaming for Families & Kids in October
Haunting season is officially here. When you’re not taking colourful walks with the fam or driving around the neighbourhood looking for the spookiest houses, you’re probably in the mood to cozy up with some soft blankets, pumpkin treats, and good viewing. There are plenty of kid-friendly shows and movies streaming for families in Canada this month. From blockbuster films to new entries with a spooky twist, read on to see what services like Crave, CBC Gem, Paramount+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Disney+ and Netflix are offering up in October.
What’s Streaming for Families & Kids in October
The Hunger Games (all movies)
Tuesday October 3rd on Paramount+
Families with older children who are ready to get into the dystopian story of Panem and their unexpected hero, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence), can watch all four movies in one place beginning this month. Re-watch or get to know the story for the first time ahead of next month’s release of the big-screen prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Disney’s Haunted Mansion
Wednesday October 4th on Disney+
It wouldn’t be October without a few new scary additions, so this recent big-screen release comes to streaming just in time. The movie was inspired by Disney World‘s theme park attraction of the same name, and follows a woman and her son as they hire a crew of spiritual experts to rid their home of spookies.
Loki (s2)
Thursday October 5th on Disney+
Marvel families may have already marked the calendars, but everyone’s favourite mischief-making God is back for a second season. The action picks up following last season’s big cliff-hanger, in which Loki (Tom Hiddleston) battled for the soul of the Time Variance Authority.
Peppa Pig (s1)
Friday October 6th on CBC Gem
The animated pig and her muddy puddle-loving family make their CBC Gem debut this month. Follow Peppa’s first-season adventures over 52 five-minute episodes.
DI4RIES (S2)
Tuesday October 10th on Netflix
The Italian middle-school series returns for a second season of first crushes, first kisses, friendships, and fights. If you missed the first installment of the coming-of-age series, be sure to catch up before tuning in.
Mr. Dressup: The Magic of Make-Believe
Tuesday October 10th on Prime Video
Whether you want to share nostalgia with your older kids or show them what TV was like when you were growing up, this documentary revolving around the life of beloved children’s performer Ernie Coombs, a.k.a. Mr. Dressup, makes its streaming service debut this month. The film follows the origins of the iconic show and the life of the man behind it, with plenty of anecdotes from notable Canadian celebrities.
LEGO Ninjago: Dragons Rising (S1 Part 2)
Thursday October 12th on Netflix
The Ninjas continue their quest to find the Dragon Cores and stop the MergeQuakes before it’s too late when the second part of this series drops in full this month.
Chuck and the First Peoples’ Kitchen (s1)
Friday October 13th on CBC Gem
This APTN series makes its debut on CBC Gem with 13 half-hour episodes this month. Follow along with Canadian chef Chuck Hughes as he learns more about Indigenous food and culture. If your family enjoys cooking and culinary adventure series, be sure to add this one to your list.
The Spy Kids Franchise
Friday October 13th on Netflix
If your family caught the debut of Spy Kids: Armageddon last month, you’ll be happy to know that four more iterations of Spy Kids are also available to stream on Netflix in October: Spy Kids, Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams, Spy Kids 3: Game Over, and Spy Kids: All the Time in the World.
Goosebumps
Friday October 13th on Disney+
If you have fond memories of reading R.L. Stine growing up or you were into the film franchise with Jack Black, consider introducing your (older) kids to this comedic horror series from the same universe. The show follows five high schoolers as they investigate the tragic passing of a teen named Harold Biddle 30 years ago. What they discover, however, may have surprising connections to their parents.
Oggy Oggy (S3)
Monday October 16th on Netflix
The preschool series about a mischief-finding cat named Oggy Oggy returns with a third batch of episodes featuring new adventures.
I Woke Up a Vampire
Tuesday October 17th on Netflix
Imagine waking up on your 13th birthday only to learn that you’re actually half-human, half-vampire. That’s the predicament Carmie Henley (Kaileen Angelic Chang) finds herself in when this new coming-of-age series drops. Naturally, her discovery makes middle school way more complicated.
Shape Island
Friday October 20th on Apple TV+
The stop-motion series based on Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s trilogy of Shapes picture books is back with an all-new Halloween special, “Creepy Cave Crawl.” When Triangle pranks Circle and Square, they celebrate Halloween on their own. The only problem? Halloween isn’t that much fun when it’s all treats and no tricks.
Princess Power (S2)
Monday October 23rd on Netflix
The princess pals return to the Fruitdoms for a second helping of problem solving and friendship.
Life on Our Planet
Wednesday October 25th on Netflix
If your family is into nature series and animals, the latest Morgan Freeman-narrated project drops on Netflix this month. The doc uses top tech to tell the epic battle of survival on Earth, and brings back extinct creatures to learn what happened so long ago to their dynasties.
CURSES!
Friday October 27th on Apple TV+
Get spooky (but not too spooky) with the family when this animated adventure comedy series from DreamWorks Animation makes its debut this month. When a generations-long family curse turns a father into stone, it’s up to his kids and wife to make things right by returning stolen family artifacts to their rightful owner.
Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret
Friday October 27th on Crave
The 2023, PG-13 film based on Judy Blume’s iconic book makes its debut on the Starz upgrade of Crave in October, tracing the story of an 11-year-old girl as she and her family move from New York City to the quiet suburbs of New Jersey. This one features an all-star cast, including Kathy Bates, Rachel McAdams, and Abby Ryder Fortson.
