“Overlooked Highlights: Popular Kids Shows, Movies, and More from 2023”

As we approach the end of the year, it’s time for a recap of the must-see and must-read highlights of 2023 in case you and your little ones might have missed them. Thanks to the convenience of streaming platforms, what was once exclusive to theaters is now available in the comfort of your living room, making it a year marked by box office successes.

Among the movies tailored for kids under 12, “Barbie” and “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” emerged as the top performers, claiming the title of the highest-grossing films of 2023. The shift towards streaming services has undoubtedly reshaped the landscape of entertainment, bringing blockbuster hits directly to your home.

“Bluey,” the beloved animated series, secured its place in the top three spots consistently throughout the year as the most-streamed kids’ show in 2023, according to Nielsen’s report. Meanwhile, the gaming world crowned “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom” as the Game of the Year, adding another layer of excitement for young gamers.

Let’s dive into the most-popular movies, TV shows, video games, children’s books, and family podcasts that captivated audiences in 2023.

5 Most-Popular Movies of 2023 for Kids

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit providing media ratings and reviews, named “Barbie” the most-popular film of the year for kids under 12. The list aligns with box office data, with “Barbie” reigning as the top-grossing film. Joining the list of favorites are:

“The Super Mario Bros. Movie”
“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
“The Little Mermaid”
“Avatar: The Way of Water”

5 Most-Popular Kids Shows on Netflix

Netflix, a major player in the streaming realm, showcased its biggest hits, with one or more of these kids’ shows consistently ranking in the top 10:

“Cocomelon”
“Peppa Pig”
“Paw Patrol”
“Gabby’s Dollhouse”
“Little Angel”

5 Most Popular Kids Shows on Disney+

Disney+ unveiled its top results, influencing future developments at Disney Theme Parks worldwide:

“Bluey”
“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”
“Star Wars: The Bad Batch”
“Marvel’s Spidey And His Amazing Friends”
“Puppy Dog Pals”

Top Selling Children’s Books of 2023

The New York Times’ annual best-selling list highlighted the most-popular children’s books (excluding Christmas reads):

“Dragons Love Tacos” by Adam Rubin, Daniel Salmieri (Illustrator)
“The Big Cheese” by Jory John, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)
“Just Because” by Matthew McConaughey, Renée Kurilla (Illustrator)
“No Brainer” (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series #18) by Jeff Kinney
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” (MinaLima Edition – Series #3) by J. K. Rowling, MinaLima Design (Illustrator)
“The Last Kids on Earth and the Monster Dimension” by Max Brallier, Douglas Holgate (Illustrator)
“Magic Tree House Books 1-4” (Boxed Set) by Mary Pope Osborne, Sal Murdocca (Illustrator)
“The Wild Robot” (Series #1) by Peter Brown

Common Sense Media’s Recommended Family Podcasts

For families seeking entertaining and educational content, Common Sense Media recommended the following podcasts:

“Keyshawn Solves It” – A fun detective pod centering on Black culture & valuable lessons.
“What’s Poppin’ Penny?” – Sweet and clear lessons about grief, family, and safety.
“5 Minute Mysteries with Kiddy Casey” – A curious detective uses science and history to solve cases.
“Culture Kids Podcast” – A fun family pod exploring diverse cultures, landmarks, and foods.
“Time Traveling Tonya” – A time travel pod that makes history fun and relevant for kids.

As we bid farewell to 2023, these highlights offer a glimpse into the diverse and captivating world of entertainment and education that captured the imaginations of children and families throughout the year. Whether through movies, TV shows, video games, books, or podcasts, the year provided an array of options for families to enjoy together.