Image via Nickelodeon Animation Studios
Published Apr 12, 2026, 8:41 AM EDT
Michael John Petty is a Senior Author for Collider who spends his days writing, in fellowship with his local church, and enjoying each new day with his wife and daughters. At Collider, he writes features, reviews, recaps, and conducts interviews. In addition to writing about stories, Michael has told a few of his own. His first work of self-published fiction, The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain, was released in 2023. His Western short story, The Devil's Left Hand, received the Spur Award for "Best Western Short Fiction" from the Western Writers of America in 2025. Michael currently resides in North Idaho with his growing family.
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With so much out there these days catering to all age brackets and demographics, it can be difficult to narrow down material that's really perfect for the entire family. For those who love tales of magic, strange aliens from other worlds, and heroes who rise up above every new challenge — and want to share that with your kids — we have some good news for you. We've put together a quick list of nine science fiction and fantasy adventures that you can binge through with your whole family, within reason.
Admittedly, some of these installments require a bit more parental supervision than others, but if you want shows that will genuinely entertain everyone in the room, these are some great places to start. We're pulling from classic television to modern thrills, including both live-action and animation. While not exhaustive, we hope that you'll enjoy these programs and embark on the adventure with the whole family!
9 ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2005-2008)
Image via Nickelodeon Animation StudiosProbably the most obvious series on this list, Avatar: The Last Airbender — which ran for three seasons and 61 episodes — is beloved by viewers of all generations for a reason. Set in a high-fantasy world where the Fire Nation has risen up against other water, earth, and air benders, only Aang (Zach Tyler Eisen) remains of the latter. As the Avatar, he is destined to save the world and unite the fractured kingdoms striving for power.
Full of great plot twists, exceptional characters, and novel worldbuilding that is enjoyable for all, The Last Airbender starts as a more kid-friendly animated series before maturing with its audience. As Aang grows up throughout his journey, the series maintains its light tone while still giving its characters room to grow. Prince Zuko's (Dante Basco) slow-burn redemption story is one of the best in any medium, animation or otherwise.
8 ‘The Librarians’ (2014-2018)
Image via TNTThe Librarians is a light fantasy drama that follows a new generation of Librarians after the interdimensional Library chooses adventurer Flynn Carson's (Noah Wyle) successors. Under the guardianship of Col. Eve Baird (Rebecca Romijn) and the watchful eye of Jenkins (John Larroquette), newcomers Ezekiel Jones (John Harlan Kim), Jacob Stone (Christian Kane), Cassandra Cillian (Lindy Booth) find themselves in fantastical adventures each week.
While The Librarians may require some parental guidance, this four-season, 42-episode adventure expertly balances action, humor, and genre excitement that all can enjoy. Not only is The Librarians one of Noah Wyle's best shows, but it's a fun ride for families looking to enjoy something X-Files or Supernatural-adjacent but far less scary. For more, The Librarians: The Next Chapter continues the saga.
7 ‘ALF’ (1986-1990)
Image via NBC'80s sitcoms are something special, and when it comes to more family-friendly material, ALF is one of the best. When an "alien life form" named Gordon Shumway (Paul Fusco) accidentally lands in the Tanner family's garage, they adopt the creature into their home — and try to hide him from the government. What ensues is four seasons and 100 episodes of a beloved family sitcom with a fun sci-fi twist.
There's a reason that ALF himself is still considered one of the greatest TV characters of the '80s, and it's that lovable charm that brought joy to viewers everywhere. While ALF was ultimately completed with the made-for-TV movie Project: ALF, the original series remains a classic. Even better, the whole family can enjoy this bizarre '80s staple, even if some jokes are pretty adult at times.
6 ‘Adventures of Superman’ (1952-1958)
Image via Motion Pictures for TelevisionWhile there are plenty of great superhero shows out there for entire families to watch, perhaps among the most underrated is Adventures of Superman. Sure, the show is a bit dated — originally airing in black-and-white before a switch to color — and the tone can be quite campy at times, but especially for youngsters getting to know the Man of Steel, George Reeves' original take on the DC Comics icon is an inspired one. In many ways, it feels ripped from the pages of the original Action Comics and Superman books.
There are several must-watch episodes of Adventures of Superman worth enjoying across this six-season and 104-episode superhero program. If you'd like to give this series a family test-run before diving head-first, consider Superman and the Mole Men, which was not only the first Superman movie to be released theatrically but would also be re-edited into the two-part "The Unknown People" episode. "Look, up in the sky!" — because this Superman series is a classic worth revisiting with the next generation.
5 ‘Eerie, Indiana’ (1991-1993)
Image via NBCYou may not think that a horror-centric, sci-fi drama would be suitable for the whole family, but Eerie, Indiana ran for a single season on NBC before it was syndicated on Disney Channel of all places. When teenager Marshal Teller (Omri Katz) moves to the middle-of-nowhere Indiana, he discovers that the world around him is far stranger than he first thought. Like many of the shows on this list, Eerie, Indiana knew when to lean into the humor and when to get serious.
Sadly, the show only ran for 19 episodes, but it's become a cult favorite that helped directly influence future programs like Gravity Falls. With a Twilight Zone-style emphasis on bizarre weekly plots, Eerie, Indiana is one of the best (albeit forgotten) '90s shows out there. Long before Stranger Things could run, it was this paranormal program that first put an emphasis on the Midwestern state.
4 ‘Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated’ (2010-2013)
Image via Cartoon NetworkWhile Scooby-Doo may already be a family favorite cartoon, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated takes the Mystery Inc. gang to brave new heights. What seems to start as your standard Scooby series quickly exceeds expectations by giving our favorite teenage sleuths long-term character arcs (and romantic interests) and tossing them in the middle of an elaborate two-season mystery, as they seek to uncover the truth about their hometown of Crystal Cove. It's really a blast.
For 52 episodes, you'll be shocked at how far you're leaning off the edge of your seat. As Scooby (Frank Welker), Shaggy (Matthew Lillard), and the gang unmask more and more monsters, they discover that there is a genuine curse on their town that is more supernatural than they'd like to believe. With great characters, fantastic worldbuilding, and lots of laughs, you'll be sad when it's over.
3 ‘Merlin’ (2008-2012)
Image via BBCFor something a bit more fantastical in nature, give this inspired take on the King Arthur legend a try. Merlin was equal parts King Arthur prequel and re-imagination of the iconic Medieval legend that follows the titular wizard (Colin Morgan) as he stands by Arthur (Bradley James), who is destined to rule Camelot. Full of whimsy, adventure, and plenty of family-friendly-style fantasy, this BBC drama is perfect for those already interested in knights and dragons.
Merlin ran for five seasons and 65 episodes, perfect for those looking to extend the journey by watching a single episode a week. With a little something for everybody — between action, YA romance, and fascinating worldbuilding — Merlin is a show worth getting into if you missed out on it the first time around. It's certainly a stellar fantasy series worth remembering.
2 ‘The Mandalorian’ (2019-2023)
Image via Disney+Originally billed as a space Western, The Mandalorian was an exciting venture back to the Star Wars universe. As bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) ventures across the galaxy on odd jobs, he finds himself caring for a young Force-sensitive child that has been smuggled by Imperial forces. Set not long after the original movie trilogy, the Disney+ series felt like a return to form after the sequels.
For three seasons and 24 episodes total — not including The Book of Boba Fett, which bridges the second and third seasons — The Mandalorian delighted audiences with this unlikely duo. It's no wonder that the series has graduated to the big screen with The Mandalorian and Grogu, which plans to expand on the story in a feature-length format. The show's best episodes make some of the bumps in the road worth it.
1 ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ (2008-2020)
Image via LucasfilmOur second venture into the Star Wars universe, Star Wars: The Clone Wars is a bit of a no-brainer if your family already loves George Lucas' epic space opera. As Obi-Wan Kenobi (James Arnold Taylor) and Anakin Skywalker (Matt Lanter) find themselves in the middle of an intergalactic war, they travel the galaxy with an army of clone warriors — and Anakin's new apprentice, Ahsoka Tano (Ashley Eckstein) — to stop the droids from taking over. It's a generally light-hearted take on the genre that also matures with its audience.
For seven seasons and 133 episodes, Star Wars: The Clone Wars delivers by expanding on the greater universe and developing its leading characters in style. Not only did it introduce several of the greatest Star Wars TV characters, but it managed to endear us to Obi-Wan and Anakin more than we thought possible. With a handful of spin-offs and sequels to continue the story beyond its original run (The Mandalorian takes place decades after this, by the way), it's this original series that is truly deserving of a Saturday morning watch.
Collider Exclusive · The Sorting Hat Awaits Which Hogwarts House Are You? Gryffindor · Slytherin · Hufflepuff · Ravenclaw
Four houses. One destiny. The Sorting Hat has considered thousands of students — now it's your turn. Answer honestly and discover where you truly belong at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
🦁Gryffindor
🐍Slytherin
🦡Hufflepuff
🦅Ravenclaw
PLACE THE HAT →
01
What quality do you value most in yourself? Answer as honestly as you can — the Hat always knows.
ACourage — I act even when I'm afraid, because what's right matters more than what's safe. BAmbition — I know what I want and I have the drive and cunning to get there. CLoyalty — I show up for the people I love, no matter what it costs me. DWisdom — I think before I act and I'm always hungry to understand more.
NEXT QUESTION →
02
A friend is being treated unfairly. What do you do? How you protect others says everything about who you are.
AStep in immediately and confront whoever is responsible — I won't stand by. BWork out the best strategy to address it — a smart move beats a rash one. CBe by their side, support them, and help them through it however they need. DAnalyse what's actually happening and find the most reasoned, fair solution.
NEXT QUESTION →
03
What does success look like to you? What you're working toward defines who you're becoming.
ABeing remembered as someone who fought for what was right, whatever the odds. BAchieving the goals I set for myself — influence, status, and earned respect. CA life where the people I care about know I was there for them, always. DMastering my field, contributing something meaningful, and never stopping learning.
NEXT QUESTION →
04
What is your greatest fear? Fear is the most honest thing about a person.
ABeing a coward when it mattered — looking back and knowing I did nothing. BMediocrity — fading into obscurity without making my mark on the world. CLosing the people I love or letting them down when they needed me most. DIgnorance — being wrong and not knowing it, or never reaching my potential.
NEXT QUESTION →
05
The rules say no. Your gut says go. What do you do? Every institution has rules. What you do with them is a choice.
ABreak the rules — if it's the right thing to do, no rule should stop me. BFind a way to get what I want without getting caught. Rules are guidelines. CProbably follow the rules — but I'd find a way to help within them if I could. DThink it through carefully — is the rule unjust, or is my gut just impatient?
NEXT QUESTION →
06
What kind of friend are you? Who you are to the people you love is who you really are.
AThe protector — I will go to the ends of the earth for the people I care about. BThe strategist — I give sharp advice and I'm the one who figures out how to fix things. CThe constant — I'm always there, always reliable, and I never make it about me. DThe guide — I help people think things through and see perspectives they've missed.
NEXT QUESTION →
07
You look into the Mirror of Erised. What do you see? The mirror shows the deepest desire of your heart.
AYourself standing victorious, having faced the greatest challenge and won. BYourself at the height of your power — respected, successful, and in control. CYourself surrounded by everyone you love, whole and happy and together. DYourself with all the answers — every book read, every mystery solved.
NEXT QUESTION →
08
The Sorting Hat pauses. It whispers: "You could do well in any house. But what matters most to you — truly?" This is your tiebreaker. The Hat always listens.
ABravery. I want to be the kind of person who acts when others won't. BGreatness. I want to leave my mark and be more than ordinary. CBelonging. I want to be part of something good and never let my people down. DUnderstanding. I want to know the truth of things and keep growing forever.
REVEAL MY HOUSE →
The Sorting Hat Speaks Your House Has Been Chosen
After careful deliberation, the Sorting Hat has made its decision. This is the house your values, your instincts, and your particular way of being in the world were made for.
🦁 Gryffindor
You have nerve. Not the reckless kind, but the deep, quiet courage that shows up even when you're terrified — especially then.
- Gryffindors don't act because they're fearless — they act because they understand that some things are worth being afraid for.
- You stand up for people when it would be easier to look away.
- You charge toward what's right even when the odds are terrible.
- Harry, Hermione, Ron — the heroes of Hogwarts's greatest chapter — all called the tower with the scarlet and gold home. And now, so do you.
🐍 Slytherin
You are driven, sharp, and utterly clear-eyed about what you want and how to get there.
- Slytherin has long been misunderstood — painted as the house of villains when it is, at its best, the house of those who refuse to accept limits placed on them by others.
- You are resourceful, strategic, and you play the long game.
- You know your worth. You protect your own fiercely.
- The dungeon common room with its view of the Black Lake is yours — and the ambitions that will take you further than anyone expects are yours too.
🦡 Hufflepuff
You are the kind of person that makes the world genuinely better just by being in it.
- Hufflepuff is not the "safe" house or the "leftover" house — it is the house of those with the greatest heart and the most unwavering integrity.
- You show up. You work hard. You don't need glory or recognition — you do what's right because it's right.
- Your loyalty never wavers, even when tested.
- Nymphadora Tonks, Cedric Diggory, Newt Scamander — some of the wizarding world's finest. And now you join them.
🦅 Ravenclaw
Your mind is your greatest gift, and you've always known it.
- Ravenclaws are the thinkers, the questioners, the ones who find a puzzle irresistible and a good book better company than most people.
- Ravenclaw is not merely about intelligence — it's about the love of learning, the pursuit of truth, and the rare courage to admit you don't know something yet.
- You see the world with unusual clarity and depth.
- Luna Lovegood, Filius Flitwick, Rowena Ravenclaw herself — all extraordinary, all original. And so are you.
↻ RETAKE THE QUIZ
Release Date 2008 - 2020-00-00
Network Cartoon Network, Netflix, Disney+
Directors Brian Kalin O'Connell, Steward Lee, Giancarlo Volpe, Bosco Ng, Danny Keller, Rob Coleman, Justin Ridge, Nathaniel Villanueva, Saul Ruiz, Jesse Yeh, Duwayne Dunham, Atsushi Takeuchi, Robert Dalva, Walter Murch
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Tom Kane
Narrator / Yoda / Medical Droid / Yularen / Kraken (voice)
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Matt Lanter
Anakin Skywalker (voice)
English (US) ·