Ah, Christmas Eve. It’s a grand time to gather as a family and partake in time-honored traditions. Every Dec. 24, my family sits down to a dinner of lasagna (I don’t know why, but I dig it), reads a handful of Christmas stories and opens one—just one—gift.
We don’t typically catch up on a TV show that lands on Plugged In’s annual top five list on Christmas Eve. And honestly, I’d not recommend you do, either. (Our own Emily Clark has a few ideas for how to spend time together as a family for Christmas, actually.)
But this list will still be here come Dec. 26, and let’s face it: For lots of families, every season ’tis the season for television. And while plenty of bad stuff splashes across household screens, Plugged In’s TV reviewers (Emily Clark, Kristin Smith, Lauren Cook and I) have seen some pretty decent shows, too.
Below you’ll find a list of five such shows suitable for a wide variety of ages. But a quick reminder: These lists are wildly subjective. While we think these shows are a cut above much of what we’ve seen this year and are navigable for many families, they might not be for yours. Check out our full reviews before diving in.
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (Amazon Prime):
Based on Laura Numeroff’s beloved books, this show stars Mouse and a bevy of his human and animal friends. Geared toward younger viewers (think kids around ages 4-8), each episode features slapstick hijinks, a bit of humor and a light lesson or two. And while they might not be quite as wonderful as Numeroff’s books, the show stands pretty well on its own.
The Mysterious Benedict Society (Disney+):
Another show based on a popular children’s series of books (these by Trenton Lee Stewart), this series features a quartet of whip-smart kids who, according to Mr. Benedict, possess an “unusually powerful love of the truth.” They work for the mysterious Mr. Benedict to try to suss out what’s causing something called “The Emergency” and, if possible, put a stop to it. And while the kids do indeed rely on their brains to solve problems, they also rely on each other even more. The show values humility, honesty and that overarching love of truth as much as it does the kids’ peculiar talents. While made for kids ages 8 and up, The Mysterious Benedict Society may mysteriously become a whole-family favorite.
Oggy Oggy (Netflix):
Words? Who needs ‘em? Oggy Oggy—Netflix’s cuddly blue kitten—certainly doesn’t. A spinoff of France’s beloved (albeit older-skewing) show Oggy and the Cockroaches, the 3D-animated Oggy Oggy gives us a colorful, almost huggable world filled with mild slapstick adventures and, occasionally, an applicable little moral. It’s rated TV-Y, which means Netflix thinks it’s suitable for all ages. We won’t make that determination for you, but we can pretty much guarantee that you won’t have to worry about any bad language.
Virgin River (Netflix):
Melinda Monroe moved to the Northern California hamlet of Virgin River to get away from all the drama and trauma found in Los Angeles. Turns out, there’s drama aplenty here, too. But she finds other, more redemptive elements in Virgin River as well: friendship. Charity. Love. Virgin River is a drama made for adults, but it dispenses with much of the adult content that so often weighs shows like this down. While you can expect some sensuality and foul words here and there, and a nearby illegal drug operation is a big part of Season Three, Virgin River flows relatively smoothly over many a bump that sinks many a television boat.
WandaVision (Disney+):
We couldn’t go an entire television list without mentioning at least one of Marvel/Disney’s shows. WandaVision—nominated for five Emmys this year, including best limited series—might be the cleanest and cleverest of the bunch. For much of its run, superheroes Wanda Maximoff and Vision find themselves in a world of sitcoms—from a black-and-white Dick Van Dyke Show homage to riffs on Full House and Modern Family. Each episode nails the pacing and style of humor of many a TV favorite—but something more sinister is going on behind the cameras. While the show sinks deeply into some rather disturbing magical elements later on in the show—and parents should be aware that some bad language and sensual humor can be part of the mix, too—WandaVision is the rare gift of a show that’s both quite good, wholly original and at least reasonably fit for the family.
Before I let you go so you can eat your own plate of lasagna, I realize that every single one of these shows is part of a streaming service that you and your family may not have access to. For those who gravitate toward traditional broadcast television, let me offer a bonus sixth pick: The Wonder Years on ABC. It’s not problem-free, certainly, but this reimagining of the 1988-93 classic embodies much of the charm, heart and humor of the first iteration.
Merry Christmas.
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