Late November is made for family movie nights. Schools take a break, cousins come to visit, and the evenings get long and chilly. This year, three crowd-pleasers arrive on streaming during Thanksgiving season, and each one offers more than just a laugh. Here is a parent-friendly guide to what is coming, when, and what to know before you press play.
A quick reminder: streaming dates can shift, and availability depends on where you live and which services you have. Check your app before planning the night.
Paddington in Peru (Hulu, Sunday, November 15)
The gentle bear from Darkest Peru goes home. In this third film, Paddington and the Brown family travel to South America after a worrying letter arrives from the Home for Retired Bears, where his beloved Aunt Lucy lives. When they get there, Aunt Lucy is missing, and the search turns into a jungle river adventure in pursuit of the legendary lost city of El Dorado.
Ben Whishaw again voices Paddington, with Olivia Colman as the cheerful Reverend Mother and Antonio Banderas as a boat captain with a peculiar family history. According to Time Out’s November streaming guide, the film arrives on Hulu on November 15.
For parents: Rated PG for action, mild rude humor and some thematic elements. Movie Mom notes cartoon-style peril, including a tarantula, quicksand and a few mildly scary moments, but no one is badly hurt. Some faith-minded viewers may notice that the nuns are played for broad comedy. The heart of the film is about adoption, kindness, and remembering where you come from, which makes it a lovely pick for most school-age kids and their grandparents alike.
Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs, Season 6 (Netflix, Monday, November 23)
For the curious kid who takes apart the toaster, this is a treat. Former NASA engineer Mark Rober turns science and engineering into playful challenges. What’s on Netflix lists Season 6 for November 23. Recent episodes listed on Netflix run about 20 minutes, which makes them easy to fit in while the turkey rests.
For parents: Netflix rates the series TV-PG. Episode topics vary, so it is a good idea to preview titles with younger viewers. Expect experiments, gadgets, and a lot of enthusiasm for figuring out how things work.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Netflix, Monday, November 30)
The sequel from Nintendo and Illumination draws on the beloved Super Mario Galaxy games. Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black and Keegan-Michael Key return, joined by Brie Larson as Rosalina and Benny Safdie as Bowser Jr. The film opened in theaters this spring and reportedly passed $1 billion worldwide. What’s on Netflix confirms it lands on Netflix in the U.S. on November 30, right after its first window on Peacock ends.
For parents: Rated PG for action, mild violence and rude humor. Movie Mom describes video game-style peril, including a kidnapping, imprisonment and fire, but calls the tone more silly than scary. The story also touches on adoption and family separation, handled gently, though it may stir feelings in some children. Parents of sensitive little ones may want to watch alongside them.
A thread worth noticing
Both films, in very different ways, tell stories about being lost and then found. Paddington was taken in by a family who loved him as their own. In the Mario sequel, characters wrestle with where they belong and who their family really is. Those themes can open beautiful conversations, especially for adopted or foster children, blended families, or anyone who has felt alone.
“God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” (Psalm 68:6, KJV)
Make it more than screen time
- Theme your snacks. Marmalade sandwiches for Paddington night, star-shaped cookies for Mario.
- Pause for one question. Ask: “Who made someone feel welcome in this story?”
- Try a CrunchLabs-style challenge. Build a paper bridge or a marble run with what you have at home.
- Include the grandparents. Older relatives often love Paddington as much as the kids do.
Through every storm, we rise together, and sometimes that starts with simply sitting together on the couch.
Which of these will your family watch first over Thanksgiving week? Share in the comments below.
Sources: Time Out, “Everything coming to Disney+ and Hulu in November 2026” (Nov 2, 2026); What’s on Netflix, “What’s Coming to Netflix in November 2026” (Nov 4, 2026); What’s on Netflix, “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie Netflix Release Date” (Oct 21, 2026); Netflix, Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs title page; Movie Mom, “Paddington in Peru” and “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” reviews; KJV Psalm 68:6.
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