7 Best TV-Y7 Movies to Watch

We follow the daily adventures of 3 bears that are individually lovable but collectively iconic. They rotate around as the centerpiece of an episode, each offering different flavors of humor namely dopey, slapstick, cringe, absurd, and when all else fails, funny animal. Some episodes take us into flashbacks of the bears as lost babies looking for a home, and it was a mistake to turn that into its own show, but it is in perfect quantity here. The recurring characters never overstay their welcome, changing the 3-person dynamic into even numbers where no character ventures off alone, or the inevitable 3 against the world, where the bears unite to overcome something else.

Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family, Kids

Actor: Bobby Moynihan, Demetri Martin, Eric Edelstein

Rating: TV-Y7

Two things stand out most. First, the animation style, which looks like a cute combination of various multi-textured elements like online avatar profiles, claymation, and origami and construction paper cutouts. Second is the voiceovers, which sound very candid and raw as if the creators had prioritized bullet points, and had visual elements and script polishing come in later. The pseudo-documentary approach and “rough” production feel exciting and fresh, and truly tie all the individual parts together. This could've just as well been a silly live action concept, but its serene nature and aesthetic stand out perfectly as an animated series.

Genre: Animation, Kids

Actor: August Nuñez, Blue Chapman, Honor Calderon, Kirikou S'hai Muldrow, Michael Ren

Rating: TV-Y7

Alexa and Katie greets us with vintage Nickelodeon sitcom acting, which is far from the most inspiring. But the same can’t be said about this show’s premise and execution, which is incredibly heartfelt and commendable. Characters are supportive and mature where it counts, though it’s structured to feel like any other kids’ sitcom—which is to say that the intrinsic heaviness is handled well, and in line with Alexa’s desire that people not treat her any differently. The show is vulnerable and sweet, packaged in a familiar and comforting way for younger audiences learning to be brave with Alexa.

Genre: Comedy

Actor: Eddie Shin, Emery Kelly, Finn Carr, Isabel May, Jolie Jenkins, Paris Berelc, Tiffani Thiessen

Rating: TV-Y7

The animation of this series feels grand and powerful, something you don’t typically expect or get from kids shows. There are layers to the way the dialogue and plot unfolds, with scenes paced like a movie, and with quality production to boot. It's also got an impressive atmospheric range, capable of being laid back and smooth with its exposition, suspenseful and nuanced with its story beats, and ultimately friendly enough for bigger kids to enjoy. It’s young adult drama, action, mystery, and comedy, possessing one strong element after another, that genuinely keeps thrill-seeking adults and kids on the edge of their seats.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Family, Kids, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Actor: Darren Barnet, Kausar Mohammed, Kiersten Kelly, Paul-Mikél Williams, Raini Rodriguez, Sean Giambrone

Rating: TV-Y7

Vibrantly and energetically led by a lively quartet, Supa Team 4, though not wholly original, is still a refreshing children's animated show. There is a slightly new take on the dynamics: a leader with a sense of justice, an intelligent yet shy caregiver, a level-headed athlete, and a hot-headed food lover. It keeps the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle quartet formula interesting. 

With episodic villains (leading to the big bad in the shadows), the show reveals the double lives of our teenage protagonists while exploring the neo-futuristic rendition of Zambia's capital and a surprising focus on socio-political and environmental issues. It's a series that takes intelligent, talented Black girls and empowers them to be themselves, even as they save and protect.

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Kids

Actor: Abubakar Salim, John Macmillan, Kimani Arthur, Namisa Mdlalose, Nancy Sekhokoane, Pamela Nomvete, Zora Ngwaba

Rating: TV-Y7

It jumps out at you, all the vibrant illustration styles that the show evokes: The Amazing World of Gumball, Gravity Falls, and others, in a vaguely vaporwave aesthetic. Its use of horror tropes and spirits is made friendly for kids—a cute pug being central to the plot and all—but there is enough here to say that it’s generally for older kids, 7 and up. Its portrayal and representation of LGBTQ+ struggles is done gently, and one of the best aspects of the larger narrative. An expectation of a haunted house fantasy adventure series for kids won’t betray curious audiences, but there’s more fun to be had than the title implies.

Genre: Animation, Kids

Actor: Alex Brightman, Emily Osment, Kathreen Khavari, Kody Kavitha, Miss Coco Peru, Zach Barack

Rating: TV-Y7

With the ingredients of a standard sci-fi animated series, Mech Cadets almost shines with its thoughtful approach to grief, parental expectations, and self-discovery for its child-to-teen audience. From Stanford losing his father and his dream of being a pilot to Frank becoming a Robo pilot despite his prosthetic leg, the series tries to build something substantial beneath the generic giant mechas and alien antagonists. But with so many mecha/robot franchises coming to mind, the show has no distinctive qualities to stand apart. It's an overall straightforward animation that carries expected lessons on responsibility and teamwork, which kids will surely enjoy, that is, until the next Transformers-esque show is released. 

Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Family

Actor: Anairis Quinones, Aparna Brielle, Brandon Soo Hoo, Josh Sundquist, Victoria Grace

Rating: TV-Y7