Lull · Guide

The calmest kids' shows on Max

The 15 least over-stimulating Max titles we've rated, calmest first.

Of the kids' shows we've calm-rated on Max, these are the least over-stimulating, sorted calmest first, with The Red Turtle at the top. Each rating comes from how fast a show cuts, how loud and busy its sound is, how bright the picture runs, and how much tension the story carries. How the rating works.

  1. 1
    The Red Turtle Gentle · ages 5+ · Max

    A man shipwrecked on a deserted island encounters a giant red turtle, in a wordless story about survival, love and the cycle of life.

  2. 2
    My Neighbor Totoro Gentle · ages 3–6 · Max

    Two young sisters move to the countryside and befriend Totoro, a giant gentle forest spirit, while their mother recovers in hospital.

  3. 3
    Kiki's Delivery Service Gentle · ages 3–6 · Max

    A young witch moves to a seaside town and starts a flying delivery service, learning independence as she finds her place.

  4. 4
    Arrietty Gentle · ages 3–6 · Max

    A tiny borrower girl befriends a human boy in a story of small worlds, a calm Ghibli film for younger kids.

  5. 5
    Sesame Street's The Not-Too-Late Show Gentle · ages 3–6 · Max

    Elmo hosts a bedtime talk show with Muppet guests, for preschoolers.

  6. 6
    Whisper of the Heart Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A bookish girl chases her dream of writing and first love, a tender coming-of-age film for tweens and up.

  7. 7
    Craig of the Creek Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A warm series about kids ruling an outdoor creek kingdom, for grade-schoolers who like adventure and friendship.

  8. 8
    Clarence Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A slice-of-life comedy about an upbeat, imaginative boy and his friends, for grade-schoolers who like gentle humor.

  9. 9
    Ponyo Moderate · ages 3–6 · Max

    A goldfish princess befriends a boy and longs to become human, a tender Miyazaki film for younger kids.

  10. 10
    Spirited Away Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A girl wanders into a spirit world and must work in a bathhouse for the gods to free her parents and find her way home.

  11. 11
    Steven Universe Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A heartfelt animated series about a boy raised by magical Crystal Gems, for older kids drawn to emotion and identity.

  12. 12
    Howl's Moving Castle Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A young woman cursed into old age takes refuge in a wizard's walking castle, a Miyazaki film for grade-schoolers.

  13. 13
    The Cat Returns Moderate · ages 3–6 · Max

    A girl is whisked into a kingdom of cats after a good deed, a playful Ghibli film for younger kids.

  14. 14
    We Bare Bears Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A cozy comedy about three bear brothers navigating modern life, for kids and up who like laid-back friendship stories.

  15. 15
    Regular Show Moderate · ages 5+ · Max

    A comedy about two slacker groundskeepers whose chores go cosmically wrong, for older kids and up.

Want the calmest pick for your kid, on your services? Lull rates 140+ kids' shows, movies, and YouTube channels. Filter by age, sort calmest-first, and see what's calm on the streaming you already have.

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More calm-show guides

YouTube · Netflix · Disney+ · PBS · Amazon · BBC · Paramount+ · Ages 0–2 · Ages 2–4 · Ages 3–6 · Ages 5+ · Calmest overall · Bedtime · Cocomelon alternatives