The “Big Dark” has descended upon us here in the Northwest. The next time the sun will set after 6 p.m. will be in March 2023. What should we do with all of these dark evenings? I vote for cuddling up on the couch under a blanket with my kids, popping some popcorn, and watching a great show or movie.
Here are some of the shows coming to Netflix and Disney+ this month to help us make it back to the light:
Netflix
Nov. 1: “Gabby’s Dollhouse” (Season 6) – With a pinch on the left and a pinch on the right, Gabby transforms from a human girl into a small cartoon and welcomes you to her dollhouse. With her collection of cartoon kitty friends (including a mermaid cat, a robot cat and a cat that seems to be a cupcake) Gabby takes viewers on magical adventures.
Nov. 1: “Molang” (multiple seasons) – Follow the adventures of Molang (a joyful rabbit) and Piu Piu (a shy chick) in this cartoon aimed at Netflix’s littlest fans.
Nov. 1: “The Bad Guys” (2022) – Released in theaters earlier this year, “The Bad Guys” is a DreamWorks animated movie about a rough-and-tumble crew of animal bad guys. After finally being caught, they pretend to “go good” to stay out of jail. Can these bad guys really change their ways? You’ll have to watch to find out.
Nov. 3: “The Dragon Prince: The Mystery of Aaravos” (Season 4) – This fantasy adventure series is back after a two-year hiatus (I know my kids are excited!). In this animated series filled with magic, dragons and, of course, an epic quest, humans and elves work together to bring peace to their warring lands.
Nov. 4: “Enola Holmes 2” (2022) – Millie Bobby Brown is back as Enola Holmes, Sherlock Holmes’ younger sister, in this fun, fast-paced mystery. Enola is smart, brave and witty, and the entire film is filled with strong female characters. If you missed the first movie, check it out, too! This PG-13-rated movie does have some tense scenes and situations.
Nov. 6: “The Claus Family 2”– Here come the holiday movies! After finding out his grandfather is Santa Clause, Jules must get ready for the busiest time of the year once again. This movie is in Dutch, so kids will need to be old enough to read subtitles. You can switch the language setting so it’s dubbed in English, if the mismatched mouths and audio don’t drive you too crazy.
Nov. 8: “Minions & More” (Volume 2) – Your favorite little gibberish-talking yellow friends are back. This is the second collection of Minions shorts to hit Netflix in the past few months, and if it’s anything like the first, it’s likely to be a hit. This collection includes titles “Phil’s Dance Party” and “Blinky Nelson Unpacified.” I mean, how can you not love these little guys?
Nov. 9: “The Soccer Football Movie” (2022) – Four young soccer fans team up to help their idols after an evil scientist steals their talents in this new animated movie. There is not a lot of information available about this movie, but it looks like it stars one of Seattle’s beloved soccer superstars. And, for some reason, Weird Al Yankovic.
Nov. 11: “My Father’s Dragon” (2022) – This beautifully animated movie (from the creators of the Academy Award–nominated “The Secrets of Kells”) follows the adventures of a young boy named Elmer. Struggling with a move to the city, Elmer runs away to Wild Island where he finds a young dragon that is waiting to be rescued and makes the friendship of a lifetime. This film is inspired by the Newbery-honored children’s book of the same title by Ruth Stiles Gannett.
Nov. 14: “Teletubbies” (Season 1) – Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-laa and Po are back in an updated version of the classic series. But don’t worry, the strange baby-talking creatures still love to eat tubbie custard, roll around in the grass while giggling and watch videos on their tummies. And of course, the psychedelic baby-faced sun shines down on them all.
Nov. 15: “Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure” (2022) – This interactive special cartoon comes on the heels of this popular animated series' fifth and final season. In this special, there is a shortage of food following a big storm, and the viewers have to help the camp crew survive. These interactive specials act like a choose your own adventure, allowing the viewers to make decisions on behalf of the characters (it’s really fun). Watch it more than once to find out what will happen if you make different decisions!
Nov. 18: “Slumberland” (2022) – A little girl struggling with the loss of her father and a move to a new city travels to a magical world of dreams in her sleep, Slumberland. There, she meets Flip, an eccentric outlaw (played by Jason Momoa, with a magical, kid-friendly Kahal Drogo-ish look) who is on a mission to help her. Can she accept her new reality and stop hiding in her dreams? This move is rated PG.
Nov. 21: “My Little Pony: Winter Wishday” (Season 1) – The latest in the line of “My Little Pony” animated series, this 44-minute special follows the ongoing adventures of your pony friends in the magical world of Equestria.
Nov. 21: “StoryBots: Answer Time” (Season 1) – The Storybots are back to answer questions and deliver laughs. Wonder how lasers work or why people get dizzy? The Storybots have the answers! This animated series is designed to teach kid and adults alike, and features guest stars including Danny DeVito, Chrissy Tiegen, Anne Hathaway and more.
Nov. 23: “The Swimmers” (2022) – Looking for something inspirational? Follow the harrowing story of sisters Yusra and Sarah Mardini as they flee from war-torn Syria, making it eventually all of the way to the 2016 Olympics. This movie is rated PG-13 and looks like it has some intense scenes, including the characters being adrift on a raft in the ocean and some bombings. This powerful story of hope and resilience is probably best for tweens and older.
Nov. 23: “Wednesday” (2022) – With Tim Burton directing this new prequel series of “The Addams Family” (snap, snap!), you know some creepy fun is in store. Follow the adventures of Wednesday Addams as she finds herself at Nevermore Academy, a truly unique boarding school. This show is rated TV-14, so probably best for tweens and older.
Nov. 28: “The Action Pack Saves Christmas” (2022) – Follow the adventures of four superhero kids who use their powers to bring out the good in everything. Now, they must work together to save Christmas!
Disney+
Nov. 2: “Dino Ranch” (Season 2) – Dino ranchers Jon, Min and Miguel work together to learn the ins and outs of ranching, while also helping out their dinosaur friends. This Disney Junior show is aimed at the littlest fans.
Nov. 3: “The Making of She Hulk: Attorney at Law” – Take a peek behind the curtain and learn the details behind the making of Marvel’s popular series in this one-hour special.
Nov. 4: “Marvel Studios Legends: 'King T’Challa,’ ‘Princess Shuri’ and ‘The Dora Milaje’” – On Nov. 11, the much-anticipated "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" movie opens, and Disney wants to make sure you are ready! While you wait for opening night, check out these three separate Black Panther specials to relive the legend and tragic struggle of King T’Challa; the genius and humor of his sister Princess Shuri; and the unstoppable awesomeness of the all-female fighting force known as The Dora Milaje. Wakanda forever!
Nov. 9: “Save Our Squad With David Beckham” – Soccer superstar David Beckham returns to his roots in East London to help a struggling youth soccer team, in the very league he played in as a child. Follow the ups and downs of the kids on the team, and see if he can teach them to bend it like Beckham.
Nov. 9: “Zootopia+” (6 shorts) – Dive deeper into the lives of some of your favorite Zootopia characters, including the talented tiger dancers and Flash, the sloth full of surprises, in these new shorts.
Nov. 9: “The Tatami Time Machine Blues” – If fixing a broken air conditioner during a heat wave isn’t inspiration enough for time travel, then I don’t know what is! Follow the adventure of three friends who encounter a time traveler and decide to borrow his time machine to save their air conditioner and end up racing through time to avoid disaster.
Nov. 9: “World’s Deadliest” (Season 3) – This National Geographic series focuses on the skills and techniques of some of nature’s predators.
Nov. 9: “The Lion Ranger” (Season 1) – Famed “lion whisperer” Kevin Richardson gives viewers a different perspective on the king of the jungle.
Nov. 11: “Mary Poppins Returns” (Sing-Along Version) – Sorry, but if it’s not Julie Andrews, it’s not Mary Poppins. With that said, this version of the remake has the words to the songs on the screen so that you can sing along to your heart’s content. The songs are different from the original classic, but they were nominated for an Oscar, so maybe a sing-a-long is in order after all!
Nov. 16: “Minnie’s Bow-Toons: Party Palace Pals” (Season 2; 11 episodes) – Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck are running a party-planning business called the Polka Dot Party Place. Follow the adventures of these two young entrepreneurs as they make their way in the world, giant head bows and all.
Nov. 18: “Best in Snow” – This holiday special brings teams from around the world to a magical snowy village where they are given 10-foot, 20-ton blocks of snow to transform. Contestants carve beautiful creations inspired by Pixar, Marvel, Walt Disney Animation, Walt Disney Studios and The Muppets Studios. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and watch this with the whole family. Maybe you can get some inspiration for your own creation this winter!
Nov. 18: “Disenchanted” – This sequel to “Enchanted” takes place 15 years after Giselle and Robert were married. Growing disillusioned with city life, they move to the suburb of Monroeville in search of their happily ever after. But their new home brings new challenges, and Giselle accidentally transforms the town into a real-life fairy tale, risking everything. This PG-rated movie is filled with magic and adventure, sure to be a hit with the whole family!
On Nov. 18, 1928, the very first Mickey Mouse cartoon debuted (“Steamboat Willie”). Disney+ is marking this occasion with several Mickey Mouse–focused shows and specials:
- “Mickey: The Story of a Mouse” – A documentary about the history and beginnings of the mouse who started all of the magic.
- “The Wonderful Autumn of Mickey Mouse” – This cheeky animated special follows the adventures of Mickey Mouse and his faithful friends. Mickey finds out he has inherited a rundown pumpkin farm from a distant relative that grows gourds with a mind of their own!
- “Me & Mickey” (Season 1; 20 episodes) – Disney Junior presents this animated show for the preschool crowd. Play silly games and challenges with your good old friend Mickey.
- “Mickey and the Roadster Racers: Diggity Dog” (Season 1) – Mickey and friends are pet groomers in this series, and accidently shave the perennial champion show dog hairless!
- “Mickey Mousekersize” (Season 1) – And finally, get your little ones up and moving with these action- and exercise-focused shorts. We can only hope it’s as good as the original!
Nov. 23: “Daddies on Request” – To find her mother (whom she has not seen since she was 9), a 13-year-old girl and her three adoptive parents set out on a journey from Mexico City to Zacatecas. Will they find her, or will the mysterious men following them ruin their reunion?
Nov. 23: “Puppy Dog Pals” (Season 5; 2 episodes) – Join puppy brothers Bingo and Rolly as they help out their owner, Bob, and have their own adventures when he’s not around. This Disney Junior show is aimed at preschool-age puppy lovers.
Nov. 23: “The Villains of Valley View” (Season 1; 4 episodes) – A family of supervillains is hiding out in a quiet suburb after making the League of Villains angry (never a good idea). This live-action show is filled with laughs as this family must work together to keep their powers a secret.
Nov. 25: “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” – Don’t miss this incredible hip-hop take on the classic ballet. Set in New York City on the night of the annual New Year's Eve block party, Maria-Clara embarks on an adventure to bring her fighting parents back together.
Nov. 25: “Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special” – The Guardians head to Earth to find the perfect Christmas gift for Peter (aka Star-Lord), who needs some cheering up. Join the whole crew for laughs and adventure in this epic star-studded special.
Nov. 28: “Mickey Saves Christmas” – If you thought we already listed enough Mickey Mouse shows for the month, think again! In this stop-motion holiday special, Mickey and his friends must travel to the North Pole to help Santa save Christmas. (Is it just me, or does Christmas seem to need a lot of saving?)
Nov. 30: “Willow” (Episode 1) – The unlikely hero is back! This new, eight-episode series (by Lucasfilm) is sure to be a beautiful, imaginative achievement. An unlikely group of heroes sets off on a dangerous adventure during which they must face their own darkness and come together to save the world. If you missed the 1988 original, you can watch it on Disney+ while you wait for this new series to begin.
Nov. 30: “Firebuds”(Season 1; 3 episodes) – This Disney Junior show feature Bo and his best friend, a fire engine named Flash. They work with other first responders to help their community.
Nov. 30: “Spidey and His Amazing Friends (Season 2; 4 episodes) – Spider-Man and his amazing friends must work together in this animated series to fight their enemies and save the world!
Ongoing series in November include:
- “Star Wars: Andor”: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23
- “Mighty Ducks”: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- “Dancing With the Stars”: Nov. 7, 14, 21 (finale)
- “The Mysterious Benedict Society”: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
- “The Santa Clauses”: Nov. 16, 23, 30