Once Upon a Stream

Some stories live in pages. Others jump out of screens and take over the room. In honor of World Book Day, here are titles with the kind of storytelling that brings everyone together — whether it’s a cozy family watch or a solo deep dive into a twisty plotline. From feel-good musicals to dark mysteries, animated adventures to literary adaptations, this list has a little something for every mood, age, and attention span. Think of this as a bookshelf… but with popcorn.

For the Kids (and grown-ups who “accidentally” watch the whole thing):

Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical (7+)

Meet Matilda — part bookworm, part rebel, all brilliance. With a brain like a supercomputer and a moral compass that never glitches, she’s rewriting the rules (and maybe tossing a few adults along the way).

The Magician's Elephant (7+)

A boy. A prophecy. A rather large elephant falling from the sky. No big deal. Unless you’re the one stuck with three impossible tasks and a lot of questions.

Secret Magic Control Agency (7+)

Hansel and Gretel got tired of breadcrumbs and upgraded to badges. They’re agents now — think less sugar, more espionage — and they’ve got a missing king to track down.

Family Switch (7+)

You know that thing where your mom suddenly knows all your TikTok dances and you’re inexplicably craving kale? Body-swap chaos hits a family just in time for Christmas.

Thelma The Unicorn (7+)

One pony, one glitter accident, and suddenly she’s a global sensation. Thelma just wanted to sing — but now she’s learning that fame comes with flashbulbs and feelings.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (10+)

A wooden boy, a talking cricket, and a journey that’s anything but ordinary. This beautifully crafted stop-motion tale reimagines the classic story with heart, humor, and a few life lessons carved in.

Too Old for Fairy Tales (10+)

A Gamer's goals get paused when life hits the respawn button. Between a sick mom, a wildcard aunt, and some much-needed reality checks, one kid learns it’s okay to rewrite the rules of your story.

The Imaginary (10+)

Imaginary friends don’t last forever… or do they? Rudger is on the run from a shadowy threat, and he’ll need more than make-believe to survive. Grab tissues.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (13+)

He’s not quite man, not quite wolf — but all heart. Mowgli faces the jungle’s harshest truths and wildest dangers, all while figuring out where he really belongs.

For the Parents (and anyone who’s earned their screen time ):

All the Light We Cannot See (16+)

A blind girl, a boy with a radio, and a war that tries to silence everything. Based on the award-winning novel, this is a story about unlikely connections in impossible times.

One Hundred Years of Solitude (18+)

Seven generations, one mythical town, and a lot of drama. The Buendía family’s saga is full of love, ghosts, and the kind of twists that even telenovelas can’t keep up with.

The Queen’s Gambit (18+)

An orphanage girl becomes a chess prodigy. Also develops a complicated relationship with tranquilizers and victory. Smart, stylish, and surprisingly emotional.

The Perfect Couple (18+)

A dreamy Nantucket wedding, a dead guest, and suddenly, “I do” turns into “Whodunnit?” As secrets unravel, it becomes clear: behind every perfect couple is a perfectly good alibi.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (18+)

The case was closed, but five years later, one high schooler decided it wasn’t. Cue spiraling rabbit holes, questionable clues, and small-town truths that won’t stay hidden.