Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore, Young Rock, Paw Patrol, His Dark Materials, Superworm & more
PAW PATROL S1-8 | All ages
Get ready for a whole new season of action-packed adventures with the paw-somest pups in Adventure Bay.
Join Ryder and the heroic pups – Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky, Zuma, Everest and Tracker – as they jump in to save the day on this Emmy- and Annie Award-nominated hit show from Nickelodeon that’s already won over 35 awards.
This season’s missions include saving kittens in a runaway clown car, a missing mayoral moustache, a flying farmhouse, a Glow-in-the-Dark Party, baby dragons and… an Xtreme Shark!
Showmax is also home to Paw Patrol: The Movie and the specials Mighty Pups and Ready, Race, Rescue!
BLAZE & THE MONSTER MACHINES S1-6 | All ages
Nickelodeon’s Blaze and the Monster Machines has been nominated for four Emmy Awards, and has a 5/5-star rating on Common Sense Media.
Join monster truck Blaze and his human friend AJ for another season of exciting challenges and adventures in Axle City. Along with their friends – fearless Darington and his sidekick, Stunt Kitty, cowgirl truck Starla, racer Stripes, dino-truck Zeg, and their trusty mechanic, Gabby – they’ll engage preschoolers in fun challenges that help build skills from number sense and colour recognition to the basics of measurement, motion, friction, and simple machines.
Season 6 is packed with thrilling races like the Dino Derby and the Gold Medal Games, brain-bending challenges like a construction contest and a big cargo problem, and missions that range from a daring snow rescue to saving a puppy to helping a unicorn stuck in an unpoppable bubble.
SUPERWORM | All ages
Superworm is super-long and super-strong, and always saves the day. But who can save him when he gets too full of himself and is captured by the evil Wizard Lizard?
Directed by South Africans Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, Superworm won Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie at the 2023 Kidscreen Awards, where it was competing against Luck and Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas. It was also nominated for Best Special Production at the Annie Awards.
An animated adaptation of the bestselling picture-book of the same name by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Superworm was hailed as “an instant classic” by The Sun; “one of Christmas TV’s greatest delights” by The Daily Telegraph; and “the BBC’s standout offering” by The Guardian.
Superworm’s voice cast includes Oscar winner Olivia Colman (The Crown) as the narrator, Emmy nominee Matt Smith (House of the Dragon) as Superworm, and Ghanaian-British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Paddington 2, Mary Poppins Returns) as the Wizard Lizard.
THE SMEDS AND THE SMOOS | All ages
South Africans Daniel Snaddon and Samantha Cutler direct The Smeds and the Smoos, adapted by South African Julia Smuts Louw from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling picture-book of the same name. Snaddon was previously a director on the 2021 Annie Award winner The Snail and the Whale, 2020 International Emmy-winning Zog, and the BAFTA-nominated and Annecy-winning Stick Man – all of which you can also watch on Showmax.
The Smeds and The Smoos tells the story of two warring families whose children, Bill and Janet, fall in love and run away together. Hotly pursued by their grandparents, Grandfather Smed (comedian Bill Bailey) and Grandmother Smoo (Adjoa Andoh from Bridgerton), the two young aliens lead their families on a chase across space, giving them the opportunity to find out they have more in common than they think.
Rounding out the cast are Ashna Rabheru (Sex Education) as Janet, Daniel Ezra (All American) as Bill, Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) as Uncle Smoo, Meera Syal (Roar) as Aunt Smed and Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water) as the narrator.
THE BRILLIANT WORLD OF TOM GATES S1-2 | PG
Ten-year-old Tom Gates has loads of brilliant skills – looking busy in class when really he’s doodling a picture of his teacher; writing songs for his band (Dog Zombies); annoying his grumpy sister Delia; thinking of excellent excuses (so many!) if he forgets his homework; and doodling pictures of his friends and monsters (sometimes both).
Named Best Mixed-Media Series at the 2023 Kidscreen Awards, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates comes to (animated) life in a brilliant show, with brilliant drawing tutorials, catchy songs to sing, epic things to make and do, and, of course, hilarious stories with Tom’s friends and family.
The show is based on the multi-award-winning book series by Liz Pinchon (which has sold over 11 million copies worldwide and been translated into 44 languages!), who pops up in each episode with crazy-clever craft projects and doodles you can doodle too. Also listen out for likes of multiple-BAFTA nominee Catherine Tate (Doctor Who, The Catherine Tate Show) among the voice cast.
KAMP KORAL: SPONGEBOB’S UNDER YEARS S1 | Ages 6+
Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years takes us back in time to meet 10-year-old SpongeBob and his pals as they spend their summer building underwater campfires, catching wild jellyfish, and swimming in Lake Yuckymuck at the craziest camp in the kelp forest!
Common Sense Media says this prequel to the multi-award winning hit series has “humour, antics, and tone… very reminiscent of the original, which makes Kamp Koral similarly appropriate for an elementary-aged group.”
“Like the original SpongeBob, there’s a lot to love,” they say. “The CG animation updates the series from the 1999 O.G. and… there are some real laugh-out-loud moments for both kid and adult viewers.” Plus, they add, “The plots are absolutely absurd, and truly wonderful in their weirdness.”
PETER RABBIT 2: THE RUNAWAY | Ages 7+
Based on Beatrix Potter’s beloved stories, Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway picks up the story of Peter Rabbit (once again voiced by multiple-Emmy winner James Corden) and his human animal friends Bea and Thomas (Emmy nominee Rose Byrne and Critics Choice nominee Domhnall Gleeson).
Bored of life in the garden, Peter heads for the big city, where he meets shady characters and ends up creating chaos for the whole family.
Recommended for ages 7+, the sequel is better – and more fun – than its predecessor (2018’s Peter Rabbit), critics say, with The Australian calling it, “a school holiday treat that also delivers a kick or two for older viewers.”
Emmy nominee David Oyelowo (the voice of Scar in The Lion Guard) co-stars, with Oscar nominee Margot Robbie (aka Harley Quinn, and Barbie in next year’s live-action Barbie movie) as the voice of Flopsy and Critics Choice Award nominee Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown’s Princess Diana) voicing Mopsy.
THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 | Ages 7+
Everyone’s favourite spooky family is back in The Addams Family 2, which finds Morticia (South African Oscar winner Charlize Theron) and Gomez (Emmy nominee Oscar Isaac) distraught that their children are growing up, skipping family dinners, and are totally consumed with “scream time.”
To reclaim their bond, they decide to cram Wednesday (Critics Choice nominee Chloë Grace Moretz), Pugsley (Javon Walton from Euphoria), Uncle Fester (Emmy nominee Nick Kroll) and the crew into their haunted camper for one last marvellously miserable family road trip. Their adventure across America to see Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and of course, Death Valley, takes them out of their element and into hilarious run-ins with their iconic cousin, It (Emmy winner Snoop Dogg), as well as many new kooky characters. What could possibly go wrong?
As Morticia, Theron was nominated for a Kids’ Choice Award for Favourite Voice From An Animated Movie.
RUMBLE | Ages 7+
From WWE Studios and Paramount Animation, the animated comedy Rumble is set in a world where monster wrestling is a global sport and monsters are superstar athletes. Looking to follow in her father’s footsteps, human teenager Winnie sets out to turn a loveable monster underdog into a champion.
The voice cast includes the likes of Emmy nominees Will Arnett (the voice of Batman in the LEGO movies), Terry Crews (the voice of Earl Devereaux in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, and Terry in Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and Tony Danza (Who’s the Boss?); Emmy winners Tony Shalhoub (Monk, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Ben Schwartz (who voices Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog, Parks and Recreation), as well as WWE stars Joe Anoa’i (aka Roman Reigns) and Becky Lynch.
Rumble has a 4/5-star rating on Common Sense Media, where they say this “charming WWE-produced wrestling comedy is a champ.”
FIREHEART | Ages 7+
The animated family film Fireheart is set in 1930s New York, where girls can’t be firefighters. But 16-year-old Georgia Nolan (Teen Choice nominee Olivia Cooke from Ready Player One) dreams of changing that.
When Broadway is hit by a series of mysterious arson attacks and firemen start disappearing, Georgia’s former-firefighter dad, Shawn (Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh, who played Gilderoy Lockhart in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), is brought out of retirement to lead the investigation. Desperate to help her father and save her city, Georgia disguises herself as a young man called “Joe” and joins a group of misfit firefighters determined to save the day.
Also listen out for the voices of Emmy winner William Shatner (Star Trek’s Captain James T Kirk) and Screen Actors Guild Award nominee Laurie Holden (The Americans).
In its 4/5-star review, Common Sense Media recommends Fireheart for kids aged 7+, saying, “A celebration of courage, teamwork, family, and empathy, this splendid animated adventure is a roaring success.”
RONJA, THE ROBBER’S DAUGHTER | Ages 7+
Narrated by two-time Emmy winner Gillian Anderson (Sex Education, The Crown, The X-Files), Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter is an epic, Emmy-winning animated series from Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro), based on the bestselling book by Astrid Lindgren (Pippi Longstocking).
Ronja is a 10-year-old girl born into a band of robbers. Over the course of 26 episodes, she befriends the son of her father’s rival and explores the beautiful but frightening forest, which is full of strange creatures.
Collider calls the show “a masterful, magical exploration of life itself”, praising the central relationship as “amazing to watch, especially for an animated kids’ show. It ranges from childlike curiosity, to immature rivalry, to outright hostility and distrust, to mutual friendship, to young love; every step along the way is masterfully handled and every bit as complicated as real-life relationships.”
THE ASTRONAUTS | Ages 8+
When a group of kids are accidentally launched into space, they embark on an adventure of a lifetime to get back home.
The Nickelodeon series was nominated as Outstanding Children’s or Family Viewing Series at the 2022 Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, among other accolades, including Daytime Emmy and Directors Gulid of America nominations.
In their four-star review, Common Sense Media says, “The Astronauts stands out for its dynamic characters, smart storylines, and movie-like production quality. The kid actors are wonderful and their characters are multi-dimensional. Kids will love seeing aspirational characters being pushed to their limits and succeeding. They also will love living vicariously as the kids get to do cool space things like float around and use sci-fi gadgets. Adults may find themselves getting sucked into the compelling story too, making The Astronauts great for whole-family viewing.”
THE LOUD HOUSE | Ages 8+
The latest season of The Loud House brings even more fun with 11-year-old Lincoln Loud and his right-hand man Clyde, as they try to survive Lincoln’s 10 sisters and the craziness of life in the Loud house.
The winner of two Emmy Awards and a Young Artist Award, the show has also been nominated for six further Emmys, an Annie Award, three Kids’ Choice Awards, and four GLAAD Media Awards.
In their four-star review, Common Sense Media says, “Kids will come to The Loud House for the laughs, but they’ll return for the excellent ensemble cast and the surprisingly heartwarming themes.”
TEEN TITANS GO! & DC SUPER HERO GIRLS: MAYHEM IN THE MULTIVERSE | Ages 9+
Nominated for a 2023 Annie Award, Teen Titans Go! & DC Super Hero Girls: Mayhem in the Multiverse sees Lex Luthor unite the world’s super-villains to capture all of Earth’s super heroes, until only the DC Super Hero Girls are left to stop the Legion of Doom.
Our heroes must cross dimensions to rescue their fellow super heroes from the Phantom Zone, but a fortuitous wrong turn leads them to Titans Tower – where they find much-needed allies in the Teen Titans! The young super heroes discover their combined strength – and sense of humour– are essential to save the day.
Common Sense Media says, “This meta crossover movie is silly fun with lots of adventure.”
YOUNG ROCK S2 | Ages 10+
Young Rock, the popular sitcom based on the life of Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock, aka Black Adam), is back for a second season, with the 2032 timeline (in which Dwayne is running for President) far more prominent this go-around, which means we’ll be seeing more of Dwayne himself.
Season 2 was nominated for a 2023 Kids’ Choice Award for Favourite Family TV Show and was also up for three People’s Choice Awards: The Comedy Show of 2022, Comedy TV Star of 2022 and Favourite Male TV Star (both for Johnson himself).
Uli Latukefu (The Champion in Black Adam) steps into the spotlight early in the season to bring Dwayne’s doomed football career to a close, and look out for Oscar nominee Sean Astin (Stranger Things, The Lord of the Rings) and Oscar winner Forest Whitaker (Star Wars’ Saw Gerrera, Bumpy Johnson in Godfather of Harlem) among the cast this season.
FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE SECRETS OF DUMBLEDORE | Age 12+
Co-written by JK Rowling and directed by David Yates (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore was the 12th biggest box office hit of 2022.
The third instalment in the Harry Potter prequel series, the film is set several years after the events of The Crimes of Grindelwald and follows Newt Scamander and his partners, who are tasked by Professor Albus Dumbledore with a mission that takes them into the heart of dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald’s army.
The film stars Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne (The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Theory of Everything) as Newt Scamander and Oscar nominee Jude Law (Captain Marvel, Sherlock Holmes) as Professor Albus Dumbledore, with the role of Grindelwald now played by BAFTA nominee Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal).
The New York Times calls The Secrets of Dumbledore “the most absorbing and well-paced film in the trilogy to date.” It’s been nominated for two 2023 Visual Effects Society Awards, among other honours.
On Showmax, you can also binge all eight Harry Potter films as well as Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them.
HIS DARK MATERIALS S1-3 | Ages 13+
The third and final season of the HBO and BBC One fantasy epic, His Dark Materials, is based on The Amber Spyglass, the final novel in Philip Pullman’s Carnegie-winning book trilogy, which was listed among Time Magazine’s 100 Best Young-Adult Books of All Time.
Season 3 follows Lyra (MTV Movie Award winner Dafne Keen from Logan) and Will (Emmy nominee Amir Wilson from The Secret Garden) as they journey to a dark place from which no one has ever returned. As her father’s great war against the Authority edges closer, they will learn that saving the worlds comes at a terrible price.
Oscar nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, tick, tick… BOOM!) returns as Lee Scoresby, with BAFTA winner Ruth Wilson (Saving Mr. Banks, Luther) as Mrs Coulter, and BAFTA nominee James McAvoy (X-Men’s Charles Xavier) as Lord Asriel. British-Nigerian Black Reel nominee Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Thor: The Dark World, Lost) joins the cast this season, along with the likes of Emmy nominee Sian Clifford (Fleabag) and Ghanaian-British actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Superworm and Mary Poppins Returns).
Season 3 ended with a series high rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, with Radio Times hailing it as “a stunning end… a thrilling, immersive treat… crammed with fist-pumping and eye-moistening moments.”
EVERYTHING ON SHOWMAX IN MARCH 2023
To see everything on Showmax in March 2023, including the hit Showmax Originals Adulting and Stella Murders, and the Emmy-winning HBO drama Succession, click here.
Suggested ages are from Common Sense Media.
