We are not one of those ‘screen-free’ families who play board games all the time. Sometimes, I wish we were, but I’m a lazy parent. And I loved watching TV when I was growing up. So, when it comes to my own kids, I see screen time as more than just mindless entertainment. Done right, it's a fantastic way to expose them not only to ‘proper’ English but also to their cultural roots in an easy-to-understand way.
Getting my two girls to watch shows in English can be a struggle. They enjoy watching those wacky Japanese shows with comedians doing dumb things. I turn a blind eye as all the kids from their school are also watching and talking about it the next day. I watched similar stuff when I was a kid in the UK. When it’s on, though, I morph into my dad and constantly sigh, "What on earth is this rubbish you're watching?"
So, when I look for English shows, they’ve got to entertain and capture my kids’ attention. That’s why I wanted to share some of the British or British-inspired shows on Netflix that my kids enjoy and I’m totally OK with them binge-watching.
The Worst Witch (7 years+)
Imagine Hogwarts but with younger witches. It’s a little quirkier and a lot less dark. Plus, knowing it's a co-production between Netflix and the BBC gives me that reassuring British stamp of approval. The story revolves around Mildred Hubble, a scholarship student who has a big heart but always finds herself getting in trouble. I was sent away to boarding school at eight years old, so the show’s setting allows me to share a bit of my own background with my girls. Sending them away to boarding school (if I could afford to!) also handily serves as a threat when they misbehave. But this is a fantastic show for younger kids especially – the characters speak in British accents, the English is simple and clear, and the magical setting will definitely keep younger viewers entertained.
Enola Holmes (13 years+)
This is a great movie that the whole family can watch together. Enola is Sherlock Holmes’ smart and rebellious little sister. Intelligent, brave and trained in martial arts, she’s a sassy role model for my two girls. Starring Millie Bobby Brown (from Stranger Things) and the iconic Helena Bonham Carter, it's a blend of action and comedy that my girls absolutely adore. Enola constantly breaks the fourth wall and chats directly with the audience, which adds an extra layer of fun. Set in Victorian London, the characters speak with crystal clear British accents. It's more suited for older kids, and the actors do speak quite fast at times. But then I just whack on the Japanese subtitles now and my girls are just fine. The sequel’s highly recommended too.
Anything by Roald Dahl
There is a lot of good stuff on Netflix based on the works of Roald Dahl, undoubtedly my favourite writer when I was little. He writes for children but not in a childish way. He never patronises or shies away from the darker side of storytelling.
Matilda the Musical (7 years+)
Matilda (7 years+)
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (7 years+)
Man vs Bee
In Man vs Bee, Rowan Atkinson, aka Mr Bean, plays a doting dad who house-sits a couple’s lavish home while they’re away. A bee then enters the picture, and battle begins. With nine bite-sized 10-minute episodes, this comedy offers a perfect blend of visual humour and slapstick antics, making it a great choice for entertaining kids of all ages while providing valuable exposure to the English language through Atkinson's dialogue and classic comedic timing.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are just a few options that come to mind. Hope it helps!