Is your holiday season feeling a little holi-dull? If so, no worries. Netflix has a colorful variety of shows and movies to stream this holiday season, courtesy of their Representation Matters Collection. Here, you’ll find a multitude of shows and movies that include portrayals of strong women, BIPOC and the LGBTQIA+ community. The following list is just a taste of what you’ll find in this compilation.
Carmen Sandiego
In this Kim Possible-esque series based on the popular Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? computer games, you’ll follow the titular character as she travels the globe, righting the wrongs done by old friends and gradually piecing together her past. Along with the compelling storyline, each episode has an educational aspect, incorporating facts about the countries where they take place. If you like action, adventure and female empowerment, this is the show for you.
One Day at a Time
A reboot of the ‘70s slice-of-life sitcom, One Day at a Time follows the day-to-day lives of a Latino family. Despite their attempts to be normal and just get by, hijinks ensue, partly due to the fact that there are three generations living together. A fun family show, this series has heart, humor and an LGBTQIA+ couple consisting of a lesbian and a gender non-conforming person.
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
If you want a side of diversity with your holiday spirit, look no further than Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey. This magical, musical Christmas-themed film features a primarily African American cast including Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key and Anika Noni Rose. A heartwarming story about finding your inner magic, this movie is sure to become a Christmas classic.
Julie and the Phantoms
Happy, wholesome and somewhat relatable, Julie and the Phantoms is a series about opening up in the wake of a tragedy and being yourself. This family-friendly show is chock full of diversity, both racial and romantic, and has a rockin’ soundtrack to accompany the story. If you like to dance, sing or simply enjoy music, this show will definitely be your jam.
Over the Moon
A relatively new movie with Pixar-style animation, Over the Moon is the story of a young girl named Fei Fei who wants to do the impossible: go to the moon and find a beautiful woman from an ancient myth. Filled with stunning visuals and colorful characters, this movie depicts strong Asian women breaking barriers and defying the expectations of others. It also has a stellar cast, including Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong and Sandra Oh.
Sister, Sister
Looking for something to share with the girls? Sister, Sister just might be the show for you. Tia and Tamera Mowry serve up double trouble and face the struggles of growing up in this predominantly Black ‘90s sitcom about sisterhood. Full of sass, spunk and charm, this is the perfect show to watch with friends.
The Princess and the Frog
If a bit of nostalgia is on your wishlist, hop down to Louisiana with Tiana, the first African American Disney princess, and her swamp-dwelling pals. One of the final Disney movies to be done entirely in 2-D animation, it highlights the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, and its culture. From the city streets to the swampy marsh, Tiana and her love interest, Prince Naveen, learn the value of balancing hard work and relaxation.
Family Reunion
Is your family getting on your nerves? Immerse yourself in some family drama with the McKellans of Family Reunion instead. Starring Tia Mowry from the previously-mentioned Sister, Sister, this feel-good show about a Black family from a Northern city moving to the Southern suburbs has all the components of a good sitcom: humor, heart and some good home cookin’. If that sounds like something that’s up your alley, gather your own clan and add this show to your watchlist.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Widely agreed on by Marvel fans to be one of the best Spider-Man movies, Into the Spider-Verse follows Miles Morales, a half-Black, half-Latino boy who accidentally becomes tangled up in the evil plans of criminal kingpin Wilson Fisk. With a little help from the Spider-Men (and women) of varying alternate dimensions, he learns the important lesson that anyone can be a hero.
Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts
Set in a post-apocalyptic pastel wonderland, Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts follows Kipo, a half-Black, half-Asian girl who encounters strange and interesting creatures in the process of trying to find the rest of civilization. However, her journey is made difficult by the antagonist Scarlemagne, who wants to stop her at any and all costs. Although her journey consists of many trials, Kipo’s persistent positivity will certainly make you smile.
By Erin Wendorf, Copy Editor