May has arrived, and with it, the true spirit of spring.
Gone are the chilly breezes of that late, lingering winter. Gone, too, are unpredictable showers.
Soon, you'll be tending to your blooming garden, enjoying the vibrant colors of fresh flowers, and planning family picnics in the sun. Maybe you'll also be opening windows to let in the fresh, fragrant air.
The weather in May typically offers plenty of pleasant temperatures for those outdoor activities. But now and then, you'll probably come inside and curl up on the couch for a family movie. Thankfully, the streaming services have plenty to offer this month.
Here are seven great streaming titles for families in May:
1. The William Carey Story (Redeem TV)
It's the latest episode in the Torchlighters animated series about Christian heroes of history. It spotlights Carey, the British Christian missionary and Bible translator known for his pioneering work in India. The Torchlighters series -- if you've never sampled it -- is as entertaining as any kid-friendly series on TV and is, perhaps, the easiest way to whet a modern-day child's appetite to read about church history. The William Carey Story will be released on Redeem TV's ADC section on May 15.
2. Love's Second Act (Great American Pure Flix)
A filmmaker searching for inspiration to complete her script rekindles her creativity when she meets a small-town movie theater worker she once knew. Of course, sparks fly in more ways than one. It stars Jodie Sweetin (Full House, Fuller House, Craft Me A Romance), Tilky Jones (The Charm of Love), and George Wendt (Cheers, Christmas With the Campbells). It debuted May 9 on Great American Pure Flix.
3. Mr. Manhattan (Great American Family Pure Flix)
A businessman's life is turned upside down when he learns his brother and sister-in-law have been tragically killed -- and he's been placed in charge of raising their two children. This dramatic romance stars the real-world husband and wife team of Carlos PenaVega (Grease, Live!, The Casagrandes Movie) and Alexa PenaVega (Spy Kids series, The Casagrandes Movie). It debuts on Great American Pure Flix on May 23 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
4. The Ark and the Darkness (Home Video)
Scientists study various disciplines, from geology to paleontology to the fossil record, and affirm what Scripture already tells us: Noah's flood actually happened. The film includes impressive reenactments via animation as well as interviews with roughly a dozen experts on the topic, including John Baumgardner of Liberty University, Tim Chaffey of Answers in Genesis, Andrew Fabich of Truett McConnell University, Gabriela Haynes of Answers in Genesis and Mark Horstemeyer of Liberty University. Visit SevenFoldFilms.com.
5. Woody Woodpecker Goes to Camp (Netflix)
America's noisiest bird is forced to search for a new home after being booted from the forest. He finds a promising abode at the nearby youth-centric "Camp Woo Hoo" but, unfortunately, gets caught up in chaos when an escaped convict poses as the chef in an attempt to steal a hidden treasure. The film is a mixture of live-action and CGI animation and is a sequel to 2017's Woody Woodpecker, also on Netflix. Rated TV-PG for violence. (Clearplay offers a filter)
6. Kid Fit Chef (Bentkey)
A young chef (Olivia Marie) teaches children how to cook food that is not only delicious but also nutritious. Don't worry: She doesn't create tofu, but she does use healthy ingredients as she serves up dishes like cheesy pasta and fruit-covered waffles. Kid Fit Chef is just one title in a library of entertaining children's programs on the new kids' streaming service Bentkey. Others include Gus Plus Us, Chip Chilla, and A Wonderful Day with Mabel Maclay.
7. The Shift (Home Video)
A man named Kevin gets separated from his wife in a multiverse when a Satan-like character, The Benefactor, transports him to another reality. He then must fight to reconnect with her. This Angel Studios faith-focused science fiction film is billed as a modern-day retelling of the biblical book of Job and stars top-shelf talent, including Kristoffer Polaha, Neal McDonough, Elizabeth Tabish, and Rose Reid. It's rated PG-13 for violence and thematic elements and is now out on home video.
Originally published Tuesday, 14 May 2024.
