Afrocentric Cinema for Children
by AfrocentricFilmsCollaborative | created - 05 Aug 2015 | updated - 08 May 2022 | PublicHere goes a great list of animations, cartoons, and education shows for children.
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1. Little Bill (1999–2004)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Family
A smart, inquisitive five-year-old boy explores what life is like with the help of his big imagination.
Stars: Phylicia Rashad, Xavier Pritchett, Gregory Hines, Ruby Dee
Votes: 2,531
2.
Sweet Blackberry Presents (2008– )
Episode:
Garrett's Gift
(2008)
Family
Stars: Coati Mundi, Karyn Parsons, Queen Latifah
Votes: 7
3. The Golden Blaze (2005 Video)
G | 87 min | Animation, Family
Two African American boys schoolyard rivalry spirals out of control when their fathers develop superpowers.
Director: Bryon E. Carson | Stars: Blair Underwood, Michael Clarke Duncan, Sanaa Lathan, Neil Patrick Harris
Votes: 74
4. Happy to Be Nappy and Other Stories of Me (2004 TV Short)
Documentary, Short
Director: Michael Sporn | Stars: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Mary J. Blige, Harvey Fierstein, Melanie Griffith
Votes: 26
5. Mother Goose: A Rappin' and Rhymin' Special (1997 TV Movie)
34 min | Animation, Comedy, Music
Feeling under appreciated, Mother Goose has decided to quit her job and move away for early retirement. But nothing in fairy tale land seems right without Mother Gooseberg's rhymes. It's up... See full summary »
Stars: Robert Guillaume, Cheryl 'Salt' James, Pepa, Spinderella
Votes: 156
6. The Berenstain Bears (1985–2004)
TV-Y | 25 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
We follow a family of bears, known as the Berenstain Bears, as they figure out life together. With friendly neighbors and close friends, the journey is never boring. Inspired by the book series written by Stan and Jan Berenstain.
Stars: David Mendenhall, Ben Campbell, Tajja Isen, Camilla Scott
Votes: 3,684
7. Sara Solves It (2013 TV Short)
TV-Y | 13 min | Animation, Short, Family
A musical animated series that follows 9-year-old whiz kid Sara and younger brother Sam as they solve mysteries in their apartment building, at school, and beyond -- employing math, music, and creative thinking to ensure Sara Solves it.
Stars: Shannon Chan-Kent, Michael Strusievici, Brenda Crichlow, Claire Margaret Corlett
Votes: 33
8. Doc McStuffins (2012–2022)
G | 11 min | Animation, Family, Fantasy
"Doc McStuffins" is an imaginative animated series about Doc McStuffins, a young girl who aspires to be a doctor like her mom and communicates with and heals broken toys and stuffed animals.
Stars: Lara Jill Miller, Loretta Devine, Robbie Rist, Jess Harnell
Votes: 2,889
9. Tutenstein (2003–2007)
TV-Y | 22 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
An inquisitive 12-year-old girl accidentally awakens the mummy of a young Egyptian pharaoh, who finds it difficult to accept that no one worships him in the 21st century.
Stars: Crystal Scales, Jeannie Elias, Lex Lang, Joey Simmrin
Votes: 3,133
10. Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972–1985)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
The educational adventures of a group of Afro-American inner city kids.
Stars: Bill Cosby, Gerald Edwards, Lou Scheimer, Erika Scheimer
Votes: 2,620
11. Jackson 5ive (1971–1973)
TV-G | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
The animated musical adventures of the Jackson brothers.
Stars: Joel Cooper, Donald Fullilove, Mike Martinez, Edmund Sylvers
Votes: 322
12. Gullah, Gullah Island (1994–1998)
TV-Y | 20 min | Family, Musical
The series follow an African-American family on Gullah Gullah Island learning about life along with their friends, neighbors and their pet pollywog named Binya Binya.
Stars: Vanessa Baden, Ron Daise, Natalie Daise, James Edward Coleman II
Votes: 1,409
13. Tinga Tinga Tales (2010– )
TV-Y | 12 min | Animation, Family
Perfect little stories entertaining to children and adults alike. Colorful and humorous with a diversity of English dialects and characters. Always positive and a refreshing youthful score. A must watch for pre-school and up.
Stars: Isabella Cascarano, Lenny Henry, Patrice Naiambana, Shaun Parkes
Votes: 151
14.
Reading Rainbow (1983–2006)
Episode:
The Furry News
(1993)
TV-Y | 27 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
As LeVar discusses his favorite parts of a newspaper and interviews other people for different viewpoints, other functions of a newspaper staff are explored. Cartoonist Ray Billingsley, who... See full summary »
Director: Larry Lancit | Stars: LeVar Burton, Reggie Alvin Green
15. Thugaboo: Sneaker Madness (2006 TV Movie)
TV-Y7 | 45 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
How you gonna holla at some shorty with some knockoff sneaks?
Director: Shawn Wayans | Stars: George Gore II, Countess Vaughn, Michael Rapaport, Heather McDonald
Votes: 205
16. Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
G | 117 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
An apprentice witch, three kids and a cynical magician conman search for the missing component to a magic spell to be used in the defense of Britain in World War II.
Directors: Robert Stevenson, Ward Kimball | Stars: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe
Votes: 40,747 | Gross: $18.53M
17. Thunder and the House of Magic (2013)
Not Rated | 85 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Thunder, an abandoned young cat seeking shelter from a storm, stumbles into the strangest house imaginable, owned by an old magician and inhabited by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos.
Directors: Jérémie Degruson, Ben Stassen, Mimi Maynard | Stars: Cinda Adams, George Babbit, Brianne Brozey, Kathleen Gati
Votes: 7,341 | Gross: $0.00M
18. Lilo & Stitch (2002)
PG | 85 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A young and parentless girl adopts a 'dog' from the local pound, completely unaware that it's supposedly a dangerous scientific experiment that's taken refuge on Earth and is now hiding from its creator and those who see it as a menace.
Directors: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders | Stars: Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Ogden Stiers
Votes: 211,894 | Gross: $145.79M
19. Home (II) (2015)
PG | 94 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
An alien on the run from his own people makes friends with a girl. He tries to help her on her quest, but can be an interference.
Director: Tim Johnson | Stars: Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lopez
Votes: 111,595 | Gross: $177.40M
20. The Legend of the Sky Kingdom (2003)
73 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Three children make a daring escape from the underground city in which they are slaves of the Evil Emperor, and go in search of the fabled Sky Kingdom and the great Prince Ariel.
Director: Roger Hawkins | Stars: Jazz Pierre, Miriam Hamblin, Gabriel Phillips, Lucian Msamati
Votes: 66
21. Whitewash (1994 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 25 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A little black girl learns about racism.
Director: Michael Sporn | Stars: Ruby Dee, Serena Henry, Ndehru Roberts, Linda Lavin
Votes: 108
22. Out of the Box (1998–2004)
TV-Y | 30 min | Family, Fantasy, Music
A group of kids and their two caregivers have built a cool clubhouse out of giant boxes. That's where they meet for music, play and special activities that kids can do at home.
Stars: Tony James, Vivian Bayubay, Celine Ordioni, Brandon Zemel
Votes: 1,075
23. Between the Lions (1999–2011)
TV-Y | 30 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Live-action and animation blend together in this educational fantasy about a family of lions running a library filled with adventurous and musical books.
Stars: Anthony Asbury, Jennifer Barnhart, Peter Linz, Fred Newman
Votes: 1,529
24. PB&J Otter (1998–2001)
TV-Y | 15 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Peanut, Jelly, and Baby Butter are three young otters who live on Lake Hoohaw with their family and friends.
Stars: Adam Rose, Gina Marie Tortorici, Brook Jenell Slack, Gwendolyn Shepherd
Votes: 1,645
25. Franklin (1997–2006)
TV-Y | 23 min | Animation, Comedy, Drama
A young turtle named Franklin learns social lessons as he grows up with his family and friends.
Stars: Noah Reid, Leah Renee, Elizabeth Saunders, Richard Newman
Votes: 5,333
26. Lilo & Stitch: The Series (2003–2006)
TV-Y | 22 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
The rambunctious human and alien duo must hunt down Dr. Jumba Jookiba's 625 other experimental creatures infesting Hawaii.
Stars: Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald
Votes: 11,529
27. Class of 3000 (2006–2008)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Animated series about an Atlanta performing arts school grad who ditches a successful music career to become a music teacher.
Stars: Small Fire, André 3000, Phil LaMarr, Jennifer Hale
Votes: 1,247
28. The Proud Family (2001–2005)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Follow the adventures and misadventures of Penny Proud as she does her best to navigate through the early years of teend-dom.
Stars: Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Jo Marie Payton, Paula Jai Parker
Votes: 8,437
29. Static Shock (2000–2004)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In the city of Dakota, a teenage boy with electricity based powers, with the help of his inventive friend, fights crime as a superhero.
Stars: Phil LaMarr, Jason Marsden, Kevin Michael Richardson, Michele Morgan
Votes: 6,855
30. ¡Mucha Lucha! (2002–2005)
TV-Y7-FV | 22 min | Animation, Short, Action
The story of three masked wrestlers in wrestling school.
Stars: Kimberly Brooks, Carlos Alazraqui, Candi Milo, Jason Marsden
Votes: 3,358
31. Ozzy & Drix (2002–2004)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Short, Action
The further adventures of Osmosis Jones and Drix as they defend the body of a young boy.
Stars: Jeff Bennett, Phil LaMarr, Alanna Ubach, Justin Cowden
Votes: 1,498
32. The Magic School Bus (1994–1997)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
An eccentric teacher takes her class on wondrous educational field trips with the help of a magic school bus.
Stars: Lily Tomlin, Daniel DeSanto, Lisa Jai, Tara Meyer
Votes: 11,199
33. The Snowy Day (2016 TV Short)
TV-Y | 38 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Based on the award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats. Peter goes on a magical, snowy walk to his Nana's house to bring home their Christmas Eve dinner.
Directors: Jamie Badminton, Rufus Blacklock | Stars: Laurence Fishburne, Donielle T. Hansley Jr., Regina King, Zoe Lulu
Votes: 416
34.
Rugrats (1991–2003)
Episode:
A Rugrats Kwanzaa
(2001)
TV-Y | 23 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
When Aunt T. visits the Carmichaels to celebrate Kwanzaa, she tells Susie the holiday is a time to honor the legacy of our great people.
Director: Anthony Bell | Stars: Elizabeth Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Kath Soucie, Cree Summer
Votes: 149
35. BraveStarr (1987–1989)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
A Native American marshal and his friends keep the peace on the frontier planet of New Texas.
Stars: Pat Fraley, Susan Blu, Erika Scheimer, Lou Scheimer
Votes: 3,218
36. Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1995–2000)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Multicultural versions of many of your favorite fairy tales. Such as "The Princess and the Pea" and "The Three Little Pigs".
Stars: Robert Guillaume, Liz Torres, Edward James Olmos, Sinbad
Votes: 802
37. O'Grady (2004–2006)
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
O'GRADY is the first original cartoon on NOGGIN's nighttime block, THE N. It's a comedic look at the lives of a few selfish high-school students. Their town is plagued by "the Weirdness," a force that affects its residents in strange ways.
Stars: H. Jon Benjamin, Melissa Bardin Galsky, Patrice O'Neal, Holly Schlesinger
Votes: 454
38. Our Friend, Martin (1999 Video)
TV-G | 60 min | Animation, Drama, Family
While on a school field trip, two friends travel through time and meet Martin Luther King Jr. at different points in his life.
Directors: Michael Maliani, Robert Brousseau, Vincenzo Trippetti | Stars: Edward Asner, Angela Bassett, Lucas Black, Theodore Borders
Votes: 1,152
39.
Animated Hero Classics (1991–2005)
Episode:
Harriet Tubman
(1996)
30 min | Animation
Harriet Tubman has never known what it means to be free. Having been born and raised into slavery, she works hard and does as she is told. However, she longs to be free and hopes to escape ... See full summary »
Director: Richard Rich | Stars: Virginia Watson, William Dennis Hunt, Billy Mayo, Virginia Smith
Votes: 30
40. The Gary Coleman Show (1982)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Family
This animated series features the character that Gary Coleman played in the made for television movie, The Kid with the Broken Halo: Andy LeBeau, an angel who goes to Earth, hangs out with ... See full summary »
Stars: Maria Aparis, Gary Coleman, Frank Welker, Zelda Rubinstein
Votes: 113
41. Mummies Alive! (1997–1998)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
In present day US, a kid releases four ancient Egyptian mummy warriors who help him fight a revived Egyptian evil mummy sorcerer who wants to take over the world.
Stars: Scott McNeil, Dale Wilson, Graeme Kingston, Cree Summer
Votes: 1,500
42. Bobby's World (1990–1998)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
A boy named Bobby Generic creates adventures using his overactive imagination.
Stars: Howie Mandel, Gail Matthius, Tino Insana, Charity James
Votes: 4,908
43. Monkey Magic (1998)
TV-MA | Animation, Family
Stars: Sam Vincent, Richard Ian Cox, Paul Dobson, Kathleen Barr
Votes: 64
44. Waynehead (1996–1997)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Comedy
This show is about a 10 year-old boy who is trying to deal with the problems of pre-adolescence in his neighborhood in lower Manhattan.
Stars: Orlando Brown, T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh, Jamil Walker Smith, Shawn Wayans
Votes: 270
45. Like Mike (2002)
PG | 99 min | Comedy, Family, Fantasy
A 13-year-old orphan becomes an NBA superstar after trying on a pair of sneakers with the faded initials "MJ" inside them.
Director: John Schultz | Stars: Shad Moss, Jonathan Lipnicki, Morris Chestnut, Brenda Song
Votes: 22,578 | Gross: $51.43M
46. Little Einsteins (2005–2010)
TV-G | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Four friends go on missions with their ever changing rocket ship. Every mission includes a classic song and a painting.
Stars: Aiden Pompey, Jesse Schwartz, Natalia Wojcik, Erica Huang
Votes: 2,469
47. Kirikou and the Men and Women (2012)
88 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Once again, Kirikou's noble Grandfather tell us more of his grandson's untold adventures.
Director: Michel Ocelot | Stars: Romann Berrux, Awa Sene Sarr, Sabine Pakora
Votes: 695
48. Kirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005)
75 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Kirikou's Grandfather says that the story of Kirikou and The Witch was too short, so he proceeds to explain more about Kirikou's accomplishments. We find out how little boy became a ... See full summary »
Directors: Bénédicte Galup, Michel Ocelot | Stars: Pierre-Ndoffé Sarr, Awa Sene Sarr, Robert Liensol, Marie-Philomène Nga
Votes: 1,753
49. Princes and Princesses (2000)
70 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Six old-style funny silhouetted fairy tales for not so-old-style people.
Director: Michel Ocelot | Stars: Arlette Mirapeu, Philippe Cheytion, Yves Barsacq, François Voisin
Votes: 2,412
50. Zarafa (2012)
TV-PG | 78 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
After escaping the clutches of a slave trader, a bold ten-year-old Sudanese boy befriends a young giraffe and a kind Bedouin, who takes them on a splendid journey via a hot-air balloon as far as the palace of King Charles X of France.
Directors: Rémi Bezançon, Jean-Christophe Lie | Stars: Max Renaudin Pratt, Simon Abkarian, Abraham Adesoye, Sjaak Caderyn
Votes: 1,916
51. Hey Duggee (2014– )
TV-Y | 7 min | Animation, Comedy, Family
Duggee looks after the Squirrels, who earn different badges on their adventures.
Stars: Alexander Armstrong, Jasmine Bartholomew, Alfie Sanderson, Poppie Boyes
Votes: 1,421
52. Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998)
TV-PG | 71 min | Animation, Adventure, Family
Kirikou, an unusual little boy, must search the wisdom of the forbidden mountain in order to save his village from a spell cast by the evil sorceress Karaba
Directors: Michel Ocelot, Raymond Burlet | Stars: Doudou Gueye Thiaw, Maimouna N'Diaye, Awa Sene Sarr, Robert Liensol
Votes: 10,816 | Gross: $0.06M
53. Bing (2014–2021)
TV-Y | 7 min | Animation, Family
Celebrating the noisy, joyful, messy reality of pre-school life.
Stars: Elliot Kerley, Mark Rylance, Eve Bentley, Akia Henry
Votes: 627
54. In the Night Garden... (2007–2009)
TV-Y | 30 min | Adventure, Comedy, Family
In The Night Garden is about a magical picture-book place that exists between waking and sleeping in a child's imagination.
Stars: Derek Jacobi, Nick Kellington, Andy Wareham, Rebecca Hyland
Votes: 1,323
55. Jungle Beat (2003– )
TV-G | 5 min | Animation, Short, Adventure
Each short episode is divided into two segments - The first part involves wordless slapstick comedy among four safari explorers which introduces an animal. The second part shows (another wordless) adventure of the animal previously seen.
Stars: Brent Dawes, Gavin Peter, Tinarie van Wyk Loots, Rodney Newman
Votes: 120
56. Bino and Fino: Mama Mama's Soup (2014 Video)
8 min | Animation, Short
The idea for the Bino & Fino cartoon series came about around 2007. The creator of the show, Adamu Waziri, realised that there was a massive lack of true African made children's educational... See full summary »
Director: Adamu Waziri | Star: Adamu Waziri
58. The Lion Guard (2015–2019)
TV-Y | 30 min | Animation, Action, Adventure
Kion, the son of Simba, leads his friends known as the Lion Guard to protect the Pride Lands.
Stars: Max Charles, Joshua Rush, Diamond White, Atticus Shaffer
Votes: 2,687
59. Sule and the Case of the Tiny Sparks (2010)
12 min | Animation, Short, Family
In a young African girl's quest to learn the meaning of the proverb - Great Fires Erupt form Tiny Sparks - she seeks guidance from the proverb detective, Sule.
Directors: Shawnee Gibbs, Shawnelle Gibbs | Stars: Kameshia Duncan, Doreene L. Hamilton, Chioma Nwosu, Ochuwa Oghie
Votes: 71
60. Fillmore! (2002–2004)
TV-Y7 | 30 min | Action, Animation, Comedy
Former delinquent now fights for the good guys at X Middle School.
Stars: Orlando Brown, Tara Strong, Don LaFontaine, Horatio Sanz
Votes: 3,020
61. John Henry (2000 Video)
23 min | Short, Biography
A larger-than-life tale about the African-American hero born with a hammer in his hand. Join John Henry on a scenic journey from cotton country to the wilderness, where he finds men of all ... See full summary »
Director: Craig Rogers
Votes: 26
62. Rise Up, Sing Out (2022– )
TV-G | 2 min | Animation, Short, Family
Features episodes that aim to deliver inspiring and optimistic messages, teaching children about respect towards others, such as celebrating Black hair, and exploring names that can be mispronounced or stigmatized.
Stars: Alexander Bello, Nia Thompson, R Kita, Donovan Monzon-Sanders
Votes: 1,401
63. Rhymes through Times (2021– )
Animation
Learn about American history through animated stage plays, featuring songs celebrating Black heroes. Created by Lasette Canady with music by Christopher Jackson, and animation created by Lion Forge.
Stars: Leah Janvier, Josiah Gaffney, AJ Jastrab
64. The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special (2020 TV Special)
TV-Y | 21 min | Short, Family
Gabrielle and Tamir shares how we all have the power to change the world by voicing against injustice and racism.
Directors: Sean Mulcahy, Alan Muraoka, Chuck Vinson, Saxton Moore | Stars: Tau Bennett, Tyler Bunch, Leslie Carrara-Rudolph, Andra Day
Votes: 31
65. Onyx Monster Mysteries (2020– )
Animation
Stars: Rita Mitchell, Shiloh Mitchell, Sade Mitchell, Shalom Mitchell
Votes: 9
66. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022– )
TV-PG | 30 min | Animation, Adventure, Comedy
The daily life of Penny Proud as she hilariously navigates growing up in a rambunctious house with a loving mom and an overly protective father.
Stars: Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, Alisa Reyes
Votes: 5,069
67. Motown Magic (2018–2019)
TV-Y | 15 min | Animation, Short, Comedy
Imaginative boy Ben transforms his city by bringing colorful street art to life, armed with a magic paintbrush and the classic sounds of Motown.
Stars: Avia Fields, Marissa Buccianti, Monie Mon, Betsy Kenney
Votes: 319
68. That Girl Lay Lay (2021–2024)
TV-G | 22 min | Comedy, Family
When Sadie's wish comes true and Lay Lay magically comes to life, the two friends learn that when they are together, they can achieve anything, navigate life as teenagers and discover who they really are.
Stars: Tiffany Daniels, Gabrielle Nevaeh, Alaya High, Thomas Hobson
Votes: 557
69. Raising Dion (2019–2022)
TV-G | 50 min | Drama, Sci-Fi
A widowed single mom discovers that her son has super powers and tries to figure out how to raise him safely and responsibly.
Stars: Alisha Wainwright, Ja'Siah Young, Jason Ritter, Sammi Haney
Votes: 16,562
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