As we head into the long weekend, take a look at some of our top family friendly TV and movie picks, the perfect way to unwind after a manic Easter egg hunt!
From movies like Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Barbie and Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, to animated TV series like Bluey and Thomas & Friends, there's something that is guaranteed to be enjoyed by the entire family.
Family Favourites on RTÉ Player
RTÉ Player has some top-notch family-friendly entertainment to enjoy over the Easter weekend featuring a mixture of films (Paddington, Peter Rabbit, Cheaper By The Dozen), TV series (The Full Irish Hidden Camera Show, Ireland's Fittest Family, Doctor Who Specials) and popular kids' titles (Peppa Pig, Bluey, The Imagination Machine).
Click here to see all of the family favourites on RTÉ Player
Good Friday
Kung Fu Panda (PG), 12.30pm, Channel 4
The hugely popular animated comedy franchise Kung Fu Panda kicked off with a bang in 2008 with this box office smash starring Jack Black as Po, a bumbling panda who is forced to master martial arts to protect his valley home from a rampaging snow leopard. Also features the voices of Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Ian McShane, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu and David Cross.
Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (G), 2.15pm BBC One
The 2005 stop-motion animated comedy film Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is an eccentric and charming parody of classic monster movies. It sees the good-natured inventor Wallace (Peter Sallis) and his canine sidekick Gromit go on the hunt for a destructive giant rabbit. Directed by Nick Park and Steve Box and also featuring the voices of Ralph Fiennes and Helena Bonham Carter.
Ghostbusters: Afterlife (12A), 7.05pm BBC One
This 2021 American supernatural comedy is the fourth film in the Ghostbusters franchise and is packed with plenty of nostalgia and action packed thrills for adults and kids alike. It follows a single mother and her two children after they arrive in a new town and discover their connection to the first ghostbusters and the legacy their grandfather left behind. Stars the always watchable Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard and Mckenna Grace.
New to Stream - Barbie (12A), Sky Cinema & NOW
Barbie, director Greta Gerwig's runaway cinema hit of 2023, is most definitely worth a re-watch on the small screen. Margot Robbie is brilliant as the titular Mattel doll who is working her way through an existential crisis, while Ryan Gosling is hilarious as Ken. The highly amusing comedy also stars America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Ncuti Gatwa.
Easter Saturday
Swallows and Amazons (PG), 1.15pm RTÉ2
Swallows and Amazons is a 2016 family adventure film based on Arthur Ransome's 1930 children's novel of the same name. It follows six children who get caught up in a series of escapades while boating in England's Lake District. The film stars Andrew Scott, Rafe Spall, Kelly Macdonald, Jessica Hynes, and Harry Enfield.
The Full Irish Hidden Camera Show, 1.40pm, RTÉ One
The older kids might enjoy Donncha O'Callaghan, Doireann Garrihy and Carl Mullan from 2FM's breakfast show getting up to mischief as they play pranks on unsuspecting members of the public, who are put in bizarre and outrageous situations.
Thomas & Friends, 3.10pm, RTÉ Jr
There's a four-episode run of Thomas & Friends kicking off at 3.10pm and running until 3.55pm, perfect for the train-obsessed toddler in your life. The episodes see Darcy coming to Monty's rescue when he falls down an old mine shaft, Thomas losing his voice trying to sing opera like his Italian friend and Diesel hiding from the other engines to teach them to appreciate him.
Jumanji: The Next Level (12A), 6.35pm RTÉ One
This 2019 American fantasy adventure film is the fourth installment in the hugely fun Jumanji film series and sees Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas reprising their roles, while Awkwafina, Danny Glover, and Danny DeVito join the cast. The Jumanji players return and attempt to rescue one of their own as they face a new villain.
Easter Sunday
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (PG), 12.40pm RTÉ2
Detective Pikachu is very much a kids' film but there are enough in-jokes for older Pokémon fans and one-liners for parents to make it a bit of fun for all the family. Loosely based on the popular 2016 video game, the fantasy comedy sees a student set out to find his missing detective father by teaming up with a wise-cracking talking Pikachu. Directed by Rob Letterman and starring Ryan Reynolds as the voice of Pikachu, with Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Suki Waterhouse, Ken Watanabe, and Bill Nighy in live-action roles.
Attenborough and the Jurassic Sea Monster, 8.30pm RTÉ2
Older kids are likely to be transfixed by this tale as veteran naturalist David Attenborough investigates the discovery of a lifetime - the skull of a giant pliosaur, one of the most ferocious Jurassic predators ever known.
Beauty and the Beast (G), 2.40pm BBC One
Undoubtedly one of the ultimate Disney classics - this 1991 animated musical fantasy will have young and old spellbound. Belle has been imprisoned in a castle by a monster, but realises he is not as fearsome as he seems. Featuring the voices of Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers and Angela Lansbury.
Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief (PG) , 3.00pm Channel 4
This 2010 action fantasy is based on Rick Riordan's novel and is the first installment in the Percy Jackson film series. It stars Logan Lerman as Percy Jackson, a teenager who learns he is the son of Greek god Poseidon and finds himself in the middle of a feud between immortals. The impressive ensemble cast also features Pierce Brosnan, Alexandra Daddario, Sean Bean, Uma Thurman, Steve Coogan and Rosario Dawson.
Easter Monday
Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island (G), 9.00am TG4
This animated feature sees the Pteranodon family boarding the dinosaur train to move to a new theme park on a volcanic island. Disaster strikes when an earthquake erupts and the family is separated!
Bluey, 9.25am and 9.30am, RTÉJr
Who can resist the charms of the Aussie animated series Bluey which has plenty to enjoy for young and old alike. This double bill on RTÉJR kicks off with an episode that sees Bluey and Bingo get dropped off at Nana's.
Quentin Blake's Box of Treasures 1.30pm, BBC One
This animated adaptation of Mrs Armitage on Wheels sees an inventor plans a cycling trip, but can't stop adapting her bike. Narrated by Adrian Lester, with the voice of Alison Steadman.
