Toy and Pop Culture Documentaries, Cartoons, and TV Shows To Stream While at Home

With much of the world enacting social distancing protocols in the hopes of slowing down the spread of COVID-19, many people are finding themselves confined to their homes for long stretches, possibly for the first time in their lives. As a toy news site, we can’t help but notice that new announcements are slowing down. As toy and collectible companies enact policies to keep their workers safe, the news cycle will only slow down more. Thankfully, there’s a plethora of classic movies, shows, and more that many of us will already have access to. But. with the abundance of streaming services out there, it can be tough narrowing down what to watch. So I wanted to take some time and recommend some toy and pop culture related media to help pass the time. Instead of listing all of the most commonly known items, such as every single Marvel, Star Wars, or DC Comics show, or even the numerous anime series that are streaming, I wanted to hand pick a bunch of items you may not know are available, may have just needed a reminder on, or might have skipped.

I’ve listed out a mix of cartoons, documentaries and TV shows, along with descriptions, and which service or services are currently offering them. I’ve kept this to the main streaming services right now, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Shudder, Disney+, etc. This is in no way a complete guide, just my curated recommendations of items that pop culture fans may find fun or interesting. I hope this helps take your mind off the troubles of the world, if even for a short time. Feel free to join in on the discussion thread, and share what you’re watching. Check out my recommendations after the jump.

Toys and Collectibles Documentaries and Series

The Toys That Made Us
For some people, the favorite memories from their childhoods are playing with toys, some of which become iconic through the years as multiple generations of people play with the venerable playthings. This series takes a look at some of America’s greatest toy franchises, including the people and companies that created them, telling the stories of the rise — and, sometimes, fall — of the billion-dollar creations. Some of the featured toys are original creations, such as Barbie, while others are based on pop-culture franchises, including the “Star Wars” line.
Where to stream: Netflix

Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Power of Grayskull: The Definitive History of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe looks to forge the greatest, most definitive, documentary on everything He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, She-Ra, the live action movie, New Adventures of He-Man, the 200x series and much more! They delve into the toys, comics, cartoons, and movies from all eras by talking to the artists, creators, executives and actors who helped make it a reality.
Where to stream: Netflix

Plastic Galaxy: The Story of Star Wars Toys
Plastic Galaxy explores the ground breaking and breathtaking world of ‘Star Wars’ toys. Through interviews with former Kenner employees, experts, authors, and collectors, the documentary looks at the toys’ history, influence, and the passions they elicit today.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Toy Hunter
Even though Jordan Hembrough grew up in the 1970s, he is still a kid at heart. Hembrough is a collectibles dealer specializing in the toy market, a job that is always taking him back in time. This reality series follows Hembrough as he travels the country in search of hidden treasures to sell to his buyers around the world. His reputation for being the `in-demand dealer’ of rare toys precedes him, but it also adds to the pressure of the hunts, and in order to deliver the goods, Hembrough often has to deal with reluctant sellers, relentlessly haggle to stay within his budgets, and maneuver around unforeseen roadblocks.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

LEGO House: Home of the Brick
In Billund, Denmark, a nearly 130,000-square-foot house inspired by the iconic LEGO bricks is constructed, capturing the awe of kids of all ages.
Where to stream: Netflix

Pop Culture and Recommended Documentaries

Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy
Empire of Dreams: The Story of the Star Wars Trilogy is a 2004 documentary film directed by Kevin Burns and narrated by Robert Clotworthy. It documents the making of the original Star Wars trilogy: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, and their impact on popular culture.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime, Disney+

Comic-Con Episode IV: A Fan’s Hope
Interviews with Joss Whedon, Stan Lee and others are included in filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s journey into the pop-culture fan mecca known as Comic-Con.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Elstree 1976
In 1976 director George Lucas began work on an unknown film called `Star Wars’ at Elstree Studios. This documentary focuses on ten extras who discuss their role in the film and the effect it had on their lives and careers.
Where to stream: Netflix

Batman and Bill
Everyone thinks that Bob Kane created Batman, but that’s not the whole truth. One author makes it his crusade to make it known that Bill Finger, a struggling writer, actually helped invent the iconic superhero, from concept to costume to the very character we all know and love. Bruce Wayne may be Batman’s secret identity, but his creator was always a true mystery.
Where to stream: Hulu

Future Shock: The Story of 2000 AD
Documentary covering the highs and lows of 2000AD’s history, from its inception after the demise of Action to the present day.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Chris Claremont’s X-Men
Chris Claremont came to Marvel as a young man, and was assigned a book that no one else wanted, a book on the brink of cancellation: X-Men. Over the next 17 years, his work on the title turned it into the biggest franchise in comic book history. Forty years later, his work has been adapted into 10 films, three TV series, countless video games and become a part of our cultural mythology.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Doomed! The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic Four
A history of the ill-fated 1994 production of “The Fantastic Four” that was executive produced by Roger Corman.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Marvel: 75 Years, From Pulp to Pop!
In celebration of the publisher’s 75th anniversary, the hour-long special will take a detailed look at the company’s journey from fledgling comics publisher to multi-media juggernaut. Hosted by Emily VanCamp (S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Sharon Carter), the documentary-style feature will include interviews with comic book icons, pop culture authorities, and Hollywood stars. The special also promises an “extraordinary peek into Marvel’s future!” Might Marvel release the first official footage from next year’s Avengers: Age of Ultron or Ant-Man? If they do, you’ll know about it here.
where to stream: Disney+

Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini
Special Makeup Effects legend, Actor, Director, Stuntman. Tom Savini has redefined the horror genre with his arsenal on talents. But who is the man behind the “King of Splatter?” From his his childhood in Pittsburgh, PA; to his tour of duty during Vietnam, to his beginnings with George A. Romero and beyond. SMOKE AND MIRRORS is the defining documentary on the life and career of horror icon Tom Savini.
Where to stream: Shudder

For The Love of Spock
An examination of the enduring appeal of Leonard Nimoy and his portrayal of Spock in Star Trek: The Original Series (1966).
Where to stream: Netflix

Birth of the Living Dead
A behind the scenes look into George Romero’s groundbreaking horror classic Night of the Living Dead.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media
This lively documentary explores the rise and fall of physical media and its effect on Independent and cult films. Ranging from the origin of home movies through the video store era, it’s sure to entertain. With icons like Joe Bob Briggs (MonsterVision), Lloyd Kaufman (Toxic Avenger), Greg Sestero (The Room), Debbie Rochon (Return to Nuke ‘Em High), Deborah Reed (Troll 2), Mark Frazer (Samurai Cop), James Nguyen (Birdemic) and many others.
where to stream: Amazon Prime

Crystal Lake Memories: The Complete History of Friday the 13th
From Mrs. Voorhees to Mr. Krueger, this delectable doc offers an in depth look at each entry in the FRIDAY THE 13th series. After making his mark with the acclaimed ELM STREET saga NEVER SLEEP AGAIN, Daniel Farrands tackled the other titan of ‘80s horror: Jason Voorhees, the hockey-masked maniac who slayed hundreds during his journey from Camp Crystal Lake to outer space and back again. Corey Feldman narrates, while the franchise’s core creatives and cast members offer insights sure to surprise even the most fervent FRIDAY fans. Ready? CHK-CHK-CHK-CHK! Jason’s coming…
Where to stream: Shudder

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy
Murderer. Dream Demon. The bastard son of a hundred maniacs. Any way you slice it, there can only be one man – one monster – who epitomizes those words: Freddy Krueger. For decades, he has slashed his way through the dreams of countless youngsters and shows no signs of ever resting in peace. A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET star Heather Langenkamp is your dream guide in this thrilling shockumentary that takes you deeper into Freddy’s realm than ever before, featuring exciting clips, never-before-seen photos, behind-the-scenes footage, conceptual art, publicity materials and exclusive new interviews with over 100 key cast and crew from every Nightmare.
Where to stream: Shudder

Video Games Documentaries

Atari: Game Over
The Xbox Originals documentary that chronicles the fall of the Atari Corporation through the lens of one of the biggest mysteries of all time, dubbed “The Great Video Game Burial of 1983.” Rumor claims that millions of returned and unsold E.T. cartridges were buried in the desert, but what really happened there?
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

The Power of Glove
“The Power of Glove” is a documentary that chronicles the history & legacy of the notoriously “bad” Power Glove, a 1989 Nintendo controller that promised to forever change the way humans interact with technology. Originally released by Mattel, the Power Glove was the first mass-marketed gesture-based video game controller. It was designed by an eclectic team of hard-working and bright-eyed dreamers, and its marketing hype was immense. Immediately after its release, however, gamers were disappointed by the Power Glove, and critics panned it as a worthless gimmick. Yet unlike many gimmicks and critical failures of the past, the Power Glove has not been simply swept under the rug. Nearly three decades after its release, the Power Glove continues to resonate with video gaming and technology fans, becoming the focus of art pieces, songs, videos, hacking projects, and other forms of cultural repurposing. “The Power of Glove” tells the story of how and why the Power Glove lives on.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Special When Lit
What made more money than the entire American movie industry through the 50s and 60s? Pinball. Special When Lit rediscovers the lure of a lost pop icon. A product of the mechanical and electrical age, the American invention swept the world and defined cool. Now it is relegated to a nostalgic footnote deserving a better fate. Joining the fans, collectors, designers and champion players from across the globe who share a world many of us didn’t know still existed.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed
Video games have gone from an obscure science experiment in the early 1960’s to the biggest entertainment medium on the planet. Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed is an all-new groundbreaking documentary series that provides firsthand stories by industry icons, celebrities, consumers, and field experts on the culture, technology, history, and future of the video game industry.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Recommended Animated Shows and Cartoons

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show (1989)
From the popular video game, Super Mario Bros. The Super Mario Bros. Super Show features Mario, his brother Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and her advisor going by the name of Toad. They go from land to land try to save that land from the sinister Bowser Koopa and his band of goombas, troopas, and other villians from the video game. The show also features live action parts with the voices of Mario and Luigi, Captain Lou Albano and Danny Wells. Each episode also features a special guest on every show.
Where to stream: Netflix

Defenders of the Earth (1986)
Flash Gordon, the Phantom, Mandrake the Magician and Lothar, with help from their children, join forces to protect Earth from Ming the Merciless.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Danger Mouse (Classic Collection)
Danger Mouse, the greatest secret agent in the world, must follow Colonel K’s orders (and try not to break Professor Squawkencluck’s inventions) to foil Baron Greenback’s and his henchman Stiletto’s plans.
Where to stream: Netflix

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993)
Sonic and Tails are willing to save the planet Mobius from Dr. Robotnik and his robots which they plan to take over in these slapstick based adventures.
Whereto stream: Netflix

Gargoyles (1994)
A clan of heroic night creatures pledge to protect modern New York City as they did in Scotland one thousand years earlier.
where to stream: Disney+

Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends (1981)
The web-slinger teams up with Ice-Man and newcomer Firestar to battle both new and familiar enemies in this animated adaptation of the Marvel Comics character. The heroes’ civilian alter egos — Peter Parker, Bobby Jones and Angelica Jones — are students at Empire State University who decide to permanently team up as the Spider-Friends to battle super villains. The team lives together in the home of Peter’s Aunt May along with a pet dog, Ms. Lion. Some episodes feature narration by Marvel Comics executive Stan Lee.
Where to stream: Disney+

Todd McFarlane’s Spawn: The animated Series (1998)
After being betrayed and murdered by his employer, a government trained assassin named, Al Simmons, is resurrected as a Hellspawn and is forced to become the reluctant leader of Hell’s army.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Batman: The Animated Series (1992)
This animated series conveys the dark mood of the original “Batman” comic books. Unlike the light action “Batman” show of the 1960s, Gotham City’s Caped Crusader, Bruce Wayne, is sometimes moody. And Robin’s alter ego, Dick Grayson, has a more-mature personality than in the original series.
where to stream: DC Universe

The New Adventures of Flash Gordon (1979)
The adventures of the comic strip space hero and his friends as they battle the tyranny of Ming the Merciless on the planet Mongo.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Street Fighter II: The Animated Series (1995)
Continuing after “Street Fighter” (1994), Col. Guile, Chun-Li Zang, Charlie Blanka, Ken Masters, Ryu Hoshi and others form an elite group of street fighters from all around the world to combat General Bison and his henchmen, attempting to stop his evil dreams of world domination.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

X-Men (1992)
In the Marvel Comics universe, mutants, people with genetically endowed superpowers, are a persecuted by a hateful and fearful populous. One shelter from this is Professor Xavier’s Academy for Gifted Children. But the school has a secret function as a training centre for mutants to control their abilities so they can function in regular society. It also serves as a secret headquarters of a superhero team, called the X-Men formed both to be a positive example of mutants and as an opposing force against those mutants who seek to force the world to kneel to their perceived superiority. This series recounts their adventures as they struggle to make the world accept them, while battling villains like Magneto, Apocalypse and the genocidal robots known as the Sentinels.
Where to stream: Disney+

Toxic Crusaders (1991)
After a dip in toxic waste, a nerd develops super powers and uses them to fight environmental crime.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime

Tron: Uprising (2012)
“Tron: Uprising” takes place during the time period between the story lines of the two movies. In the series, young program Beck becomes the leader of a revolution inside the computer world of The Grid, tasked with the mission of freeing his home and friends from the reign of Clu and his henchman, Gen. Tesler. To prepare for the challenge, Beck is trained by Tron — the greatest warrior The Grid has ever known — who mentors Beck as he grows beyond his youthful nature into a courageous and powerful leader. Destined to become the system’s new protector, Beck adopts Tron’s persona to battle the forces of evil.
Where to stream: Disney+

Virtua Fighter (1995)
A martial artist embarks on a quest to reach his full potential and discover the eight shining stars that only true martial arts masters can see, forging alliances with others and fighting to defend people in need along the way.
where to stream: Amazon Prime

Castlevania (2017)
Inspired by the popular video game series, this anime series is a dark medieval fantasy. It follows the last surviving member of the disgraced Belmont clan, Trevor Belmont, trying to save Eastern Europe from extinction at the hands of Vlad Dracula Tepes. As Dracula and his legion of vampires prepare to rid the world of humanity’s stain, Belmont is no longer alone, and he and his misfit comrades race to find a way to save mankind from the grief-maddened Dracula.
Where to stream: Netflix

Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1994)
After being bitten by a radioactive spider, young Peter Parker finds that he now has spider-like super powers. Hoping to use his new-found abiilties for wealth and fame, he lets his ego blind him to the needs of others, and indirectly causes the death of his uncle Ben when he refuses to help a police officer catch a fleeing criminal. Humbled by his failure, he resolves to use his talents for fighting crime, and becomes the superhero Spider-Man. While he fights assorted super-villains, Peter also must balance his personal life, including his girlfriend Mary Jane, his job as a photographer at the Daily Bugle, and a an editor who has convinced himself that Spider-man is a criminal that has to be brought down.
Where to stream: Disney+

Super Friends (1973)
The greatest of the DC Comics superheroes work together to uphold the good with the help of some young proteges.
Where to stream: DC Universe

Love, Death, and Robots (2019)
This collection of animated short stories spans several genres, including science fiction, fantasy, horror and comedy. World-class animation creators bring captivating stories to life in the form of a unique and visceral viewing experience. The animated anthology series includes tales that explore alternate histories, life for robots in a post-apocalyptic city and a plot for world domination by super-intelligent yogurt. Among the show’s executive producers is Oscar-nominated director David Fincher.
Where to stream: Netflix

Donkey Kong Country (1997)
Donkey Kong and his sidekick, Diddy Kong, star in a computer-generated rendition of the classic video game.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime