Netflix Adds ASL to 73 Kids Shows and Movies

Netflix is bringing American Sign Language to 73 family-friendly shows and movies, opening up hundreds of hours of entertainment for deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

The streaming giant partnered with SignUp Media to add ASL interpretations to popular titles including Stranger Things: Tales From '85, Pokémon Horizons, Octonauts, and The Magic School Bus Rides Again. Big-name films like Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio and Spider-Man: Homecoming also made the list.

The technology works through a simple Google Chrome extension. Once installed, an ASL interpreter appears in a separate window alongside the video, making it easy for families to watch together.

This approach differs from how most streaming services handle accessibility. Instead of creating separate ASL versions of each title within the app, the extension gives viewers control over when and how they use the interpretation service.

Why This Inspires

The timing couldn't be better for young viewers who need more than captions. Research shows that hearing-impaired children score lower on literacy tests compared to their peers when relying solely on written text. For kids still learning to read, seeing a person communicate in their language makes all the difference.

SignUp Media already proved their impact earlier this year with The Oscars Project, which provided ASL interpretations for every 2026 Best Picture nominee. Now they're applying that same energy to content where it matters most: programming designed for growing minds.

This partnership recognizes something simple but powerful. Entertainment isn't just about passing time. For children, it's how they learn language, understand stories, and see themselves reflected in the world around them.

Every kid deserves to laugh at the same jokes, gasp at the same surprises, and fall in love with the same characters as their friends.