There are a ton of great movies on Netflix. No one is left out when browsing the massive library of one of the best streaming services, including kids, as there are hundreds (if not more) of family movies worth checking out.
Take it from someone with a house of kids who are starting their cinematic journey. As they grow older, Friday night family movie parties have become the perfect way to kick off the weekend with a Sunday matinee thrown in for good measure. However, with so many great kids movies from yesterday and today, deciding on one to watch can be no easy task. Fear not, because we have put together a list of the best family movies to watch with your Netflix subscription right now.
Wonder (2017)
Stephen Chbosky’s 2017 coming-of-age drama, Wonder, centers on a young boy named August “Auggie” Pullman” (Jacob Tremblay) born with a rare facial deformity that has resulted in him spending much of his life sheltered at home or wearing a space helmet when going out in public. The movie follows Auggie, his mom and dad (played by Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson), and the rest of his family, as the 10-year-old starts a new school and a new life experience.
Emotional, uplifting, and charming, this family-friendly drama is full of great lessons for children, parents, and everyone else, and will surely have an impact on those who watch it for the first time or after all these years.
The Lego Movie (2014)
In February 2014, Phil Lord and Chris Miller directed The Lego Movie, one of the most successful movies of the past decade and a game-changing theatrical experience that helped usher in a new era for animated movies. Centering on Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt) as he goes from a seemingly normal construction worker to “The Special” and tasked with saving the world, the movie explores a vast number of worlds, Lego setpieces, and pop culture references.
Parents and children alike will find something to enjoy in this awesome animated film, and this is especially true for anyone who grew up playing with Lego sets.
Stream The Lego Movie on Netflix.
Shrek (2001)
If you’re looking for a movie with hilarious Mike Myers quotes, some off-color humor (especially for a kids movie), and one of the funniest Eddie Murphy performances this century, now is the perfect time to revisit Shrek. Both paying homage to and poking fun at the classic fairy tale tropes, this 2001 DreamWorks Animation classic follows Myer’s titular ogre as he sets out to save a princess (played by Cameron Diaz) with one heck of a secret.
There’s a reason Shrek has gone on to spawn multiple sequels, spinoffs, and a successful Broadway adaptation: everything about the movie just works.
Big Fat Liar (2002)
Many of us probably saw Shawn Levy’s Big Fat Liar as kids when the 2002 revenge comedy opened in theaters, and so now is the perfect time to revisit it, especially with our kids. The movie follows Jason Shepherd (Frankie Muniz), a 14-year-old who teams up with his best friend, Kaylee (Amanda Bynes), to get back at Marty Wolf (Paul Giamatti), a Hollywood producer who steals the boy's essay and treats it as his own.
Hijinks, pranks, and life lessons are aplenty in this hilarious family-friendly comedy. It’s short, sweet, and it’ll have the whole family laughing, especially the “Blue Marty Wolf” scene.
Stream Big Fat Liar on Netflix.
Jumanji (1995)
Though there are some admittedly terrifying moments throughout, Joe Johnston’s 1995 adventure film, Jumanji is a thrilling experience the whole family can enjoy. It doesn’t matter how many times you watch, it never gets old watching a young Alan Parrish (Adam Hann-Byrd) being sucked into a board game and returning decades later as a grown man (played by Robin Williams) to complete what he started.
The poorly aged CGI elements may get a chuckle from your kids (this is a nearly 30-year-old movie we’re talking about), but they’ll certainly love the story, sense of adventure, and thrilling action sequences.
Rango (2011)
Released in 2011, Gore Verbinski’s Rango follows a chameleon (voiced by Johnny Depp) as he is thrown from his life of luxury and into the inhospitable desert where he quickly finds himself becoming the sheriff of a small town called Dirt. When a battle over water turns into a life-or-death situation for the townsfolk, they turn to Rango to save the day, which proves to be no easy task.
This movie has some great animation, but what really makes it such a gem is the talented ensemble cast, which sees Depp’s Rango cross paths with desert iguanas voiced by Isla Fisher, tortoises brought to life by Ned Beatty, and a gunslinging rattlesnake played by Bill Nighy.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
If you’re trying to sink your teeth into a great vampire movie but want to avoid straight-up horror because you’ve got kids in the room, this 2012 animated gem is going to get the job done. Hotel Transylvania, which introduced one of the best Adam Sandler characters with Count “Drac” Dracula as well as a successful franchise, follows the iconic vampire and owner of a getaway for monsters as he prepares for his daughter’s (played by Selena Gomez) 118th birthday party.
All kinds of complications follow, but all pale in comparison to the major upheaval that is caused when a human (played by Andy Sandberg) ends up at the party and falls for the birthday girl. The rest, well, it’s animated movie history.
Stream Hotel Transylvania on Netflix.
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
You could say 2023 was one of the best years for animation, and one of the biggest reasons for that was Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. This DreamWorks Animation release tells the story of the titular 16-year-old (voiced by Lana Condor) as she balances school, friends, crushes, family life, and the fact that she’s actually the latest in a long line of fearless warrior queens.
Combining ancient mythology and modern teenage issues, this fun and heartwarming animated adventure is something everyone in the whole family will enjoy. Youngsters, teenagers, and even the young at heart will get a kick out of this one.
Stream Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken on Netflix.
Marcel The Shell With Shoes On (2022)
One of the top films of 2022, as well as one of the most surprising, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On takes the painfully adorable book and short film character created by Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer Camp and creates an unforgettable cinematic experience. The basic premise is that Marcel (voiced by Jenny Slate) becomes a viral sensation as he tries to find and reconnect with his long-lost family.
Despite its simple nature, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is a heartwarming and unforgettable emotional thrill ride that will have you laughing one moment and crying hysterically the next.
Stream Marcel The Shell With Shoes On on Netflix.
Annie (1982)
Whether you’re looking for one of the great Carol Burnett performances or a classic musical to watch with the kids, John Huston’s 1982 film adaptation of Annie will have you covered. Much like the musical and comic strip from which it was based, this beloved musical follows the iconic red-headed orphan (played by Aileen Quinn) as she is welcomed into a life of leisure and luxury after being taken in by Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks (Albert Finney).
What follows is a charming, moving, and classic movie experience that’ll have humming, singing, tapping, and dancing through your next family movie night.
The Land Before Time (1988)
If you’re looking for a movie that is going to give a great sense of adventure, make you cry, and show off some great animation in a little over an hour, then The Land Before Time is going to be your best bet. Released in 1988, this cherished classic follows Littlefoot (voiced by Gabriel Damon) as he tries to discover the Great Valley, a legendary and idyllic place where he can live a better life.
Though the road is full of danger (and hungry carnivorous dinosaurs), Littlefoot finds some help along the way with a ragtag group of young dinos who become not only his friends but his family as well.
Stream The Land Before Time on Netflix.
Leo (2023)
If you have kids in your house, there’s a good chance you’ve already seen Leo or at least heard about it since its December 2023 release. This surprisingly great animated feature follows Leo (Adam Sandler) an aging lizard who tries to escape an elementary classroom after becoming obsessed with his mortality. However, his plan to live his final days in the wilderness is thrown for a loop when he starts to bond with the students.
Orion And The Dark (2024)
Orion and the Dark, an animated film from DreamWorks and Netflix, follows a young boy (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) with a wild imagination as he embarks upon an epic and dangerous journey through the dark of night. But he isn’t alone, as a massive and kind-hearted giant (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser) helps him along the way. At just a little over 90 minutes long, this wonderfully animated and heartwarming film could be a hit with the whole family.
Stream Orion and the Dark on Netflix.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023)
Nearly a quarter-century after we last saw Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) and Rocky (Zachary Levi) escape the Tweedy Farm, the fearless rooster and hen are forced to break into a processing plant to rescue their daughter (voiced by Bella Ramsey) in Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget. This hilarious, heartwarming, and action-packed stop-motion animated film has all the charm of the original Chicken Run plus a new sense of adventure that makes a wild time for the whole family.
Stream Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget on Netflix.
Family Switch (2023)
There have been some great body swap movies over the years, and in December 2023, Netflix gave viewers another addition to that list with Family Switch. This family-friendly comedy starring Jennifer Garner and Ed Helms follows a dysfunctional family of five (plus a dog) as they try to grow closer only to end up switching places with one another in the process. With a short deadline to make things right before they are trapped in each other’s bodies for good, the family has to work together for a change.
Stream Family Switch on Netflix.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The biggest animated movie of 2023 and one of the best video game adaptations ever, The Super Mario Bros. Movie has all the charm and history of the iconic Nintendo franchise with the visual style of Illumination, creating a one-of-a-kind experience. Kids and parents, non-gamers and gamers alike, will find something to enjoy here, even if it’s finding all those Mario Easter eggs hidden throughout.
Stream The Super Mario Bros. Movie on Netflix.
Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse (2023)
Undoubtedly one of the best Spider-Man movies, as well as one of the most inventive comic book films in recent memory, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse came into theaters as a tour de force in June 2023, leaving audiences of all ages entertained. It has stunning visuals, imaginative top-notch action sequences, and a lot of heart. And while we wait for an update on the upcoming Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, now’s a great time to revisit this incredible sequel.
Stream Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix.
Paddington (2014
After all these years, Paddington, the first entry in the live-action animation hybrid adaptation of Michael Bond’s beloved children’s books, is still a gem to watch. Watching the adorable bear with a certain fondness for marmalade find a place in the Brown family never gets old and still brings so much joy to the heart of anyone who watches. It has heart, humor, and so many classic moments.
Minions (2015)
Released in 2015, Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda’s Minions follows those adorable yet destructive creatures years before they became the trusted henchmen of Gru in the Despicable Me series. In search of a master (they go through quite a few), the minions find Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), a sinister supervillain with an ingenious and over-the-top plan to take over the world. There are laughs galore (for audiences of all ages) in this animated feature that made over $1 billion at the box office.
Nimona (2023)
Though there are some major differences between the movie and graphic novel, the Netflix animated movie, Nimona, is something audiences of all ages can enjoy. The 2023 book-to-screen adaptation, which was nominated for an Oscar, follows framed knight, Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), as he and the titular Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) set out to prove his innocence. This turns out to be no easy task on the long and winding road to redemption.
The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021)
The Mitchells aren’t the perfect family. Heck, they aren’t even a functional family. But when they discover that a rogue A.I. has taken over the planet and is holding the rest of humanity hostage, they have to put their differences aside and save the world in the incredibly hilarious and emotional The Mitchells vs. the Machines.
Stream The Mitchells vs. the Machines on Netflix.
Trolls (2016)
Who says you have to be a kid to enjoy the Trolls movies, because that’s far from the case. Before Trolls Band Together opens in theaters in November 2023, now would be the perfect time to go back and see how things started for Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) on their first adventure to save their fellow trolls from the evil Bergens.
A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019)
Fans of stop-motion animated movies (and quirky British humor) will feel right at home with the 2019 feature film, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon. This short and sweet romp of a good time follows the titular farm animal as he and his flock meet an alien who has recently crashed on the planet. With the help of his friends (both old and new), Shaun sets out to help the alien escape before a nefarious government agency gets their hands on him.
Stream A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon on Netflix.
Yes Day (2021)
One of the more notable movies to come out in March 2021, Yes Day stars Jennifer Garner and Édgar Ramirez as two parents who give their children the ultimate gift: one day where the kids are in charge. With scenes loosely based on Garner’s own experience with her kids, especially after 2020’s quarantine, the family comedy is filled with good times, humor, and a lot of heart. Just be careful what you ask for when you recommend this at movie night.
Benji (2018)
There have been various incarnations of the Benji franchise over the years and to the delight of grandmothers around the world, the 2018 Netflix version is just as wholesome and fun as the 1974 original. Set this time in New Orleans, the lovable terrier finds his new home with a young family and the sights and sounds of the Big Easy. When Benji’s new kids bite off a little more than they can chew, it’s up to the iconic pooch to save the day. And don’t worry, Benji is one of the movies in which the dog doesn’t die.
John Mulaney And The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019)
Then there is John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch, a 2019 musical variety show that pays homage to children’s programs of the ‘70s and ‘80s while also touching on modern topics and situations. This hilarious collection of songs about everything from your grandma’s new boyfriend to entertaining your parents and their friends at their next party is remarkable in its premise and execution. Watch out, because Mulaney’s jokes and songs are contagious here.
Stream John Mulaney And The Sack Lunch Bunch On Netflix.
That’s a lot, but should be more than enough to hold you and your kids on family movie night (or family movie week with all of these titles). If you want to know about all the upcoming Netflix movies (not just family movies), don’t worry, because we have you more than covered.
