We’ve all been there: Remote in hand, scrolling through the Netflix queue trying to find something that isn’t—for the love of God—Paw Patrol. Fear not, diplomatic parent, because we’ve rounded up the 20 best family movies to watch right now on Netflix. (Warning: You might even enjoy them more than your kids will.)
The 20 Best Family Movies on Netflix
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Published Mar 30, 2021
Disney
1. ‘princess And The Frog’ (2009)
Who’s in it? Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David (voices)
What’s it about? Set in New Orleans during the Jazz Age, a young and beautiful Tiana has a dream of opening a restaurant. However, her path suddenly changes when she comes face-to-face with a frog prince, who was turned into a creature by an evil villain and now must find a way to become human once again.
What ages? 5+
Watch It Now
ALEX BAILEY/NETFLIX
2. ‘enola Holmes’ (2020)
Who’s in it? Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin
What’s it about? Based on Nancy Springer’s Enola Holmes Mysteries book series, the film is set in England in the 1800s and follows Sherlock Holmes’s younger sister Enola, on a mission to find out what happened to her mother, who vanishes on her 16th birthday.
What ages? 13+
Illumination Studios
3. ‘the Secret Life Of Pets 2’ (2019)
Who’s in it? Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish (voices)
What’s it about? This must-watch sequel offers another glimpse into the lives of housepets, who communicate (and wreak havoc) with each other behind closed doors when their owners are away. This one isn’t a continuation so you can watch it totally on its own. Oh, and did we mention it’s from the same creators of Despicable Me?
What ages? 7+
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NEtflix
4. 'over The Moon’ (2020)
Who’s in it? Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong (voices)
What’s it about? Over the Moon centers around young dreamer, Fei Fei, who is mesmerized by the legend of the moon goddess, Chang’e. Naturally, she builds her own rocket and sets out a mission to prove that the legend really does exist.
What ages? 5+
Watch It Now
Paramount Pictures
5. ‘‘rango’ (2011)
Who’s in it? Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin (voices)
What’s it about? This 2011 animated flick follows a pet chameleon’s wild journey after his terrarium falls out of a truck in the desert leaving him completely lost and alone. Things take a weird turn when he’s made Sheriff of a town and must find a way to provide water during a shortage to a ton of thirsty reptiles.
What ages? 9+
Watch It Now
Netflix
6. ‘yes Day’ (2021)
Who’s in it? Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramírez, Jenna Ortega
What’s it about? In this Netflix original, parents Allison and Carlos take the advice of a school guidance counselor to give their children a Yes Day, which means they ditch the word “no” for 24 hours and must do everything their kids ask of them for an entire day. No rules? Sounds like every kid’s dream.
What ages? 7+
Netflix
7. ‘finding Ohana’ (2021)
Who’s in it? Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson
What’s it about? Finding Ohana is about two siblings who connect with their culture on an unexpected adventure to Hawaii. The film features a cast of predominantly Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (we love the commitment) and even stars a handful of newcomers in lead roles. Overall, it has wonderful message about family.
What ages? 7+
TRistar Pictures
8. ‘’hook’ (1991)
Who’s in it? Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts
What’s it about? Willams plays a grown-up Peter Pan who has a successful career as a lawyer (who knew?). Unfortunately, his two children are suddenly kidnapped by (you guessed it) Captain Hook. Now, he has no choice but to return to Neverland, which isn’t exactly how he left it.
What ages? 7+
Watch It Now
Illumination Entertainment
9. ‘the Lorax’ (2012)
Who’s in it? Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Taylor Swift (voices)
What’s it about? In this big-screen adaptation of a classic story from beloved children’s writer Dr. Seuss, the forest-dwelling Lorax must stop the evil Once-ler from ruining the environment.
What ages? 5+
Watch It Now
Walt Disney Pictures
10. ‘jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey’ (2020)
Who’s in it? Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Phylicia Rashad
What’s it about? Even though it’s a Christmas movie, it’s too good not to include. This holiday musical centers around a toy inventor (not Santa Claus) who loses everything when he is betrayed by his trusted apprentice. Luckily, an unexpected visit from his granddaughter thirty years later helps him get his life back on track and find the true meaning of Christmas. And did we mention it has a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes?
What ages? 7+
Walt Disney Pictures
11. ‘miracle’ (2004)
Who’s in it? Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West, Noah Emmerich
What’s it about? This true story about player-turned-hockey-coach Herb Brooks who led the 1980 U.S. men’s hockey team to victory over the heavily favored Russian squad isn’t just for sports fans. It’s about teamwork, dedication and hope in the face of adversity.
What ages? 7+
Watch It Now
Baozou Manhua and Alibaba Pictures
12. ‘next Gen’ (2018)
Who’s in it? John Krasinski, Charlyne Yi, Jason Sudeikis, Michael Peña (voices)
What’s it about? The Office’s Jim voices robot 7723, part of a secret project that’s discovered by robot-averse teen Mai. The unlikely duo must embark on an adventure to stop an uprising by bad robots and foil the plot of world domination by a mad man.
What ages? 7+
Columbia Pictures
13. ‘cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs’ (2009)
Who’s in it? Anna Faris, Bill Hader, Bruce Campbell, Andy Samberg (voices)
What’s it about? A town hits hard times and is forced to eat only sardines (which, honestly, sounds like our worst nightmare). Luckily, a masterful inventor finds a way to turn water into food, so that burgers and ice cream fall from the sky (and into trendy roofless restaurants) whenever it rains. Nothing could go wrong, right?!
What ages? 5+
Watch It Now
Paramount Pictures
14. ‘the Rugrats Movie’ (1998)
Who’s in it? Elizabeth Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Kath Soucie (voices)
What’s it about? Somehow this group of babies will always stand the test of time. In this flick, which just so happens to be the first movie from the hit Nickelodeon series, Angelica convinces Tommy that his newborn brother will steal all the attention from his parents. So, of course, he and the rest of the gang must find a way to return try to return the newborn.
What ages? 5+
Watch It Now
Netflix
15. ‘canvas’ (2020)
Who’s in it? Brad Bird, Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson (voices)
What’s it about? In this animated action-comedy, one young gamer gets the surprise of his life when one of his videogames magically makes three babies (with superpowers) appear at his home. But can he handle life as a full-time babysitter? Maybe with a little bit of help.
Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures
16. ‘arctic Fox’ (2019)
Who’s in it? Jeremy Renner, Heidi Klum, James Franco (voices)
What’s it about? An ambitious fox working in the mailroom commandeers a sled and sets out to deliver a mysterious package and save the planet from an evil Walrus who is trying to melt the arctic.
What ages? 6+
WATCH IT NOW
CTV
17. ‘mirai’ (2018)
Who’s in it? Moka Kamishiraishi, Haru Kuroki, Gen Hoshino (voices)
What’s it about? This Japanese animated flick is all about a young boy learning how to accept his new sibling. However, unlike Tommy Pickles, he must find a new way to learn to accept this major life change, including doing a deep-dive into his family’s rich history.
What ages? 8+
dreamworks animation
18. ‘the Croods’ (2013)
Who’s in it? Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds (voices)
What’s it about? The Croods revolves around one prehistoric family whose cave home is unexpectedly destroyed by an earthquake. With nowhere to live, the group must search through unfamiliar terrain for a new place to settle as the end of the world nears.
What ages? 8+
WATCH IT NOW
BBC Films
19. ‘the Boy Who Harnessed The Wind’ (2019)
Who’s in it? Maxwell Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Aïssa Maïga
What’s it about? The film centers around a 13-year-old William Kamkwamba who, inspired by a book, decides to build his own wind turbine in hopes to help his Malawian village. And this one’s based on a true story.
What ages? 11+
GK FILMS/PARAMOUNT PICTURES
20. ‘hugo’ (2011)
Who’s in it? Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield
What’s it about? This Martin Scorcese flick follows a young orphan living in a train station as he solves a mystery involving his late father’s automaton and notebook that he left behind. Super lovely and thoughtful for adults as well as kids.
What ages? 8+
WATCH IT NOW
