December is here, and the holiday spirit is in the air. After long days filled with school, extracurricular activities, and winter fun, many kids come home dreaming of some cozy relaxation. And what’s better than unwinding with a good movie? Even better – a family movie night on the couch?
Today, we present to you 10 good, funny movies and animations for kids and their parents, where both younger and older audiences will have a great time. We’ve included a mix of the latest productions as well as classics that you’ll surely remember from your own childhood. Behold, here is the list of the best family movies on Netflix!
Key Takeaways
- Family movies offer wholesome entertainment suitable for all ages.
- They often include valuable life lessons and themes of love, friendship, and togetherness.
- Family movies can be enjoyed together, making them perfect for bonding time.
Movie List
Shrek (2001)
| IMDb Score: | 7.9 |
| Rank: | #1 |
| Genre: | Adventure, Comedy, Parody |
| Starring | Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz |
| Directed By: | Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson |
Synopsis:
A previously lonely and grumpy ogre, feared by the local population, accidentally becomes a hero and discovers friendship and love, which change him forever!
Why You Should Watch:
Although this film already had its 23rd anniversary, and you’ve probably seen it several times, it’s worth a rewatch with the kids. A large dose of humour, plenty of references to classic fairy tales and pop culture, and a timeless message!
Paddington 2 (2017)
| IMDb Score: | 7.8 |
| Rank: | #2 |
| Genre: | Adventure, Comedy, Family |
| Starring | Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville |
| Directed By: | Paul King |
Synopsis:
Paddington, a charming bear in a hat, now lives with the loving Brown family. On the occasion of his aunt’s 100th birthday, he plans to buy her a gift and takes on a series of odd jobs to earn the money. Unfortunately, the gift is stolen, which is just the beginning of a great adventure.
Why You Should Watch:
Paddington is a hero to many generations of kids. Your little ones can’t miss the chance to get to know this bear. Additionally, this film is a charming picture that mixes humour with a powerful message about kindness.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
| IMDb Score: | 7.7 |
| Rank: | #3 |
| Genre: | Animation, Adventure, Comedy |
| Starring | Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph |
| Directed By: | Michael Rianda, Jeff Rowe |
Synopsis:
A crazy four-person family and their not-so-pretty dog set out on a road trip. By unfortunate coincidence, the Mitchells suddenly find themselves… in the middle of a robot apocalypse! It quickly turns out that they are mankind’s last hope.
Why You Should Watch:
This animation was created by the team that brought us Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse and The LEGO Movie. Additionally, The Mitchells vs. the Machines excellently combines humour with a story full of universal truths about family.
The LEGO Movie (2014)
| IMDb Score: | 7.7 |
| Rank: | #4 |
| Genre: | Action, Adventure, Stop Motion Animation |
| Starring | Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks |
| Directed By: | Phil Lord, Christopher Miller |
Synopsis:
In the LEGO world, anything is possible – you can build whatever you want and freely transform a building into a plane or a dragon. However, Lord Business wants to stop these changes forever using glue… A regular LEGO figure – Emmet, gets caught up in a mission to stop the villain’s plans.
Why You Should Watch:
This ten-year-old film is a true masterpiece that combines great animation with a hilarious script. It sparks the imagination through a brilliant presentation of the LEGO world and carries an important lesson – don’t let your inner child die.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)
| IMDb Score: | 7.6 |
| Rank: | #5 |
| Genre: | Dark Fantasy, Adventure, Stop Motion Animation |
| Starring | David Bradley, Ewan McGregor, Gregory Mann, Cate Blanchett |
| Directed By: | Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson |
Synopsis:
An old Geppetto, longing for a child, manages to bring a wooden puppet – Pinocchio – to life.
Why You Should Watch:
This is another adaptation of the classic children’s novel and school reading, this time with a star-studded voice cast and animation that is a true feast for the eyes. Every child should know this adventurous and touching story, and for adults, it will be a nostalgic journey.
Nimona (2023)
| IMDb Score: | 7.5 |
| Rank: | #6 |
| Genre: | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Starring | Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang |
| Directed By: | Nick Bruno, Troy Quane |
Synopsis:
The movie transfers us to a medieval-futuristic world. One of the knights, Ballister Boldheart, is wrongly accused and framed for the murder of the Queen. Now his task is to clear his name and prove his innocence, with the help of the titular Nimona.
Why You Should Watch:
Nimona is a well-crafted animation that tells a story about friendship and unjust prejudices. This film offers 100 minutes of visual pleasure, great humor, and an important lesson.
Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
| IMDb Score: | 7.0 |
| Rank: | #7 |
| Genre: | Adventure, Comedy, Epic Fantasy |
| Starring: | Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black |
| Directed By: | Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc |
Synopsis:
Two plumber brothers, Mario and Luigi, set out on a journey through a fantastic world to save a kidnapped princess
Why You Should Watch:
The universe of the iconic Mario brothers brought to the big screen? You and your kids have to see this.
The Sea Beast (2022)
| IMDb Score: | 7.0 |
| Rank: | #8 |
| Genre: | Sea Adventure, Action |
| Starring: | Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris |
| Directed By: | Chris Williams |
Synopsis:
Jacob Holland is a fearless hunter of sea monsters. When a little girl, Maisie, sneaks onto his ship, an unexpected friendship and an incredible adventure at the end of the world begin!
Why You Should Watch:
The Sea Beast is a story full of unexpected twists and beautiful scenery. If your kids like pirates, sea stories, and tales of fearless children, you must watch this film!
Leo (2023)
| IMDb Score: | 7.0 |
| Rank: | #9 |
| Genre: | Adventure, Comedy, Musical |
| Starring: | Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong |
| Directed By: | Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim |
Synopsis:
Leonardo (a 74-year-old lizard) and Squirtle (his equally old turtle friend) have spent their entire lives in a terrarium in a school classroom. One day, the class pets are taken to students’ homes, where they reveal their true potential!
Why You Should Watch:
Leo is a story about how it’s never too late to take on a chance and change your life, and with the right teacher and mentor, anything is possible! Moreover, often the older ones can learn from the younger.
A Whisker Away (2020)
| IMDb Score: | 6.7 |
| Rank: | #10 |
| Genre: | Anime, Fantasy, Adventure, Romance |
| Starring: | Mirai Shida, Natsuki Hanae, Minako Kotobuki |
| Directed By: | Jun'ichi Satô, Tomotaka Shibayama |
Synopsis:
Known by its original title “Nakitai watashi wa neko o kaburu,” this is the story of Miyo Sasaki, who, wanting to gain the favour of her classmate, transforms into a cat using a mysterious mask. However, the more she uses it, the greater the chance that she will remain a cat forever.
Why You Should Watch:
If you or your kids like anime, this quirky, engrossing story about life as a cat is for you. It’s also great for helping kids understand the importance of feelings and honesty.
FAQs
- What are some family movies suitable for younger children?
There are plenty on Netflix! On our list, at least three titles are suitable for young children aged 3-5: Paddington 2, Super Mario Bros. Movie, and LEGO Movie, but you can find many more on the platform.
- How can I find family movies with positive messages?
Actually, all the movies we mentioned carry some positive message, but it’s worth knowing that there are many such productions.
- Are there any family movies on Netflix with educational content?
Hundreds ;)! At least a few of the movies on the list above can become a topic of discussion about relationships, feelings, or self-belief.
- Can I filter family movies by genre on Netflix?
Of course, you can. While browsing the platform, you can sort movies by genre, as well as by the actors featured or the theme. If you want to quickly find the category of children and family movies, type the code: 783 into the Netflix search.
- How do I share a family movie night experience with distant relatives?
The world of streaming and VOD offers an amazing opportunity to watch movies together, even from opposite sides of the world, at the same time. Just agree with family members that on a given day and time, you’ll watch a specific movie together. You can also use Teleparty, which synchronizes the content being watched and allows participants to join a chat. If that’s not satisfying, you can FaceTime your friends or family on your computer or phone and watch the chosen movie or series together, seeing and hearing your beloved ones.
Conclusion
Our list of the 10 best family movies on Netflix is full of interesting, visually beautiful productions that carry positive messages, making them perfect for a family movie night with the kids.
We’ve prepared for you both new films from the last few years and top productions that may remind you of your own childhood. Here you will find both American movies and foreign films that are worth watching. We’re sure that with our help, you already have a plan for what to watch with the kids on your next movie night!