25 Best Family Movies On Netflix To Watch With Your Kids
Grab your popcorn, candy, and big comfy blankets ... it's Netflix family movie night!
Netflix has made watching family movies affordable and convenient. With thousands of lists of family movies on Netflix and a living room full of impatient kids waiting for their popcorn, it can be hard to find the perfect film to watch.
And then sometimes it's impractical to go to a movie theater with a younger child. There might not be a kid-friendly family movie playing, or those moments when your child is sick and unable to sleep, a parent may want to create a little distraction by watching a fun cartoon movie together.
Family movie nights are a staple of quality parent and child bonding time.
Whatever genre you may be feeling can fall under the category of a family movie, and parents love to know exactly what their child will be watching before the move starts. Netflix has made choosing the most appropriate film for you and your child convenient. From ratings to show collections that interest everyone, there are hilarious comedies, heart-pounding adventures, sweet love stories, mysteries and even some tear jerkers in the queue.
Whatever mood you may be in, there is a story that will touch your heart and make your children happy, which is the goal of quality family time together, especially when it's spent at home. Not to mention, watching a film together can help you teach your child compassion.
In for a meaningful family movie night? The compilation has some of the newest and hottest family films that have come out in the past few years. But it also has a great assortment of the classics. Those never get old.
There are stories with animals, fairytales, unlikely friendships and heroic deeds. Stories with futuristic inventions, heart-wrenching moments and entertaining musical bits. Family movies have it all. What makes them so special is being able to watch it with everyone.
Here are 25 family movies you can find on Netflix, including their ratings, so you can watch in the comfort of home:
1. Beauty And The Beast
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 71%
The new live-action film based on the classic fairytale. Emma Watson plays Belle, a woman trapped in a mansion while trying to save her father with an unlikely companion. The songs are lively and easy to sing along to! The age-old story has never been more magical or entertaining.
2. Casper
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 41%
The classic movie about a lonely ghost and his search for a friend. Once Kat moves in with her father a friendship and adventure is born. Some pesky humans and ghosts try to intervene, Kat and Casper must put a stop to it. The friendly ghost has always been a hit and will not disappoint for the whole family!
3. Finding Dory
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%
The lovable character of Dory from Finding Nemo shows where she came from. Her search for her parents and her old home on the other side of the world proves to be an entertaining tale. Dory is voiced by Ellen Degenerous and is just as adorable and hilarious as her first movie.
4. Trolls
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 74%
The journey of Princess Poppy and her mission to save her fellow trolls. Princess Poppy and her happy nature must rescue her friends from the clutches of the Bergens. With excitement and some laughs, this movie is a winner.
5. Meet the Robinsons
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 66%
A smart young inventor gives up all hope of finding his newest invention that was stolen by Bowler Hat Guy. When a time-traveler with the name Wilbur Robinson comes into the picture, everything changes. This story is full of action and will keep you interested the whole movie.
6. The Secret Life of Pets
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 74%
What do pets do when their owners are away? This story answers that question perfectly. When a comfortable terrier encounters a new roommate (a giant canine) hilarity and chaos ensue. Louis C.K. voices Max, the main character. This tale is one human and more furry friends will love to watch together.
7. Hercules
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 83%
This Disney classic is one for the books. The songs, the muscles, the humor and the actual story needs no explanation. Watch the movie and witness Hercules, Meg and their friends try to defeat Hades: the evilest villain of their time. This classic is one everyone will be sure to agree on.
8. Zootopia
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%
The city of Zootopia is unlike any other city in the world. This "mammal metropolis" is the home to various animals and species. When the first rabbit to join the police force gets hired, she learns how hard it is to enforce the law. The story is always interesting and will keep you glued to the screen.
9. Sing
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 80%
Dapper Koala is an optimistic out-of-his-prime retired theatre singer. But his age or time doesn't stop him from doing what he loves. His perseverance to get his career back is inspiring. Not to mention this film is hilarious and adorable. The tale will inspire you and the kids to never give up on your dreams.
10. The Mighty Ducks
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 18%
The classic movie. After a young lawyer gets in trouble with the law he must enter into community service. He ends up coaching a kids hockey team and gets a lot more out of it then he thought he would. This tale of friendship and teamwork never gets old. The Mighty Duck is a movie everyone will want to enjoy and it will not disappoint.
11. Scooby-Doo
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 30%
Scooby-doo where are you? The cartoon classic brought to life. The gang is together to solve another mystery. Velma, Fred, Daphne and of course Shaggy and Scooby band together to figure out their biggest case yet. Will they unmask the villain? Or will this case get the best of them?
12. The Grinch that Stole Christmas
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 80%
Jim Carrey brings the classic Christmas character to life. The Grinch has lived above Whoville for many years. He does not wish to enter into society but decides he wants to cause some havoc for Christmas this year.... by stealing it. Watch to see what happens in this chaotic and heartwarming tale.
13. The BFG
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75%
Sophie, a young girl is in for the adventure of her lifetime when she comes across the BFG. This big friendly giant takes her on an amazing adventure and their friendship is one for the books. The Roald Dahl story comes to life right before your eyes. A winner for the whole family!
14. Free Willy
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 57%
Another oldie but surely a goodie. When a young boy gets in trouble for vandalizing a theme park he must pay back the damage he caused by working at the park. While being sent to a new family in foster care he makes an unlikely friendship and a story is born. Free Willy is uplifting and inspiring for everyone, they won't be a dry eye in the room.
15. The Iron Giant
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
A great throwback. A giant alien robot crash lands in the northeast of the states. A young boy while exploring the area comes across him their out of this world friendship starts. When the government gets involved however the chaos ensues. This story will warm your heart right to the core.
16. Antz
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
When a worker ant falls in love with an ant princess he strives to make his ant colony better. When General Mandible played by Gene Hackmen comes in this proves difficult. He must stop the general from destroying his entire population. This adventure is one to keep you on the edge of your seat!
17. Charlotte's Web
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 76%
The classic tale comes to life in the movies. Wilbur happens upon a spider while living in the barn of his master's house. This is no ordinary spider, their friendship is special and Wilbur's life is changed forever. This story is a crowd pleaser and will not disappoint.
18. Hotel For Dogs
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 41%
Andi and Bruce are put into a predicament when they move into a home that does not allow pets. The pair finds an abandoned hotel and decides to make their problem go away by using it as a space for dogs. When the place becomes a haven for strays Andi and Bruce must find a way to protect it. This movie is great for people and canines of all ages.
19. Dolphin Tale
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 82%
When a young dolphin gets caught in a trap she damages her tail while swimming in the ocean. When she is brought to the hospital it becomes sadly apparent that she cannot keep her tail. A team of three good Samaritans: a marine biologist, a prosthetics designer, and a boy make having a tail again possible. This tale is totally a win.
20. Penelope
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 53%
Christina Ricci plays Penelope, a girl cursed with a pigs nose until she finds true love. Feeling as though she is a prisoner that is trapped in her own home. When two mysterious suitors come into the picture she is blinded by not knowing their intentions. When one of them starts to really fall for her things get complicated. This heartwarming updated fairytale is a movie everyone will be sure to enjoy.
21. Cool Runnings
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 75%
The Jamaican Bobsled team! This uplifting and hilarious movie follows a team of Olympic bobsled hopefuls and their coach played by John Candy. Being the first bobsledding team from Jamaica has its share of publicity and problems. There is no way the whole family won't love this flick.
22. Heavyweights
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 29%
What a great old classic movie. Okay, okay ... maybe it doesn't have the best critic ratings, but who can deny some laughs from one of the funniest actors of all time, Ben Stiller?!
This story follows the summer at a weight loss camp. It is a fun place until Ben Stiller's character comes in and changes everything up. The campers must figure out a way to save their camp and get everything back to the way it was. This movie will not stop you from laughing and will be sure to make you a fan.
23. Moana
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%
A teenager with an adventurous spirit sails out in a dangerous storm to save her people. When she comes across the demi-god Maui, he guides her into becoming a master way-finder. Along the way, however, she finds herself. This new Disney tale is sure to keep you enthralled the whole time. The powerful story shows how strong you are if you just believe in yourself.
24. Kung Fu Panda
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%
Jack Black plays a panda that works in his family's noodle shop but dreams of becoming a kung fu master. His life is turned upside down when that dream becomes a reality. He must fulfill a prophecy and gets a chance to train with all of his idols. This story is not short on laughs or entertainment.
25. An American Tail
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 69%
The Classic tale of a young mouse and his family that emigrates from Russia to the United States. While sailing over the young mouse Fievel is thrown from the boat and separated from his family. He manages to sail to New York in a bottle. The quest to find his family is an adventure you will just have to see.