The best family movies on Netflix right now
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Even after the kids go back to school, our list of the best family movies on Netflix right now will help you make the most of movie night. We’ve gone through the extensive library to narrow down the choices. You might still argue about what to watch, but hopefully, it will be a whole lot less scrolling.
This month, three new movies join the list: Migration, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Fields of Dreams. Read on for all of the best family movies on Netflix now.
Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best shows on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+. For Netflix fans, check out the 10 most popular movies on Netflix right now.
Migration (2023) [New]
Metacritic: 56%
Rated: PG
Duration: 83m
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars: Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Caspar Jennings
Directed by: Benjamin Renner
In Migration, Mack Mallard (Kumail Nanjiani) is content keeping his family safe and paddling around their New England pond forever. His wife, Pam (Elizabeth Banks), however, is eager to show their kids the world and set out for an adventure. After a migrating duck family regales them with thrilling tales of their travels, Pam finally convinces Mack to head for a tropical Jamaican holiday via New York City. The migration does not go as planned.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) [New]
Metacritic: 39%
Rated: PG
Duration: 91m
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars: Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell, Jayma Mays
Directed by: Steve Carr
Sometimes, you just need a dumb comedy, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop fits the bill. Paul Blart (Kevin James) is a single dad working as a security officer at a New Jersey mall to make ends meet. Nobody takes him seriously, but that doesn’t stop him from considering himself the real deal. And when a heist shuts down the mall, he finally gets the opportunity to show he’s the real deal.
Field of Dreams (1989) [New]
Metacritic: 57%
Rated: PG
Duration: 107m
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Stars: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Gaby Hoffmann
Directed by: Phil Alden Robinson
A classic sports movie, Field of Dreams stars Kevin Costner as Iowa farmer Ray Kinsella, consumed by a voice that tells him, “If you build it, he will come.” Interpreting this dream, Ray sets out to turn his ordinary cornfield into an extraordinary baseball field. Soon, great legends of baseball’s past emerge from the corn to play ball on this dream-inspired field.
Minions (2015)
Metacritic: 56%
Rated: PG
Duration: 91m
Genre: Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton
Directed by: Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin
There appears to be no critical mass for the Minions’ popularity, as Universal continues to pump out movies. Go back to the dawn of these one-eyed little yellow creatures in Minions, the prequel to how they came to be in Despicable Me‘s Gru’s employ. Evolving through the years, they’ve moved from master to master, always failing to keep them for very long. When Minion Kevin sets out with teenage rebel Stuart and baby Bob to find a master they can keep for good, they stumble across the world’s first female supervillain, Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock). But now, they’ll not only have to serve, they’ll also have to save all of Minionkind from annihilation.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024)
Duration: 87m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Adventure, Family
Stars: Carolyn Lawrence, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown
Directed by: Liza Johnson
A SpongeBob adventure for the whole family! This Netflix Original stars Sandy Cheeks in her typically heroic role. After Bikini Bottom and all of its citizens are suddenly scooped out of the ocean, Sandy and SpongeBob venture to Texas to uncover a villainous plot and save all of Bikini Bottom.
Matilda (1996)
Metacritic: 72%
Rated: PG
Duration: 98m
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman
Directed by: Danny DeVito
Based on Roald Dahl’s classic novel, Matilda stars Mara Wilson as the titular magical kiddo. Matilda is a genius and kind to everyone she meets. Unfortunately, her parents (Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman) are the worst people ever who refuse to let her go to school. When they finally do relent and send her to school, it’s only because she’ll be under the charge of the domineering headmistress Trunchbull (Pam Ferris). The kindly Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) proves to be a wonderful mentor, however, encouraging Matilda’s genius, coaxing out her magical ability, and helping Matilda to lead a revolution against Trunchbull.
The Wiz (1978)
Metacritic: 53%
Rated: PG
Duration: 134m
Genre: Music, Fantasy, Adventure
Stars: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell
Directed by: Sidney Lumet
This 1978 musical rendition of The Wizard of Oz has become a classic in its own right — especially in the Black community. Aiming to capture the essence of the Black experience in the ’70s, The Wiz stars Diana Ross as Dorothy Gale, a shy kindergarten teacher who is swept away to the magical land of Oz and forced to find her way back home. Along the way, she’ll meet a brainless Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), a hearltess Tinman (Nipsey Russell), and a cowardly Lion (Ted Ross). Mabel King, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor round out an iconic cast.
The Karate Kid (2010)
Metacritic: 61%
Duration: 140m
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Family
Stars: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji P. Henson
Directed by: Harald Zwart
Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith star in this reboot of the 1984 classic The Karate Kid. Dre Parker (Smith) has a great life in Detroit, but when his mom’s (Taraji P. Henson) new job sends them to China, Dre becomes the lowest kid on the totem pole. After developing a crush for a classmate, he also becomes the target of class bully, Cheng. With no friends and nowhere else to turn, Dre befriends maintenance man Mr. Han (Chan), a kung fu master who teaches Dre how to face down bullies the right way.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)
Metacritic: 59%
Rated: PG
Duration: 95m
Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy
Stars: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan
Directed by: Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn
The sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs finds Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) and his friends forced to leave town after unleashing a torrential downpour of food. Fortunately, Flint will be joining his idol Chester V (Will Forte) at The Live Corp Company, where the world’s best inventors are dedicated to solving the world’s problems. But when Flint’s machine returns to life and starts creating mutant food beasts, he’s forced to once again save the day.
Jumanji (1995)
Metacritic: 39%
Rated: PG
Duration: 104m
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Family
Stars: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Siblings Judy (Civil War‘s Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce) discover a mysterious board game in their new house and decide to play. Unwittingly, they’ve stumbled across Jumanji, a ferocious game that brings the creatures of the jungle into the real world, including Alan (Robin Williams), a man who was sucked into the game 26 years earlier and survived in the mystical jungle world since. Now, Alan’s only hope of freedom is to finish the game, dodging rhinoceroses stampedes, mischievous monkeys, a murderous hunter, and more perils to get to the end.
Nimona (2023)
Metacritic: 75%
Rated: PG
Duration: 102m
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Fantasy, Family
Stars: Chlo? Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang
Directed by: Troy Quane, Nick Bruno
One of Netflix’s coolest family-friendly movies, Nimona went a bit under the radar when it was released in 2023. Nonetheless, the hyperstylized, colorful fantasy adventure is well worth your time. After knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is framed for a murder he didn’t commit, he finds that the only person who can prove his innocence is Nimona (Chlo? Grace Moretz), a shape-shifting teen outcast who may also be a monster that he’s duty-bound to kill.
Leo (2023)
Metacritic: 65%
Rated: PG
Duration: 102m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong
Directed by: Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, David Wachtenheim
Leo (Adam Sandler) is a 74-year-old lizard who has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate Squirtle the turtle (Bill Burr). Upon finding out he only has one year left to live, he decides it’s time to break out and experience what the world has to offer. Unfortunately, that proves harder than expected as he gets caught up in the problems of anxious students and their cruel substitute teacher, Mrs. Malkin (Cecily Strong).
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)
Metacritic: 83%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 117m
Genre: Animation, Fantasy, Drama, Thriller
Stars: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann
Directed by: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson
There have been enough Pinocchio revivals over the past few years that it’s reasonable to ask why Guillermo del Toro thought another one was a good idea. And yet … del Toro’s pleasantly demented mind is sort of perfect for Pinocchio if you think about it. His stop-motion reimagining of Carlo Collodi’s classic tale is a whimsical musical that breathes surprising new life into the world’s most famous puppet who thinks he’s a real boy.
Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
Metacritic: 61%
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 129m
Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Crime
Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge
Directed by: Harry Bradbeer
Millie Bobby Brown returns as Sherlock Holmes’ unheralded — yet even more brilliant — little sister, Enola, in Enola Holmes 2. Fresh off of solving her first case, Enola decides it’s time to open her very own agency, just like her brother, Sherlock (Henry Cavill). Unfortunately, she quickly discovers the demand for female detectives isn’t quite what it is for her male counterparts. Struggling to get any cases, Enola is about ready to close up shop when a penniless matchstick girl asks Enola to find her missing sister. The case, however, is far more complex than expected, sending Enola deep into London’s underworld and all the way to the highest echelons of society.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022)
Metacritic: 61%
IMDb: 5.8/10
Rated: G
Duration: 86m
Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy, Family, Science Fiction
Stars: Ben Schwartz, Omar Benson Miller, Brandon Mychal Smith
Directed by: Andy Suriano, Ant Ward
Nickelodeon’s hit YA series got the Netflix Original treatment! In their biggest adventure yet, Leo (Ben Schwartz), Raph (Omar Benson Miller), Mikey (Brandon Mychal Smith), and Donnie (Josh Brener) are the last hope against an alien invasion. In the year 2044, Earth is on the brink of becoming completely conquered by the Krang. In a desperate hail mary, an older Leo and Mikey send their student Casey Jones (Haley Joel Osment) to the year 2022 to help the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles find a key to stop the invasion before it happens.
Too Old for Fairy Tales (2022)
IMDb: 5.8/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 106m
Genre: Family, Comedy
Stars: Karolina Gruszka, Dorota Kolak, Andrzej Grabowski
Directed by: Kristoffer Rus
Too Old for Fairy Tales is a Polish film that stars newcomer Maciej Karas as Waldek, a spoiled gamer who fills his life with fantasy. But when there is a very real earthquake that forces Waldek apart from his mother, he’s taken in by an unpredictable aunt who introduces a whole new regiment of chores and responsibilities that Waldek has never experienced. Suddenly wrenched away from his precious games, Waldek is put into real-life survival mode, all while learning lessons he didn’t know he needed.
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
Metacritic: 82%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 84m
Genre: Documentary
Stars: Craig Foster, Tom Foster
Directed by: James Reed, Philippa Ehrlich
A nature documentary may seem like a bold choice for family movie night, but the Oscar-winning My Octopus Teacher feels like so much more than an educational film. Craig Foster is a professional photographer and videographer who returns to his childhood home at the southern tip of Africa, hoping to recover from burnout. Swimming in the same freezing ocean that he did as a child, Foster soon meets a young octopus who displays remarkable curiosity and intelligence. Foster continues to visit her den and track her movements, eventually earning her trust. The result is an extraordinary friendship that feels like it could only exist in a fantasy movie.
The Sea Beast (2022)
Metacritic: 75%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 115m
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Stars: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris
Directed by: Chris Williams
The age of monster hunters is alive and well in the animated Netflix original The Sea Beast. And those monsters happen to live in the sea. For years, brave humans have ventured to the sea to wage war against the monsters and make the oceans navigable. The most beloved of all these monster hunters is Jacob Holland (Karl Urban). When little Maisie Brumble (Zaris-Angel Hator) meets her hero in a tavern, she becomes obsessed with the idea of going to sea with him. So, she stows away on Jacob’s legendary ship. When Jacob finds her, he’s not thrilled, but he soon discovers that Maisie is a courageous crew member and unexpectedly useful.
Vivo (2021)
Metacritic: 66%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 99m
Genre: Animation, Family, Comedy
Stars: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana
Directed by: Kirk DeMicco
Looking for something Encanto-adjacent? A joint effort between Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, Vivo calls upon the talents of Hollywood music-man Lin-Manuel Miranda to properly weave its animated tale. Miranda not only provides original music to the film, but he also voices the titular character, a magical kinkajou who spends his days serenading alongside Andrés (Juan de Marcos), the creature’s spirited owner. When a chance communication from Andrés’ lost love arrives, the musical duo sets off on a journey to deliver the ultimate love song to the musician’s muse. A kaleidoscopic arrangement of visuals and sound, Vivo is a film filled with heart that bountifully delivers on the beautiful cultural traditions of its Latin-American setting and characters.
We Can Be Heroes (2020)
Metacritic: 51%
IMDb: 4.7/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 97m
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Family, Comedy
Stars: YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Andy Walken
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Writer-director Robert Rodriguez certainly knows a thing or two about delivering VFX-laden adventure films, centered on the crazy missions of exceptional pre-teen saviors. Serving as a spiritual continuation of The Adventure of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, We Can Be Heroes follows the story of Earth’s many superheroes, extraterrestrial supervillains, and the children of the former. When the vile alien invaders take the heroes as their prisoners, the kids, led by Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin), must band together to save their families from the intergalactic foe. Tailor-made for younger viewers, We Can Be Heroes comes to life through dazzling visuals, big set pieces, and great acting from its primary players.
Back to the Outback (2021)
Metacritic: 58%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 92m
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy
Stars: Isla Fisher, Tim Minchin, Eric Bana
Directed by: Harry Cripps, Claire Knight
Back to the Outback is a lively animated film that follows the cat-and-mouse getaway of a group of zoo creatures, led by Maddie (Isla Fisher), a snake looking to get back to the Australian outback where she believes she truly belongs. In tow are friends Zoe (Miranda Tapsell), Frank (Guy Pearce), and Neil (Angus Imrie) — a lizard, spider, and scorpion. With the zoo hot on their trail, the band of reptiles and insects must do everything in their power to make it to the faraway continent in one piece. Leaning heavily on the golden rule to never judge a book by its cover, even if it’s scaly or slimy, Back to the Outback is a fun-filled excursion that the whole family will enjoy.
Enola Holmes (2020)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 123m
Genre: Mystery, Crime, Adventure
Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin
Directed by: Harry Bradbeer
The Sherlock Holmes legend adds a wrinkle with Enola (Millie Bobby Brown), a much younger sister who has spent her adolescent life learning and experimenting with her brilliant mother in the family’s reclusive mansion. But when her mother goes missing, big brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) finally comes calling to reassure Enola that he’ll find their mother. Enola, however, has other ideas. She sets out to beat Sherlock at his own game.
Klaus (2019)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 8.1/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 96m
Genre: Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy
Stars: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones
Directed by: Sergio Pablos
Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) is content with living life his own way, and specifically against the will of his Postmaster General father. After being transferred to the isle of Smeerensburg, Jesper is forced to post six-thousand letters within the year or risk losing his inheritance. Fortunately for him, a reclusive toymaker named Klaus (J.K. Simmons) lives just around the corner. When the children of Smeerensburg learn about the toymaker, they begin writing letters to Klaus, each hoping they’ll receive a toy. A mesmerizing, hand-drawn interpretation of the Santa Claus mythos, Klaus is a brilliant film and an all-new holiday classic.
Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016)
Metacritic: 63%
IMDb: 6.1/10
Duration: 90m
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars: Paul Reubens, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly
Directed by: John Lee
Pee-wee Herman is back in a new adventure in this Netflix original introducing a new generation of fans to the plucky adventurer. When Pee-wee meets a mysterious, inspiring stranger (Joe Manganiello), he decides it’s finally time to take his first-ever holiday, hitting the road for his biggest adventure yet.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Metacritic: 80%
IMDb: 7.7/10
Duration: 114m
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Science Fiction, Action
Stars: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph
Directed by: Michael Rianda
If you’re going to do a family movie night, why not watch a movie about a dysfunctional family coming together? This Lord/Miller (The Lego Movie) animated romp is a ton of fun for everyone. Young Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) feels a bit like an outcast in her family of outcasts, but she knows she’ll find her people once she leaves for her first year of film school. Worried about losing his daughter permanently, Katie’s dad cancels her flight to LA and decides to do a family road trip instead. However, family bonding time is interrupted by the global uprising of electronic devices, organized by a scorned artificial intelligence (A.I.) named Pal. With the rest of the world rounded up and due for banishment to space, the Mitchells must come together to save their family and the planet.
Benji (2018)
Metacritic: 53%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 87m
Genre: Crime, Drama
Stars: Gabriel Bateman, Darby Camp, Kiele Sanchez
Directed by: Brandon Camp
Netflix’s remake of the classic doggy hero tale is a heart-warming, fun adventure for the whole family. Siblings Carter (Gabriel Bateman) and Frankie (Darby Camp) are struggling with a family that’s falling apart at the seams. The only silver lining appears to be Benji, a stray dog that has struck up a special friendship with the children. But when they stumble into serious danger, Benji will have to save the day.
The Willoughbys (2020)
Metacritic: 68%
IMDb: 6.4/10
Rated: PG
Duration: 92m
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara
Directed by: Kris Pearn
Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Sean Cullen, and Ricky Gervais lend their voices to this computer-animated film based on the book of the same name by Lois Lowry. It’s about the Willoughbys, two neglectful parents, and their unique children who try to survive on their own until a mysterious nanny arrives. Despite the presumably sad subject matter about orphaned children with bad parents, critics loved the film and lauded its silliness that is “anchored in genuine emotion.”
Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus (2019)
IMDb: 7.5/10
Rated: TV-Y7
Genre: Family, Animation, Comedy, Science Fiction, TV Movie
Cast: Jhonen Vasquez, Melissa Fahn, Wally Wingert
While it may not be the same Invader Zim millennials grew up watching, the Netflix-adapted Enter the Florpus will still get the entire family reeling. The story tracks Zim (Richard Steven Horvitz) after the events of the original TV series, seeing the little alien in the throes of an existential dilemma. As he’s fighting for a chance to make a difference and attempting to unlock his true purpose on Earth, Zim’s arch-nemesis plots his downfall in the shadows. Can the little alien gain the confidence he needs to overcome his human rival, or will he only be a memory? With a critics review score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, no family can go wrong with Invader Zim and his Florpus adventures.
If you’re looking for more films suitable for the whole family, we’ve also rounded up the best family movies on Amazon Prime Video and the best family movies on Disney+.
