It’s holiday movie season, but that doesn’t mean every family movie night has to be a Christmas movie. Although with the temperatures getting colder, it’s a great time to make family movie night a habit. To minimize the scrolling and maximize the enjoyment, we’ve scoured Netflix’s library to curate a list of movies the entire family can enjoy. These are the best family movies on Netflix right now.
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+.
Recently added to Netflix
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My Girl1991
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. It premieres December 9 on the streaming service.
103m
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Stars
Macaulay Culkin, Anna Chlumsky, Dan Aykroyd
Directed by
Howard Zieff
A seminal movie for millennial parents when they were preteens, My Girl holds up as an adorable, poignant treatise on young love. Eleven-year-old Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky) is obsessed with death due to her mother being dead and her father running a funeral parlor. She’s in love with her English teacher and will do anything to impress him. Her best friend, Thomas (Macaulay Culkin), sticks by her through absolutely everything as Vada’s life starts turning upside down as she approaches her teenage years.
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! 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.
121m
Genre
Fantasy, Action
Stars
Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, Kirsten Dunst
Directed by
Sam Raimi
One of the early proof of concepts for the superhero boom of the 2000s, Spider-Man remains an outstanding example of popcorn cinema. Beginning with the famous origin story, we see awkward high-school student Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) get bitten by a genetically altered spider, only to wake up with superhuman strength and abilities. But as he quickly learns, with great power comes great responsibility, and Peter struggles to manage a double life as a student and your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, especially when he discovers a personal connection to a new supervillain on the scene, the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe).
82m
Genre
Romance, Comedy, Family
Stars
Travis Tedford, Kevin Jamal Woods, Jordan Warkol
Directed by
Penelope Spheeris
A modern adaptation of Hal Roach’s iconic shorts of the 1920s and ’30s, The Little Rascals finds nine-year-old Alfalfa (Bug Hall) with childhood crush on Darla (Brittany Ashton Holmes). Fortunately enough, she seems to like him, too! But the boys of the neighborhood, members of the “He-Man-Woman-Haters Club” (of which Alfalfa is also a member), can’t abide a boy getting snookered by a girl. So, they set out to sabotage the relationship by any means necessary … for children.
93m
Genre
Comedy, Mystery, Crime, Adventure, Family
Stars
Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Kevin Kline
Directed by
Shawn Levy
Let’s be honest, this 2006 remake of the classic 20th-century trilogy doesn’t hold a candle to the original, but what are the chances you’re going to get your kids to watch a comedy made in 1963? Instead, you can introduce them to the franchise through Steve Martin’s portrayal as the classically bumbling police inspector Jacques Clouseau. When the French national soccer team’s coach is murdered by a poisoned dart in the stadium, his famous ring with the diamond Pink Panther quickly disappears. The ambitious Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) assigns Clouseau to the case, intentionally putting Clouseau in the crosshairs of the media while Dreyfus assembles a superior team to work the case in secret.
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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.
98m
Genre
Action, Comedy, Crime
Stars
Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Ken Leung
Directed by
Brett Ratner
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker are a hilarious odd couple in this buddy-cop comedy. When a Hong Kong diplomat’s daughter is kidnapped, he summons Detective Inspector Lee (Chan) to Los Angeles to help with the investigation. Fearing an international incident, however, the FBI pawns Lee off on the Los Angeles Police Department, which partners him with the cocky, brash Detective James Carter (Tucker). While Carter is supposed to just distract Lee while the FBI works the case, the pair soon unwittingly get drawn into the investigation and form an unlikely partnership as they delve into the mystery they were supposed to avoid.
97m
Genre
Drama, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham
Directed by
Alfonso Cuarón
A fantastical update to Frances Hodges Burnett’s 1905 novel of the same name, Alfonso Cuarón imbues A Little Princess with a heavy dose of imagination. Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews) is the lone daughter of Captain Richard Crewe (Liam Cunningham), living an idyllic aristocratic life in early 20th-century India. But when her father enlists to fight for the British in World War I, he sends Sara to a boarding school in New York City, instructing the headmistress, Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron), to spare no expense to ensure Sara’s comfort. But when the Captain is wrongfully pronounced dead, the money to the school is cut off, and the greedy Miss Minchin confiscates Sara’s belongings and relegates her to a life of servitude. All Sara has left is a book and her very potent imagination.
110m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family, Music
Stars
Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson
Directed by
Garth Jennings
Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and his talented bunch of animal crooners are back with their most ambitious show yet! After the success of their last talented show, Moon and company aspire to launch a brand new stage extravaganza in the entertainment capital of the world, Redshore City. But to keep the gig, Buster will have to deliver on a promise to cast loner lion rock legend Clay Calloway (Bono) in the show.
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.
84m
Genre
Documentary
Stars
Craig Foster, Tom Foster
Directed by
James Reed, Philippa Ehrlich
A 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.
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 this animated Netflix original. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Digital Trends streaming roundup
94m
Genre
Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Science Fiction, Family
Stars
Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin
Directed by
Tim Johnson
With a great voice cast headed up by Jim Parsons, Rihanna, and Steve Martin, Home is an exciting, intergalactic adventure for the whole family. When aliens known as the Boov conquer Earth and begin to relocate the human population, one little girl, Tip, manages to evade escape. But when she crosses paths with a fugitive Boov named Oh, the two form an odd couple with similar aims. Together, they form a friendship and seek out Tip’s mother to help save humanity.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
98m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Family
Stars
Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, Mayumi Iizuka
Directed by
Kunihiko Yuyama, Tetsuo Yajima
This Pokémon movie is a CGI remake of the massively popular 1998 Pokémon film, Pokémon: The First Movie. It doesn’t quite meet the hype of the original movie, which many of today’s parents probably went bananas for as kids, but it’s nonetheless a fun trip down nostalgia lane for adults and an action-packed ride for kids. Starring all the characters from the original Pokémon series, the movie follows Ash, Brock, and Misty as they discover the enormously powerful psychic Pokémon Mewtwo and realize he’s not the villain he’s made out to be.
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