School’s back in session and while you may have some more quiet time during the day, it’s still always good to be able to fall back on a movie to keep your kids entertained for a bit. (Or reward them for good behavior.) Netflix has you covered in that regard.
Netflix’s library of kids’ movies is enormous and mostly pretty good. There are some real duds in the mix, however. Finding a good choice for your kids can sometimes feel like one of Netflix’s original choose-your-own-adventure stories. So, to help you cut to the chase, we’ve rounded up the best kids’ movies on Netflix right now.
We’ve also rounded up the best kids movies on Hulu, the best kids movies on Amazon Prime Video, and the best kids movies on Disney+ if you don’t find what you’re looking for on Netflix.
Recently added to Netflix
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The Monkey King2023 -
Woody Woodpecker2017
The Monkey King (2023) new
92m
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Adventure, Family, Comedy
Stars
Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport
Directed by
Anthony Stacchi
Based on an ancient Chinese tale, The Monkey King follows a stick-wielding monkey on an epic quest for immortality. Along the way, he teams up with a young girl and must battle demons, dragons, gods, and the biggest obstacle of all: his own ego.
Woody Woodpecker (2017) new
91m
Genre
Comedy, Family, Animation
Stars
Timothy Omundson, Thaila Ayala, Eric Bauza
Directed by
Alex Zamm
The cartoon classic gets the live-action treatment in this 2017 kids’ movie. Woody Woodpecker is a rascally bird with a distinctive laugh who finds himself in a turf war with a big city lawyer who wants to tear down his home to build an investment property. But Woody’s not going down without a fight.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)
95m
Genre
Animation, Family, Comedy
Stars
Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan
Directed by
Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn
Despite saving the town (from a challenge of his own making), Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) and his friends are forced out of town. At the invitation from his idol, Chester V (Will Forte), Flint joins The Live Corp Company, where the best inventors create technologies to improve mankind. However, Flint soon discovers that his food-making machine not only still exists, but it has been repurposed to create mutant food beasts designed to take over the world!
Paddington (2014)
96m
Genre
Comedy, Adventure, Family
Stars
Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins
Directed by
Paul King
Michael Bond’s beloved children’s novels come to life in this hit comedy starring the titular bear. When Paddington (Passages‘ Ben Whishaw) travels from the jungles of Peru to London in search of a home, he soon finds himself lost, alone, and overwhelmed by the city. Fortunately, he stumbles across the kind Brown family, who offer him a temporary home. Things seem to be turning around until Paddington catches the eye of a museum taxidermist (Nicole Kidman).
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
103m
Genre
Animation, Family, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek Pinault, Harvey Guillén
Directed by
Joel Crawford
The newest release in the Shrek franchise, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish finds Puss (Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny‘s Antonio Banderas) on the last of his nine lives. His passion for adventures has led him on eight extraordinary lives, but with the pressure of his last life upon him, Puss decides he can’t live conservatively. So, he sets out on an epic journey to find the mythical Last Wish to restore his nine lives once again.
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)
89m
Genre
Action, Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Kevin Hart, Thomas Middleditch, Ed Helms
Directed by
David Soren
Based on the classic book series, this epic movie brings Captain Underpants to the big screen! George (Kevin Hart) and Harold (Thomas Middleditch) are a couple of overly imaginative pranksters who go a bit too far with a prank. Hypnotizing their principal (Ed Helms), they make him believe he’s an enthusiastic fool of a superhero named Captain Underpants. And yes, the costume is what you think.
The Angry Birds Movie (2016)
97m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride
Directed by
Fergal Reilly, Clay Kaytis
Based on the popular smartphone game, The Angry Birds Movie takes audiences on an adventure to an island populated by happy, flightless birds. Temperamental Red (Ted Lasso‘s Jason Sudeikis), speedy Chuck (Josh Gad), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride) have always been outsiders, but they get their chance to be heroes when mysterious green piggies begin showing up on the island.
Surf's Up (2007)
85m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Shia LaBeouf, Jeff Bridges, Jon Heder
Directed by
Ash Brannon, Chris Buck
You probably didn’t know much about the hypercompetitive world of penguin surfing, did you? Well, allow Surf’s Up to introduce you! Follow young up-and-comer Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf) as he enters his first pro competition and climbs the ranks!
Stuart Little (1999)
84m
Genre
Family, Fantasy, Comedy, Adventure
Stars
Michael J. Fox, Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie
Directed by
Rob Minkoff
The beloved children’s book comes to life in this 1999 hit kids’ movie! Stuart Little (Michael J. Fox) is a lovable little orphan with a dapper wardrobe and an enormous heart. When he’s adopted by the Littles (Geena Davis and Hugh Laurie), Stuart discovers a range of challenges as a mouse in the human world. From his jealous new brother, George (Jonathan Lipnicki), to the potentially sadistic family cat, Snowbell (Nathan Lane), Stuart has to learn the true meaning of family the hard way.
The Boss Baby (2017)
97m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Miles Bakshi
Directed by
Tom McGrath
New babies change the fabric of families, especially when you’re a wildly imaginative 7-year-old like Tim (Miles Bakshi). So, when his family expects to add a new baby into his life, Tim processes this by telling a story of how that baby will impact his and his family’s life. Thus, The Boss Baby (Alec Baldwin), is born. He wears a suit, speaks like a full-grown adult, and is a titan of industry. He also now has an extensive franchise, to which this first film will be a great jumping-off point for the kids! Start streaming on May 22.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)
106m
Genre
Comedy, Family, Music
Stars
Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, Winslow Fegley
Directed by
Josh Gordon, Will Speck
When the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) move to New York City, they’re soon surprised to discover that a singing crocodile lives in the attic. Lyle (Shawn Mendes) loves baths and caviar, and is not like other crocodiles that you may have heard of. He becomes a fast friend for the Primms’ young son, Josh, who has struggled to adapt to a new city and school. But when Lyle’s existence is threatened by their neighbor, Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the family must join forces with Lyle’s owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), to save Lyle.
Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)
87m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Pierre Coffin, Steve Carell, Russell Brand
Directed by
Kyle Balda
You might be tired of the Minions, but your kids sure aren’t. So, send them back in time with a prequel! In this installment of the franchise, Gru (The Office‘s Steve Carell) is a kid growing up in the suburbs in the 1970s, fanboying over his favorite supervillain supergroup, the Vicious 6. Desperate to join them, he hatches a plan evil enough to gain admission to their ranks, invoking the help of his loyal followers, the Minions. The desperate-to-please Minions help Gru build a lair, experiment with weapons, and take on their first missions. Unfortunately, Gru’s interview with the Vicious 6 doesn’t go so well. Suddenly, the child Gru finds himself the mortal enemy of the Vicious 6, on the run while plotting his own vengeance.
Goosebumps (2015)
103m
Genre
Adventure, Horror, Comedy
Stars
Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush
Directed by
Rob Letterman
Inspired by R.L. Stine’s classic YA novels, this film adaptation follows teenager Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) as he’s dragged kicking and screaming from a big city to a small town. But things seem a little better when he meets the beautiful girl next door, Hannah (Odeya Rush). Unfortunately, Hannah’s dad is R.L. Stine (Jack Black). Turns out, there’s a reason why Stine is so wacky. His imagination makes the monsters of his books real, and he only writes the books to keep the monsters safely locked up and away from the world. So when Zach accidentally releases the monsters from their manuscripts, he’ll have to team up with Stine and Hannah to get them back where they belong.
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (2022)
117m
Genre
Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars
Alisha Weir, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham
Directed by
Matthew Warchus
Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book about a little girl with a troubled home life who discovers telekinetic abilities was adapted into an outstanding movie in 1996. Later, it became a musical. Now, the musical becomes a movie directed by Matthew Warchus and starring Alisha Weir in the title role.
Trolls (2016)
92m
Genre
Family, Animation, Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy, Music
Stars
Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel
Directed by
Mike Mitchell, Walt Dohrn
Now its own franchise, the original Trolls introduces audiences to a colorful, wondrous world of friendly, playful trolls. Always optimistic and with a song to sing, things in the Trolls’ world turn dour when a mysterious giant shows up to end the party. Now, the bubbly Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and the dour Branch (Justin Timberlake) must join forces to embark on an adventure far beyond their world to save their home.
The Sea Beast (2022)
115m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris
Directed by
Chris Williams
In the animated fantasy The Sea Beast, enormous monsters roam the seas, and monster hunters are the essential humans who keep them at bay so that people can navigate safely. None of these heroes is more beloved than Jacob Holland (Karl Urban), and nobody loves him more than little Maisie Brumble (Zaris-Angel Hator). But when Maisie stows away on Jacob’s ship, he is less than enthused to have the responsibility of caring for this girl thrust upon him. At least until he discovers that Maisie is a more than capable ally.
Over the Moon (2020)
100m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong
Directed by
Glen Keane
In the mood for a musical? Over the Moon is a Netflix animated original film that will get the kids out of their seats and dreaming of soaring into the cosmos. Fei Fei (Kathy Ang) is a bright young girl with boundless determination. So when her community sheds doubt on the existence of the legendary Moon Goddess, Fei Fei gets to work building a rocket ship that can make it to the moon. But her journey takes her somewhere far more fantastical and unexpected.
Finding ʻOhana (2021)
123m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars
Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Lindsay Watson
Directed by
Jude Weng
When Pili and Ioane Kawena (played by Kea Peahu and Alex Aiono) relocate from New York to Hawaii to help their mother care for their ailing grandfather, the siblings unearth a swashbuckling diary in their Papa’s study. It’s an ancient tome that hints at bountiful treasures hidden away in the caves of ‘Ohana. Banding together with her brother and new friends, Pili uses her natural skills as a champion geocacher to track down the pirate gold while exploring her heritage and the gorgeous landscapes of Hawaii. With a “family first” message nestled firmly at its core, Finding ‘Ohana plays like a brighter and more spirited version of The Goonies, especially with the film’s emphasis on curiosity meets camaraderie.
Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans (2021)
106m
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Family, Action, Adventure
Stars
Emile Hirsch, Lexi Medrano, Charlie Saxton
Directed by
Andrew L. Schmidt, Francisco Ruiz Velasco, Johane Matte
The cinematic conclusion to Guillermo del Toro’s Tales of Arcadia saga, which includes the Trollhunters, 3Below, and Wizards series, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans takes place in the enchanted town of Arcadia, a haven of magic with many a mystical inhabitant. When the evil Arcane Order awakens the ancient Titans, the heroes of Arcadia must band together to put an end to the wretched reign of their mutual enemy. An action-packed spectacle, Rise of the Titans serves as a fitting end to del Toro’s expansive universe of trolls, extraterrestrials, and powerful wizards. Think of it as the animated little brother to Marvel’s The Avengers, an amalgamation of benevolent world-savers facing off against adversaries, and a battle that necessitates teamwork of fantastical proportions.
Wish Dragon (2021)
99m
Genre
Animation, Family, Comedy, Fantasy
Stars
Jimmy Wong, John Cho, Constance Wu
Directed by
Chris Appelhans
A joint collaboration between Sony Pictures Animation and Tencent Pictures, Wish Dragon tells the story of Din (voiced by Jimmy Wong), a working-class student with dreams of reuniting with his friend, Lina (Natasha Liu Bordizzo). In order to achieve this rendezvous, Din calls on the otherworldly talents of wish-granting dragon Long (John Cho). Together, human and mystical reptile must journey across Shanghai to bring the former’s aspirations to fruition. For those of us who have seen either version of Disney’s Aladdin, the premise of Wish Dragon may sound pretty familiar. But don’t let that deter you, for there’s plenty of heart, laughs, and inspired storytelling at play to make Wish Dragon an easy win for kids of all ages.
Sing 2 (2021)
110m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family, Music
Stars
Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson
Directed by
Garth Jennings
The one downside of Sing 2? The kids might get hooked on singing the songs. But at least they’ll have a ton of fun following the koala Buster Moon and his rag-tag band of animal performers as they set up their newest concert in the entertainment capital of the world. But first, Buster wants to persuade the world’s most reclusive rock star to join them.
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
30m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Justin Fletcher, Kate Harbour
Directed by
Steve Cox
A 30-minute Christmas special starring the world’s favorite sheep, The Flight Before Christmas is a new Shaun the Sheep classic! Shaun loves the holiday season, but his excitement goes sour when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the Flock accidentally leaves Timmy behind. Now, Shaun must get Timmy back before he becomes somebody else’s present!
Home (2015)
94m
Genre
Fantasy, Comedy, Animation, Science Fiction, Family
Stars
Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin
Directed by
Tim Johnson
A hive-minded alien race called the Boov have conquered Earth and are planning to relocate the planet’s human population to another planet. That is, all except a little girl named Tip (Rihanna), who has successfully hidden from the aliens. But when Tip accidentally meets a fugitive Boov named Oh (Jim Parsons), they’re naturally wary of one another. But Oh is not like the other Boovs, seeking friendship rather than alienation (pun intended). Together, Tip and Oh set out to find Tip’s mother and try to save the humans and find common ground.
Digital Trends Streaming Roundup
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
114m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Science Fiction, Action
Stars
Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph
Directed by
Michael Rianda
Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) is a little different in a family full of people who are a little different. Unfortunately, those differences don’t quite click when it comes to her and her father. So when her dad decides to cancel her plane ticket to film school and instead do a family road trip from Michigan to LA, Katie is less than pleased. But when family bonding time is interrupted by a robotic uprising, the Mitchells must find a way to come together to save themselves and the world from the techpocalypse.
Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016)
90m
Genre
Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars
Paul Reubens, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly
Directed by
John Lee
This Judd Apatow-produced Netflix original introduces Pee-wee Herman to a whole new generation. After a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger (Magic Mike‘s Joe Manganiello), Pee-wee embarks on a journey toward his destiny! It just so happens to coincide with him taking his first-ever holiday. Fans of the classic character will enjoy this revitalization, and it just may inspire the kids to go back and watch some of the Pee-wee classics.
We Can Be Heroes (2020)
97m
Genre
Action, Fantasy, Family, Comedy
Stars
YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Andy Walken
Directed by
Robert Rodriguez
Okay, now that you know who Sharkboy and Lavagirl are, your family can enjoy Robert Rodriguez’s wacky reboot of his tween superhero franchises — We Can Be Heroes. When alien invaders kidnap Earth’s (now grown-up) superheroes, their children must team up to save the world. If it sounds exactly like Spy Kids, well, that’s because it is basically the same plot. But it’s nonetheless a good-humored adventure driven by some game performances from the adults involved.
Next Gen (2018)
105m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Animation, Family
Stars
Jason Sudeikis, Michael Peña, David Cross
Directed by
Joe Ksander, Kevin R. Adams
In a near, somewhat-fictional future, a rebellious girl named Mai is all that stands between a madman and his technological plan to conquer the world. Oh, and there’s a runaway combat robot who becomes her trusty sidekick. Some of Next Gen‘s surprisingly-provocative message will go over kids’ heads, but its good humor and action-packed fun will more than suffice.
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back - Evolution (2019)
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Fantasy, Action, Family
Cast
Rica Matsumoto, Ikue Otani, Mayumi Iizuka
Deep in an undisclosed location, scientists successfully create the most powerful Pokémon in existence, Mewtwo. Realizing he’s being used as the ultimate weapon, Mewtwo breaks free of the lab and wishes to fight the best Pokémon trainers in the world to get back at the humans who wronged him. Ash, Brock, and Misty continue their quest to become the ultimate Pokémon masters when they receive a mysterious invitation to an unknown island. The island invitation is a trap by Mewtwo, creating the setup of the ultimate showdown between Ash and Mewtwo. With Pikachu at his side, Ash uses the power of friendship in the battle for his life. Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution is an updated remake of Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back, originally released in 1998.
Dancing with the Birds (2019)
51m
Genre
Documentary
Stars
Stephen Fry
Directed by
Huw Cordey
From the team that brought viewers the groundbreaking series Our Planet comes a fun, feathery feature documentary that is vibrant, colorful, and cheerful. Narrated by legendary actor Stephen Fry, Dancing with the Birds is a wonderful voyage into the world of exotic birds. Each moment feels like a small story, filled with humor and excitement that the whole family will enjoy. Dancing with the Birds sends audiences on a journey around the world to some of the most exotic places. While short, it’s incredibly colorful and diverse. This documentary film is perfect for young audiences looking for a fascinating and refreshingly enjoyable view into the world of exotic wildlife.
Minecraft: Story Mode (2018)
2 Seasons
Genre
Action & Adventure, Comedy, Animation, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Cast
Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Olsen, Nat Wolff
Minecraft is one of the most popular video game properties in recent memory, encouraging players to build, explore, and learn. From teamwork to resource management and even coding, Minecraft has been a great learning utility. Minecraft: Story Mode takes the whimsical computer world of Minecraft and translates it into a miraculous adventure into the world of Minecraft. Originally released on video game platforms in 2015, Minecraft: Story Mode is a Netflix Interactive movie, where the viewer can decide what happens next. Using the remote control, viewers can shape choices and be a part of the action. Minecraft: Story Mode follows Jesse (Patton Oswalt or Catherine Taber), Axel (Brian Posehn), and Olivia celebrating their craftsmanship skills at EnderCon, when suddenly the entire world of Minecraft is threatened by a powerful evil. The trio is destined to save the universe and must trek across unknown lands to save all of Minecraft. This unique story and interactive adventure will keep families, especially young gamers, entertained.
Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal (2020)
Genre
Animation
Cast
Gina Rodriguez, Finn Wolfhard, Abby Trott
Carmen SanDiego (Gina Rodriguez) finds herself back in the evil organization, V.I.L.E., and must pull off an impossible heist for them, as V.I.L.E. has captured her friends and put them in danger. This interactive movie is similar to Minecraft in that it allows viewers to choose how the adventure will play out. Viewers will have the ability to choose how the heist will occur and shape their own story. Featuring sharp animation and voice talent, Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal is a great way to introduce young audiences to the world of Netflix’s Carmen Sandiego.
Klaus (2019)
96m
Genre
Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones
Directed by
Sergio Pablos
It’s easy to lose the spirit of the holidays, and when a small town falls into hopelessness, an unlikely bond will be formed. Jesper Johannson (Jason Schwartzman) is a postman banished to the small island town of Smeerensburg at the behest of his father. Tasked with delivering 6,000 letters in a year, he feverishly attempts to fulfill such an audacious goal, until one fateful delivery puts him in touch with a woodsman, named Klaus (JK Simmons). While initially an unlikely friendship, the two look to each other as they work to bring the spirit and hopes of Christmas to the people of Smeerensburg. Klaus is an Academy Award-nominated animated film, with breathtaking visuals and top-notch voice performances. Klaus was lauded by viewers for its extraordinary animation and heartfelt story, making it perfect for any time of the year.
White Fang (2018)
Genre
Animation, Family
Cast
Nick Offerman, Rashida Jones, Paul Giamatti
You never know where life will take you, and in White Fang, a small wolf-dog is about to embark on a journey of a lifetime — through the wilderness of North America, encountering new friends and great danger. White Fang is based on the novel of the same name by Jack London. Unlike other novels, White Fang told the story from the viewpoint of the wolf-dog, creating a fascinating way in which animals view the world around them. Director Alexandre Espigares, who won an Academy Award for the animated short film Mr. Hublot, adapts the story through a wondrous splash of smooth animation and shading that evokes watercolors. White Fang is a heartwarming tale of adventure, heroism, and the people that you meet along the way.
John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019)
70m
Genre
Comedy, Family, Music
Stars
John Mulaney, Jake Gyllenhaal, Annaleigh Ashford
Directed by
Rhys Thomas
Inspired by the classic Sesame Street, John Mulaney returns to Netflix with a new special, but this isn’t a standup routine aimed at adults — it’s a children’s musical comedy special. Alongside Mulaney are 15 child actors who dance about and sing to a collection of variety specials. In between songs and skits, Mulaney talks with the bunch. The variety-musical comedy special also features adult guest stars, including Jake Gyllenhaal as Mr. Music. A different avenue for John Mulaney, the Sack Lunch Bunch special is a fun film to watch with the entire family.
The Willoughbys (2020)
92m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara
Directed by
Kris Pearn
This 2020 Netflix Original introduces us to the Willoughby children, who are convinced they’d be better off raising themselves than they are under the care of their parents. As such, they hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on vacation while they embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family. As you might expect, everything they think they know isn’t exactly spot on.
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