Whereas the world of streaming has opened up an enormous quantity of prospects by way of viewing choices, it could generally be overwhelming attempting to determine precisely what to decide on—particularly when you’ve gotten your entire household on the mind. That’s why we’ve crafted a specifically curated record of one of the best household films on Netflix, which runs down the perfect movie-watching choices for all (or not less than most) ages to take pleasure in. They vary from animated options to uplifting live-action tales of real-life heroes.
But it surely’s not solely Disney films—our record of one of the best household and children films on Netflix options movies from all types of studios, all types of eras, and all types of genres. So in case you’re in search of the proper viewing possibility that each youngsters and oldsters will take pleasure in, we’re fairly assured you’ll discover one thing right here. Take a look at our full record of one of the best household films on Netflix under.
Editor’s Be aware: This piece was final up to date on November 16 to take away How you can Practice Your Dragon 2. Not too long ago added: Megamind
Director: Tom McGrath | Run Time: 96 min
Solid: Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross
If you happen to’re in search of a special tackle the basic superhero film, look no additional than Megamind, a comedic journey into the thoughts of a super-smart supervillain, who spends his days preventing along with his arch nemesis and pining over the reporter who covers every showdown. The film explores what it actually means to be a ‘hero,’ whether or not on goal or not, and the model of comedy is as clever as its protagonist. Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, and Jonah Hill convey to life a world that one of the best mixture of humorous, romantic, and action-packed, and the themes of self-acceptance and self-worth, in addition to a surprisingly related tackle autonomy and consent, make this movie one that individuals of all walks of life can take pleasure in and relate to. —Olivia Fitzpatrick
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Director: Kris Pearn | Run Time: 92 minutes
Solid: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Seán Cullen, Ricky Gervais
In most child’s films, mother and father are loving, caring individuals who would do something for his or her youngsters. Not in The Willoughbys although. This acclaimed animated movie follows the story of a gaggle of siblings whose mother and father completely despise all youngsters. Disadvantaged of affection, music, and meals their total lives, the Willoughby youngsters put collectively a plot to ship their mother and father on a lethal trip that they suppose is bound to kill them off. Okay, sure, all of that sounds fairly darkish however relaxation assured, this actually is a household film. The Willoughbys’ fortunes change shortly after their mother and father go away with the arrival of their new nanny (voiced by the enduring Maya Rudolph). Over the course of the remainder of the film, the siblings finally discover a household of their very own, one the place they’re beloved and cared for in a manner their mother and father are merely incapable of doing. It is a distinctive tackle household and childhood that is well worth the watch. Plus, Alessia Cara sings an absolute banger of a track and Ricky Gervaisnarrates the story as a cat. Do we have to say extra?— Remus Noronha
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Director: Andy Coyle | Run Time: 85 minutes
Solid: Bella Ramsey, Oliver Nelson, Ameerah Falzon-Ojo, and Daisy Haggard
A continuation of Hilda Season 2, Hilda and the Mountain King is an Annie-nominated animated movie with some nice visuals and a very good story. Selecting up instantly after the Season 2 finale, the film begins with Hilda waking up within the physique of a troll. Scared and confused at her transformation, our younger protagonist should use all her intelligence and bravado to discover a option to turn into human once more. And save town of Trolberg whereas she’s at it. Whereas it is definitely focused towards youngsters, the film tackles some surprisingly mature themes just like the “Good Man-Dangerous Man” dichotomy and the significance of wanting previous concern to construct higher understanding between completely different individuals. And despite the fact that the movie does proceed from the sequence, it’s a nice watch by itself as effectively. — Remus Noronha
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Administrators: Johane Matte, Francisco Ruiz Velasco, and Andrew Schmidt | Run Time: 106 minutes
Solid: Emile Hirsch, Lexi Medrano, Charlie Saxton, Kelsey Grammer, Fred Tatasciore
The finale of Guillermo del Toro’s Tales of Arcadia sequence, Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans is an epic conclusion to the acclaimed animated sequence. The movie brings collectively all of the heroes of the franchise to face the evil Arcane Order, who’re attempting to alter the very nature of the world. The film has nice visuals and a well-written, if polarizing, story. Whereas the film did obtain some criticism for the best way it ended the franchise’s story, it is nonetheless an important watch, particularly for followers of sequence creator Guillermo del Toro. — Remus Noronha
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The Loud Home Film (2021)
Director: Dave Needham | Run Time: 87 minutes
Solid: David Tennant, Michelle Gomez, Katy Townsend, Asher Bishop, Jill Talley
A collaboration between Netflix and Nickelodeon, The Loud Home Film options the Nickelodeon sequence The Loud Home and takes the zany household abroad. Whereas vacationing in Scotland, the Loud household discovers that they’re descended from royalty. As you may think, chaos ensues. A enjoyable and humorous musical, The Loud Home Film acquired kind of optimistic critiques on its launch. It tells a heartwarming story with some pretty music and rollicking adventures involving castles, dragons, and Michelle Gomez as a disgruntled caretaker. That is one film that the entire household can take pleasure in. — Remus Noronha
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Director: David Yarovesky | Run Time: 103 minutes
Solid: Krysten Ritter, Winslow Fegley, and Lidya Jewett
In search of one thing genuinely spooky to look at this Halloween season that is additionally excellent for the entire household? Look no additional than Nightbooks, a witchy Netflix authentic from director David Yarovesky (Brightburn) and producer Sam Raimi (The Evil Useless). Alex (Winslow Fegley) is teased a lot for his love of writing horror tales he swears by no means to pen one other story once more. However when a witch (Krysten Ritter) traps Alex in her New York Metropolis house and calls for he spin her a brand new yarn each night time, the inventive child has to make use of each ounce of his storytelling expertise to ensure he and fellow prisoner Yasmin (Lidya Jewett) make it out alive. Nighbooks occupies a significant house within the horror style—one just like the likes of Goosebumps, A Nightmare Earlier than Christmas, and Hocus Pocus—which is to say it is simply scary sufficient to behave as a gateway film for any child (like Alex!) who is perhaps within the more durable stuff down the street. –Vinnie Mancuso
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Director: Paul King | Run Time: 95 minutes
Solid: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman, and Ben Whishaw
Primarily based on the charming youngsters’s guide character Paddington Bear (created by Michael Bond), Paddingtonis a beautiful film tailored for household time. The movie earned widespread acclaim when it was launched in 2014, receiving two BAFTA nominations. Whereas the film does introduce some modifications, the center of the supply materials is preserved, which simply provides to Paddington‘s attraction.
The story of Paddington revolves across the eponymous speaking bear, who strikes from “Darkest Peru” to London searching for a household to deal with him. It isn’t a simple process, however Paddington holds on to his candy, well mannered nature regardless of the obstacles in his path. And the largest impediment he faces is an evil taxidermist, performed by Nicole Kidman, who desires to kill and stuff him. This one actually is a narrative for all ages and the movie has already had one sequel with one other on the best way. – Remus Noronha
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Administrators: Clay Kaytis, Chris Columbus | Run Time: 103 minutes and 115 minutes
Solid: Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, Julian Dennison
Netflix is shockingly constant relating to pumping out high quality Christmas content material and that continues to be true within the case of the one-two punch of The Christmas Chronicles and its sequel, through which Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn play a pleasant and fairly frankly devastatingly enticing Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. Within the first movie, a pair of siblings, Kate (Darby Camp) and Teddy (Judah Lewis), by accident crash Santa’s sleigh on Christmas night time. Because the dawn approaches, the 2 youngsters have to assist St. Nick save the vacation. Within the sequel—which sees House Alone and Harry Potter helmer Chris Columbus take over directing duties—Kate has to re-team with the Clauses when an elf named Belsnickel (Julian Dennison) goes rogue and threatens to cancel Christmas. If a wonderfully nice yuletide double characteristic is on your loved ones’s want record, look no additional. –Vinnie Mancuso
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White Christmas (1954)
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Director: Michael Curtiz | Run Time: 120 minutes
Solid: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen
Placing the “basic” in Christmas Traditional, now we have White Christmas. The 1954 film is a musical rom-com about two units of performers who put collectively a Christmas present, discovering love and friendship alongside the best way. Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye star as Bob Wallace and Phil Davis, two former troopers who make it massive as musical producers after World Battle II. They meet the Haynes sisters, Betty (Rosemary Clooney) and Judy (Vera-Ellen), and regardless of preliminary conflicts, they turn into pals. After the 2 males assist rescue the sisters from their grasping landlord, the 4 of them get collectively to placed on a present to assist Bob and Phil’s former commander out of a decent spot.
White Christmas is especially notable for being the primary movie launched in VistaVision, a course of that gave the film the next decision and brighter colours than others of its time. And regardless of being many years outdated, White Christmas holds up fairly effectively within the current day, with well-written characters and a superb story. Some components of the film could come off a bit dated, but it surely’s nonetheless a extremely gratifying look ahead to the entire household. – Remus Noronha
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Director: Henry Bradbeer | Run Time: 123 minutes
Solid: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, Sam Claflin
Get rid of all the flicks you’ve got watched 100 instances earlier than out of your Netflix queue and no matter stays, irrespective of how unbelievable, is more than likely Enola Holmes, a gem of a Netflix authentic that got here and went within the popular culture dialog too quick. Primarily based on the YA sequence of the identical identify, Enola Holmes sees Stranger Issues star Millie Bobby Brown enjoying the title character, youthful sister to historical past’s most well-known sleuth, Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill). However when the Holmes household matriarch, Eudoria (Helena Bonham Carter) goes lacking, it is Enola on the case, monitoring her mom’s path of secrets and techniques straight right into a grand conspiracy. Brown is, no shock, endlessly charming within the lead, the thriller plot is simply difficult sufficient to maintain the youngsters guessing, and Cavill is clearly having a blast enjoying the stuffy Sherlock determine. The thriller of What to Watch, solved. –Vinnie Mancuso
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Director: Mike Rianda | Run Time: 114 minutes
Solid: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda, Olivia Colman
The entire household will completely love The Mitchells vs. the Machines. The story of this authentic animated movie follows a household within the wake of a robotic apocalypse, simply as they have been about to embark on a cross-country street journey to take the daughter to varsity. They have to work collectively if they’ve any hope of saving themselves (or the world), which is tough as a result of the daddy and daughter are having hassle speaking. This film is foolish and goofy but in addition emotional, with a wealthy coronary heart at its middle and a narrative of the significance of communication boosted by a feminine lead who’s fiercely inventive. It is also tremendously rewatchable. – Adam Chitwood
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Director: Robert Rodriguez | Run Time: 97 minutes
Solid: YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Pedro Pascal, Boyd Holbrook, Christian Slater
If you happen to’re in search of a candy and foolish sci-fi journey that’s enjoyable for the entire household, Robert Rodriguez’s We Can Be Heroes is a reasonably pleasant possibility. Set in the identical universe as his beloved 2005 household superhero movie The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, his Netflix movie brings all that shiny and bubbly vitality to a brand new technology of heroes. After Earth’s legion of superheroes are captured by aliens, their youngsters need to step up and save the day, every with their very own distinct set of powers, from basic superhero talents like controlling time to controlling objects by singing to a superb old style knack for management. And lest we overlook the scene-stealing Guppy, Sharkboy and Lavagirl’s cute younger daughter who inherited Shark Energy and is aware of methods to use it. It’s a light-hearted, breezy fantasy/sci-fi journey for teenagers that ought to land effectively with followers of Sharkboy and Lavagirl and Rodriguez’s Spy Children franchise. – Haleigh Foutch
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Director: Andy Serkis | Run Time: 104 minutes
Solid: Rohan Chand, Matthew Rhys, Freida Pinto, Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch
I do know you are pondering of the pleasant Disney animated basic, however possibly save this one for when the youngsters are only a bit older. Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, largely overshadowed by Jon Favreau‘s The Jungle E-book launched simply two years earlier, is a a lot darker, extra intense tackle the supply materials, courtesy of the mo-cap king himself, Andy Serkis (who additionally gives the voice for brown bear Baloo). But it surely’s additionally bought one heck of a forged, led by dedicated younger actor Rohan Chand crawling via mud and leaves as Mowgli, surrounded by A-listers like Christian Bale as black panther Bagheera, Benedict Cumberbatch as villainous tiger Shere Khan, and Cate Blanchett because the python Kaa.
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Administrators: Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn | Run Time: 95 minutes
Solid: Invoice Hader, Anna Faris, Will Forte, James Caan, Andy Samberg
This animated sequel returns to the food-filled city of Swallow Falls, the place the large meals that rained down has now developed into animals. Whereas the follow-up misses a little bit of that Phil Lord and Chris Miller attraction that made the unique so delightfully distinctive, Lord and Miller stay producers and Cloudy with a Likelihood of Meatballs 2 nonetheless finds some actually nice visible jokes and gags to maintain audiences entertained. Plus, the addition of Will Forte to the forged is impressed. – Adam Chitwood
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Director: Sergio Pablos | Run Time: 97 minutes
Solid: Jason Schwartzman, J.Okay. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba
With Klaus, Netflix made a bona fide authentic Christmas basic with no single vacation swap (unimaginable, I do know). Co-written and directed by Sergio Pablos, a Spanish animation grasp who started working for Disney within the Paris outpost earlier than transferring to America and contributing unimaginable performances and designs for characters as various and unrelated as Frollo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Dr. Doppler in Treasure Planet earlier than changing into a one-man concept farm, developing with the preliminary ideas that gave option to Despicable Me and Smallfoot. With Klaus, which tells the origin story of Santa Claus (J.Okay. Simmons) by way of his relationship between a small-town mailman (Jason Schwartzman), Pablos cannily blended conventional, 2D hand-drawn animation with leading edge pc animation. The ensuing movie is not like something you’ve ever seen earlier than; it’s like watching a magic trick and being uncertain the way it was achieved however being transfixed simply the identical. (It was nominated for the Greatest Animated Function and had a superb shot at successful, too.) And the story, with warring villagers and a dedication to giving a grounded, emotionally resonant portrayal of the beginnings of the legend (name it Santa Claus Begins) implies that it by no means ideas into gooey sentimentality. That is the uncommon Christmas basic that may be watched any time of 12 months and can nonetheless fill you with that singular vacation magic. – Drew Taylor
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Director: David E. Talbert | Run Time: 122 minutes
Solid: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose, Madalen Mills
I’m simply gonna say it: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is a brand new vacation basic; an prompt addition to the canon; the latest family-friendly Christmas movie to so completely seize its viewers’s coronary heart and soul since Elf. However not like Elf, which is rife with childlike glee and slapstick set items, Jingle Jangle has one other, extra unorthodox gas powering its steampunk-flavored sleigh: Melancholy. Jingle Jangle is a narrative of loss, betrayal, casting apart goals, conserving the home standing when the lights have lengthy dimmed, and solely finally of regained hope. Sure, there are catchy pop-MT bangers lensed and choreographed with panache, sure, the manufacturing design is eye-poppingly beautiful, and sure, each youngster performer within the movie is unstoppingly cute, optimistic, and joyful. However on the middle of Jingle Jangle, its foolish identify and all, is Forest Whitaker’s brave, sudden, and admittedly weird efficiency. As our central inventor whose biggest merchandise have been stolen by a vengeful Keegan Michael-Key (fantastic; he ought to play villains extra typically!), Whitaker is a shell of a person, a human decreased to a ghost. He performs this character with a way of false energy that betrays his inside flimsiness, and offers us no lifeline to the doubtless fantastical world round him. It’s astonishing work, one that may little question have an effect on youngsters in sudden methods – and when he lastly lets go of his trauma to sing, dance, and love his option to a brighter future once more, the tears welling in my eyes all through Jingle Jangle can maintain now not. Put it on the boards, it’s a brand new Christmas basic. – Gregory Lawrence
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