Summary

  • Netflix offers a wide selection of family-friendly movies, both original and licensed, to cater to different tastes and age groups.
  • Some notable family movies on Netflix include Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once And Always, Family Switch, and You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah.
  • These movies provide entertainment for the whole family, from campy action to body swap comedy and coming-of-age stories, ensuring a great movie night for everyone.

Subscribers looking for films that will entertain every age range, the best family movies on Netflix ensure that every member of the household will have a great time on movie night. When it comes to streaming, Netflix is still one of the most popular platforms on the market — especially when it comes to families and subscribers with young children — thanks to the range of animated and family-friendly movies on offer. The vast array of original content and licensed properties means the best family movies on Netflix cater to almost every taste, with plenty of genres represented.

It is not surprising that Netflix is home to many incredible family films, and the issue many subscribers have is often an overabundance of choice. Some are original content, while others are classic and timeless family movies Netflix has acquired the license for. Whether it's licensed content or original films, there are plenty of both live-action and animated family movies, and many cater to both younger and older viewers. However, with the ever-changing content library, it's always worth checking to see which are the best family movies currently available on Netflix.

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30 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once And Always (2023)

A Legacy Sequel To The Original Power Rangers Movie

David Yost and Walter Emmanuel Jones in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Once and Always

Classic Power Rangers shows are known for being pretty campy, but that’s part of the charm. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once And Always is the 30th anniversary special made for Netflix which manages to combine that campiness of the original 1990s Power Rangers series while still having depth and drama for a modern audience.

Most of the original Power Rangers lineup from 1993 reunite to take on a familiar threat while one of their children discovers their secret identity as a Power Ranger. It’s perfect for adults who grew up watching the series and their kids who might be watching the modern Dino Fury and Cosmic Fury series on Netflix.

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29 Family Switch (2023)

An Entire Family Experiences A Body Swap

The family dancing at a party in Family Switch
Family Switch

Release Date
November 30, 2023
Director
McG
Cast
Jennifer Garner , Ed Helms , Emma Myers , Brady Noon , Rita Moreno
Runtime
101 Minutes

Family Switch provided some family-friendly holiday fun when it was released on Netflix late in 2023. It is a new entry into the classic body-swap movie genre, but instead of seeing just two people swapping places, the movie sees an entire family magically transformed into each other's bodies. These movies follow a fairly familiar formula that Family Switch doesn't deviate from very much, but the movie is elevated thanks to the committed performances of the cast, including Ed Helms and Jennifer Garner.

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28 You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah (2023)

Adam Sandler Produces This Coming-Of-Age Comedy

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah

Release Date
August 25, 2023
Director
Sammi Cohen
Cast
Idina Menzel , Jackie Sandler , Adam Sandler , Samantha Lorraine , Dylan Hoffman
Runtime
103 Minutes

Adam Sandler and Netflix have had a successful partnership over the years, with Sandler's recent movies like Hustle and Leo proving critical hits, and the culturally aware 2023 teen comedy You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah is no exception. Most of the Sandler family is in the cast, and the story focuses on the trial and tribulations of a young girl (played by Sunny Sandler, Adam Sandler's daughter) in the build-up to her Bat Mitzvah.

When she and her best friend fight right before the rite of passage, it puts a damper on their celebration. It's a great coming-of-age story with themes that resonate with viewers of any cultural background, and stands out as a live-action comedy the entire family can enjoy on Netflix.

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27 We Can Be Heroes (2020)

A Family-Friendly Superhero Adventure

We Can Be Heroes

Release Date
December 25, 2020
Director
Robert Rodriguez
Cast
Pedro Pascal , Taylor Dooley , Priyanka Chopra , YaYa Gosselin , Boyd Holbrook , Christian Slater
Runtime
100 minutes

There’s always something great when the kids have to save the adults. That’s part of what makes the Spy Kids franchise so popular and Sky High a beloved Disney Channel Original Movie. We Can Be Heroes, from Robert Rodriguez, is a sequel to The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in the vein of Spy Kids, only the kids have the superpowers of Sky High.

The story follows a group of kids who have to save the day when all the grown-up heroes in the world are in trouble. It’s a great look at what the world of Sharkboy and Lavagirl has become, and another family movie on Netflix that taps into a beloved property which adults who saw the original movie when they were younger will immensely enjoy sharing with their children.

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26 A Babysitter’s Guide To Monster Hunting (2020)

Heroic Babysitter's Take On The Boogeyman

Two young women hold hands with a little boy while looking at something off screen in A Babysitters Guide To Monster Hunting

Inspired by the trilogy of novels by Joe Ballarini, who wrote the script for the movie adaptation too, A Babysitter’s Guide To Monster Hunting takes the idea of the monsters under the bed and in the closet and brings them to life. When a teenager (Tamara Smart) is tasked with babysitting the son of her mom’s boss, she witnesses a trio of small monsters abducting him.

She discovers that the monsters she used to have nightmares of when she was a little girl are actually real. She’s recruited by a secret society of babysitters, all of whom have had their own run-ins with the Boogeyman, and all who are tasked with protecting kids from monsters. It's a solid story with accessible horror themes that are appropriate for all ages, and comes with the added bonus of being a great way to show children there’s no reason to be afraid of monsters under the bed.

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25 Skater Girl (2021)

Kids Fight To Embrace Their Love Of Skateboarding

A group of children with skateboards in Skater Girl on Netflix
Skater Girl

Release Date
June 11, 2021
Director
Manjari Makijany
Cast
Shafin Patel , Rachel Saanchita Gupta , Waheeda Rehman , Amy Maghera
Runtime
107 minutes

Not all the best family movies on Netflix are whimsical animated adventures or live-action forays into fantasy. Skater Girl is one of several to focus on a grounded story that could have been plucked from reality. Set in India, Skater Girl follows Prerna (Rachel Sanchita Gupta) a young girl who falls in love with skateboarding.

Unfortunately, the adults in her small town don’t approve of all the kids skateboarding everywhere. When an adult who brought skateboarding to town wants to build a skate park, the conflict between the rebellious skateboarders and the more traditional adults comes to a head.

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24 Finding Ohana (2021)

Young Kids Embark On A Treasure Hunt

Pili in a cave in Finding 'Ohana
Finding Ohana

Release Date
January 29, 2021
Director
Jude Weng
Cast
Ricky Garcia , Alex Aiono , Ke Huy Quan , Kelly Hu , Owen Vaccaro , Kea Peahu , Lindsay Watson , Branscombe Richmond , Ryan Higa , Marc Evan Jackson
Runtime
123 minutes

When Finding Ohana became available to stream, it quickly earned a lot of comparisons to family classics like The Goonies. The adventure movie on Netflix follows a group of kids in Hawaii as they search for treasure when they’re moved to Hawaii to help an older relative. Finding Ohana focuses on the bond between friends and family as they go on an unbelievable adventure. The mix of treasure-hunt adventure and family-friendly fun makes it feel like a throwback movie that all ages can get swept up in.

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23 The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)

The Iconic Video Game Gets An Animated Movie Treatment

The Super Mario Bros Film

Release Date
April 7, 2023
Director
Aaron Horvath , Michael Jelenic
Cast
​Chris Pratt2 , Anya Taylor-Joy , Charlie Day , Jack Black , Keegan-Michael Key , Seth Rogen , Fred Armisen , Kevin Michael Richardson , Sebastian Maniscalco

One of the biggest movies of 2023 is now also one of the best family movies on Netflix. The Super Mario Bros Movie finally brings the iconic video game character to the big screen in animated form after the previous live-action attempt failed infamously. Chris Pratt leads the star-studded voice cast as the heroic plumber Mario who finds himself sucked into the Mushroom Kingdom where he must save his brother Luigi.

While the story is simple and doesn't do anything too bold with the mythology, it is fun to see this world brought to life in such a vibrant way with plenty of Super Mario Easter eggs and teases for the future. Despite the controversy, Pratt delivers a solid performance, but it is Jack Black who steals the show with his villainous performance as Bowser, complete with his popular rendition of the song "Peaches."

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22 Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Puss Returns To Seek The Key To Eternal Life

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Release Date
December 21, 2022
Director
Joel Crawford
Cast
Antonio Banderas , Salma Hayek Pinault , Olivia Colman , Harvey Guillen , Samson Kayo , Wagner Moura , Anthony Mendez , John Mulaney , Florence Pugh
Runtime
102 minutes

Animated movies can be dismissed as children’s fare, but movies like Puss In Boots: The Last Wish proves animation for adults as well as kids even when it's not obscene or filled with profanities. The animation of the Shrek spinoff is gorgeous, but it’s the story that will capture the hearts of kids and adults alike.

The plot of The Last Wish features Puss in Boots angling to restore his lost eight of nine lives by finding a Wishing Star. As he embarks on the emotional adventure though, he learns to value the one life he has left and even meets Death for a duel. It was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature.

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21 Yes Day (2021)

Parents Decide To Embrace Their Children's Whims For A Day

Jenna Ortega smiling with Jennifer Garner in Yes Day

The Netflix original movie Yes Day features Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramirez as parents who decide, for one day, to not tell their children “no.” It’s in an effort to help the family bond, for the mom and dad to trade off on disciplinary actions, and for the kids to understand just why their parents don’t allow them to do whatever they want.

The movie manages to accomplish all those things while taking the audience on a fun ride through $40 ice cream sundaes, carwashes with the windows down, and a huge music festival. The movie also stars Jenna Ortega as the oldest daughter of the family if Wednesday fans are looking to see her in a slightly sunnier role.

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20 Trolls (2016)

Poppy and Branch sit together in Trolls
Trolls

Release Date
November 4, 2016
Director
Walt Dohrn , Mike Mitchell
Cast
Russell Brand , Caroline Hjelt , Gwen Stefani , GloZell Green , James Corden , Kunal Nayyar , Meg DeAngelis , Anna Kendrick , Justin Timberlake , Aino Jawo
Runtime
93minutes

With the voices of Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake as trolls on a musical adventure, the family-friendly ride is filled with fun songs and characters. Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) are polar opposites, but they have to team up to save their friends when their home is invaded. They’re very much in an odd-couple situation as Poppy is an eternal optimist and Branch is overly cautious. That’s what makes their adventure so fun to watch. If the family enjoys the movie, Netflix also offers a streaming series and a holiday special following the characters.

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19 A Boy Called Christmas (2021)

A Young Boy Discovers A Magical Village Of Elves

Nicholas sits on a reindeer in A Boy Called Christmas
A Boy Called Christmas

Release Date
November 24, 2021
Director
Gil Kenan
Cast
Maggie Smith , Isabella O'Sullivan , Joel Fry

One of the best family movies on Netflix is also one of the best Christmas movies on the streamer. This animated story is Netflix’s take on a classic holiday feature, giving the audience an origin story for Santa Claus. Nicholas is tasked with finding a mythical village called Elfhelm, and when he does, the village is what inspires him to create Christmas Day celebrations. The movie might be a little cheesy for older kids, but it will definitely bring the family together if they’re looking for a holiday movie to enjoy.

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18 DC League Of Super-Pets (2022)

Super-Man's Dog Must Save The Day

DC League of Super-Pets

Release Date
July 29, 2022
Director
Jared Stern , Sam Levine
Cast
Dwayne Johnson , Kevin Hart , Natasha Lyonne , Diego Luna , John Krasinski , Kate McKinnon , Keanu Reeves
Runtime
1h 45m

DC movies have had a hard time as of late with 2023 seeing The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom bomb. However, one small victory that has been overlooked recently is the success of the animated family-friendly DC League of Super-Pets. The movie takes a look at the animals within this superhero universe as Krypto the super dog leads a team of animals to stop Lex Luthor when the Justice League is defeated.

Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart continue to show themselves as a winning duo leading the voice cast while there are also some fun supporting performances like John Krasinski as Superman and Keanu Reeves as Batman. With James Gunn's DCU forging its own path, it seems unlikely this animated movie will get a sequel, but this is a perfect superhero movie for all ages.

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17 Chicken Run (2000)

Chickens Plan To Breakout Of Their Farm

The chickens gather around Rocky the Rooster in Chicken Run.
Chicken Run

Release Date
June 21, 2000
Director
Peter Lord , Nick Park
Cast
Phil Daniels , Lynn Ferguson , Mel Gibson , Tony Haygarth , Jane Horrocks , Miranda Richardson

Aardman Animation is another wonderful studio that is likely best known as the creators of Wallace and Gromit. However, Chicken Run is one of the studio's biggest successes and a family-friendly adventure that still holds up in terms of the humor and excitement. As the title suggests, Chicken Run follows a group of chickens who stage a daring escape from the farm where they are being prepared for slaughter.

Despite the seemingly dark subject matter, the movie is a funny and hugely entertaining ride that pays clever homage to movies like The Great Escape. Those who enjoy the humor and fun of this movie can also check out the recent sequel Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget, also available on Netflix.

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16 Matilda: The Musical (2022)

A Musical Take On Roald Dahl's Childrens Story

Miss Trunchbull yelling at Matilda in Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

Release Date
December 9, 2022
Director
Matthew Warchus
Cast
Alisha Weir , Lashana Lynch , Andrea Riseborough , Stephen Graham , Emma Thompson
Runtime
117 minutes

Though the 1990s saw a live-action adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, a Broadway musical adaptation of the book followed. This version of Matilda adapts the Broadway musical fantastically. Featuring Emma Thompson as the villain and Alisha Weir as the titular Matilda, the movie stands out from the previous adaptation thanks to its impressive musical numbers. The cast has fantastic chemistry and Weir earned several award nominations in England and Ireland for her work in the movie.

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15 Minions (2015)

A Spinoff Following The Yellow Henchmen

Three minions in the street with a sign in Minions
Minions

Release Date
July 10, 2015
Director
Pierre Coffin , Kyle Balda
Cast
Michael Keaton , Sandra Bullock , Steve Coogan , Allison Janney , Katy Mixon , John Hamm
Runtime
91minutes

The Despicable Me franchise has become one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time and the spinoff Minions is the highest-grossing of them all. The adorable and strange minions were introduced in Despicable Me as seemingly brainless helpers of the evil genius Gru. They instantly became fan-favorite characters and got their own movie from the popularity.

Minions follows three of the lovable yellow creatures as they are recruited to help a new villainess with her plans for world domination. The movie features the same kind of silly and wholesome humor the franchise is known for while also featuring a great voice cast that includes Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, and Michael Keaton.

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14 The Christmas Chronicles (2018)

A Brother And Sister Join Santa On His Christmas Eve Adventure

The Christmas Chronicles

Release Date
November 22, 2018
Director
Clay Kaytis
Cast
Lamorne Morris , Darby Camp , Judah Lewis , Kimberly Williams-Paisley , Kurt Russell , Oliver Hudson
Runtime
104 minutes

The Christmas Chronicles is one of Netflix’s earliest takes on an original holiday movie, and it’s easily one of the best family movies on Netflix. In it, children conspire to kidnap Santa Claus, played fantastically by Kurt Russell. The kids wind up having to assist Santa with delivering his gifts, giving them a great Christmas adventure and the audience a pretty cool Santa. Kurt Russell’s Santa is definitely unique among the many Santas that exist in pop culture. If the family enjoys the movie, there’s also a sequel on Netflix with Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus.

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13 Slumberland (2022)

A Young Girl Ventures Into A Dreamworld

Jason Momoa as Flip in Slumberland
Slumberland

Release Date
November 18, 2022
Director
Francis Lawrence
Cast
Jason Momoa , Marlow Barkley , Chris O'Dowd , Kyle Chandler , Weruche Opia
Runtime
117 minutes

Seeing Jason Momoa stepping into a family-friendly movie feels a little odd at first, but he is the best part of Slumberland. Slumberland follows a little girl — Nemo, played by Marlow Barkley — who loses her father and ends up entering a portal to Slumberland, the world in which dreams exist. She meets the eccentric outlaw Flip (Momoa), a man-goat hybrid and notorious con artist, and the pair set out on an adventure to find her father.

The inventive setting and Momoa's performance help to make this Netflix original a charming tale, with enough action and suspense to entertain both adults and kids of around 8 and up. Younger viewers may find some scenes scary given Slumberland's fantastical elements (such as Flip's sharpened teeth), but outside this, Slumberland is guaranteed to deliver for a difficulty-free family movie on Netflix.

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12 Beethoven (1992)

A Messy Saint Bernard Finds A New Family

Beethoven and his family posing on the porch
Beethoven

Release Date
April 3, 1992
Director
Brian Levant
Cast
Charles Grodin , Bonnie Hunt , Dean Jones , Oliver Platt , Stanley Tucci , Nicholle Tom
Runtime
87 minutes

Along with being one of the best dog movies on Netflix, Beethoven is also one of the best family movies on Netflix. Written by John Hughes, the movie follows the titular dog, a massive Saint Bernard who tends to create messes and inadvertently cause chaos yet is incredibly lovable. After escaping the clutches of an evil veterinarian, Beethoven is taken in by a new family, including the reluctant father played by Charles Grodin. What follows is a sweet, simple, and funny family movie that is the perfect movie for dog lovers.

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11 Lyle, Lyle Crocodile (2022)

A Family Welcomes A Singing Crocodile Into Their Home

Lyle lounging on a couch in in Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile

Release Date
October 7, 2022
Director
Will Speck , Josh Gordon
Cast
Javier Bardem , Constance Wu , Winslow Fegley , Scoot McNairy , Brett Gelman , Shawn Mendes
Runtime
106minutes

A family movie on Netflix that'll engage viewers in the 5-6 age range, as well as older kids and adults, is Lyle, Lyle Crocodile. The fun of Lyle, Lyle Crocodile comes from having a talking CGI animal thrown in with the bemused characters and watching the hilarity ensue. The live-action adaptation of a children's book about a singing crocodile could have been a big miss, so it is impressive that Lyle, Lyle Crocodile ended up as charming as it is.

The movie follows the titular crocodile who lives with a family in New York City, helping to make their lives better. It is a silly yet fun ride with a surprisingly committed performance from Javier Bardem, clearly having a lot of fun in the movie.

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