We’ve narrowed the list down to the best of the best, including a few old-school favorites you might remember from when you were a kid. Whether they’re critically acclaimed, full of nostalgia, or beautiful works of art, kids of all ages will enjoy these kids’ movies on Netflix, and adults can always find deeper meaning in the dialogue, artistry, and plot. Best of all? You can watch them all immediately—and as many times as you want—so go ahead and binge one or two.
Netflix-Produced Animated Family Movies
If you love animation, there are plenty of good movies on Netflix for kids—so check out a few of our favorites.
Extinct
If you’re looking for adorable animated animals (and a very vague lesson about environmentalism), Extinct features a pair of sweet doughnut-shaped creatures that travel into the future to find that they’ve somehow gone extinct. They join a crew of fellow extinct animals as they try to find their way back home. The show features comedy actors like Rachel Bloom, Catherine O’Hara, Ken Jeong, and Adam DeVine.
The Willoughbys
This highly rated (and under-appreciated) 2020 animated film features a slightly-less-than-happy family—and the kids’ dramatic attempts to create a happier home. It features Jane Krakowski, Martin Short, Maya Rudolph, and Terry Crews in an all-star cast of voices.
Over the Moon
A charming addition to the collection of original kids’ movies on Netflix, this song-filled film follows a young girl named Fei Fei as she embarks on a legendary adventure to prove to her widower father that love is forever. Her journey takes her to the moon, where a mythical goddess and her miraculous world await. Full of color, adventure, and heartwarming messages about family and love, this is a kids’ movie the whole family will love—and the soundtrack, featuring spectacular performances by Phillipa Soo of Hamilton, is bound to be a new family favorite. Rated PG.
Klaus
Probably the very best kids’ Christmas movie on Netflix, this Netflix Original Film explores a fresh origin story for dear old Santa Claus. It follows a lazy postman who is sent to a far corner of the globe to learn some tough lessons; there, he unwittingly inspires an entire small town and learns a few things himself. While this kids’ movie on Netflix is best left for Christmastime and winter, it’s worth watching any time of year. Rated PG.
Back to the Outback
This December 2021 animated movie features a slew of Australian creatures in a zoo, who decide to band together to escape and head back to the Outback to live their lives. It teaches kids the lesson of not always judging a book by its cover (or a living thing by how it looks).
Blockbuster Animated Movies for Families
If you missed them in the theaters (or just love them enough for a second, third, or 10th go-round), these top animated kids’ movies are currently available on Netflix.
Sing 2
The latest installment of this animated take on singing competitions boasts some serious star power—and teens and adults can try to figure out who’s who in a cast that includes musicians like Halsey, Bono, Pharrell Williams, and Tori Kelly alongside Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson, Letitia Wright, and Reese Witherspoon.
Despicable Me
Netflix currently has the movie that started the Minions obsession—as bumbling villain Gru and his less-than-capable assistants try to capture the moon while tasked with caring for three little girls. Bonus: you can make it a Minion marathon—its first sequel, Despicable Me 2 is also available on Netflix, along with a collection of Minion-centric short films.
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
The famed British claymation studio offers up this charming movie, where Shaun and his flock try to help an alien creature that crash-landed near their farm. If your kiddos fall in love with Shaun, there’s a ton of other sheepy adventures to enjoy on Netflix.
Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Introduce little ones to the zany world of Jimmy Neutron with the movie that started it all. Jimmy, resident genius of the town of Retroville, accidentally summons aliens to Earth. Once there, they kidnap all the adults, and Jimmy then has to lead the charge to get them back. Nominated for the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, it’s a great movie for the whole family to watch together. And if kids really get into Jimmy and his band of friends, they’ll love the Nickelodeon series that followed. Rated G.
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie
Just one of a few movies based on the adored cartoon, Rugrats in Paris takes the babies to France, where they explore the city, play with Reptar, and more. Kids will love the babies’ antics, and adults will love introducing them to the Rugrat gang at last. Rated G.
Classic Family Movies on Netflix
Consider these old-school movies the worthy of your next family movie night.
Clueless
Relive your glory days (and enjoy a only slightly fresher-faced Paul Rudd) with this very modern take on Jane Austen’s Emma that’s consistently rated among the best teen movies of all time. Bonus: with 1990s fashion currently in vogue, your teens and tweens can get some vintage fashion inspo.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
The ultimate skip day made for a classic teen movie—and is definitely worth enjoying with a new generation (if only so you can let your kiddos know that you’re onto tricks like licking your palms to make them clammy—ew).
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Lemony Snicket’s gothic, delightfully dark book series follows the three young Beaudelaire orphans as they try to escape the clutches of their sinister uncle Count Olaf and solve family secrets. Currently on Netflix, you can catch the 2004 movie adaptation, with Jim Carrey as Count Olaf, and Meryl Streep, Jude Law, Emily Browning, and Catherine O’Hara among the cast. Or, if you have more time for a binge, check out Netflix’s stellar series, starring Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf (alongside Joan Cusack, Alfre Woodard, and O’Hara again).
Netflix Live-Action Family Movies
Netflix has plenty of non-animated family-friendly movies, whether you’re looking for kid-approved documentaries or splashy adventure flicks.
Enola Holmes
This modern twist on Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective series puts uber-detective Sherlock Holmes in a supporting role, while his kid sister Enola Holmes tackles mysteries and adventures. Tween and teen watchers will love another chance to see Stranger Things Millie Bobby Brown star as Enola—while adults may be more excited about Henry Cavill as Sherlock or Helena Bonham Carter as Eudoria Holmes—Sherlock and Enola’s missing mother.
Ivy and Bean
Based on the popular kids’ book series, Ivy and Bean follows a pair of opposites-attract pals (brash Bean and shy Ivy) on their adventures. And if your family loves the first one, there are two more movies in the series ready and waiting.
Puff: Wonders of the Reef
For the animal-loving family, this short and sweet documentary follows a baby pufferfish as it finds a home in the Great Barrier Reef. (Actress Rose Byrne provides the narration.)
John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch
Comedian John Mulaney creates a send-up of some of those weird children’s specials from the 1980s, in a delightfully oddball, music-filled special featuring a group of talented kids alongside a slew of celebs including David Byrne, Jake Gyllenhaal, Annaleigh Ashford, and Andre De Shields.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Based on a true story, this biographical film follows a young boy who builds a wind turbine to save his village in Malawi from famine. Along with the book of the same name, this story demonstrates the power of determination and perseverance and will inspire everyone to find their own way to help those around them. Rated TV-PG.
Moxie!
This story of teen empowerment (with a little old-school riot grrl action) will definitely resonate with teen girls and their moms. (Amy Poehler plays the heroine’s mom, and the cool up-and-comer band the Linda Lindas show up at the end too!)
Yes Day
The beloved book by author Amy Krouse Rosenthal is made into a feature-length film as a mom and dad indulge their kids in a rollicking, adventurous day where the answer to every request is “Yes.” (Jennifer Garner is on mom duty in the movie.)
