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.
Related 30 Best Movies On Netflix Right Now (September 2024)
From Godzilla Minus One to Under Paris and The Gentlemen, here are our picks for the best movies on Netflix for everyone to enjoy this month.
30 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once And Always (2023)
A Legacy Sequel To The Original Power Rangers Movie
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always 
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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always is a 2023 film that reunites original cast members from the iconic 1990s television series. The story follows the Rangers as they face a new threat that tests their legacy and bond. With evolving powers and old adversaries, the Rangers must harness their teamwork and courage to protect the world once again. Directed by Charlie Haskell, this film stands as a nostalgic tribute to a beloved franchise.
Director Charlie Haskell Release Date April 19, 2023 Cast David Yost , Walter Jones , Catherine Sutherland , Steve Cardenas , Karan Ashley , Johnny Yong Bosch Runtime 55 minutes Writers Becca Barnes , Alwyn Dale
Classic Power Rangers shows are known for being pretty campy, which is part of their 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. The aim is clearly to give adults who watched the original show a semblance of closure with some of their favorite characters.
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. Not all of the effects have been updated for the modern day, but spotlighting characters like Billy (David Yost) and Zack (Walter) as well as their relationships with the other Power Rangers works in the special’s favor.
29 Family Switch (2023)
An Entire Family Experiences A Body Swap
Family Switch 2.5 PG Where to Watch
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Family Switch is a 2023 Christmas-centric family comedy film by director McG (Joseph McGinty Nichol) created for Netflix and based on a children’s book by author Amy Krouse Rosenthal. A family trip beset with drama drives into chaos when a strange cosmic event forces the parents to switch places with their teenaged children only days before the Christmas holiday.
Release Date November 30, 2023 Director McG Cast Jennifer Garner , Ed Helms , Emma Myers , Brady Noon , Rita Moreno Runtime 101 Minutes Writers Adam Sztykiel , Victoria Strouse
Family Switch provides some family-friendly holiday fun as a Netflix original movie with stars who have been participating in a lot of streaming projects lately. Emma Myers is a newly minted Netflix star, appearing in both Wednesday and A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder for the streamer.
Family Switch 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 as the parents who end up swapping places with their children.
Adding to the fun is that even the family dog is body-swapped with the baby. That’s definitely one way to make a body-swap movie stand out.
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 3.5 PG-13 Where to Watch
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Based on the novel by Fiona Rosenbloom, You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah is a comedy/drama that follows two best friends, Stacy and Lydia, who are on the cusp of their bat mitzvahs. The inseparable pair find their friendship threatened when a new boy enters the scene, and the all-too-expected middle-school drama continues to mount – leaving their dream bat mitzvahs hanging by a thread.
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 trials 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, leading to plenty of conflict since her best friend is expected to be part of the 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.
27 We Can Be Heroes (2020)
A Family-Friendly Superhero Adventure
We Can Be Heroes PG Where to Watch
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Robert Rodriguez, director of Spy Kids and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, returns for We Can Be Heroes is a superhero movie that follows a young girl named Missy Moreno. After alien invaders kidnap her parents and other heroes, Missy must lead a group of other child superheroes to save them all and live up to their legacy.
Release Date December 25, 2020 Director Robert Rodriguez Cast Pedro Pascal , Taylor Dooley , Priyanka Chopra , YaYa Gosselin , Boyd Holbrook , Christian Slater Runtime 100 minutes Writers Robert Rodriguez
There’s always something great about stories in which 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 something more like 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 that adults who saw the original movie when they were younger will immensely enjoy sharing with their children.
26 A Babysitter’s Guide To Monster Hunting (2020)
Heroic Babysitter’s Take On The Boogeyman
A Babysitters Guide to Monster Hunting Where to Watch
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A Babysitters Guide to Monster Hunting is a 2020 fantasy film directed by Rachel Talalay. The story centers on high school freshman Kelly Ferguson, played by Tamara Smart, who stumbles into a secret society of babysitters dedicated to protecting children from monsters. As she navigates her new responsibilities, Kelly teams up with experienced babysitter Liz LeRue to rescue a boy abducted by the Boogeyman and a league of supernatural creatures.
Release Date October 14, 2020 Director Rachel Talalay Cast Alessio Scalzotto , Tamara Smart , Momona Tamada , Tom Felton , Oona Laurence , Indya Moore , Ian Ho Runtime 94 minutes
Inspired by the trilogy of novels by Joe Ballarini, who wrote the script for the movie adaptation as well, 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. If that’s not enough to freak her out, the situation gets worse.
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.
25 Orion And The Dark (2024)
A Young Boy Battles His Fear Of The Dark
Orion and the Dark 4.5 Not Rated Where to Watch
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Orion and the Dark is an animated family comedy film by director Sean Charmatz, released in 2024, based on the book by Emma Yarlett. Orion, a boy with a powerful imagination, is thrown into a gauntlet of all his fears when he is dragged along by his greatest fear, the Dark, to discover that his fears of the night may be unfounded.
Director Sean Charmatz Release Date February 2, 2024 Writers Charlie Kaufman , Lloyd Taylor , Emma Yarlett Cast Jacob Tremblay , Paul Walter Hauser , Werner Herzog , Angela Bassett , Colin Hanks , Ike Barinholtz , Natasia Demetriou Runtime 92 Minutes
In this animated adventure, Orion is a young boy who is afraid of a lot of things. His biggest fear, however, is the dark. When Dark, the actual entity, gets tired of the way Orion talks about him, he decides to reveal himself to Orion and teach him about just what he does, hoping it will help Orion get over his fear. Along the way, Orion meets other entities that work alongside Dark and comes across Dark’s nemesis, Light.
It’s there that the story takes a whole new turn, giving a surprising and fantastic narrative for the audience to follow. The movie explores fears and how those change as children grow up while using Pixar’s tried and true formula of “what if X had feelings.” It also features beautiful animation sequences to highlight the differences between the light and the dark. Audiences young and old will enjoy Orion and the Dark.
24 Vivo (2021)
A Celebration Of Latin American Music And Family
Vivo 0
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Vivo is Sony Animation’s first musical comedy and was directed by Kirk DeMicco and Brandon Jeffords. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote songs for the film and also voiced the titular character, a kinkajou devoted to helping his owner deliver a love song to his old partner Marta Sandoval. Vivo was released on Netflix in August 2021.
Director Brandon Jeffords , Kirk DeMicco Release Date August 6, 2021 Writers Quiara Alegría Hudes , Kirk DeMicco Cast Juan de Marcos González , Zoe Saldana , Lin-Manuel Miranda , Lidya Jewett , Ynairaly Simo , Katie Lowes , Olivia Trujillo , Brian Tyree Henry , Nicole Byer , Gloria Estefan , Michael Rooker , Leslie David Baker Runtime 103 minutes
The movie is a love letter to Latin American music with Lin-Manuel Miranda in charge of the songs.
Vivo was originally in development at DreamWorks Animation in 2010 when the company was negotiating for Sony to distribute its projects. As the company restructured and eventually became part of Universal, however, Vivo ended up in development limbo for a few years. It wasn’t until 2016 that Sony revived it, and it got a release in theaters in 2021 one week before it was simultaneously released on Netflix.
The movie is a love letter to Latin American music with Lin-Manuel Miranda in charge of the songs. It sees a kinkajou who is the companion of a musician take a long journey after the man’s death. He seeks out a woman his companion wrote one last song for, and along the way, has quite the adventure with the man’s young niece. The movie is as much about music as it is about family and grieving unexpected losses.
23 Here Comes The Boom (2012)
A Biology Teacher Tries To Become An MMA Fighter
Here Comes the Boom PG Where to Watch
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Here Comes the Boom is a 2012 comedy film starring Kevin James as a high school biology teacher who becomes an MMA fighter to raise money to prevent extracurricular activities from being cut at his cash-strapped school. The film also features Salma Hayek and Henry Winkler and is directed by Frank Coraci, aiming to blend humor with an inspirational story of unconventional heroism.
Director Frank Coraci Release Date October 11, 2012 Writers Kevin James , Allan Loeb , Rock Reuben Cast Kevin James , Salma Hayek Pinault , Henry Winkler , Greg Germann , Joe Rogan , Gary Valentine Runtime 105 minutes
Here Comes The Boom isn’t the kind of movie that’s going to gain a ton of recognition from award shows or critics. It’s more like comfort food in the form of a live-action family movie. The movie stars Kevin James as a biology teacher who has become jaded as his students lose interest in school and the school starts losing money for their more creative programs, like music.
When the music program that his students actually like is in danger of being cut completely, he starts to care again. The teacher learns how much even losers of Mixed Martial Arts fights can make from a high-profile match, so he sets out to earn money for the school through fighting. It’s very much in the vein of classic movies that see students trying to save their theater or studio or teacher’s job. This time around, it’s the teacher in a much more dangerous scheme.
The story might be predictable for the adults watching, but kids will enjoy the lead-up to a happy ending.
22 Skater Girl (2021)
Kids Fight To Embrace Their Love Of Skateboarding
Skater Girl PG Where to Watch
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A teenager in rural India discovers her passion for skateboarding, and faces numerous obstacles in life as she pursues her dream of competing.
Release Date June 11, 2021 Director Manjari Makijany Cast Shafin Patel , Rachel Saanchita Gupta , Waheeda Rehman , Amy Maghera Runtime 107 minutes Writers Manjari Makijany , Vinati Makijany
Not all the best family movies on Netflix are whimsical animated adventures or live-action forays into fantasy. Some are much closer to real-life events. 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 the sport of 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.
With most of Netflix’s offerings from India being aimed at more mature audiences, this kid-friendly story is a great option for the entire family.
21 Finding ‘Ohana (2021)
Young Kids Embark On A Treasure Hunt
Finding Ohana 3.5 PG Where to Watch
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Finding Ohana (2021) is a family adventure film directed by Jude Weng. It follows two Brooklyn-raised siblings who embark on a journey in rural Oahu after discovering a journal leading to a hidden treasure. This experience reconnects them with their Hawaiian heritage and bonds them closer as a family. Kea Peahu and Alex Aiono star as the siblings, with additional performances by Lindsay Watson and Kelly Hu.
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 Writers Christina Strain
When Finding ‘Ohana became available to stream, it quickly earned a lot of comparisons to family classics like The Goonies. There’s good reason for that as the themes of adventure and family are explored. The Netflix original movie follows a group of kids in Hawaii as they search for treasure when they’re moved to Hawaii to help an older relative.
Not all of the family is excited about the move as it means uprooting their lives, even if it also means connecting with a part of their heritage they didn’t used to have access to. 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.
Related New On Netflix: All 90 Movies & TV Shows Arriving In September
September on Netflix is packed with new TV shows and movies including Emily in Paris, Uglies, and The Perfect Couple.
20 Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
A Teenage Kraken Encounters A Mermaid
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken 2.5 PG Where to Watch
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DreamWorks Animation presents Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, an animated action-adventure film that follows high-schooler Ruby Gillman as she tries to fit in at Oceanside High. When Ruby finally discovers that she’s directly descended from the protectors of the seas, the Krakens, she’ll have to dig deep to protect her school and the oceans themselves from the popular but dangerous mermaid, Chelsea.
Director Kirk DeMicco Release Date June 30, 2023 Writers Pam Brady , Brian C. Brown , Elliott DiGuiseppi Cast Lana Condor , Toni Collette , Annie Murphy , Sam Richardson , Liza Koshy , Will Forte , Colman Domingo , Jaboukie Young-White Runtime 90 Minutes
It paints a fun picture for parents and an engaging story for kids.
For those who know their sea creature mythology, krakens are usually associated with danger and death, while mermaids are seen as more peaceful creatures. At least, that’s how most stories will portray the two creatures. Other stories see them as two sides of the same coin. This animated feature, however, flips how the sea creatures been portrayed in fiction so far.
Here, Ruby finds out that she’s a kraken while she’s got a lot of other teenage problems going on, like trying to get her crush to go to a dance with her. That comes alongside the reveal that the new girl in school is a mermaid. While Ruby thinks that their bonding will go toward mending the rift between krakens and mermaids, it turns out all of the bonding is a ruse, and Ruby has to help save the world from the person she thought was her friend.
While some aspects of the movie have been done better in other projects, like the transformational family secret in Turning Red, the animation here looks truly unique. It paints a fun picture for parents and an engaging story for kids.
19 The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023)
The Iconic Video Game Gets An Animated Movie Treatment
The Super Mario Bros Film 1
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Mario jumps to the big screen in The Super Mario Bros Film, directed by Teen Titans Go! Collaborators Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Bowser, and more appear in this animated comedy that will pit the characters in an all-new adventure set in the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond.
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 Writers Matthew Fogel
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.” Once streaming, kids and adults alike will be eagerly awaiting a sequel.
18 Yes Day (2021)
Parents Decide To Embrace Their Children’s Whims For A Day
Yes Day
Yes Day is a family comedy directed by Miguel Arteta, starring Jennifer Garner and Édgar Ramírez. The film follows parents who decide to give their kids a “yes day,” where they agree to every request for 24 hours. The plot focuses on the fun-filled adventures and bonding experiences that ensue, highlighting family dynamics and the importance of flexibility and understanding in parenting.
Release Date March 12, 2021 Director Miguel Arteta Cast Jennifer Garner , Edgar Ramirez , Jenna Ortega , Julian Lerner , Everly Carganilla Runtime 86 Minutes
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. “Yes Day” for the family is meant to be a teachable outing for the kids.
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.
17 Trolls (2016)
Trolls 2.5 1
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Dreamworks Animation presents Trolls, a musical comedy film based on the classic toy line of “Trolls” that follows the adventures of two trolls trying to save their home. Following the fall of their kingdom, the Trolls prepare for a massive party to celebrate twenty years of survival hosted by Princess Poppy. But when warned by a serious Troll named Branch about keeping quiet, his warnings come true when the new village is ransacked, with most residents being kidnapped. Poppy and Branch will go on a musical adventure to save their homeland and finish what was started years ago.
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 93 Minutes Writers Jonathan Aibel , Glenn Berger
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. Branch gets Poppy to calm down (if only slightly) and Poppy gets Branch to be more adventurous (if only slightly).
Trolls
is a jukebox musical featuring songs like “True Colors” and “September.”
If the family enjoys the movie, Netflix also offers a streaming series and a holiday special following the characters as well as the sequel movie Trolls Band Together, which features even more voices from the world of music as part of the cast.
16 A Boy Called Christmas (2021)
A Young Boy Discovers A Magical Village Of Elves
A Boy Called Christmas PG Where to Watch
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In this story about the origin of Santa Claus, a boy goes on an extraordinary adventure with his pet mouse and a reindeer to find his father, who is searching for the famous Elf Village.
Release Date November 24, 2021 Director Gil Kenan Cast Maggie Smith , Isabella O’Sullivan , Joel Fry Writers Ol Parker , Gil Kenan , Matt Haig
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. Plenty of movies have created stories of people becoming the next Santa Claus, or of finding out about the existence of Santa Claus, but there are only a handful that have an origin story.
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.
For adults, the movie features a stacked cast of supporting talent. Maggie Smith, Kristen Wiig, and Jim Broadbent all appear in the movie as well.
15 Matilda: The Musical (2022)
A Musical Take On Roald Dahl’s Children’s Story
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical 4.0 2
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Based on the classic children’s novel, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical retells the story of a gifted young girl with high intelligence and telekinetic powers who wants to be in a loving home. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood (Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough), are inattentive and uncaring, consistently seeking to deny that she’s special. When Matilda finally gets to go to school against her parent’s wishes, she befriends a kind and loving teacher, Miss Honey, who immediately acknowledges that Matilda is unique. Her school is, unfortunately, ruled by the tyrannical Miss Agatha Trunchbull, who makes the lives of other teachers and students miserable. Tired of seeing injustice, Matilda takes a stand and begins to change the tide, using her powers to out-bully Miss Trunchbull, help Miss Honey, and set things right.
Release Date December 9, 2022 Director Matthew Warchus Cast Alisha Weir , Lashana Lynch , Andrea Riseborough , Stephen Graham , Emma Thompson Runtime 117 minutes Writers Dennis Kelly
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.
Those who have seen the stage show will find there are some differences, as not every musical number from the stage show makes it into the movie. The role of Agatha Trunchbull is also traditionally played by a male actor on stage, which isn’t the case in the movie. Those who haven’t seen the stage version might be even more interested after seeing this one.
The 1996
Matilda
adaptation starring Mara Wilson as the titular character is also available to stream on Netflix.
14 Minions (2015)
A Spinoff Following The Yellow Henchmen
Minions 3.0 2
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A spinoff of the popular <em>Despicable Me</em> film series, Minions is a prequel that focuses on the Minion’s time before they worked for Gru. After serving several notorious evildoers throughout history, they are left without a master and desperately searching for a purpose in life. Three Minions hitchhike their way to Villain-Con, where they meet Scarlett Overkill (Bullock) and begin working for her.
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 Writers Brian Lynch
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.
For families who cannot get enough of the Minions, there are also two specials featuring the characters available to stream on Netflix. The rest of the Despicable Me franchise, however, is not. They are all available on different streaming platforms, typically rotating to new ones on a monthly basis.
13 The Christmas Chronicles (2018)
A Brother And Sister Join Santa On His Christmas Eve Adventure
The Christmas Chronicles 4.0 PG Where to Watch
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The Christmas Chronicles is a 2018 Netflix original Christmas movie starring Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. After sneaking onto Santa’s sleigh and losing all of the world’s presents by crashing the sleigh, two young children named Teddy and Kate race against time to save Christmas. The film was followed up by The Christmas Chronicles 2 in 2020.
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 Writers Matt Lieberman
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 as well as one of the best Netflix originals. 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 as he’s a little rough around the edges, but still is friendly and charming. If the family enjoys the movie, there’s also a sequel on Netflix with Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus. Hawn has previously expressed her interest in making a movie with the whole family since her children, Kate Hudson and Oliver Hudson both act as well. Maybe she could get them all together for a third installment.
12 Slumberland (2022)
A Young Girl Ventures Into A Dreamworld
Slumberland 2.0 PG Where to Watch
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Slumberland is a 2022 Netflix original film directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Jason Momoa, Chris O’Dowd, Kyle Chandler, and Marlow Barkley. The film is based on the Little Nemo in Slumberland comic strip created by Winsor McCay. In the film, a young girl named Nemo awakens in the Land Between Dreams.
Release Date November 18, 2022 Director Francis Lawrence Cast Jason Momoa , Marlow Barkley , Chris O’Dowd , Kyle Chandler , Weruche Opia Runtime 117 minutes Writers David Guion , Michael Handelman
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 a difficulty-free family movie on Netflix.
11 Leo (2023)
A Lizard Becomes A Mentor For A Class Of Youngsters
Leo 3.0 PG Where to Watch
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Leo is a 2023 animated comedy created for Netflix by Happy Madison Productions and Netflix Animation. Adam Sandler plays a lizard with an existential crisis who yearns to see the world outside his classroom terrarium. However, when the students discover he can talk, Leo is given the chance to make a difference in the lives of others while changing his own for the better.
Release Date November 21, 2023 Director Robert Marianetti , Robert Smigel , David Wachtenheim Cast Adam Sandler , Bill Burr , Cecily Strong , Jason Alexander , Sunny Sandler , Sadie Sandler , Rob Schneider , Jackie Sandler , Stephanie Hsu , Jo Koy Runtime 102 Minutes Writers Robert Smigel , Adam Sandler , Paul Sado
One of Adam Sandler’s latest movies in his partnership with Netflix continues the actor’s streak of critically acclaimed projects while also being his first animated movie on the platform. Leo is a musical adventure that features Sandler as the voice of a lizard who has spent his life as a classroom pet for young students.
Wanting to see more of the world, Leo begins revealing his ability to talk to the children and proves to be a skilled mentor to the youngsters. The movie is filled with fun songs, wacky humor, and a surprising amount of heart.
Sandler has had a lot of success with family movies for the streaming platform, and with him continuing to develop new content for the streamer, it’s likely subscribers will get to see more in this vein from the partnership in addition to comedies like Murder Mystery he filmed with Jennifer Aniston.
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