The 17 Best Children & Family Movies on Netflix (May 2024)

While the world of streaming has opened up a vast amount of possibilities in terms of viewing options, it can sometimes be overwhelming trying to decide exactly what to choose — especially when you have the entire family on the brain. That’s why we’ve crafted a specially curated list of the best family movies on Netflix, which runs down the very best movie-watching options for all (or at least most) ages to enjoy. They range from animated features to uplifting live-action stories of real-life heroes. If you’re looking for the perfect viewing option that both kids and parents will enjoy, we’re pretty confident you’ll find something here. Check out our full list of the best family movies on Netflix below.

For more recommendations, check out our list of The Best Fantasy Movies on Netflix Right Now, The Best Comedies on Netflix Right Now, and The Best Movies on Netflix Right Now.

‘Shrek’ (2001)

Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 7.9/10

Birthing a brilliant new cinematic universe, Shrek is a delightful, undeniably entertaining fairytale featuring universal themes while overflowing with pop culture references. Mike Myers stars as the titular grumpy ogre who, in order to clear out his beloved and secluded swamp of the annoying fairytale characters who were forcibly relocated there by Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow), must rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from a dragon’s keep. Highlighted by a killer soundtrack and cleverly hilarious interpretations of classic mythological creatures, Shrek presents an original story for lovers of princesses, happily ever after, and cute, cuddly sidekicks. – Yael Tygiel

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‘Madagascar 2’ (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes: 64% | IMDb: 6.6/10

They like to move it! Move it! We like to…move it! After a long three years, we’ve finally reunited with our favorite Central Park Zoo animals: the performative lion Alex (Ben Stiller), fun-loving zebra Marty (Chris Rock), confident hippo Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith), and hypochondriacal giraffe Melman (David Schwimmer). Following their misadventures in Madagascar, the fumbling foursome crash-land in Africa after their faulty plane runs out of fuel. Stranded on the continent, the animals are forced to adapt to life in the wild and cohabitate with members of their own species. Meanwhile, the handy team of penguins Skipper (Tom McGrath), Kowalski (Chris Miller), Rico (John DiMaggio), and Private (Christopher Knights) are determined to repair the severely damaged plane. — Emily Bernard

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‘The Angry Birds Movie’ (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 44% | IMDb: 6.3/10

Based on the unbelievably addicting phone game, The Angry Birds Movie pulls together a plot featuring the round flightless birds and their aggressive nemesis, the green pigs. Mikael Hed, the creator of the familiar video game, was involved in the colorful and fast-paced story, which he co-wrote with Mikko Pöllä, John Cohen, and Jon Vitti. The Angry Birds Movie is headlined by three incredible actors: Jason Sudeikis (Ted Lasso), Josh Gad (Central Park), and Danny McBride (The Righteous Gemstones, who use their comedic prowess to animate these indescribable creatures. The Angry Birds Movie is bursting with physical comedy, allowing audiences to be properly distracted from the flimsy and mindless plot. – Yael Tygiel

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‘Hotel Transylvania’ (2012)

Rotten Tomatoes: 44% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Dracula has taken many forms in film over the years, but Hotel Transylvania’s version of the Count is probably the most child-friendly. While the series has spawned many sequels, the original still remains its strongest and most enjoyable entry. Adam Sandler voices Dracula, who owns a hotel for monsters. When human Johnny (Andy Samberg) discovers the establishment and falls for his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez), Drac goes into full overprotective dad mode. Filled with sharp gags and classic monstrous characters, this animated comedy is perfect for kids, particularly the younger ones. – Alyssa De Leo

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‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 59% | IMDb: 7.0/10

The Super Mario Bros. Movie is the first feature film adaptation of the property since the early ‘90s, and the studio brought out every big name they could to fill out the voice cast for this momentous occasion. Featuring the talents of Chris Pratt (The Lego Movie) as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy (The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) as Princess Peach, Charlie Day (The Lego Movie) as Luigi, and the musically talented Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda) as Bowser (you’re sure to have “Peaches” stuck in your head for days), the film takes audiences through the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond. Long-time fans of the games will be feasting on easter eggs from a myriad of Nintendo properties from the first frame to the last while taking in the visual aesthetic that perfectly captures the feeling of playing the games. – Tauri Miller

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'Leo' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 7.7

Returning to the world of silly voices, Adam Sandler stars in the surprisingly sweet animated comedy Leo. Co-written by Sandler, alongside SNL legend Robert Smigel and Paul Sado, Leo hilariously explores growing up through the lens of an aging and jaded lizard who spent the last 74 years living in a Florida classroom. Leo features the voices of comedians Bill Burr and Cecily Strong, as well as frequent Sandler collaborators Rob Schneider and Nick Swardson.

Aside from the charming coming-of-age premise, Leo delightfully utilizes the comedy skills of the voice cast, highlighted by vividly slick animation and undeniably catchy songs. While the storyline seems geared at adolescents, Leo the Lizard’s sage wisdom appeals to audiences of all ages, particularly anyone exploring a new beginning in any aspect of their life. - Yael Tygiel

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'Hunt for the Wilderpeople' (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 97% | IMDb: 7.8/10

Filmmaker Taika Waititi landed on most people’s radars as the director behind Thor: Ragnarok, but just before the Marvel sequel, he crafted the delightful adventure comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople. It’s full of quirky humor, but it is never glib in the face of its often intensely emotional material. Instead, it’s a beautiful dance between the two, as the New Zealand-set story follows something of an inverted Anne of Green Gables, as the young Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison) is taken in by foster parents to help out on their farm. Though he starts to connect with the more overtly loving “Aunt” Bella (Rima Te Wiata), he ends up spending most of the movie with “Uncle” Hector (Sam Neill), as part of a mutual and begrudging acceptance that they need each other more than they care to admit. The story is part adventure tale and part family drama, yet even in its wilder moments, it balances these disparate parts in a wonderfully entertaining way (including a national manhunt, a faked death, and an almost New Wave-like series of vignettes within the story itself). Waititi’s sensibilities as a writer and director here lean towards the bombastic and comedic, but the movie does its best work in the quiet moments. Even the most bizarre turns never distract us from how deeply we end up feeling about this weird little kid and his surly new father figure out in the New Zealand bush. — Allison Keene

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'Monkey King' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 59% | IMDb: 5.7/10

Based on characters from the classic 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West, Monkey King puts the titular rambunctious demon-slaying monkey front-and-center in a story about acceptance and helping others. Taking the lead as the boastful Sun Wukong is comedian Jimmy O. Yang (American Born Chinese), who faces off against the Dragon King, voiced by fellow comedian Bowen Yang (Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai). The two titans of hilarity are backed by a wonderful cast of Asian American actors like Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Head of the Class) and BD Wong (Mulan), who help to bring this story to life for a modern audience.

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'Yes Day' (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 52% | IMDb: 5.7/10

Based on the children’s book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld, Yes Day is a movie about rediscovering your inner child and embracing saying yes to life. Jennifer Garner (13 Going on 30) and Édgar Ramírez (Gold) star as a couple who feel like they’ve become real buzzkills since becoming parents – and their kids would agree wholeheartedly. So they make a deal to agree to every one of their children’s requests for a full 24 hours. During this test of mental, physical, and emotional endurance, they try to reconnect with their kids and figure out who they truly want to be as parents. – Tauri Miller

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'The Willoughbys' (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.4/10

In most kid's movies, parents are loving, caring people who would do anything for their children. Not in The Willoughbys though. This acclaimed animated film follows the story of a group of siblings whose parents absolutely despise all children. Deprived of love, music, and food their entire lives, the Willoughby children put together a plot to send their parents on a deadly vacation that they think is sure to kill them off. Okay, yes, all of that sounds quite dark but rest assured, this really is a family movie. The Willoughbys' fortunes change shortly after their parents leave with the arrival of their new nanny (voiced by the iconic Maya Rudolph). Over the course of the rest of the movie, the siblings eventually find a family of their own, one where they are loved and cared for in a way their parents are simply incapable of doing. It's a unique take on family and childhood that's worth the watch. Plus, Alessia Cara sings an absolute banger of a song and Ricky Gervais narrates the story as a cat. Do we need to say more?-- Remus Noronha

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