10 Greatest Live-Action Family Films of the 21st Century, Ranked
Animated storytelling has dominated many lists of the best family films of the 21st century, from Pixar’s emotional masterpieces to Dreamworks’ new classics. But live-action family and kids’ films deserve their due. They bring real faces, physical performances, and tangible worlds that can make magic feel even more immediate. When done well, these films don’t just entertain kids; they remind adults why they fell in love with movies in the first place.
From kids’ first forays into the fantasy genre to holiday movies to popular musicals, there’s no shortage of great films the entire family can sit and watch together released in the last 25 years. The following ten films prove that live-action family storytelling is alive and well. From comedy to drama and magic to wonder and whimsy, they capture the messy, heartfelt energy of growing up — and the joy of rediscovering it.
10
‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe’ (2005)
When Disney and Walden Media brought C.S. Lewis’s beloved novel to the screen, it struck a balance few literary adaptations manage, honoring the spiritual allegory of the source material while still functioning as a thrilling fantasy adventure.The enchanted world of Narnia, with its snow-covered landscapes and magical creatures, gave audiences a believable world to step into. For younger viewers who aren’t quite ready for the intensity of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, this first Narnia adventure is a great first step into fantasy.
While the film’s magical world is its selling point, director Andrew Adamson’s cast also grounds the mythical. The four children who play the Pevensie siblings have remarkable chemistry, and Tilda Swinton’s turn as the White Queen is chilling. Liam Neeson’s approach to the lion Aslan is gentle yet formidable, and James McAvoy brought the charm as friendly fawn Mr. Tumnus. The film doesn’t shy away from danger, but coats it in just enough magic and mystery to keep it from growing too dark. Disney hoped this would jump-start a long-running franchise to rival the Harry Potter films, but the series petered out after two more films. And while Prince Caspian and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader have their fans, they can’t quite measure up to the magic of the initial entry. Maybe Greta Gerwig will have more success when she returns audiences to Narnia via Netflix and IMAX in 2026. But the first trip through the wardrobe still casts a powerful spell.
9
‘The Greatest Showman’ (2017)
Parents looking to introduce kids to the real-life story of showman P.T. Barnum might want to look elsewhere. The Greatest Showman is a “print the legend” musical that takes massive liberties with the showman’s biography. In its place, however, is an energetic blend of rousing musical numbers and bold imagery. Kids will love the bright colors, hit-filled soundtrack, and elaborate dance sequences, and adults will enjoy the romantic sheen and themes of self-acceptance and family that power through.
The film is a collection of Broadway-style dance numbers and pop-ready showstoppers that will get the kids off the couch and dancing — and then asking for the covers album to play them in the car. Hugh Jackman brings his song and dance chops to the big screen, and he’s matched by energetic performances from Zac Efron, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, and Michelle Williams. The film is paper-thin, sappy, and predictable, but there’s a reason why it overcame a lackluster critical reception to become a giant hit: The Greatest Showman is pure spectacle, with a propulsive joy that makes it perfect for viewers of all ages.
8
‘Pete’s Dragon’ (2016)
This is the era of Disney remakes. And while the vast majority are very bad, David Lowery’s take on the 1977 live-action/animation hybrid Pete’s Dragon is the rare exception. Lowery ditches the songs and cartoonish tone of the original and delivers a grounded, haunting Pacific Northwest fairy tale about grief and belonging. The dragon, Elliot, rendered in lush green fur and puppy-like warmth, isn’t just a special-effects marvel but a symbol of empathy and environmental harmony.
The film trusts children to handle melancholy and encourages adults to reconnect with youthful wonder, balancing whimsy and sorrow. Pete’s Dragon‘s story of a found family will resonate with younger viewers, even as they thrill to the tale of Elliot finding his own family of dragons. Robert Redford and Bryce Dallas Howard have wonderful chemistry as father and daughter, giving the movie a grown-up maturity to complement its fantastical elements. Lowrey has made some of the best films of the last two decades, including A Ghost Story, The Green Knight, and Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, and doesn’t treat a Disney fable as a cashgrab, finding wonder in the midst of sadness. It’s the rare Disney remake to be better than its inspiration, and it’s a film that respects children’s emotional intelligence while also delivering the requisite flights of fancy.
7
‘Elf’ (2003)
Elf is rightfully enshrined as a holiday classic, but it also has more heart and humor than most family movies deliver. Will Ferrell gives one of his most memorable comedic performances as Buddy the Elf, combining physical humor with sincerity. The film has a timeless appeal, thanks not only to Ferrell’s performance, but also the film’s North Pole scenes, which use classic stop-motion techniques as a nod to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, bridging generations of Christmas nostalgia.
Beneath Elf’s candy-coated chaos is a story about belonging, kindness, and the courage to stay joyful in a world that’s forgotten how. Ferrell’s performance delivers enough pratfalls and wide-eyed humor to keep kids engaged, but Favreau’s direction ensures that the humor also appeals to adults. While Elf originally had darker origins, wiser heads prevailed to create a funny and sweet Christmas miracle, and a studio comedy that the entire family can turn to every holiday season.
6
‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ (2004)
The eight-film Harry Potter series could make up the bulk of this list. There’s an argument to be made for 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the initial adaptation of J.K. Rowling’s stories that kicked the franchise off. There’s also a good case for the epic turns of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire or the two-part culmination of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. But Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban stands alone as the moment when Alfonso Cuarón transformed the franchise into cinema. From the sweeping long shots to the gray-blue palette that heightened the intensity, Prisoner of Azkaban delivered a moody, scary family blockbuster. It’s the moment the series grew up and embraced themes of fear, identity, and family with a maturity that respects its young audience.
The time-turner sequence remains one of the best uses of editing and structure in modern fantasy, turning a magical gimmick into a meditation on perspective and empathy. The Dementors remain one of the most chilling threats in modern fantasy. Harry’s flight on Buckbeak is one of the saga’s most thrilling moments. And Cuaron’s skill with tone ensured that the film was eerie without losing the whimsy and heart that made it so beloved. Cuaron delivered the magic that the series would continue to chase for nearly a decade.
5
‘The Muppets’ (2011)
Jason Segel and James Bobin’s revitalization of Jim Henson’s beloved characters is a legacy sequel that became one of the best films in the Muppet franchise. After years of lying dormant and popping up only in occasional YouTube videos, the Muppets were resurrected in a celebration of all their greatest hits that combined heartfelt nostalgia with the chaotic energy the characters were always known for. From its show-stopping opener, “Life’s a Happy Song,” to the mix of silliness and sincerity of “Man or Muppet,” to a rendition of “Rainbow Connection” that ensured no adults left with a dry eye, it’s also one of the greatest musicals of the 21st century, with some of the best numbers in the Muppet songbook.
The Muppets works because it’s a work of love, not a studio-mandated IP resurrection. Segel and Bobin lean heavily on the iconography and famous moments of Muppet movies and shows past, as well as the relationship dynamics between the characters that have transcended the loss of the original actors behind them. It’s anarchic when it needs to be – the film’s climax hinges on kidnapping Jack Black – but it also captures the joy and optimism that fueled Henson and his collaborators. Kids love the songs, the colorful characters, and the zany antics, and adults love the meta jokes and the nostalgic rush of the film’s final 30 minutes, which unfolds as one last episode of The Muppet Show.
4
‘Where the Wild Things Are’ (2009)
Spike Jonze’s adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic book, Where the Wild Things Are, is a daring entry, a meditation on childhood that’s more emotional than cute. Rather than stretching a short story into spectacle, Jonze built a raw, dreamlike exploration of loneliness and anger, using practical creature effects, a haunting score by Karen O and Carter Burwell, and a standout ensemble, most notably James Gandolfini as Carol, a terrifying but caring beast with temper issues. The result is messy, moody, and magnificent, a movie that explores the reality of emotions and the pain that can accompany childhood.
By treating Max’s tantrums and imagination as reflections of grief and confusion, Where the Wild Things Are respects childhood as something serious and profound. While kids might not get a funny slapstick adventure, they’ll likely walk away thinking more about why they feel the way they do and how to manage that. For parents, it’s not just the adaptation of a beloved book, but a reminder of the wildness, fear, and unpredictability of childhood. It feels a part of Jonze’s accomplished filmography. Funny, scary, sad, and wistful; it’s a movie that truly feels wild.
3
‘School of Rock’ (2003)
Few movies for any audience have ever nailed the wild, rebellious spirit of rock and roll as well as School of Rock. Richard Linklater’s critically acclaimed comedy about a washed-up guitarist posing as a substitute teacher could’ve been just another fish-out-of-water story, but Jack Black turns it into a full-blown musical riot. His performance is a masterclass in comic energy, equal parts sermon, stand-up, and jam session. The actor’s chemistry with the kids is incredible, fueling every joke and riff. The music isn’t just background noise; it’s the movie’s DNA, transforming from classic-rock homage to a genuine expression of freedom for these pent-up prep school kids. It’s funny enough to keep adults invested, and its theme of standing up to The Man makes it one of the few kids’ movies that truly feels subversive.
School of Rock also features one of the ultimate Jack Black performances, and proof that he might be this century’s greatest kids’ entertainer. He’s hilarious and larger-than-life, but beneath the manic humor is a genuine love of music and the power it has to bring people together. Black speaks to young audiences without condescending to them, inviting them to laugh, rock, and believe in themselves, and he’s having just as much fun as his young co-stars. This was the performance that catapulted Black to stardom, and he’s continued to do his best work in films geared toward younger audiences, from Kung Fu Panda to A Minecraft Movie. But he’s never been better than here.
2
‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’ (2021)
A film about the fragility of life and the resilience of hope, with an adorable stop-motion mollusk at the center, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is one of this decade’s A24 masterpieces. Expanding on the viral shorts, Dean Fleischer Camp’s mockumentary mixes live action with stop-motion animation to tell a story about grief, curiosity, and the quiet bravery of moving forward. Jenny Slate’s voice work gives Marcel an emotional honesty that transcends novelty, making him not just cute but profoundly human in his own way.
Families might come for the cute animated character at its center and the mockumentary style. But Marcel’s ability to see wonder in everyday things gives it a power and joy that transcends its kiddie movie trappings. By blending realism with miniature wonder, Marcel bridges generations; children laugh at his tiny adventures and adults see their own search for meaning and experiences with grief. In an era of loud blockbusters, this small, soft-spoken film is quietly magical; it both leaves viewers with smiles on their faces and tears in their eyes.
1
‘Paddington 2’ (2017)
Perfection with marmalade on top. Paddington 2 takes everything charming about its predecessor and elevates it into something truly special. Director Paul King infuses every frame with care, creating a movie that looks pulled from a storybook and shifts from tenderness to slapstick to musical sequence and back. Ben Whishaw’s gentle voice performance gives Paddington a moral clarity so simple it feels revolutionary: be kind, be polite, and always look for the good in people. And Hugh Grant gives one of the best performances of his career as a flamboyant villain.
The film’s themes of decency and community struck a chord with audiences weary of cynicism, and feel even more resonant in uncertain and tense times. Its whimsical story of a wrongly imprisoned bear became a parable about empathy and justice, things sorely missing in modern society. When critics and fans called Paddington 2 of the best sequels ever made, it wasn’t a joke. It’s a movie proves that family entertainment can be both artful and healing, and that kindness never goes out of fashion.
Paddington 2
- Release Date
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November 10, 2017
- Runtime
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104 minutes
- Director
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Paul King
- Writers
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Simon Farnaby, Paul King, Michael Bond
