Summary

• There is a wide selection of family-friendly movies available for streaming, making it easier for families to find suitable content for all ages.
• The rise of animated family movies in recent years, particularly during the pandemic, has resulted in a diverse range of high-quality films for families to enjoy.
• Several standout movies, such as “Peter Pan & Wendy,” “Turning Red,” and “Strange World,” each offer unique and entertaining adventures with elements of nostalgia and originality.

Some of the best family movies in recent memory are streaming right now on the most popular entertainment platforms. It’s important to find these films for all ages because sometimes even the best movies of all time aren’t suitable for the whole family to enjoy. It can often be difficult to find something that fits the bill, especially one that hasn’t been played on repeat throughout the years.

It helps that the number of great animated family movies has jumped up in recent years since they were the easiest to produce during the pandemic. As a result, most of the best movies to stream right now were made using advanced animation as live-action family movies are becoming more sparse across the entertainment industry. Regardless of which kind of family-friendly entertainment you’re looking for, a handful of movies stand out above the rest.

20 Trolls: Band Together (2023)

Rated PG

The Trolls franchise has created a series of jukebox musicals that adults and kids can enjoy together. With a mix of established actors and musicians in the voice roles of the animated characters, and stories that always involve breaking into song and dance, the movies have been a colorful and fun time.

The latest movie in the franchise sees the main cast reprise their voice roles, but it also sees some new additions, mainly the members of NSYNC as trolls from Branch’s (Justin Timberlake) past. It’s an NSYNC reunion that millennial audience members will certainly enjoy.

Available on Peacock March 15

19 Family Switch (2023)

Rated PG

Family Switch takes the idea of body swap movies like Freaky Friday and applies it to the entire family. A mother and daughter, a father and son, and a baby and the family dog all switch bodies just when they all have important days ahead of them. As they are forced to work together to keep their lives intact, the family members all better understand one another and develop a greater appreciation for what they’ve all been going through.

Watch on Netflix

18 Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken (2023)

Rated PG

There have been a lot of family movies about mermaids. There have not, however, been a lot of family movies about krakens. While mermaids are usually seen as the heroes of their story, that’s not the case here. While others perceive the mermaid of this story as a hero, Ruby Gilman knows the truth – that mermaids aren’t always the good guys and krakens aren’t always the bad guys. The movie will get kids thinking about stereotypes and be a fun ride for adults.

Watch on Netflix

17 The Tiger’s Apprentice (2024)

Rated PG

Inspired by the Lawrence Yep novel of the same name, The Tiger’s Apprentice is a fantasy coming-of-age story. In it, a young man finds that he’s the latest in a long line of guardians tasked with protecting a phoenix egg. He’s not tasked with doing it alone either. The animals of the Chinese zodiac – in both their human and animal forms – are there to give him guidance. The movie will keep families entertained and give a glimpse into Chinese mythology.

Watch on Paramount+

16 Orion And The Dark (2024)

Rated TV-Y7

Orion has a powerful imagination, but his imagination causes him to give into his fears more often than it provides him with joy. When he meets the embodiment of darkness, he’s given the chance to get over some of those fears. It’s a movie about finding hope and beauty in dark places, and it’s got some fantastic visuals to boot.

Watch on Netflix

15 Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023)

Rated PG

The latest installment of the Spy Kids franchise sees a pair of siblings having to help save the world when they unknowingly help a villain unleash a computer virus that allows him to gain control of the world’s technology. Their parents, played by TV veterans Zachary Levi and Gina Rodrguez are secret agents, and the kids follow in their footsteps to help save the day. While the movie had mixed reviews from critics, it’s been a hit with kids and families who want to revisit the iconic franchise with a new storyline.

Watch on Netflix

14 Good Burger 2 (2023)

Rated PG

It’s rare for movies – especially those aimed at kids – to get a sequel more than 20 years after they were released. Good Burger 2, however, is just that. Starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, and featuring a host of cameos, the movie is a sequel to the original Good Burger, which was born out of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show All That. Parents will likely enjoy watching this one with their kids and introducing their kids to other ‘90s Nickelodeon series on Paramount+.

Watch on Paramount+

13 Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

Rated PG

Along with being another Disney live-action remake of an animated classic, there have been countless adaptations of Peter Pan throughout the years, which may account for why Peter Pan & Wendy was somewhat overlooked. However, the movie received more favorite reviews than some of the other live-action Disney remakes as director David Lowrey presented a unique enough take on the material to not feel repetitive, with the mythology of Peter and Captain Hook getting an especially interesting new take. It results in a high-flying family adventure with a great mix of nostalgia and originality.

Stream On Disney+

12 Turning Red (2022)

Rated PG

Turning Red was one of several Pixar movies that was placed directly on Disney+ during the pandemic. Despite the disappointing release plan, the movie proved there is still magic being made at Pixar as it was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.

Similar to Inside Out, Turning Red is an insightful and clever look at the struggles of being a kid as it follows a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who is possessed by a family curse that turns her into a giant red panda whenever she expresses strong emotions. The movie has worthwhile messages for the older and younger viewers while still providing laughs and fun.

Stream On Disney+

11 Strange World (2022)

Rated PG

Strange World is sadly one of the biggest box office bombs of all time, but that doesn’t necessarily speak to its quality. Indeed, despite the movie’s failure upon release and a mixed response from critics, it is not hard to imagine the movie finding an audience in the streaming world. Strange World serves as a throwback adventure to sci-fi serials as it follows a family of explorers on a mission into an unknown land filled with bizarre creatures and intriguing mysteries. Offering some dazzling animated sequences and creature designs, it is a movie that ignites a sense of adventure.

Stream On Disney+

10 Matilda The Musical (2022)

Rated PG

A remake of a beloved movie can rarely land with audiences the same way as the original. Matilda the Musical, however, manages to do it. The movie is both a remake of the ’90s movie and the modern stage musical, both of which were based on the children’s novel by Roald Dahl.

The story follows the titular little girl who doesn’t have the best home life and faces bullies at school but finds solace in her books and a great teacher. Matilda presents a potentially grim reality, but finds the bright spots in life, and does it with some fantastic song-and-dance sequences.

Watch on Netflix

9 The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Rated PG

The Super Mario Bros. Movie became the second highest-grossing movie of 2023 at the global box office, raking in more than $1.3 billion worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). The beloved animated movie based on the long-running Nintendo games is now available to stream after its impressive theatrical run.

The movie tells the story of an iconic plumber named Mario who travels through a mysterious labyrinth to save a Princess Peach, much like the original handheld side-scroller games. With endless Easter eggs and a wonderful voice cast, it is a great adaptation for fans of the game of all ages.

Watch on Netflix

8 DC League Of Super-Pets (2022)

Rated PG

DC League of Super-Pets is a charming and humorous family-safe film that brings the universe of DC’s superheroes to the worlds of everyday pets and common animals. With a star-studded cast and compelling action-based story, DC League of Super-Pets can entertain people of all ages, especially fans of classic superheroes such as Batman and Superman who appear in the animated film. It is a great option for those too young to get into the more intense superhero movies.

Stream On Max

7 Elemental (2023)

Rated PG

Elemental is a new installment from the legendary combination of Disney and Pixar that focuses on diversity and inclusion in interesting and creative ways. While it may seem that the four elements of fire, water, earth, and air are very different from each other, Elemental proves that they actually have more in common than they might have thought. As is typical of modern Disney Pixar films, Elemental possesses deep and thought-provoking themes that will intrigue both parents and their kids.

Stream On Disney+

6 The Little Mermaid (2023)

Rated PG

The remake of The Little Mermaid is Disney’s most recent attempt at converting its catalog of classic movies into live-action renditions. While some fans aren’t exactly thrilled about all the remakes that risk the integrity of the original animated films, others find the reboot efforts to be thoroughly enjoyable. The whole family can sing along to famous songs such as “Under the Sea” and “Part of Your World” which have been celebrated for decades since the original was released in 1989. It also features a star-making turn from star Halle Bailey who gives her own take on Ariel.

Stream On Disney+

5 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)

Rated PG

The classic characters of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return in a new animated feature with innovative graphics and an action-packed story. Fans of all ages will be able to dive into the visually stunning movie and cheer on the iconic squad of Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo. The Turtle brothers must fight against the mutants in New York City in order to win over the favor of its citizens. The vibrant animation and laugh-out-loud humor make for one of the most exciting Ninja Turtle movies yet and a reminder of the lasting power of these characters.

Stream On Paramount+

4 Nimona (2023)

Rated PG

Nimona is an unsuspecting animated hit movie that can be streamed on Netflix. The story follows a knight in a futuristic medieval world who is helped by a shapeshifting mischievous creature to get out of a crime that he didn’t commit. The thrilling new take on the fairy tale story is one worth seeking out even though it has flown under the radar. The highly original concept paired with the stunning visual world makes Nimona one of the best and perhaps most overlooked family movies available to stream right now.

Stream On Netflix

3 Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

Rated PG

In a year that saw two Pinocchio remakes, Guillermo del Toro’s unique animated interpretation was certainly the better of the two. The film tells the timeless fairy tale of Pinocchio but with a dark, fantastical reimagining that could only come from the mind of del Toro. Pinocchio’s journey is taken to new existential and emotional levels while still maintaining its magical appeal from the original Disney film that the whole family can enjoy. The movie is another twisted tale from del Toro which earned Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.

Stream On Netflix

2 Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Rated PG

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is the long-awaited sequel to the original Puss in Boots and Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos (a short film) which came out in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Voiced by Antonio Banderas throughout the entire trilogy, Puss in Boots is a hilarious and charming character starring in a fun adventure comedy as the swashbuckling feline sets out to discover the fabled wishing star. With beautifully animated action sequences and an unexpectedly touching meditation on mortality, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish is still a fitting bit of fun for the younger crowd.

Watch on Netflix

1 The Sea Beast (2022)

Rated PG

Another unexpected yet outstanding animated Netflix film is the Oscar-nominated The Sea Beast, an exciting action-adventure set on tropical islands and far out at sea.

A sequel to
The Sea Beast
is in development at Netflix.

For an animated movie, the film is full of impressive and compelling action sequences matched with beautiful visuals and a heart-pounding, adrenaline-fueled story. The onscreen dynamic between monster hunter Jacob Holland and the innocent Maisie Brumble is the heart and soul of this film, making it one of the best family movies available to stream right now.

Stream On Netflix