The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

Ready, aim, fire! The Angry Birds have launched themselves out of their popular phone app and onto the big screen. On an island of high-flyers, Red (Jason Sudeikis) is known for his bad temper and furious outbursts, but when a crew of green pigs suddenly appears and seems to be interested in the colony’s eggs, Red is the only one who recognizes the porcine threat. EW’s critic writes that the movie “delivers a mildly diverting mix of winky meta-jokes and moral lessons, cannily aimed at both the next generation of tiny consumers and their more sophisticated parents.” —Danny Horn

Where to watch The Angry Birds Movie: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Directors: Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly

Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph

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Annie (1982)

For a more classic pick, it’s hard to go wrong with this first movie adaptation of the musical Annie. Annie (Aileen Quinn) is an orphaned girl whisked away from a hard-knock life in the orphanage by billionaire Daddy Warbucks (Albert Finney), who is looking to improve his public image. Longing to be reunited with her parents, Warbucks tries to use his influence to help Annie, but the search proves surprisingly difficult. With charming performances by Finney and Carol Burnett (as the wicked orphanage manager Miss Hannigan) and indelible songs, it’s solid throwback entertainment for musical lovers. —Kevin Jacobsen

Where to watch Annie: Netflix

Director: John Huston

Cast: Aileen Quinn, Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry, Geoffrey Holder, Edward Herrmann

Related content: Carol Burnett reflects on her most iconic roles

The Boxtrolls (2014)

Eggs (Isaac Hempstead Wright) is an orphaned 10-year-old taken in by box-wearing trolls in this lively animated film from LAIKA. While humans fear the Boxtrolls, they are a peaceful group who raise Eggs with care. After a pest exterminator strikes a deal with the town council to eliminate the Boxtrolls for good, Eggs is spurred to defend his family. Artfully crafted with stop-motion animation, The Boxtrolls is a delightfully quirky adventure offering something darker than the typical Disney/Pixar fare. —K.J.

Where to watch The Boxtrolls: Netflix

Directors: Graham Annable and Anthony Stacchi

Cast: Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, Dee Bradley Baker, Steve Blum, Toni Collette, Jared Harris, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan, Simon Pegg

Related content: The Boxtrolls brings stop-motion animation back into the light

Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023)

In this claymation sequel to Aardman Animations’ 2000 hit Chicken Run, the valiant fowls Rocky (Zachary Levi) and Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) are living peacefully after escaping from Mrs. Tweedy’s farm. But soon a new threat arises: a modernized poultry processing plant is built nearby, which uses electric collars to subdue the chickens and make them into tasty nuggets. When Rocky and Ginger’s daughter, Molly (Bella Ramsey), is unwittingly trapped in the factory, it’s up to the feathered fighters to mount a rescue. Typical for an Aardman production, the film is full of clever visual gags that punctuate a heartfelt adventure story. —D.H.

Where to watch Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget: Netflix

Director: Sam Fell

Cast: Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey, Miranda Richardson

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Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

“It’s a story you may think you know,” says the cricket (Ewan McGregor), “but you don’t.” Indeed, Guillermo del Toro‘s new stop-motion animated version of Pinocchio is something we’ve never seen before — a dark but joyous story about the virtue of disobedience set in Italy during Mussolini’s fascist regime. Fashioned by a woodcarver (David Bradley) grieving over the loss of his child, the little wooden puppet (Gregory Mann) is a rambunctious, willful lad who refuses to be caged or silenced. His adventures take him to the circus, the Army, the depths of the sea, and the afterlife in this impressive Oscar-winning masterpiece. —D.H.

Where to watch Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: Netflix

Director: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson

Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Christoph Waltz

Related content: Guillermo del Toro explains why his Pinocchio has so much fascism in it

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

If you never expected to see Javier Bardem singing and dancing with a giant crocodile — and, really, who saw that coming? — then Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile will come as a delightful surprise. The film concerns young Josh (Winslow Fegley), who moves to New York City and discovers an amiable croc in the attic with the voice of Shawn Mendes. Naturally, the family finds it difficult to appreciate a reptile housemate at first, but when Lyle reunites with his old performing partner Hector (Bardem), they can’t deny the magic that their new friend brings to their lives. (If only the neighbors agreed…) —D.H.

Where to watch Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile: Netflix

Directors: Will Speck, Josh Gordon

Cast: Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Shawn Mendes, Winslow Fegley

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Marcel the Shell With Shoes On (2022)

Marcel is a little shell with a big personality in this charming indie comedy. Based on the series of shorts released in the early-2010s, the film centers on the walking, talking seashell as a documentary (er, mockumentary) filmmaker captures his everyday life. After the filmmaker posts videos of Marcel on the internet, he becomes a viral star, inspiring him to go on a quest to reunite with his family. Heartfelt with just the right sprinkling of wicked wit, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On deservedly earned an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. —K.J.

Where to watch Marcel the Shell With Shoes On: Netflix

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Cast: Jenny Slate, Isabella Rossellini, Rosa Salazar, Thomas Mann, Dean Fleischer Camp, Lesley Stahl, Jesse Cilio

Related content: How Lesley Stahl wound up interviewing her tiniest subject in Marcel the Shell With Shoes On

The Monkey King (2023)

Loosely based on a classic 16th-century novel, The Monkey King offers a modern spin on Chinese mythology. A self-proclaimed hero and candidate for immortality, a bold young chimp (Jimmy O. Yang) declares himself King of the Monkeys and decides to fight 100 demons to become a god. He’s silly and arrogant, but also a fierce fighter, stealing a magic staff from the Dragon King (Bowen Yang) that the monster would very much like to have back. A pleasing mix of comedy, adventure, and mysticism, The Monkey King highlights a folk tradition often overlooked in kids’ movies. —D.H.

Where to watch The Monkey King: Netflix

Director: Anthony Stacchi

Cast: Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy

Related content: How American Born Chinese remixes the mythology of the Monkey King

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

The titular swashbuckling tabby cat (Antonio Banderas) — a fan favorite from the Shrek franchise — discovers that his heroic adventures have already cost him eight of his nine lives. Suddenly faced with mortality for the first time, the effervescent Puss has to learn how precious his time really is. It’s a more sincere and reflective take on the character, but the film is still filled with humor, adventure, and an adorable new addition: Puss’ relentlessly upbeat puppy sidekick, Perrito (Harvey Guillén). The animation is also top-notch, with a warm, painterly fairy-tale style that makes the Shrek universe look better than ever before. —D.H.

Where to watch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish: Netflix through May 9

Director: Joel Crawford

Cast: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Harvey Guillén, Florence Pugh

Related content: Harvey Guillén reveals how Puss in Boots: The Last Wish changed his life

The Sea Beast (2022)

In a world where enormous sea creatures threaten anyone who ventures out onto the ocean, it’s up to brave heroes like the legendary Jacob Holland (Karl Urban) to hunt them down. But an orphan girl named Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) stows away on what could be Jacob’s final voyage and discovers that the beasts may not be as fearsome as they appear. Jacob and his protégée must face off against the monsters — both marine and human — in this tale of bravery and heart, which snagged a Best Animated Feature nomination at the 2023 Oscars and became Netflix’s most successful original animated film. —D.H.

Where to watch The Sea Beast: Netflix

Director: Chris Williams

Cast: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris

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Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023)

The fifth film in the Spy Kids franchise, Armageddon reboots the series after a more than 10-year absence from the screen. When two married spies (Zachary Levi and Gina Rodriguez) go missing, young Tony (Connor Esterson) and Patty (Everly Carganilla) discover their parents’ safe house and learn how to become secret agents themselves. The villain is a game developer who’s taken control of all technology, so naturally, the kids’ familiarity with videogames is a major asset in the world-saving department. There aren’t a lot of surprises if you’ve seen the previous installments, but newcomers will enjoy it. —D.H.

Where to watch Spy Kids: Armageddon: Netflix

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Connor Esterson, Everly Carganilla

Related content: Here’s a first look at Netflix’s Spy Kids reboot with Gina Rodriguez and Zachary Levi

Trolls (2016)

If the kids are having a down day, Trolls is guaranteed to pick them up with a dazzling Day-Glo rainbow of cheer. The high-coiffed Trolls spend their time partying in a foam-and-fleece forest where everyone loves fun, especially the peppy Princess Poppy (Anna Kendrick). When their community is assailed by the goblin-like Bergens, Poppy has to team up with Branch (Justin Timberlake, who also co-wrote the film’s Grammy-winning original song “Can’t Stop the Feeling”), the only gloomy Troll. EW’s critic writes that “the movie’s serotonin pumps like a fire hose. It’s almost impossible not to surrender to the bliss.” —D.H.

Where to watch Trolls: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Gwen Stefani, James Corden

Related content: Trolls: How Justin Timberlake, Miyazaki inspired the directors

Vivo (2021)

In addition to composing its songs, Lin-Manuel Miranda stars in Vivo, the story of a singing kinkajou who embarks on a dangerous but inspiring quest from Havana to Miami. When his street performer partner dies, Vivo is charged with delivering a romantic song to the man’s lost love, a successful singer (Gloria Estefan) who’s about to retire. Vivo is accompanied by Gabi (Ynairaly Simo), an irritating 10-year-old girl with a gift for music. EW’s critic writes that the movie “sort of delivers as an energetic caper, moving from one colorful locale to another,” and Miranda’s melodies make the journey worthwhile. —D.H.

Where to watch Vivo: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Kirk DeMicco

Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldaña, Juan de Marcos, Gloria Estefan

The Willoughbys (2020)

Stuck with a mother and father who neglect and abuse them, the four young Willoughbys come up with a fiendish plot, sending their parents off on a vacation to dangerous places and hoping that they get killed. It’s a grim premise, but the appealing characters and vibrant animation make The Willoughbys more uplifting than you’d expect, as the kids determine what kind of family they really want. The voice cast includes comedy powerhouses Will Forte as eldest son Tim, Maya Rudolph as the children’s quirky nanny, and Ricky Gervais as the cat who narrates the film. —D.H.

Where to watch The Willoughbys: Netflix

Director: Kris Pearn

Cast: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Ricky Gervais, Alessia Cara

Related content: Why Netflix’s The Willoughbys are the perfect quarantine companions

Yes Day (2021)

Stressed parents Allison (Jennifer Garner) and Carlos (Edgar Ramirez) learn about the liberating power of “yes” in this winning family comedy. Allison’s tired of her three kids calling her the “fun killer,” so she and Carlos agree to observe Yes Day, a 24-hour period where they must agree to any crazy requests their children make. The kids, led by a pre-Wednesday Jenna Ortega, get their parents to dress in funny clothes, go through a carwash with the windows down, and take a trip to an amusement park, which turns unexpectedly chaotic. —D.H.

Where to watch Yes Day: Netflix

Director: Miguel Arteta

Cast: Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramirez, Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner

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