Imagine it's Saturday night, and you are looking for a fun night with your family — what are you doing? A perfect answer to that is a family movie night with a feel-good movie. But which movie should you watch that is both kid-friendly and enjoyable for adult audiences? Netflix is a great place to start.
Update July 30, 2023: This article has been updated to reflect the recent list of films streaming on Netflix.
While they are better known for their original movies and their broad range of TV shows and reboots, Netflix also has a great selection of family-friendly movies. When Disney+ opened as a streaming platform, they took with them many of the Disney-produced family-friendly films from Netflix’s catalog. With spaces to fill, Netflix surged ahead and brought back a variety of family films worth watching. As of July 2023, their film library ranges from classics like Hook to Netflix Originals such as Klaus. Here is a list of some of the best family movies on Netflix to watch with your kids on your next family movie night.
7 Rescued by Ruby
Starring Grant Gustin of the CW's The Flash, Rescued by Ruby is a heartwarming story for families who love dogs. A state trooper named Daniel O'Neil has always dreamed of joining an elite K-9 unit, but he's told there are no German shepherds available to pair with him. Deciding to prove he can make the cut, Daniel decides to visit his local animal shelter, where he's convinced to adopt a border collie mix named Ruby, a high-spirited dog that has repeatedly been adopted and returned for bad behavior.
Perhaps the best part of this movie is that it's based on a true story, but there's a lot to enjoy here. It's fun to see Gustin in a role other than as The Flash, and he does well as a flawed man determined to overcome the obstacles to his dream. Plus, there's an excellent message here about found family and second chances, especially when it comes to rescued animals.
6 Stuart Little
The 1999 hit family film Stuart Little is available on Netflix for families, or children, not familiar with this beloved adaptation of the book based on the same name. Stuart is a human-like mouse living in an orphanage when Frederick and Eleanor Little visit, hoping to adopt a brother for their son, George. A disappointed George refuses to accept Stuart, and Stuart struggles to fit in to his new family. Matters only get worse when Snowbell, the family cat, targets Stuart, unhappy he's now a pet to a mouse.
Stuart Little is a great watch for parents with foster or adopted children. It delves into the complicated feelings adopted children feel while delivering an entertaining story, adapted by M. Night Shyamalan.
5 The Boss Baby
The Boss Baby is a great film to watch before diving into the Netflix TV series based on the animated hit movie. A 7-year-old boy named Tim becomes suspicious when his parents bring home his new baby brother, who acts normally around their parents but transforms into a suit-wearing boss baby whenever adults aren't nearby. Eventually, Tim learns about Baby Corp, where babies come from. Tim's baby brother has been sent on a secret mission to find out why more and more people are choosing puppies over having babies.
The Boss Baby is funny and endearing, and children skeptical of having younger siblings will get a kick out of this fantastic tale. There are also plenty of jokes only adults will understand, making it great for Mom and Dad, too.
4 The Mitchells vs. The Machines
A quirky and slightly dysfunctional family accidentally finds themselves in the midst of a robot apocalypse. Katie has recently been accepted into film school and her dad insists the entire family, including their pig, drives her. On this trip, the Mitchells run into all kinds of machines that have been released to capture the humans. It's up to the Mitchells and two simple-minded robots to save humanity.
Both humorous and heartwarming, The Mitchells vs. the Machines was recently nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. With an emphasis on being creative, unique, and loving yourself, this film uses bright animation and quirky characters to help boost this film on your movie night watch list.
3 The Sea Beast
Set in a time and world where giant water creatures fill the ocean, the Netflix original film The Sea Beast begins after their attacks on ships and coastal towns have left many orphans behind, including Maisie, who dreams of becoming a monster hunter like her mom and dad. After stowing away on his ship, she manages to team up with her monster-hunting hero, Jacob (voiced by Karl Urban), who reluctantly becomes a surrogate father to the courageous young girl. The question of whom the real monsters are becomes a prominent theme in this animated adventure suitable for the whole family.
This sleeper hit for Netflix also earned a nomination at the Oscars for Best Animated Feature, which attests to its quality. If your family enjoys fantasy, adventure, and stories about found families, this is one not to miss.
2 Yes Day
This family comedy is perfect for parents and their children to watch together. Starring Jennifer Garner and Jenna Ortega, Yes Day follows a mom and dad who almost always tell their children no. When their oldest daughter asks them if they've heard of Yes Day, they agree to say yes to anything their children request for 24 hours to prove they can still be fun.
Based on the bestselling book of the same name, the movie is a fun and relatable watch for both parents and kids. There's even been talk of a sequel in the works.
1 Nightbooks
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=1500&dpr=1.5)
Nightbooks originally released close to Halloween, but there's no reason families can't enjoy this whimsical and (child-friendly) spooky tale year round. A modern take on Hansel and Gretel, it features a preteen boy named Alex who is lured into the apartment of a witch, who threatens him if he doesn't tell her a new story each night. Alex encounters another child named Yasmin being held captive, and together they plot their escape.
While some scenes might be too frightening for very young viewers, Nightbooks should be suitable for anyone who could handle the equally moody Coraline. Overall, it's a great watch for families who love the style of Tim Burton.