Are you looking for a movie night at home the whole family can enjoy? Here’s good news: Right now, Netflix is host to a virtual library of family-friendly classics old and new. We’ve rounded up the best to help you make your next streaming selection.
Here are the 15 best family movies that are currently available to stream on Netflix. We’ve even included a few honorable mentions.
1. Mulan (1998)
This critical and commercial hit was the ninth film of the Disney Renaissance, a period of animated prosperity that started with The Little Mermaid nine years prior. Set during the Han Dynasty, the plot of Mulan centers on a young woman who takes her aging father’s place in the military as the threat of the Huns looms.
A live-action adaptation directed by Niki Caro will be released March 27, 2020. Unlike most other live-action Disney reimaginings, Mulan will stray a bit from the original, doing away with some of the fantastical and musical elements to tell a straightforward “wuxia” [that’s a genre of Chinese martial-arts fiction set in ancient China] narrative that actually sounds refreshing.
Related: The 20 Greatest Animated Films of All Time, Including All Your Disney Faves
2. Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
Despite an overall lukewarm reception from critics, Kevin James‘ rather wholesome picture raked in box-office gold, opening at the top in its first weekend. Roger Ebert, for one, gave the movie a positive review, saying:
“Paul Blart: Mall Cop is a slapstick comedy with a hero who is a nice guy. I thought that wasn’t allowed anymore.”
Paul Blart: Mall Cop carries a PG rating and is suitable for anyone who can handle some mild rude humor. A sequel followed in 2015.
Related: The 15 Best, Most Exciting Action Movies on Netflix
3. Coco (2017)
Inspired by Mexico’s Day of the Dead Festival, Pixar’s stunning animated musical tells a touching story about family and what we pass on through generations. As is so often the case with Pixar, you’ll probably want a box of Kleenex handy for this. Coco won two Oscars, for Best Animated Film and Best Song (“Remember Me”).
4. Coraline (2009)
Starring the vocal talents of Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher, Coraline is based on the fantasy novella of the same name by Neil Gaiman. Laika’s dazzling stop-motion animation is used to tell the story of a girl who discovers a parallel universe with dark secrets through a doorway in her new home.
5. The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
Here’s a LOL-funny selection that audiences of all ages will get a kick out of. The Oscar-nominated 40th animated Disney feature film, and Disney’s most purely comedic post-Renaissance cartoon, The Emperor’s New Groove had a long, rocky production and initially underperformed at the box office. However, it became a substantial hit on home video, becoming the highest-selling DVD of 2001.
6. Tarzan (1999)
The tenth and final film of the Disney Renaissance brought Edgar Rice Burroughs‘ famous man of the apes to the big screen for a new generation. The most expensive animated movie ever at the time, Tarzan is a reminder of the depth and personality of the artistry that can only be found in the hand-drawn animation of a bygone era. Tarzan was released two years before the Academy Award instated the Best Animated Feature category, but it did win one Oscar for Phil Collins‘ original song “You’ll Be in My Heart.”
Tarzan grossed over $400 million at the box office, and inspired a Broadway musical and two direct-to-video sequels.
7. Bolt (2008)
John Travolta and Miley Cyrus lend their vocal talents to this critically well-received caper about a dog who thinks he has superpowers. It’s a charmer with heart. Bolt received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Film.
8. Miracle (2004)
We’ve seen so many sports biopics over the years that it’s rare for one to really stand out. Miracle is based on one of the most inspiring true stories in the history of athletics, the triumph of the U.S. men’s hockey team over the Soviet team at the 1980 Olympics during the Cold War. The strength of the true life story, along with some muscular direction by Gavin O’Connor (FX’s The Americans) and touching performances (from Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson and others), elevate Miracle to something that’s just plain lovable and exciting to watch. Miracle is compelling and patriotic entertainment for all ages.
9. Stuart Little (1999)
Geena Davis and a pre-House Hugh Laurie star in this loose adaptation of E.B. White‘s children’s book, playing parents who adopt an anthropomorphic mouse (voiced by Michael J. Fox). Fun fact: this [decidedly un-scary] script was co-written by M. Night Shyamalan. The Sixth Sense was released the same year, and shot him to multiplex auteur superstardom.
10. Monster House (2006)
Kids and parents looking for a creepy thrill will find a lot to love in this motion-capture CGI comic thriller. In the spirit of the best Goosebumps stories, Monster House is a superior haunted-house story for two big reasons: it takes its horror elements seriously (it’s genuinely scary, but stays within PG bounds), and the child protagonists are believable, smart and relatable.
11. Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
These Wreck-It-Ralph movies are so, so good. Better than they get credit for, even. They both tackle uncommonly meaty themes for all-ages audiences. The first one expressed that it’s our unusual, offbeat traits that serve us in the long run. Set within the arcade games of the original, and then thrust into the entire internet, Ralph Breaks the Internet is a sweet, nuanced story about the work it takes to maintain enduring friendships–which, let’s face it, isn’t always easy. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the 91st Academy Awards. A characteristically wonderful Gal Gadot joins returning voice stars John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman.
12. John Carter (2012)
This adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs‘ early 20th century sci-fi adventure stories is one of the highest-profile box-office cautionary tales in history; right up there with Heaven’s Gate and Ishtar. Here’s the thing, though: on its own merits, the movie is actually pretty good. And if you’ve never seen it, it’s more than worth a look. Taylor Kitsch stars as a Confederate Army captain who is transported to Mars.
For cinephiles, John Carter is a fascinating example of how an enormous, skillfully crafted movie can stumble at the box office. For casual viewers, it offers plenty of popcorn-munching action thrills. John Carter contains action violence, about on the level of any Star Wars movie.
13. Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Though Ron Howard‘s big-budget adaptation of Dr. Seuss‘ classic story received mixed reviews upon release, it was an unqualified box office smash, spending four weeks atop the North American box office, ultimately becoming the second highest-grossing holiday film ever behind Home Alone, with over $345 million. One thing everyone could agree to admire was Jim Carrey‘s screen-commanding, supremely dedicated and undeniably impressive performance. He was even nominated for a Best Actor Golden Globe for his work.
Related: The 12 Best Christmas Movies on Netflix
14. Gremlins (1984)
Quick: is Joe Dante‘s handcrafted masterpiece of mayhem a scary movie for Halloween, or is it a Christmas movie? Gremlins is so deliciously inventive, so funny, so freaky, who could blame you for watching it at least twice a year? The PG-rated Gremlins was aimed at a wide audience, and it was a big hit with critics and audiences. Make no mistake: this is scary stuff, but it’s all in good fun and within reason. This is a bona fide classic for braver kids seeking a thrill.
Related: The Best Scary Movies on Netflix
15. Spy Kids (2001)
Spy Kids feels lovingly handmade. This is the first time a “James Bond for children” pitch worked from top to bottom. The sequels dropped the ball over time, but the original is wildly inventive, action-packed and kinetic fun for the young and young at heart. All four Spy Kids sequels are on Netflix. Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams is nearly as good as the original.
Want to know more about what’s on Netflix? Check out everything new in August.
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