Best family-friendly movies on Netflix for your next movie night

Looking for the perfect family-friendly movie on Netflix for your next movie night? Look no further! We understand the struggle of trawling through hundreds of choices only to come up short. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve rounded up ten of the best family movies on Netflix right now. From action sci-fi adventures to musical retellings of classic children’s books, we’ve got something that’s sure to be perfect for you. So now all you need to do is pop the popcorn, fire up the TV, and enjoy the show with your family. 

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The 10 best family movies on Netflix 

1. The Mitchells vs. the Machine

The Mitchells vs. The Machines tells the story of the eccentric Mitchell family as they set out on a cross-country road trip, only to find themselves in the middle of a robot uprising. With the clock ticking to save humanity, the family must rely on each other to put a stop to the machines and save humanity. The voice cast includes Danny McBride, Abbi Jacobson, and Maya Rudolph. 

Blending together action and comedy, The Mitchells vs. The Machines tells a heartwarming and enduring story about coming together as a family. And critics agree. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, The Mitchells vs. The Machine is sure to impress people of all ages. 

2. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

You may know Matilda from the classic children’s book by Roald Dahl or the 1996 film adaptation, but you’ve likely never seen Matilda like this. Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is a Netflix original film that retells the story through song and dance. 

Matilda is a bright but neglected young girl with magical abilities who is sent to Crunchem Hall for schooling, headed by the frightening Miss Trunchbull. While there, she learns to use her abilities to stand up for herself and her friends with the help of her favorite teacher, Miss Honey. 

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical delivers a powerful message about joy, resilience, and the power of imagination. Plus, with catchy songs and expert choreography, you’re sure to be impressed. Directed by Matthew Warchus, the movie stars Alisha Weir as Matilda, Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey, and an unrecognizable Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull. 

3. Nimona

Based on the graphic novels by ND Stevenson, Nimona is a 2023 Oscar-nominated animated sci-fi/fantasy film set in a futuristic medieval world. It tells the story of Nimona, a rebellious, shapeshifting teen who teams up with Ballister, a knight who is accused of a crime he didn’t commit. Together, they must work to clear his name, even though Nimona is the creature he is sworn to destroy. 

Chlöe Grace Moretz voices the titular character, while Riz Ahmed voices Ballister. Nimona is a standout movie, praised by critics and fans alike for its inventive storytelling, unique world, and powerful messages of inclusivity and acceptance. While there are some violence and thematic elements, this film is rated PG and is generally family-friendly. It will likely be as entertaining to you as it will be to your children.  

4. Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes is a 2020 adventure film starring Millie Bobby Brown as the clever and resourceful younger sister of famous detective Sherlock Holmes, played by Henry Cavill. After her mother mysteriously disappears, Enola embarks on a journey to solve the case and save her mother. Along the way, she must contend with (and outsmart) her older brother while helping a runaway teen whose family is trying to kill him. 

Adapted from a young adult novel series, Enola Holmes is intended more for teens, with a PG-13 rating. However, it’s still a great watch with the family if you have older kids and want something that will keep them engaged. It’s filled with action, adventure, and a healthy dose of humor thrown in. Plus, the sequel, Enola Holmes 2, is also available on Netflix if you want to make movie night a double feature. 

5. The Sea Beast

Hailed as one of Netflix’s most successful original animated films, The Sea Beast is a fantasy adventure nominated for Best Animated Feature. Directed by Chris Williams, known for films like Big Hero 6 and Moana, it is about Maisie, a headstrong young girl who stows away on a monster-hunting ship captained by the legendary Captain Crow and his adopted son Jacob Holland. 

As they sail into uncharted waters, Maisie and Jacob discover the sea creatures they’ve been hunting may not be their true enemies after all. The movie features the talented voice cast of Zaris-Angel Hator as Maise, Karl Urban as Jacob, and Jared Harris as Captain Crow. 

With the swashbuckling adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat and the underlying themes of bravery and facing adversity, The Sea Beast is a must-see family movie. 

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6. Finding ‘Ohana

Finding ‘Ohana is a 2021 Netflix adventure film about Brooklyn-raised siblings Pili and E as they return to spend a summer in rural Oahu as their mother cares for their ailing grandfather. Neither Pili or E are happy about the arrangement, but when they stumble upon a diary with clues to a long-lost treasure, they set out to find the riches for themselves. 

Along the way, they face many dangers and must learn to reconnect with their cultural heritage. At its heart, Finding ‘Ohana is about appreciating family, finding adventure in unlikely places, and reconnecting with your roots.

Older audiences will appreciate the homage to classic adventure films like Indiana Jones and The Goonies, while kids and teens will love watching the adventure unfold with action, comedy, and even a little bit of teen romance. There are some potentially scary elements for younger children, but with a PG rating, it’s still age-appropriate for most older elementary children and above. 

7. Orion and the Dark

Dreamworks is back with another fantastic animated film for children and adults alike. Orion and the Dark is a 2024 film with a heartfelt and humorous look at what it means to be afraid, with impressive voice work and stellar animation. 

Written by Charlie Kaufman, Orion and the Dark is based on a beloved children’s book of the same name. It brings to life the story of Orion, a fifth grader who has a long list of worries—from getting called on in class to talking to girls. 

One night, Dark, a manifestation of his greatest fear appears to him and offers him the adventure of a lifetime. Together, they plunge into a magical world where Orion learns to face his fears head on. Jacob Tremblay and Paul Walter Hauser lead the voice cast as Orion and Dark, respectively. 

8. The Adam Project

Ryan Reynolds stars as Adam, a time-traveling pilot from 2050 who accidentally crash-lands in 2022 while attempting to escape a dystopian dictator. While there, he meets his 12-year-old self, and they team up to save the future. 

Throughout their journey together they confront old demons, reconnect with lost loved ones, and battle against the evil dictator in order to restore balance to the world. The film also stars Jennifer Garner, Mark Ruffalo, and Walker Scobell as young Adam. 

The Adam Project is perfect for the whole family. As a fun story about meeting your former self, parents and sci-fi fans are sure to get a kick out of the premise, while teens and young adults with plenty of action, space travel, and Reynolds’ signature comedic snark. 

9. The Willoughbys

The Willoughbys is a 2020 animated feature that tells the story of four siblings who are neglected by their selfish parents and decide they’d be better off without them. The siblings hatch a scheme to send their parents away forever on a dangerous vacation, hoping to create a better life for themselves. 

But after Orphan Services threatens to split them up, the children must go on an epic adventure with the help of their quirky, yet caring, nanny Linda in order to keep their family together. Adapted from a book by Lois Lowry, this movie does broach some darker themes, but its overall message is one of positivity and hope as the Willoughby children learn to rely on each other and the adults they trust. 

With a star-studded voice cast including Will Forte, Maya Rudoplh, Martin Short, and Terry Crews, The Willoughbys is a heartwarming and often outlandish film that makes you laugh and maybe even cry. 

10. Yes Day

Yes Day has a simple, but chaotic premise: what if parents said yes to everything their kids asked for an entire day. Starring Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramírez, and Jenna Ortega, this family comedy is a look at exactly that. 

After learning that their kids called them dictators, Allison and Carlos Torres decide to embark on a “yes day” to rekindle the joy they once shared with their children. Along the way, they find themselves in many outlandish and hilarious situations while learning to let go and have fun once in a while. 

Your kids are sure to get a kick out of the premise (and likely even want a ‘yes day’ themselves). But with some goofy moments, an uplifting theme of coming together as a family, and jokes that’ll appeal to kids and adults alike, you’ll likely enjoy it just as much. 

Why do I need a Netflix VPN?

Using a VPN to watch Netflix can enhance your movie night experience. Some internet companies intentionally throttle streaming sites, slowing down your speeds and leading to the dreaded buffer wheel. But with a VPN, you can shield your traffic from your internet provider and bypass the throttling issues. That means faster load times and no frustrated family. 

Traveling abroad with your family and want to keep up with your family watch list? Without a VPN, you won’t necessarily be able to watch all the same content from your home country. That’s because Netflix content differs depending on what region you’re in due to distribution and licensing agreements. With a VPN, you can set your location to your home country and stream as if you were back at home. 

Additionally, a VPN is needed if you want to stream on-the-go while keeping your internet traffic safe from internet snoops. Whether you’re watching movies in a hotel room, at the airport, or at the library, having a VPN will help protect you from potential threats and stream securely on all public Wi-Fi networks. 

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