It’s Christmas movie season, and although Netflix isn’t exactly crawling with family-friendly holiday options, the best family movies on Netflix offer more than enough to entertain the whole family this December. The collection is so extensivethat you probably don’t want to have to deal with scrolling through it on family movie night. That’s why we do it for you!
This December, it’s another small update, with just three new additions to this list: That Christmas, Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas, and The Secret Life of Pets. Read on for all of the best family movies on Netflix now.
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Looking for something else? We’ve also rounded up the best new movies to stream, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime, and the best movies on Disney+. For Netflix fans, check out the best movies on Netflix.
Recently added to Netflix
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That Christmas2024 -
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That Christmas (2024)
60%
92m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Adventure
Stars
Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker
Directed by
Simon Otto
Watch on Netflix
Richard Curtis is perhaps best known for writing Love Actually, and he brings that textbook vignette style to a new animated Netflix original for the whole family. Based on his trilogy of children’s books of the same name, That Christmas follows several tales of a particularly memorable Christmas in the coastal town of Wellington-on-Sea.
When the town is rocked by one of the worst snowstorms in years, everyone’s plans are suddenly thrown into limbo. And, yes, that does include Santa Claus’s plans as well.
Shaun the Sheep: The Flight Before Christmas (2021)
30m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Kate Harbour
Directed by
Steve Cox
Watch on Netflix
Netflix quietly released this Christmas special featurinh one of Nick Park’s (Wallace & Gromit) classic characters a few years ago, but it’s still a great small watch to enjoy with the whole family.
Shaun the Sheep is predictably excited for the holiday season, but when a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock leads to Timmy getting lost, it throws the whole season into disarray. Now, Shaun must find toddler Timmy before he becomes somebody else’s present.
The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
61%
86m
Genre
Adventure, Comedy, Animation, Family
Stars
Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart
Directed by
Chris Renaud
Watch on Netflix
Ever wonder what your pup gets into when you’re gone for the day? Well, it’s probably not what happens in The Secret Life of Pets, but it’s still a fun watch. Terrier Max (Louis C.K.) leads a cushy life as a beloved pet living in a Manhattan apartment building. But when his owner brings home a sloppy mutt named Duke (Eric Stonestreet), Max is none too thrilled.
The duo will have to put their differences behind them, however, to fight back against a white bunny named Snowball (Kevin Hart), who is building an army of abandoned pets to seek vengeance on all the happily cared-for pets and their owners.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014)
59%
92m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Family
Stars
Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter
Directed by
Rob Minkoff
Watch on Netflix
Based on the “Peabody’s Improbable History” segments from The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, Mr. Peabody & Sherman gives the ingenious doggo his very own movie. With his ingenious WABAC machine, Mr. Peabody (Ty Burrell) and his adopted boy, Sherman (Max Charles), travel back in time to interact with some of history’s greatest characters. But when things go a little haywire, they’re soon racing to repair history and save the future from complete reorganization.
The Karate Kid (1984)
61%
126m
Genre
Action, Drama, Family
Stars
Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue
Directed by
John G. Avildsen
Watch on Netflix
As the home of Cobra Kai, Netflix has long been the place for Karate Kid content, but it’s been a while since the 1984 original was last available on the platform. Not anymore! Ralph Macchio stars in this classic as Daniel, a teenager who relocates with his mother to Los Angeles. But when Daniel quickly strikes up a relationship with Ali (Elisabeth Shue), he finds himself the target of Ali’s ex-boyfriend, Johnny, a devotee of John Kreese, the ruthless sensei of the Cobra Kai dojo. But Daniel develops an unlikely ally when he befriends Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita), a quiet repairman who happens to be a martial arts master who uses unusually subtle methods to train Daniel in the art of self-defense.
Migration (2023)
56%
83m
Genre
Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars
Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Banks, Caspar Jennings
Directed by
Benjamin Renner
Watch on Netflix
In Migration, Mack Mallard (Kumail Nanjiani) is content keeping his family safe and paddling around their New England pond forever. His wife, Pam (Elizabeth Banks), however, is eager to show their kids the world and set out for an adventure. After a migrating duck family regales them with thrilling tales of their travels, Pam finally convinces Mack to head for a tropical Jamaican holiday via New York City. The migration does not go as planned.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
39%
91m
Genre
Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars
Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell, Jayma Mays
Directed by
Steve Carr
Watch on Netflix
Sometimes, you just need a dumb comedy, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop fits the bill. Paul Blart (Kevin James) is a single dad working as a security officer at a New Jersey mall to make ends meet. Nobody takes him seriously, but that doesn’t stop him from considering himself the real deal. And when a heist shuts down the mall, he finally gets the opportunity to show he’s the real deal.
Minions (2015)
56%
91m
Genre
Family, Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton
Directed by
Kyle Balda, Pierre Coffin
Watch on Netflix
There appears to be no critical mass for the Minions’ popularity, as Universal continues to pump out movies. Go back to the dawn of these one-eyed little yellow creatures in Minions, the prequel to how they came to be in Despicable Me‘s Gru’s employ. Evolving through the years, they’ve moved from master to master, always failing to keep them for very long. When Minion Kevin sets out with teenage rebel Stuart and baby Bob to find a master they can keep for good, they stumble across the world’s first female supervillain, Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock). But now, they’ll not only have to serve, they’ll also have to save all of Minionkind from annihilation.
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie (2024)
87m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Adventure, Family
Stars
Carolyn Lawrence, Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown
Directed by
Liza Johnson
Watch on Netflix
A SpongeBob adventure for the whole family! This Netflix Original stars Sandy Cheeks in her typically heroic role. After Bikini Bottom and all of its citizens are suddenly scooped out of the ocean, Sandy and SpongeBob venture to Texas to uncover a villainous plot and save all of Bikini Bottom.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)
59%
95m
Genre
Animation, Family, Comedy
Stars
Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan
Directed by
Cody Cameron, Kris Pearn
Watch on Netflix
The sequel to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs finds Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) and his friends forced to leave town after unleashing a torrential downpour of food. Fortunately, Flint will be joining his idol Chester V (Will Forte) at The Live Corp Company, where the world’s best inventors are dedicated to solving the world’s problems. But when Flint’s machine returns to life and starts creating mutant food beasts, he’s forced to once again save the day.
Nimona (2023)
75%
102m
Genre
Adventure, Animation, Fantasy, Family
Stars
Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang
Directed by
Troy Quane, Nick Bruno
Watch on Netflix
One of Netflix’s coolest family-friendly movies, Nimona went a bit under the radar when it was released in 2023. Nonetheless, the hyperstylized, colorful fantasy adventure is well worth your time. After knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is framed for a murder he didn’t commit, he finds that the only person who can prove his innocence is Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shape-shifting teen outcast who may also be a monster that he’s duty-bound to kill.
Leo (2023)
65%
102m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong
Directed by
Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, David Wachtenheim
Watch on Netflix
Leo (Adam Sandler) is a 74-year-old lizard who has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate Squirtle the turtle (Bill Burr). Upon finding out he only has one year left to live, he decides it’s time to break out and experience what the world has to offer. Unfortunately, that proves harder than expected as he gets caught up in the problems of anxious students and their cruel substitute teacher, Mrs. Malkin (Cecily Strong).
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)
83%
8.1/10
117m
Genre
Animation, Fantasy, Drama, Thriller
Stars
Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann
Directed by
Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson
Watch on Netflix
There have been enough Pinocchio revivals over the past few years that it’s reasonable to ask why Guillermo del Toro thought another one was a good idea. And yet … del Toro’s pleasantly demented mind is sort of perfect for Pinocchio if you think about it. His stop-motion reimagining of Carlo Collodi’s classic tale is a whimsical musical that breathes surprising new life into the world’s most famous puppet who thinks he’s a real boy.
Enola Holmes 2 (2022)
61%
129m
Genre
Mystery, Adventure, Crime
Stars
Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Louis Partridge
Directed by
Harry Bradbeer
Watch on Netflix
Millie Bobby Brown returns as Sherlock Holmes’ unheralded — yet even more brilliant — little sister, Enola, in Enola Holmes 2. Fresh off of solving her first case, Enola decides it’s time to open her very own agency, just like her brother, Sherlock (Henry Cavill). Unfortunately, she quickly discovers the demand for female detectives isn’t quite what it is for her male counterparts. Struggling to get any cases, Enola is about ready to close up shop when a penniless matchstick girl asks Enola to find her missing sister. The case, however, is far more complex than expected, sending Enola deep into London’s underworld and all the way to the highest echelons of society.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022)
61%
5.8/10
86m
Genre
Animation, Action, Comedy, Family, Science Fiction
Stars
Ben Schwartz, Omar Benson Miller, Brandon Mychal Smith
Directed by
Andy Suriano, Ant Ward
Watch on Netflix
Nickelodeon’s hit YA series got the Netflix Original treatment! In their biggest adventure yet, Leo (Ben Schwartz), Raph (Omar Benson Miller), Mikey (Brandon Mychal Smith), and Donnie (Josh Brener) are the last hope against an alien invasion. In the year 2044, Earth is on the brink of becoming completely conquered by the Krang. In a desperate hail mary, an older Leo and Mikey send their student Casey Jones (Haley Joel Osment) to the year 2022 to help the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles find a key to stop the invasion before it happens.
Too Old for Fairy Tales (2022)
5.8/10
106m
Genre
Family, Comedy
Stars
Karolina Gruszka, Dorota Kolak, Andrzej Grabowski
Directed by
Kristoffer Rus
Watch on Netflix
Too Old for Fairy Tales is a Polish film that stars newcomer Maciej Karas as Waldek, a spoiled gamer who fills his life with fantasy. But when there is a very real earthquake that forces Waldek apart from his mother, he’s taken in by an unpredictable aunt who introduces a whole new regiment of chores and responsibilities that Waldek has never experienced. Suddenly wrenched away from his precious games, Waldek is put into real-life survival mode, all while learning lessons he didn’t know he needed.
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
82%
8.1/10
84m
Genre
Documentary
Stars
Craig Foster, Tom Foster
Directed by
James Reed, Philippa Ehrlich
Watch on Netflix
A nature documentary may seem like a bold choice for family movie night, but the Oscar-winning My Octopus Teacher feels like so much more than an educational film. Craig Foster is a professional photographer and videographer who returns to his childhood home at the southern tip of Africa, hoping to recover from burnout. Swimming in the same freezing ocean that he did as a child, Foster soon meets a young octopus who displays remarkable curiosity and intelligence. Foster continues to visit her den and track her movements, eventually earning her trust. The result is an extraordinary friendship that feels like it could only exist in a fantasy movie.
The Sea Beast (2022)
75%
7.1/10
115m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Stars
Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris
Directed by
Chris Williams
Watch on Netflix
The age of monster hunters is alive and well in the animated Netflix original The Sea Beast. And those monsters happen to live in the sea. For years, brave humans have ventured to the sea to wage war against the monsters and make the oceans navigable. The most beloved of all these monster hunters is Jacob Holland (Karl Urban). When little Maisie Brumble (Zaris-Angel Hator) meets her hero in a tavern, she becomes obsessed with the idea of going to sea with him. So, she stows away on Jacob’s legendary ship. When Jacob finds her, he’s not thrilled, but he soon discovers that Maisie is a courageous crew member and unexpectedly useful.
Vivo (2021)
66%
6.6/10
99m
Genre
Animation, Family, Comedy
Stars
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana
Directed by
Kirk DeMicco
Watch on Netflix
Looking for something Encanto-adjacent? A joint effort between Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, Vivo calls upon the talents of Hollywood music-man Lin-Manuel Miranda to properly weave its animated tale. Miranda not only provides original music to the film, but he also voices the titular character, a magical kinkajou who spends his days serenading alongside Andrés (Juan de Marcos), the creature’s spirited owner. When a chance communication from Andrés’ lost love arrives, the musical duo sets off on a journey to deliver the ultimate love song to the musician’s muse. A kaleidoscopic arrangement of visuals and sound, Vivo is a film filled with heart that bountifully delivers on the beautiful cultural traditions of its Latin-American setting and characters.
We Can Be Heroes (2020)
51%
4.7/10
97m
Genre
Action, Fantasy, Family, Comedy
Stars
YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Andy Walken
Directed by
Robert Rodriguez
Watch on Netflix
Writer-director Robert Rodriguez certainly knows a thing or two about delivering VFX-laden adventure films, centered on the crazy missions of exceptional pre-teen saviors. Serving as a spiritual continuation of The Adventure of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, We Can Be Heroes follows the story of Earth’s many superheroes, extraterrestrial supervillains, and the children of the former. When the vile alien invaders take the heroes as their prisoners, the kids, led by Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin), must band together to save their families from the intergalactic foe. Tailor-made for younger viewers, We Can Be Heroes comes to life through dazzling visuals, big set pieces, and great acting from its primary players.
Back to the Outback (2021)
58%
6.5/10
92m
Genre
Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Isla Fisher, Tim Minchin, Eric Bana
Directed by
Harry Cripps, Claire Knight
Watch on Netflix
Back to the Outback is a lively animated film that follows the cat-and-mouse getaway of a group of zoo creatures, led by Maddie (Isla Fisher), a snake looking to get back to the Australian outback where she believes she truly belongs. In tow are friends Zoe (Miranda Tapsell), Frank (Guy Pearce), and Neil (Angus Imrie) — a lizard, spider, and scorpion. With the zoo hot on their trail, the band of reptiles and insects must do everything in their power to make it to the faraway continent in one piece. Leaning heavily on the golden rule to never judge a book by its cover, even if it’s scaly or slimy, Back to the Outback is a fun-filled excursion that the whole family will enjoy.
Enola Holmes (2020)
68%
6.6/10
123m
Genre
Mystery, Crime, Adventure
Stars
Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin
Directed by
Harry Bradbeer
Watch on Netflix
The Sherlock Holmes legend adds a wrinkle with Enola (Millie Bobby Brown), a much younger sister who has spent her adolescent life learning and experimenting with her brilliant mother in the family’s reclusive mansion. But when her mother goes missing, big brother Sherlock (Henry Cavill) finally comes calling to reassure Enola that he’ll find their mother. Enola, however, has other ideas. She sets out to beat Sherlock at his own game.
Klaus (2019)
65%
8.1/10
96m
Genre
Animation, Family, Adventure, Comedy
Stars
Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones
Directed by
Sergio Pablos
Watch on Netflix
Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) is content with living life his own way, and specifically against the will of his Postmaster General father. After being transferred to the isle of Smeerensburg, Jesper is forced to post six thousand letters within the year or risk losing his inheritance. Fortunately for him, a reclusive toymaker named Klaus (J.K. Simmons) lives just around the corner. When the children of Smeerensburg learn about the toymaker, they begin writing letters to Klaus, each hoping they’ll receive a toy. A mesmerizing, hand-drawn interpretation of the Santa Claus mythos, Klaus is a brilliant film and an all-new holiday classic.
Pee-wee's Big Holiday (2016)
63%
6.1/10
90m
Genre
Adventure, Comedy, Family
Stars
Paul Reubens, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly
Directed by
John Lee
Watch on Netflix
Pee-wee Herman is back in a new adventure in this Netflix original introducing a new generation of fans to the plucky adventurer. When Pee-wee meets a mysterious, inspiring stranger (Joe Manganiello), he decides it’s finally time to take his first-ever holiday, hitting the road for his biggest adventure yet.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
80%
7.7/10
114m
Genre
Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Science Fiction, Action
Stars
Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph
Directed by
Michael Rianda
Watch on Netflix
If you’re going to do a family movie night, why not watch a movie about a dysfunctional family coming together? This Lord/Miller (The Lego Movie) animated romp is a ton of fun for everyone. Young Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) feels a bit like an outcast in her family of outcasts, but she knows she’ll find her people once she leaves for her first year of film school. Worried about losing his daughter permanently, Katie’s dad cancels her flight to LA and decides to do a family road trip instead. However, family bonding time is interrupted by the global uprising of electronic devices, organized by a scorned artificial intelligence (A.I.) named Pal. With the rest of the world rounded up and due for banishment to space, the Mitchells must come together to save their family and the planet.
Benji (2018)
53%
6.3/10
87m
Genre
Crime, Drama
Stars
Gabriel Bateman, Darby Camp, Kiele Sanchez
Directed by
Brandon Camp
Watch on Netflix
Netflix’s remake of the classic doggy hero tale is a heart-warming, fun adventure for the whole family. Siblings Carter (Gabriel Bateman) and Frankie (Darby Camp) are struggling with a family that’s falling apart at the seams. The only silver lining appears to be Benji, a stray dog that has struck up a special friendship with the children. But when they stumble into serious danger, Benji will have to save the day.
The Willoughbys (2020)
68%
6.4/10
92m
Genre
Animation, Comedy, Family
Stars
Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara
Directed by
Kris Pearn
Watch on Netflix
Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Sean Cullen, and Ricky Gervais lend their voices to this computer-animated film based on the book of the same name by Lois Lowry. It’s about the Willoughbys, two neglectful parents, and their unique children who try to survive on their own until a mysterious nanny arrives. Despite the presumably sad subject matter about orphaned children with bad parents, critics loved the film and lauded its silliness that is “anchored in genuine emotion.”
Invader ZIM: Enter the Florpus (2019)
7.5/10
Genre
Family, Animation, Comedy, Science Fiction, TV Movie
Stars
Jhonen Vasquez, Melissa Fahn, Wally Wingert
Watch on Netflix
While it may not be the same Invader Zim millennials grew up watching, the Netflix-adapted Enter the Florpus will still get the entire family reeling. The story tracks Zim (Richard Steven Horvitz) after the events of the original TV series, seeing the little alien in the throes of an existential dilemma. As he’s fighting for a chance to make a difference and attempting to unlock his true purpose on Earth, Zim’s arch-nemesis plots his downfall in the shadows. Can the little alien gain the confidence he needs to overcome his human rival, or will he only be a memory? With a critics review score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, no family can go wrong with Invader Zim and his Florpus adventures.
If you’re looking for more films suitable for the whole family, we’ve also rounded up the best family movies on Amazon Prime Video and the best family movies on Disney+.
