Although Netflix is brimming with movies and series featuring adult themes, there is an exhausting catalog of family-friendly content, too. When you are planning a family movie night, I highly recommend watching these movies on Netflix.
2021
Runtime
1 hour 54 minutes
The Mitchells vs. the Machinesis a really nice mix of unique animation, humor, and a fun, dysfunctional family to root for. Mr. Mitchell insists on a family road trip before dropping off his daughter, Katie, at college. Meanwhile, a popular operating system gets an upgrade, takes over an army of robots, and the road trip turns into a fight for survival.
Not only does the movie have a lot of heart, it aims to bridge the gap between generations—one that didn’t grow up with the internet and another that did—using humor as the vehicle. I watched it the year it came out and rewatched it recently, and the jokes still hold up.
2016
1 hour 41 minutes
All you have to say is “Laika Studios” and I’m there. The animation studio once again impresses me and delivers a story that’s gripping for kids and adults. InKubo and the Two Strings, Kubo takes care of his sick mother, whose memory is unstable. His father, whom he only knows through the stories his mother recites, has died. However, after staying out after sunset, which he was explicitly told not to, his life is suddenly more dangerous than ever.
Kubo is an epic tale, one that has a deep sense of loneliness and isn’t afraid to let that feeling boil, but also relieves that stress with moments of kindness, love, and companionship between the characters. It’s also particularly heartwarming to see a young child bravely face problems head-on, which your kids will certainly like.
1996
1 hour 38 minutes
Speaking of kids being heroes,Matildais a one-of-a-kind film about a smart, likable girl who discovers she has telekinetic powers. Think Stephen King’sCarrie, except there isn’t any blood, deaths, or horror, but fun antics and a mean-spirited bully getting their comeuppance.
Both my kids adoreMatilda, and both consider it one of their favorite movies. Matilda herself is an incredibly kind child and loves books, despite her family being absolutely wretched and thinking reading is pointless.
2024
1 hour 19 minutes
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowlis like a breath of fresh air for anybody who grew up with its claymation goodness. The outlandish old inventor and his loyal pup, Wallace, invent a robotic garden gnome named Norbot, which is supposed to assist neighbors in their community with gardening tasks.
However, as most of Wallace’s inventions go, Norbot goes completely out of control and tries to take over. As it turns out, Feathers, a criminal mastermind penguin, is behind Norbot’s malfunction. Naturally, Wallace and Gromit work together to stop Feathers, and quirky chaos ensues.
1988
1 hour 29 minutes
Studio Ghibli is known for making colorful and fantastic worlds, and then there’sGrave of the Fireflies, which is a particularly heartbreaking tale of two siblings enduring the trauma and trials of World War II.
While I love experiencing feel-good movies with my family, sharing a more thoughtful and grim tale is equally important, even if it may lead to some tears.Grave of the Firefliescertainly will.
2022
1 hour 57 minutes
Continuing the trend of gloomy stories,Slumberlandis another one that isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Nemo’s father is lost at sea, and in response, she is given to her Uncle Philip to raise. Unable to accept her situation, she enters Slumberland to find her father.
Slumberlandhones in on loss, but makes a point to show that, even when times are tough, all is not lost, and you will find the will to be happy again. Side note: Marlow Barkley and Jason Momoa have really good chemistry. It’s not exactly easy to balance a movie on a child’s shoulders, but Marlow handles it well.
2023
If family movie night is all about fun adventures, then Netflix’sNimonais perfect. You have a shapeshifter, that’s Nimona, and her apparent evildoer master Ballister on a quest to clear Ballister’s name.
Nimona’sanimation truly rocks, and it’ll be the highlight of the movie. It’s also surprisingly funny, especially Chloë Grace Moretz’s line delivery. She gets to really show off her comedic timing!
2 hours 5 minutes
For pure carnage and a good time, you may’t go wrong with a Godzilla movie.Godzilla Minus Oneis set in the late 1940s, which isn’t just a really cool backdrop for a Godzilla film; you only ever see technology of that time being used against Godzilla.
Now,Godzilla Minus Oneis PG-13. It does have blood and touches on some pretty intense topics, like World War II and suicide, but it’s otherwise focused on Godzilla wreaking havoc on Japan and the main characters attempting to stop him.
2 hours 2 minutes
The firstSonicwas way better than it had any right to be. Casting Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik was a match made in heaven.Sonic 2takes it up a notch by introducing more ofSonic’siconic characters like Tails and Knuckles.
Robotnik also makes a return, and this time he isn’t after Sonic’s special abilities, but the Master Emerald, which is infinitely more powerful, given that it manipulates reality. Oh, and once you’re done watchingSonic 2, you can go on to watchSonic 3right after.
2 hours 14 minutes
The less you know aboutDungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the better. So here’s the rub: Go watch this movie because it’s dumb fun action, as it should be. More importantly, it’s the perfect vehicle for introducingDungeons & Dragonsto your family and convincing them to play. You can even do itwithout spending any money!
I’m sure I’m missing a dozen other great movies on Netflix that would easily fit family movie night, but these were the best examples. There’s definitely something here for everyone, and most are kid-friendly, too. More importantly, most of these are from studios that have similar movies, likeStudio Ghibli’s catalog, Laika Studios, and a sequel toSonic 2.
