Rainy afternoon? Too hot to go outside? Or just fancy a cosy night in together? A good family movie is one of the easiest ways to fill an hour or two with the kids — no planning required, just popcorn.
We’ve picked out 20 fun family movies to enjoy on Netflix, mixing well-loved classics with some newer favourites. As always, Netflix’s library changes from time to time, so it’s worth double-checking a title is still available before you settle in.
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Watch: Quick Family Movie Night Inspiration
Before you scroll through the full list, take a peek at our short video for a taste of what’s coming up:
20 Family Movies to Watch on Netflix
Beethoven’s 2nd
Our favourite St Bernard is back, and the Newtons are in for another adventure when their dog Beethoven falls in love with fellow canine Missy and starts a family of his own. When Missy’s owner tries to sell off the puppies for profit, the Newton kids spring into action to rescue them.
Rating: U
Enola Holmes
When Enola Holmes, Sherlock’s teenage sister, discovers her mother missing, she sets off to find her. Using her own super-sleuth skills, she outwits her famous brother and unravels a dangerous conspiracy around a mysterious young Lord.
Rating: 12+
Yes Day
A mum and dad who usually say no decide to say yes to their kids’ wildest requests, with a few ground rules, for a whirlwind day of fun and adventure.
Rating: PG
Benji
A dog comes to the rescue and helps heal a broken family when a boy and his sister stumble into serious danger.
Rating: PG
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Pachamama
An award-winning animated film about a 10-year-old boy who dreams of becoming his village’s shaman. When a sacred statue is taken from his Andean village, he and his best friend — along with her smart-talking llama — set off to get it back.
Rating: PG
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
A live-action retelling of Disney’s classic The Jungle Book. Human child Mowgli is raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India, learning the harsh rules of the jungle under the guidance of a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera — while the fearsome tiger Shere Khan waits.
Rating: 12+
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Gnome Alone
A teenage girl moves into a new house in a new town and discovers it’s under attack by underground beasts. She soon learns that she and the house gnomes are the only ones who can protect the town.
Rating: PG
The Little Prince
An animated take on the classic children’s book. The Aviator introduces a girl to a world where she rediscovers her childhood — learning that it’s human connections that matter most, and that what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Rating: PG
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The Lorax
A film adaptation of the Dr Seuss classic. Twelve-year-old Ted lives in a place with no flowers or trees. To win the heart of the girl of his dreams, he goes searching for the one thing she wants most — a Truffula tree — and uncovers the story of the Lorax, once guardian of the forest.
Rating: U
Little Women
The beloved story of the March sisters — four young women each determined to live life on her own terms. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen as the sisters, with Timothée Chalamet as their neighbour Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.
Rating: U
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Don’t miss our best family movies checklist to download and work your way through — did your favourite make the list?
Ballerina
Best friends Félicie and Victor hatch a plan to escape their rural orphanage in 19th-century France. Félicie dreams of becoming a ballerina, while Victor wants to use his brainpower to invent things. After busting out, Félicie makes her way to the Paris Opera, joining a class of dancers auditioning for the lead in The Nutcracker.
Rating: PG
My Neighbour Totoro
Two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, move with their father to a new house in the countryside while their mother recovers from illness in a nearby hospital. They discover they share their home with some unusual creatures, including a large forest guardian they call Totoro.
Rating: U
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Matilda
The film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda tells the story of a gifted girl who must put up with a crude, distant mother and father — and a terrifyingly strict school principal, Agatha Trunchbull. When Matilda discovers she has the power of telekinesis, she starts defending her friends and standing up to the adults around her.
Rating: PG
Kung Fu Panda
Po is the biggest fan of kung fu around, which doesn’t come in handy while working every day in his family’s noodle shop. Unexpectedly chosen to fulfil an ancient prophecy, Po joins the legendary Furious Five under the guidance of Master Shifu — just as the vengeful snow leopard Tai Lung comes calling.
Rating: PG
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The Bee Movie
Fresh out of college, Barry the Bee finds the prospect of working with honey uninspiring. When he flies outside the hive and talks to a human, he learns humans have been stealing honey for centuries — and decides to seek justice for his kind.
Rating: U
The BFG
In this adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic, a little orphan meets a kind giant who’s supposed to eat her but instead protects her from truly horrible giants who terrorise them both.
Rating: PG
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Annie
An orphan in a facility run by the mean Miss Hannigan, Annie believes her parents left her there by mistake. When a rich man named Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks decides to host an orphan to boost his public image, Annie is chosen — and still longs to find her real parents.
Rating: PG
Fly Away Home
A 13-year-old girl and her estranged father learn what family really means when they adopt an orphaned flock of geese and teach them to fly. Starring Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin and Dana Delany.
Rating: U
Hook
When Captain James Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit to challenge his old enemy once more.
Rating: U
Paddington
The comic misadventures of a young Peruvian bear who travels to the city in search of a home. Lost and alone, he’s taken in by the kindly Brown family — until a museum taxidermist takes an unwelcome interest in this rare bear.
Rating: PG
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all of these movies still on Netflix?
Streaming libraries change regularly, and titles can be added or removed without much notice. Before movie night, it’s worth a quick search on Netflix to confirm a film is still available.
How do I know if a movie is right for my child’s age?
Each film above includes its official rating as a starting point, but it’s worth checking a short synopsis or trailer too, especially for younger or more sensitive viewers, since ratings don’t capture every detail that might matter to your family.
What’s a good way to pick a movie everyone will enjoy?
Mixing genres helps — try alternating between animated comedies, gentle adventures and classic favourites so there’s something for every mood, from lazy Sunday afternoons to properly wet rainy days.
Can I watch these movies together as a family activity for a rainy day?
Absolutely — a movie afternoon is one of the simplest rainy-day activities going. Pair it with popcorn, blankets, or even a themed snack to make it feel like an occasion rather than just background noise.
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Looking for More Rainy Day Ideas?
Movie nights are just one way to fill a rainy afternoon. Browse our other rainy-day ideas for more ways to keep the kids entertained when you’re stuck indoors, or bookmark this page so you’ve got a ready-made list for the next wet weekend.
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