Rainy afternoons, school holidays, or just one of those evenings when everyone wants to curl up on the sofa together — a good family movie is always a winner. Whatever the reason for indoor time, a film everyone can enjoy makes it feel like an event rather than a filler.
Here in Ireland, school holidays can stretch on for weeks, and even the sunniest stretch of summer eventually calls for a change of pace. So whether it’s a wet afternoon or a lazy weekend, popping some popcorn and settling in for a movie is always a solid plan.
Watch our quick video below for more family movie night inspiration, then scroll on for our pick of 20 fun family movies to enjoy on Netflix.
📺 Watch: Family Movie Night Ideas
We’ve picked out a mix of classic family favourites and newer additions, all available to stream. Streaming libraries do change from time to time, so it’s worth double-checking a title is still live on Netflix before you settle the kids in for the night.
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Our Pick of 20 Fun Family Movies on Netflix
Beethoven’s 2nd
Our favourite St Bernard dog is back, and the Newtons are in for another adventure when Beethoven falls in love with fellow canine Missy and starts a family of his own. Missy’s owner has other plans for the puppies, and it’s up to the Newton kids to step in.
Rating: U
Enola Holmes
When Enola Holmes, Sherlock’s teen sister, discovers her mother missing, she sets off to find her — using her own super-sleuth skills to outwit her famous brother and unravel a dangerous conspiracy.
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 one whirlwind day of fun and adventure.
Rating: PG
Benji
A loyal dog comes to the rescue and helps heal a family when a boy and his sister find themselves in serious danger.
Rating: PG
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Pachamama
An award-winning animated film following 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 the Jungle Book story. Raised by wolves in the jungles of India, Mowgli learns the rules of the jungle under the guidance of Baloo and Bagheera, while the fearsome tiger Shere Khan lurks nearby.
Rating: 12+
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Gnome Alone
A teenage girl moves into a new house and discovers it’s under attack by underground beasts. She and the resident garden gnomes turn out to be the only ones who can protect the town.
Rating: PG
The Little Prince
An animated adaptation of the classic children’s book. An Aviator introduces a young girl to a world where she rediscovers her childhood — and learns that it’s human connections that matter most.
Rating: PG
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The Lorax
Another Dr Seuss adaptation. Twelve-year-old Ted lives in a town devoid of nature and sets off to find a real tree for the girl of his dreams — uncovering the story of the Lorax, once guardian of the forest, along the way.
Rating: U
Little Women
The timeless story of the March sisters — Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth — each determined to live life on her own terms. Starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep.
Rating: U
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📋 Don’t forget to grab our best family movies checklist to track your way through the classics — see how many your family has watched!
Ballerina
Best friends Félicie and Victor hatch a plan to escape their rural orphanage in 19th-century France. Félicie dreams of becoming a ballerina, and after busting out, she makes her way to the Paris Opera to audition 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. They discover unusual creatures sharing their home, including the gentle forest guardian they call Totoro.
Rating: U
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Matilda
Roald Dahl’s story of a gifted girl who puts up with a crude, distant family and a terrifyingly strict school principal — until she discovers she has the power of telekinesis and starts standing up for herself and her friends.
Rating: PG
Kung Fu Panda
Enthusiastic, clumsy Po is the biggest kung fu fan around, working every day in his family’s noodle shop — until an ancient prophecy sees him unexpectedly chosen to train alongside the legendary Furious Five.
Rating: PG
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The Bee Movie
Fresh out of college, Barry the Bee finds working with honey uninspiring. When he learns that humans have been taking honey from bees for centuries, he decides to take on humanity in court.
Rating: U
The BFG
A modern adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic. A little orphan meets a kind giant who’s supposed to eat her but instead protects her from the truly horrible giants who terrorise them both.
Rating: PG
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Annie
An orphan who believes her parents left her by mistake, Annie is chosen to stay with wealthy “Daddy” Warbucks to boost his public image — but she still longs to find her real parents.
Rating: PG
Fly Away Home
A 13-year-old girl and her estranged father learn what family means when they adopt an orphaned flock of geese and teach them to fly. Starring Jeff Daniels, Anna Paquin and Dana Delaney.
Rating: U
Hook
When Captain Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit to face his old enemy.
Rating: U
Paddington
A young Peruvian bear travels to London 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 rarest of bears.
Rating: PG
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!20 Fun Family Movies to Enjoy on Netflix
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a movie is suitable for my child’s age?
Check the rating listed with each film — U, PG and 12+ are general guides, but every child is different. If you’re unsure about content, a quick search for a parent review or content guide before movie night can help you decide.
Do family movies stay on Netflix permanently?
No — Netflix regularly updates its library, and titles can be added or removed at any time. It’s always worth checking the app to confirm a film is still available before you plan your movie night around it.
What’s a good way to pick a movie everyone will enjoy?
Try mixing it up between animated favourites, live-action classics and something new none of you have seen. Taking turns choosing is a nice way to make sure everyone gets a say.
More Family Movie Inspiration
Loved this list? Here are a few more to add to your watchlist:
- 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time
- 101 Terrific Tween Movies The Whole Family Will Enjoy
- The Best ’80s Family Movies to Watch with Your Kids
- 10 Brilliant Studio Ghibli Films to Watch with the Kids
Save This for Your Next Movie Night
Bookmark this page or share it with another family who’s always on the hunt for a good movie recommendation — perfect for the next rainy day or lazy weekend in.
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