Rainy afternoons, sick days, or just a cosy night in — there’s always a good reason for a family movie night. Netflix has a brilliant mix of family favourites, from animated classics to newer feel-good films the whole gang can enjoy together.
Pop some popcorn, grab a blanket, and settle in. Here’s our pick of 20 fun family movies to enjoy on Netflix.
Watch the video below for more family movie night inspiration:
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time
Family Movies on Netflix
Whether it’s a wet weekend or a well-earned lazy day, finding something the whole family agrees on isn’t always easy. We’ve rounded up a mix of classic and newer family films available on Netflix to make movie night simple.
Beethoven’s 2nd
Our favourite St Bernard dog 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. But Missy’s owner, Regina, wants to sell off the puppies to make a profit. The Newton kids spring into action to rescue the little dogs before Regina can make her deal.
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, 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
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 101 Terrific Tween Movies The Whole Family Will Enjoy
Pachamama
Pachamama is 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, the boy, along with his best friend and her smart-talking llama, goes on a mission to get it back.
Rating: PG
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
A live-action retelling of the classic Jungle Book story. Human child Mowgli is raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. Guided by a bear named Baloo and a panther named Bagheera, Mowgli is accepted as one of the jungle’s own — but the fearsome tiger Shere Khan has other ideas, and greater dangers may be waiting as Mowgli discovers his human origins.
Rating: 12+
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: The Best ’80s Family Movies to Watch with Your Kids
Gnome Alone
A teenage girl moves into a new house in a new town and discovers it’s under attack by underground beasts. She and the house gnomes turn out to be the only ones who can protect the town.
Rating: PG
The Little Prince
An animated version of the beloved children’s book. The Aviator introduces a young girl to a world where she rediscovers her childhood and learns that human connections matter most — and that it’s only with the heart that one can truly see.
Rating: PG
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 14 of the Best Irish Movies for Your Next Family Movie Night
The Lorax
Another Dr Seuss adaptation. Twelve-year-old Ted lives in Thneedville, a town with no flowers or trees. Hoping to win the heart of Audrey, the girl of his dreams, Ted sets out to find a real Truffula tree — and discovers the story of the Lorax, once the forest’s gruff guardian, and the Once-ler, whose greed overtook his respect for nature.
Rating: U
Little Women
The beloved story of the March sisters — four young women each determined to live life on her own terms — is both timeless and timely. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen as Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth, with Timothée Chalamet as neighbour Laurie, Laura Dern as Marmee, and Meryl Streep as Aunt March.
Rating: U
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 40 of the Best Feel-Good Family Films
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 escaping, Félicie makes her way to the Paris Opera, where she joins 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 hospital. They discover they share their home with unusual creatures, including a large forest guardian they call Totoro, who helps them rediscover hope when trouble arrives.
Rating: U
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 10 Brilliant Studio Ghibli Films to Watch with the Kids
Matilda
The film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda follows a gifted young girl coping with a crude, distant father and mother, and the terrifyingly strict school principal, Agatha Trunchbull. When Matilda discovers she has the power of telekinesis, she uses it to defend her friends and stand up for herself.
Rating: PG
Kung Fu Panda
Enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy, Po is the biggest kung fu fan around — which doesn’t come in handy while working 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. But when the treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung threatens everyone, it’s up to Po to rise to the challenge.
Rating: PG
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 20 Utterly Bodacious Kung Fu Panda Party Ideas
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 befriends a human, he learns that humans have been stealing honey for centuries — and decides his true calling is to seek justice for his kind.
Rating: U
The BFG
In this 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 truly horrible giants who terrorise them both.
Rating: PG
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 18 Family Halloween Movies on Netflix for a Fun Fright Night
Annie
An orphan in a facility run by the mean Miss Hannigan, Annie believes her parents left her there by mistake. When wealthy Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks takes her in to boost his public image, Annie settles into his mansion but still longs to find her real parents — so Warbucks announces a search, and a reward, that brings out plenty of hopefuls.
Rating: PG
Fly Away Home
The soaring adventure of a 13-year-old girl and her estranged father, who 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 James Hook kidnaps his children, an adult Peter Pan must return to Neverland and reclaim his youthful spirit to challenge his old enemy.
Rating: U
Paddington
Paddington tells the story of a young Peruvian bear who travels to London in search of a home. Lost and alone, he’s taken in by the kindly Brown family — until his gentle nature catches the eye of a museum taxidermist with less kind intentions.
Rating: PG
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: An A to Z of Fun Family Films
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these movies suitable for all ages?
Ratings vary across this list, from U to 12+, so it’s worth checking the rating and a quick synopsis against your own child’s age and sensitivities before pressing play.
What if a film isn’t showing on Netflix when I look for it?
Streaming catalogues change regularly, and titles can be added or removed at any time. If something on this list isn’t currently available, it may still be worth checking other streaming services or for rent.
Are these movies available outside Ireland?
Netflix libraries can differ by country, so availability may vary depending on where you’re watching from.
What’s a good way to pick a movie everyone will enjoy?
Try letting each family member add one title to a shortlist, then pick from there — it keeps everyone invested in movie night, even if it’s not their first choice.
Related Articles
- 50 of the Best Family Movies of All Time
- 101 Terrific Tween Movies The Whole Family Will Enjoy
- 18 Family Halloween Movies on Netflix for a Fun Fright Night
- 10 Brilliant Studio Ghibli Films to Watch with the Kids
- An A to Z of Fun Family Films
Save This for Your Next Movie Night
Short on time to browse right now? Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite reading list so you’ve got a ready-made shortlist next time you need a family movie night idea. And if you love a good checklist, our Best Family Movies checklist is a fun one to work through together.
Don’t Miss Out on More Family Ideas
Want more rainy-day activities, movie picks and family fun delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the MyKidsTime newsletter for weekly ideas to keep the whole family entertained.
