Whether it’s a rainy afternoon or a too-hot-to-be-outside kind of day, every family needs a reliable list of movies to reach for. The school holidays have a way of turning into a long stretch of “what will we do today?” — and sometimes the best answer is popcorn, a comfy sofa, and a good film.
We’ve put together our pick of fun family movies to enjoy on Netflix — a mix of much-loved classics and newer favourites that work for a range of ages. Streaming libraries do change from time to time, so it’s always worth a quick search in the app to check a title is still there before you settle in, but this list is a great starting point for your next family movie afternoon.
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Our Pick of Family Movies to Watch Together
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. But Missy’s owner wants to sell off the puppies for profit, and it’s up to the Newton kids to rescue them before it’s too late.
Rating: U
Enola Holmes
When Enola Holmes, Sherlock’s teen sister, discovers her mother is 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 for one whirlwind day of fun and adventure — with a few ground rules, of course.
Rating: PG
Benji
A dog comes to the rescue and helps heal a broken family when a boy and his sister find themselves in 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 on a mission to get it back.
Rating: PG
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
A live-action retelling of the Jungle Book story, in which human child Mowgli is raised by a wolf pack in the jungles of India. As he learns the harsh rules of the jungle under the guidance of Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther, Mowgli is accepted as one of their own — but the fearsome tiger Shere Khan has other ideas.
Rating: 12+
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Gnome Alone
A teenage girl moves to a new house in a new town and discovers it’s under attack by underground beasts. She quickly learns that she and the house gnomes are the only ones who can protect the town.
Rating: PG
The Little Prince
An animated adaptation of the classic 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 what’s essential is often invisible to the eye.
Rating: PG
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The Lorax
A film adaptation of the Dr Seuss book, following twelve-year-old Ted, who lives in a town devoid of nature. To win the heart of Audrey, the girl of his dreams, Ted must find a real Truffula tree — leading him to uncover the story of the Lorax and the Once-ler.
Rating: U
Little Women
The beloved story of the March sisters — four young women determined to live life on their own terms. Stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanlen as the sisters, with Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep.
Rating: U
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Don’t miss our best family movies checklist — a handy printable to download and work your way through together. Did your family’s 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, 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 in hospital. They discover they share their home with some unusual neighbours — including a rather large forest guardian they call Totoro.
Rating: U
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Matilda
The film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda follows a gifted girl coping with a crude, distant father and a terrifyingly strict school principal. 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
Po, an enthusiastic and clumsy panda, is the biggest kung fu fan around — which doesn’t come in handy while working in his family’s noodle shop. When he’s unexpectedly chosen to fulfil an ancient prophecy, Po joins the legendary Furious Five to defend the valley from a treacherous snow leopard.
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 discovers that humans have been taking honey from bees for centuries, he decides to sue humanity for theft.
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.
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 wealthy man named Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks decides to host an orphan to boost his public image, Annie is chosen — but she still longs to find her real parents.
Rating: PG
Fly Away Home
The story 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
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 his luck takes a turn when a museum taxidermist takes an interest in him.
Rating: PG
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are all of these movies suitable for younger children?
Not all of them — ratings vary across the list, from general audience (U) to 12+. Always check the rating listed for each film and use your own judgement about what suits your child.
Will these movies definitely still be available on Netflix?
Streaming libraries change fairly regularly, with titles moving in and out over time. We’d recommend searching for the title in the Netflix app before movie night just to confirm it’s still there.
What if I can’t find one of these titles on Netflix in my country?
Netflix catalogues can vary by region, so a title available in one country may not be available in another. If you can’t find something on this list, it may simply not be live where you are right now.
More Movie Ideas to Explore
Looking for more family movie night inspiration? Check out our roundups of the best family movies of all time, brilliant Studio Ghibli films, feel-good family films, and our A to Z of fun family films — plenty more to add to your watch list.
Save This for Your Next Movie Night
Not ready to watch tonight? Save this list for the next rainy day or too-hot-to-go-out afternoon, and browse our other rainy day activity ideas for even more ways to keep everyone entertained indoors.
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