Seeking kid-friendly entertainment that is sure to satisfy? Netflix has a ton of options, but frankly, they can be overwhelming. We’ve made things simple by highlighting 15 excellent films that’ll delight children — or those who are still children at heart.
Whether you want a stellar movie musical, a madcap adventure, a spooky treat, or something to get you in the holiday spirit, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the 15 best kids’ movies now streaming on Netflix.
1. Over the Moon (2020)
Credit: Netflix
Young Fei Fei is enchanted by the story of the moon goddess Chang’e and the legend of her lover. Still mourning the death of her mother, Fei Fei takes unkindly to her father finding new love and decides to build a rocket to the moon to find Chang’e. She finds a magical world beyond her imagining and must reconcile the fantasy of the moon with the life that awaits her on Earth. Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, and Sandra Oh star, so yes, Over the Moon is a powerhouse lineup of Asian American acting talent. — Proma Khosla, Senior Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Over the Moon is now streaming on Netflix.
Chang’e’s elaborate character design is the superstar of Netflix’s ‘Over the Moon’
2. Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017)
After working as an animator for Japan’s animation legend Hayao Miyazaki on classics like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle, Hiromasa Yonebayashi decided to start directing his own features — 2017’s Mary and the Witch’s Flower was his third. Based on the classic 1971 novel The Little Broomstick, it tells the story of a teenager named Mary Smith who lives on the British country estate of her great aunt and who, through a random series of happenstances, finds herself flying on a magical broomstick to a great big witches academy in the clouds. (Quite the series of random happenstances, that.) Basically it feels like a Japanese spin on Harry Potter, just sans any of the transphobic J.K. Rowling baggage that weighs that franchise down now. Win win! — J.A.
How to watch: Mary and the Witch’s Flower is now streaming on Netflix.
3. Nimona (2023)
Credit: Netflix
Set in a world that madly mixes the medieval with pop futurism, Nimona tells the story of the good-hearted knight named Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Riz Ahmed), who pulled himself up by his commoner bootstraps to become a valiant protector of the Kingdom. Unfortunately, somebody with old-school ideas of the class system doesn’t much like the look of all that upward mobility, and Ballister finds himself framed for the murder of the realm’s much beloved Queen Vaerlin (Lorraine Toussaint).
Enter Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a rascally teenage outcast with the magical ability to shape-shift, who’s embraced everyone’s fear of her powers to play at being the bad-ass. Seeing Ballister’s downfall, Nimona thinks she’s found a partner in her little league of villainy. Claiming his innocence, Ballister vehemently disagrees. But he needs her help, and the two end up hitting it off despite their differences as they dodge the law.
Queer as all get out — Ballister’s got himself a boyfriend, and Nimona’s shape-shifting is Trans Representation 101 – this wondrously exciting and funny adventure from directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (based on ND Stevenson’s 2015 graphic novel) had a tortured path to the screen, all because of its big, beautiful rainbow-colored heart. But this is one that will withstand the test of time and bigotry, because it’s simply a rippingly awesome yarn, told with masterful panache and deep wells of emotion. — Jason Adams, Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: Nimona is now streaming on Netflix.
4. Ella Enchanted (2004)
A year before she put on that bleached blonde wig to play Jack Twist’s beard in Brokeback Mountain, Anne Hathaway was still making her transition to adult roles, having gained fame thanks to her winning turn in the Princess Diaries films. 2004’s Ella Enchanted represents the silly high point of that transition; it’s a musical satire of fairy tales that beat Amy Adams’ Enchanted to the punch by three whole years.
Cursed by a fairy upon birth with the “gift” of obedience, Ella (Hathaway) grows up being bossed around by all and in terror of somebody finding out she’s literally incapable of saying no, lest they exploit her recklessly. Whisked off on an adventure with a handsome prince (Hugh Dancy), she faces down elf bigotry and murder plots all with a sweet song on her lips. I’ll leave it to you to suss out whether she finds her happily ever after while singing “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” in wedding white gogo boots. — J.A.
How to watch: Ella Enchanted is now streaming on Netflix.
5. Klaus (2019)
Credit: Netflix
It might be a Christmas movie, but Netflix’s own original about spoiled postman-in-training Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), who happens upon an old toymaker, is a lovely and rewatchable film year-round. He becomes the go-between for the toymaker, Klaus (J.K. Simmons), and the local children who write him letters hoping for toys. The story spins out to become the origin of Santa Claus and a humbling journey for Jesper. — P.K.
How to watch: Klaus is now streaming on Netflix.
6. Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016)
Speaking as a person whose sense of humor and entire life outlook were profoundly shaped in childhood by Paul Reubens (RIP king) via his iconic character of Pee-wee Herman in the 1980s, I pray that parents are still gifting their children with the same unfettered joy and madcap lunacy that I got. And while Reubens’ last spin in the gray suit and red bow-tie isn’t quite as universally beloved as his earlier Big Adventure or Playhouse antics, 2016’s Pee-wee’s Big Holiday is way underrated and a heaping helping of fun.
A road-trip movie much in the vein of Pee-wee’s first transcontinental outing in search of his stolen bicycle, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday sends our favorite boy-man on a much happier kind of adventure — he’s got to get to his new best friend Joe Manganiello’s birthday party in New York City! Yes, Joe Manganiello of True Blood and the Magic Mike movies, here playing a world-class goofball version of himself. And the big muscly lunk is a natural comedian. Who knew?
Along the way, Pee-wee must overcome all sorts of madcap roadblocks, including Farmer Brown and his nine daughters, a trio of Russ-Meyer-flavored bad-girl car-thieves, and a layover in an Amish community that involves the world’s most hilarious balloon gag ever. It’s the silliest bunch of nonsense and an absolute blast for kids of all ages. — J.A.
Mashable Top Stories
How to watch: Pee-wee’s Big Holiday is now streaming on Netflix.
7. The Willoughbys (2020)
Credit: Netflix
Based on an outlandish book by Lois Lowry, this Netflix original centers on a deeply dysfunctional family in need of some wild changes. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby have four adorable, eager, and talented children, whom they utterly despise. Thus, life is very hard for eldest Tim (Will Forte), dreamer Jane (Alessia Cara), and oddball twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B (Seán Cullen). That is, until they concoct a wacky scheme that sends their parents off on a perilous vacation, from which they may not return! However, the siblings’ deadly plan for independence is challenged when a plucky nanny (Maya Rudolph) arrives at their door. Soon, agonies and antics give way to the jubilant adventure of a lifetime.
Director Kris Pearn’s sharp design style and a snarling narration from Ricky Gervais pairs with Lowry’s dark plot line to give this outrageous animated feature a cheeky yet charming edge.* — Kristy Puchko, Deputy Entertainment Editor
How to watch: The Willoughbys is streaming on Netflix.
8. Matilda (1996)
Based on the Roald Dahl novel, this 1996 movie (not the 2022 musical, although that is also streaming on Netflix) directed by Danny Devito stars ‘90s kid icon Mara Wilson as Matilda, a telekinetic brainiac who grapples with awful parents, awful teachers … it’s a Roald Dahl story, so you know 95% of the adults are awful. Matilda’s parents (played by Devito and his real-life wife Rhea Perlman) are abusive crooks, so it’s left up to the little girl herself to see to her own education.
Once she does finally make it into the Crunchem Hall Elementary School, she fares hardly any better, since the headmistress there is just as terrible as her folks. Thankfully there’s one goodhearted teacher named Miss Honey (Embeth Davidtz) who recognizes Matilda’s myriad gifts, and they work together to topple the power-mad monsters in charge. Break the system, Matilda — it’s Anarchy for Kids! — J.A.
How to watch: Matilda is now streaming on Netflix.
9. The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
Credit: Netflix
Sony Pictures Animation has given audiences such daring and dynamic animated movies as Surf’s Up, Hotel Transylvania, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This zany 2021 release centers on a family who’s battling back the robo-apocalypse with togetherness, internet savviness, and a walleyed pug named Monchi (voiced by social media icon Doug the Pug).
The Mitchells’ adventure into chaos begins when daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson) is poised to go off to college. Desperate for one last family-unifying road trip, her dad (Danny McBride) piles the whole family into his beater of a vehicle, unknowingly charting a fateful route into heroics. Director Mike Rianda infuses Katie’s excitable perspective throughout the film by working in internet memes, social media-style reactions, and blitz of bonkers visuals. It’s a bold move that might alienate some viewers but has largely won the acclaim of critics and kiddos.* — K.P.
How to watch: The Mitchells vs. the Machines is streaming on Netflix.
10. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
This 2016 stop-motion-animated masterpiece from Laika, the animation house behind Coraline and ParaNorman, tells the story of Kubo, a 12-year-old boy who takes care of his sickly mother in a small mountain village in feudal Japan. He makes money to survive by telling appreciative audiences tall tales about his missing samurai father, using super cool origami and music tricks. It turns out the tales weren’t so tall after all when he finds himself hunted by the very Moon King that his mother says was responsible for his father’s disappearance.
Helped along by a monkey and a half-beetle half-man sidekick, Kubo sets out on a quest to recover three ancient artifacts that will help him defeat the bad guy and perhaps solve the mystery of his father. And per usual with Laika it’s not just the magnificent how-did-they-do-that? visuals on display that will take your breath away, but also the big-hearted emotions and the rollicking adventure. A perfect classic. — J.A.
How to watch: Kubo and the Two Strings is now streaming on Netflix.
11. Nightbooks (2021)
Credit: Netflix
From David Yarovesky, the director of Brightburn, comes a spooky tale that’ll thrill on family night. Based on the horror-fantasy novel of the same name by J. A. White, Nightbooks centers on a Brooklyn bookworm (Winslow Fegley) who is kidnapped by a wicked witch (Krysten Ritter). Held captive in her magical apartment, he’s forced to tell her a new scary story each night in exchange for his survival. Thankfully, he’s not alone. A hard-nosed fellow prisoner (Lidya Jewett) not only helps him avoid the pitfalls of this precarious prison, but also helps him unlock the secrets that could get them both out!
Peppered with PG-level scares and plenty of style (we’d die for Ritter’s witch wardrobe), Nightbooks is a rollicking good time for kiddos (and grown-ups) who appreciate a good bump in the night.* — K.P.
How to watch: Nightbooks is streaming on Netflix.
12. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
What happens when our favorite cheese-loving inventor accidentally swaps brains with a bunny rabbit? That’s the big problem that our beloved Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and his best friend the dog Gromit face down in Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the 2005 Oscar-winning animated film from Nick Park. A riff on classic monster movies, this bears all of the series’ trademark goofy and good-natured wit, working for little and big folks alike.
Trying to rid their hometown of a rabbit plague before the annual prize vegetable competition, our twosome stumble into this hoppin’ spin on Jekyll-and-Hyde instead. As Wallace finds himself turning into a bunny-monster by the light of the full moon, he’s hunted down by the dastardly Lord Victor Quartermaine (Ralph Fiennes). And so it falls to his wordless beagle sidekick to rescue his friend, save the day, and maybe win the big vegetable contest in the process. All in a dog day’s work! — J.A.
How to watch: Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is now streaming on Netflix.
13. Orion and the Dark (2024)
Credit: Netflix
Charlie Kaufman, the screenwriter behind the existential crises turned movies Being John Malkovich, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Synedoche New York, might not be the first person who pops to mind when it comes to writing an animated kid’s movie. But you totally get it within the first moments of this terrific 2024 film, as its main character Orion Mendelson (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) rattles off everything that terrifies him, which is… literally everything.
But nothing scares him worse than the dark. So one night when a blackout occurs and the embodiment of his worst fear appears in corporeal form, Orion really flies off the deep end. Tired of listening to Orion’s complaints, the Dark (Paul Walter Hauser) has decided to take him on a journey to see all of the wonders of nighttime. And it starts off real nice! Until Orion convinces all the other creatures of the night that daytime is better, anyway. From there the twosome must right what’s gone wrong, and in typical Kaufman fashion, this involves stories within stories. Consider it Meta 101 for the kiddos! — J.A.
How to watch: Orion and the Dark is now streaming on Netflix.
14. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Weirdly, Netflix only has 2023’s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse streaming and not its 2018 forebear, Into the Spider-Verse, so make sure you’ve watched that first one, you know, first. But once that’s accomplished, you can freely dive right into this sequel, which is bigger and bolder and bonkers-ier in all the ways. It’s good to have this one right on hand because it rewards multiple views tenfold, as there’s so much going on in every frame you can scarcely take it all in with just one sitting.
Leaning hard into the trend of multiverse movies, Across the Spider-Verse sees Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) pulled through a series of interdimensional portals that are left behind by the villain The Spot (Jason Schwartzman), whose out-of-control powers are a side-effect of Miles’ battle at the end of Into the Spider-verse. Eventually Miles must team up with an entire universe’s worth of Spider-People – including his beloved Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) – to stop The Spot’s infinitely expanding destruction. Add on all of the clashing animation styles, and this sucker is infinite feasts for the eyes and brain. — J.A.
How to watch: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is now streaming on Netflix.
15. Finding ‘Ohana (2021)
Credit: Netflix
If you grew up watching The Goonies, then you’ll treasure sharing this gem with your kiddos. Director Jude Weng channels Spielberg’s brand of awe for an exciting tale of Hawaiian legend and childhood heroics. Raised in New York City, siblings Pili (Kea Peahu) and Ioane (Alex Aiono) feel like fish out of water when their mother brings them to Oahu. But soon enough, they’re making friends and setting forth on a quest for a legendary lost treasure. Along the way, there’ll also be teen romance, family drama, and local lore come to life. Seeking something fun and thrilling? Look no further. — K.P.
How to watch: Finding ‘Ohana is streaming on Netflix.
UPDATE: Oct. 28, 2024, 5:05 p.m. EDT This article was originally published on June 25, 2022. It has been updated to reflect the current steaming options on Netflix.
