It's a simple story, really: Boy meets alien. Boy and alien become best friends. Boy says goodbye to alien when his outer-space buddy has to go home, causing audiences everywhere to sob uncontrollably. How Steven Spielberg tells it, of course, makes a world of difference, as he infuses this family blockbuster with a childlike sense of awe. If you can think of a more magical '80s movie moment than E.T. and Elliott biking past the moon, we'll personally buy you a bag of Reese's Pieces. Rated PG.
Goonies never say die (well, almost never), and neither does this Richard Donner-directed, Steven Spielberg-produced gem. The '80s comedy follows young tweens as they embark on an adventure to save their home from forclosure. The overly enthusiastic Mikey, the leader of the pack, convinces his buddies that searching for One-Eyed Willy's treasure is a great way to keep their roots, but their quest for the jewels is incredibly dangerous... espesically when the Fratelli crime family catches on! Rated PG.
The '90s classic follows a group of young girls who want to turn their baby-sitting jobs into a legit summer camp, but there's a grumpy old neighbor who's determined not to let that happen. Along the way there are family issues, health scares and of course, crushes. Rated PG.
With a record-breaking soundtrack by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this story of a super-powered, multi-generational Colombian family borrows from the magical realist literary traditions of Gabriel García Márquez to explore the importance of familial bonds and staying true to yourself. The colourful, expressive animation keeps Encanto engaging and intriguing, and with the help of some mystical mishaps it will keep your kids... enchanted. Rated PG.
Need a great pick for your next family movie night? Having trouble finding a movie you can all agree on? Our editors have hand-picked some of the best kids' and family movies available to rent or stream on Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, or your favorite streaming service, including beloved classics, action-packed adventures, laugh-out-loud comedies, and powerful dramas. No matter what your family is feeling, these films are perfect to watch together. Need even more inspiration? Be sure to check out our list of 50 Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12 for our favorite time-tested titles we know your family will love. Or use our age-based filters to find the perfect pick, no matter your kid's age. So grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy!
Note: Movies can be played offline on up to 5 devices per family member and 12 devices per family. 6 movies can be played at once, but each movie can only be streamed by one person at a time.
After you sign up for Family Library or join someone's family group, new movie and TV show purchases can only be added if you purchase them with the family payment method, a Google Play gift card, or a promo code.
If you see this message, your family payment method is invalid. If you're the family manager, update your family payment method to a valid credit card so that you and your family members can add purchases to Family Library.
Whether you need a little downtime after a busy weekend or enjoy taking time out on a weekend, here are some family-friendly movies everyone will love. You can delight kids and adults alike, while also creating long-lasting memories when you turn on one of these movies to watch with family. Here is a comprehensive collection of the best family films ever made.
Spending time together as a family is important because it strengthens your bonds and creates shared memories you all treasure for years to come. By engaging in an activity together, you get to know your family members better and improve your understanding of what they care about and why.
The well-reviewed Enchanted was both a parody of outdated ideas from old Disney movies and an homage to their good points, with several standout song-and-dance numbers kids will love. The PG-rated movie, directed by Kevin Lima, is appropriate for kids 5 and older. You can watch the one-hour, 47-minute film on Disney+ or rent it on AppleTV+, YouTube or Google Play TV & Movies.
Shameik Moore voices Miles as a kind and confused kid trying to do the best with his newfound great responsibility." Directors Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman embrace the multiverse, which can spark great family conversations about time travel. The PG-rated, one-hour, 56-minute film and its 2023 sequel, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, earned outstanding reviews. You can watch it on Hulu and fubo TV or rent it on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, AppleTV+, YouTube or Google Play TV & Movies
The remake of the 1961 retelling of Romeo & Juliet in contemporary New York City features some of the best song-and-dance numbers ever put on film. Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort as star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony, the movie explores issues of identity and family loyalty.
Proper Paddington bear from Peru finds himself in London, where a family adopts him and chaos ensues. This utterly delightful 2014 film, directed by Paul King and with a run time of one hour, 35 minutes, earned a near-perfect 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes thanks to its fresh writing and well-imagined cinematography.
The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) voices the trickster god Maui, who alternately helps and hinders Moana on her journey. The exceedingly popular PG-rated film received good reviews and two Oscar nominations. It fosters discussions about family loyalty and the wisdom of elders vs. free will, making it a great movie for kids 6 and up starting to question rules. It runs one hour, 46 minutes. You can rent Moana on Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, AppleTV+, YouTube or Google Play TV & Movies or stream it with a subscription to Disney+.
The original Avengers is the gold standard by which other movies in the Marvel cinematic universe are measured. The PG-13 film blends comedy, adventure and some high-stakes decision-making, guaranteed to thrill older children (ages 10 and up) as well as adults. When Loki, god of mischief, targets Earth, the Avengers assemble to take him down.
One of the newest movies on the list, Lyle, Lyle Crocodile is directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck and showcases pop superstar Shawn Mendes as Lyle, a singing crocodile with a taste for caviar. He befriends shy child Josh, and together they crusade against mean neighbor Alistair Grumps (what a name!).
There are now five movies in the Spy Kids franchise, which began with the fan-favorite original in 2001. It follows the Cortez kids, whose parents (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino) are former spies. The children are forced to save mom and dad when an evil blast from the past resurfaces.
All the movies on this list are worth a watch, but the following 10 stand out because of their universal appeal, outstanding direction, critical kudos and ability to stand the test of time. All of them were released at least a decade ago, proving their longstanding appeal.
The animated 2004 movie about a family of undercover superheroes is the epitome of a film made to please young and old audiences. Kids will appreciate the humor and parents vs. kids standoff over using super powers; adults will nod along with observations about family life and getting older.
Family movie nights are about spending time together doing something you can all enjoy. Any of these movies can contribute to insightful discussions about life and maybe help you learn things about your family, all without having to get off the couch.
Kyra Bobinet, MD, MPH, has passionately pursued and studied the truth about behavior change for nearly three decades as a physician, public health leader, healthcare executive, and behavioral expert. An award-winning health innovator and thought leader, Dr. Bobinet has an MD from UCSF School of Medicine and an MPH from Harvard University.
She belongs to the Stanford Medical School AIM lab, where she occasionally teaches health behavior change. She is the Founder and CEO of Fresh Tri, a behavioral software based on the latest neuroscience of habit formation and lasting change. Her first bestselling book, Well Designed Life, is a collection of globally influential brain science and behavior change.
Dr. Bobinet is an enrolled member of Minnesota's Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She enjoys meditation, horsemanship, and herbalism and lives with her family and animal and plant teachers in California's Santa Cruz Mountains.
"The Flintstones" is a hilarious live-action comedy based on the classic 1960s cartoon. It follows caveman Fred Flintstone, who works at a quarry, and his wife Wilma, best friend Barney Rubble and pet dinosaur Dino in their prehistoric town of Bedrock. When Fred borrows money from his boss and can't pay it back, he has to grapple with the consequences while still trying to keep his family happy.
After accidentally summoning an ancient spirit from his past, Kubo runs with Monkey and Beetle to unlock a secret legacy. To solve the mystery surrounding his fallen samurai father, he must battle gods and monsters using his shamisen guitar and magical origami skills to protect his family and uncover the truth. With an all-star vocal cast and breathtaking visuals, it's a thrilling and poignant adventure about bravery, love and overcoming loss.
This heartwarming live-action/CGI family comedy is loosely based on the classic E.B. White children's book. A New York couple adopts a tiny talking mouse named Stuart, who faces peril and adventures while getting used to his new home. Though they love Stuart, his new older brother becomes jealous and suspicious, while the family cat plots to get rid of Stuart.
In this sequel to the family comedy, Stuart has settled happily into his life with the Little family in New York City. When a new friend named Margalo with a mysterious past appears, Stuart helps protect her from danger.
This charming contemporary update on the classic fairy tale stars Hilary Duff as Sam, a teenager forced to work as a diner waitress by her cruel stepmother and stepsisters. When her anonymous pen pal from the school's Internet chat room turns out to be Austin, the most popular boy in school, Sam worries that her cruel family and low social status could ruin her chance at a dream date to the Halloween Homecoming dance.
df19127ead