I’ve covered a lot in my writing career, but perhaps nothing speaks to my area of interest more than family movie nights. I too have been looking for family movies to stream like clockwork on a Friday night. I spent many days scouring the nostalgic shelves of VHS from my youth to find anything that would appeal to the public. entire family. And of course, I scoured Common Sense Media to find out if Sister Act II was an appropriate movie for my kids, despite Deloris Van Cartier’s comments. colored knowledge. (Spoiler: A little fast forward is worth the sacrifice for Lauryn Hill.)
If you can understand, welcome. And I get it: you’re here for the list. You have children pulling your leg. You have pizza in the oven or on the way. You already need a movie to stream. You and I, sister, let’s go.
Quick picks by mood:
- Short attention span: Sing, The Secret Life of Pets, Despicable Me
- Cozy & calm: Paddington, Finding Nemo, The Wild Robot
- Loud laughter for parents too: Shrek, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Bad Guys
- Nostalgic millennial favorites: The Parent Trap, The Princess Diaries, Jumanji
Family films to stream on Netflix
The Wild Robot (2024) -PG
A tender, beautifully animated choice for families who want something comfortable and meaningful without being heavy. Perfect for kids ages 6 and up who love animals and adventure, this story about a robot learning to care for a wild gosling is heartfelt, visually stunning, and surprisingly moving in the best way.
How to train your dragon (2025) -PG
Perfect if your family loves big screen adventure with heart and humor. Ideal for ages 7 and up who love fantasy worlds and dragon-filled action, this live-action version of the beloved classic brings the friendship between Hiccup and Toothless to life in a fresh, cinematic way that still hits all the nostalgic notes.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) -PG
A great choice for older kids and tweens who want something energetic, funny, and visually cool. Best for ages 8 and up, this one is loved for its groundbreaking animation style and feel-good message about finding your place, even if your family doesn’t usually like superhero movies.
Despicable Me (2010) -PG
When you just want something simple, funny, and guaranteed to entertain the whole room, this one delivers. Ideal for ages 5 and up, it’s full of silly humor for children, sweet moments for parents and those servants who never fail to make everyone laugh.
Sing (2016) -PG
A must-have choice for families who want a fun, stress-free movie night with lots of music and heart. Ideal for ages 5 and up, this one is perfect if you’re in the mood for something upbeat: think lovable underdogs, catchy songs, and a story about chasing your dreams.
The Bad Guys (2022) -PG
Fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly clever, this movie is ideal for kids ages 6 and up who like heist movies, jokes, and a little edge (without anything too scary). It’s about a group of “bad guys” trying to become good – and it’s beloved for its humor, style, and redemption arc that actually lands.
Night at the Museum (2006) -PG
A classic family movie night choice when you want something adventurous but light-hearted. Ideal for ages 6 and up, this one is ideal for curious kids who love history with a twist: Watching museum exhibits come to life never gets old, and it’s fun enough to keep parents entertained, too.
The Secret Life of Pets (2016) -PG
Perfect for young children (4 to 7 years old) who love animals and simple, energetic humor. It’s a simple, no-commitment watch about what pets do when their owners leave – sweet, silly, and ideal for nights when attention spans are short and you just want something fun on screen.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) -PG-13
A great choice for families with older children (8-10+), especially if you’re in the mood for something funny with a lot of heart. It’s beloved for Robin Williams’ performance and balances laugh-out-loud moments with a surprisingly tender look at family, change and being around your children.
The Adam Project (2022) -PG-13
Great for families with tweens and teens who want something a little more “cool movie night” without being too intense. This time travel adventure is funny, moving and has a lot to say about family and growing up – ideal if you want action with real heart.
The Sea Beast (2022) -PG
A solid choice for kids ages 6 and up who love ocean adventures, creatures, and brave heroes. This one feels like a classic storybook come to life: big sea monsters, newfound family energy, and a strong message about questioning the stories we’re told.
Mathilde the musical (2022) -PG
Perfect for families who love musicals or want something upbeat and energizing. Ideal for ages 6 and up, this one is packed with great dance numbers, kid-friendly humor, and a story about courage and kindness that makes it a particularly good choice when you want something uplifting.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) -PG
A warm and chaotic family comedy, ideal for those evenings when you just want something familiar and easy. Ideal for ages 5 and up, this one is about the adorable messiness of family life: lots of kids, lots of noise, and lots of moments that parents will quietly relate to.
Paddington in Peru (2024) -PG
A sweet, gentle choice for families who love cozy humor and feel-good stories. Ideal for ages 5 and up, the Paddington films are loved for their kindness, charm and surprisingly thoughtful moments. This one is perfect for when you want something warm, light and truly charming to end the day.
Family films to stream on Disney+
Zootopia 2 (2026) -PG
Perfect for a modern animated adventure that still has that classic Disney heart. Perfect for ages 5 and up, this sequel builds on the much-loved original with new characters and a clever, hilarious and meaningful mystery about diversity and friendship.
The Parent Trap (1998) -PG
Perfect for a warm, nostalgic family evening with kids ages 6 and up who love sibling stories, summer camp, and a little mischief. This millennial favorite is loved for Lindsay Lohan’s dual role, feel-good energy, and that heartwarming “everything works out” ending. (I also highly recommend the original 1961 film with Hayley Mills.)
Finding Nemo (2003) -G
A great choice when you want something emotionally warm but still funny and adventurous. Ideal for kids ages 4 and up, this underwater journey is a Pixar classic for good reason: big laughs for kids, a few lumpy moments for parents, and endless viewing.
The Princess Diaries (2001) -G
Ideal for tweens and parents who want something light, funny, and nostalgic from the very early 2000s. Best for ages 7 and up, this makeover-meets-royalty story is loved for its charm, quotable moments, and feel-good “find your confidence” arc.
Honey, I shrunk the kids (1989)-PG
A fun, slightly chaotic adventure for families with children ages 6 and up who love imaginative scenarios. Watching kids navigate a backyard that suddenly looks like a jungle is still as entertaining as it was in the ’90s, perfect for a fun, no-pressure movie night.
Cool Racing (1993) -PG
Ideal if you want something inspirational but still funny and easy to watch with kids aged 7 and up. This underdog sports film is a millennial staple: heartfelt, quotable, and perfect for a family night of the “we can do hard things” genre.
The Princess Bride (1987) -PG
A perfect blend of gripping adventure and quotable humor that parents grew up with and kids still love. My children aged 6 and 8 love this movie – and I loved the fun nostalgic hit. Aaaas you would like…
The Mighty Ducks (1992) -PG
Perfect for families with children ages 7 and up who love underdog stories and the energy of team sports. This millennial favorite is scrappy, funny, and full of heart, ideal if you’re craving something nostalgic that still feels motivating. It’s also an easy win if your kids like sports or teamwork stories right now.
The Sound of Music (1965) -G
Ideal for families who love musicals or want to watch a longer, cozy evening on a weekend (ideal for ages 7 and up). It’s a sweeping, heartwarming classic with great songs, stunning scenery, and timeless charm.
The Sandlot (1993) -PG
Perfect for families with children aged 7 and up who love stories of friendship and a little mischief. It’s nostalgic, funny and captures that timeless “perfect summer” feeling from childhood.
Family films to stream on Prime Video
Paddington (2014) -PG
A sweet, warm choice for families with children ages 4 and up who love gentle humor and heartwarming stories. Paddington is loved for its message of kindness, charming humor and the kind of feel-good energy that works for parents and children alike.
Jumanji (1995) -PG
Ideal for families with slightly older children (7-10+) who are in the mood for an adventure with a touch of chaos. This ’90s classic is fast-paced and imaginative, and Robin Williams makes it one of those nostalgic films that parents secretly enjoy as much as their kids.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) -PG-13
Great for older kids and teens who want adventure and big laughs without anything too heavy. This modern reboot is fast-paced, funny, and a big hit with the “Friday Night” audience.
A Minecraft movie (2025)—PG
It’s actually quite funny and perfect for families with kids ages 6 and up who are already obsessed with world-building and pixelated adventures. This live-action version /CGI brings the game’s creativity and humor to life, making it an easy win when your kids want to see “their world” on screen and parents want something light, fun, and quick.
The Day the Earth Exploded: A Looney Tunes Movie (2025) -PG
Cartoon mayhem and classic Looney Tunes madness: fun with younger kids (ages 5 and up) and nostalgic for parents.
Family Movies to Stream on Peacock
Shrek (2001) -PG
Perfect for a “parents will laugh too” family movie night. Ideal for ages 5 and up, this millennial classic still holds up with its layered humor, fairy tale parody, and heart: one of those rare films that truly works for all ages.
Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (2025) -G
Ideal for preschoolers and early elementary school children (ages 3-7), a whimsical, musical animation, full of bright colors and simple charm. Kristin Wiig appears here – always a plus in my book.
Despicable Me 2 (2013) -PG
A reliable choice when you want something familiar, silly, and guaranteed entertaining. Ideal for ages 4 and up, it’s packed with Minion humor for kids and enough cuteness for parents who just want to win a hassle-free movie night.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Expanded Edition (2001) -PG
A perfect choice for families with children ages 7 and up who are ready for a magical, mysterious, and cozy little adventure. This expanded version adds extra moments that fans love, making it an especially fun rewatch for millennial parents introducing Hogwarts for the first time – and an easy choice for a “just one more scene” movie night.
The Super Mario Bros. movie. (2023) —PG
Perfect for children aged 6 and up who love video games and bright, fast-paced animations. It’s colorful, fun, and easy to win when you want something high energy.
The real magic of movie night
Whether you’re planning a family movie night or just trying to find something everyone can agree on before the popcorn disappears, having a short list of favorites makes all the difference. Save this summary for those “what should we watch?” moments — because the best date nights aren’t about picking the perfect movie, they’re about piling on the couch, pressing play, and being together (with lots of pizza, of course).
This article was last updated on February 20, 2026 to include new information.
The position The 34 best family films for movie night (all ages, all moods) appeared first on Camille Styles.
