Summary

• There is a wide selection of family-friendly movies available for streaming, making it easier for families to find suitable content for all ages.
• The rise of animated family movies in recent years, particularly during the pandemic, has resulted in a diverse range of high-quality films for families to enjoy.
• Several standout movies, such as "Peter Pan & Wendy," "Turning Red," and "Strange World," each offer unique and entertaining adventures with elements of nostalgia and originality.

Some of the best family movies in recent memory are streaming right now on the most popular entertainment platforms. It's important to find these films for all ages because sometimes even the best movies of all time aren't suitable for the whole family to enjoy. It can often be difficult to find something that fits the bill, especially one that hasn't been played on repeat throughout the years.

It helps that the number of great animated family movies has jumped up in recent years since they were the easiest to produce during the pandemic. As a result, most of the best movies to stream right now were made using advanced animation as live-action family movies are becoming more sparse across the entertainment industry. Regardless of which kind of family-friendly entertainment you're looking for, a handful of movies stand out above the rest.

20 Trolls: Band Together (2023)

Rated PG

The Trolls franchise has created a series of jukebox musicals that adults and kids can enjoy together. With a mix of established actors and musicians in the voice roles of the animated characters, and stories that always involve breaking into song and dance, the movies have been a colorful and fun time.

The latest movie in the franchise sees the main cast reprise their voice roles, but it also sees some new additions, mainly the of NSYNC as trolls from Branch’s (Justin Timberlake) past. It’s an NSYNC reunion that millennial audience will certainly enjoy.

Available on Peacock March 15

19 Family Switch (2023)

Rated PG

Family Switch takes the idea of body swap movies like Freaky Friday and applies it to the entire family. A mother and daughter, a father and son, and a baby and the family dog all switch bodies just when they all have important days ahead of them. As they are forced to work together to keep their lives intact, the family all better understand one another and develop a greater appreciation for what they’ve all been going through.

Watch on Netflix

18 Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken (2023)

Rated PG

There have been a lot of family movies about mermaids. There have not, however, been a lot of family movies about krakens. While mermaids are usually seen as the heroes of their story, that’s not the case here. While others perceive the mermaid of this story as a hero, Ruby Gilman knows the truth - that mermaids aren’t always the good guys and krakens aren’t always the bad guys. The movie will get kids thinking about stereotypes and be a fun ride for adults.

Watch on Netflix

17 The Tiger’s Apprentice (2024)

Rated PG

Inspired by the Lawrence Yep novel of the same name, The Tiger’s Apprentice is a fantasy coming-of-age story. In it, a young man finds that he’s the latest in a long line of guardians tasked with protecting a phoenix egg. He’s not tasked with doing it alone either. The animals of the Chinese zodiac - in both their human and animal forms - are there to give him guidance. The movie will keep families entertained and give a glimpse into Chinese mythology.

Watch on Paramount+

16 Orion And The Dark (2024)

Rated TV-Y7

Orion has a powerful imagination, but his imagination causes him to give into his fears more often than it provides him with joy. When he meets the embodiment of darkness, he’s given the chance to get over some of those fears. It’s a movie about finding hope and beauty in dark places, and it’s got some fantastic visuals to boot.

Watch on Netflix

15 Spy Kids: Armageddon (2023)

Rated PG

The latest installment of the Spy Kids franchise sees a pair of siblings having to help save the world when they unknowingly help a villain unleash a computer virus that allows him to gain control of the world’s technology. Their parents, played by TV veterans Zachary Levi and Gina Rodrguez are secret agents, and the kids follow in their footsteps to help save the day. While the movie had mixed reviews from critics, it’s been a hit with kids and families who want to revisit the iconic franchise with a new storyline.

Watch on Netflix

14 Good Burger 2 (2023)

Rated PG

It’s rare for movies - especially those aimed at kids - to get a sequel more than 20 years after they were released. Good Burger 2, however, is just that. Starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, and featuring a host of cameos, the movie is a sequel to the original Good Burger, which was born out of the Nickelodeon sketch comedy show All That. Parents will likely enjoy watching this one with their kids and introducing their kids to other ‘90s Nickelodeon series on Paramount+.

Watch on Paramount+

13 Peter Pan & Wendy (2023)

Rated PG

Along with being another Disney live-action remake of an animated classic, there have been countless adaptations of Peter Pan throughout the years, which may for why Peter Pan & Wendy was somewhat overlooked. However, the movie received more favorite reviews than some of the other live-action Disney remakes as director David Lowrey presented a unique enough take on the material to not feel repetitive, with the mythology of Peter and Captain Hook getting an especially interesting new take. It results in a high-flying family adventure with a great mix of nostalgia and originality.

Stream On Disney+

12 Turning Red (2022)

Rated PG

Turning Red was one of several Pixar movies that was placed directly on Disney+ during the pandemic. Despite the disappointing release plan, the movie proved there is still magic being made at Pixar as it was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars.

Similar to Inside Out, Turning Red is an insightful and clever look at the struggles of being a kid as it follows a 13-year-old Chinese-Canadian girl who is possessed by a family curse that turns her into a giant red panda whenever she expresses strong emotions. The movie has worthwhile messages for the older and younger viewers while still providing laughs and fun.

Stream On Disney+

11 Strange World (2022)

Rated PG

Strange World is sadly one of the biggest box office bombs of all time, but that doesn't necessarily speak to its quality. Indeed, despite the movie's failure upon release and a mixed response from critics, it is not hard to imagine the movie finding an audience in the streaming world. Strange World serves as a throwback adventure to sci-fi serials as it follows a family of explorers on a mission into an unknown land filled with bizarre creatures and intriguing mysteries. Offering some dazzling animated sequences and creature designs, it is a movie that ignites a sense of adventure.

Stream On Disney+