Top 25 Family Movies Streaming on Netflix Right Now, Ranked
This time of year, what’s better than a family movie night on the sofa? Whether you like lighthearted animation or action adventure, superhero stories or teen drama, streaming-giant Netflix has something for everyone to enjoy in 2020.
We’ve ranked the 25 best family movies on Netflix that you can currently stream, so put on your loungewear, grab the popcorn and settle down for some serious entertainment. Your only problem will be deciding what to watch first.
25. The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Release Date: Nov. 2, 2018
Metacritic Rating: 39
Tomatometer: 32
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 34
Combined Score: 35
How It Ranks
OK, so it might be a little slow, but “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is beautiful to watch. On Christmas Eve, Clara (Mackenzie Foy) learns that her mother left her with an inheritance to a magical world of fairies and living toy soldiers.
The impressive cast includes Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Morgan Freeman as Drosselmeyer and Misty Copeland as the ballerina. We’re still confused about why this ranked so lowly on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes, but needless to say, it made our list.
24. The Main Event
Release Date: April 10, 2020
Metacritic Rating: 52
Tomatometer: 26
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 23
Combined Score: 43.67
How It Ranks
The discovery of a magical wrestling mask gives 11-year-old Leo Thompson (Seth Carr) the power of super strength. But is it enough to make him a WWE Superstar?
Luckily, he has the support of his grandmother (Tichina Arnold) to help him face the challenges of the ring.
23. A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting
Release Date: Oct. 15, 2020
Metacritic Rating: 31
Tomatometer: 65
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: N/A
Combined Score: 48
How It Ranks
For a brand-new family horror flick tweens and teens will love, look no further that “A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting.” Written by Joe Ballarini and based on his three-part book trilogy of the same name, it stars Oona Laurence, Tom Felton, Tamara Smart and Indya Moore.
The whole movie takes place on a dark Halloween night, as the secret society of babysitters battle the Bogeyman and his monsters.
22. Hotel for Dogs
Release Date: Jan. 16, 2009
Metacritic Rating: 51
Tomatometer: 46
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 51
Combined Score: 49.33
How It Ranks
Comedy adventure “Hotel for Dogs” will appeal to kids as well as dog lovers of all ages. Siblings Andi (Emma Roberts) and Bruce (Jake T. Austin) move into a foster home, but their pet dog, Friday, isn’t allowed.
The comedy follows their quest to find him a home, which leads to the transformation of an abandoned hotel into a dwelling place for dogs.
21. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Release Date: Nov. 17, 2000
Metacritic Rating: 46
Tomatometer: 49
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 56
Combined Score: 50.33
How It Ranks
There’s nothing like a grouchy green creature to get us in the mood for the holidays, right? “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss’ much-loved Christmas tale, is fun viewing for the whole family.
And Jim Carrey is perfect as the Grinch.
20. Feel the Beat
Release Date: June 19, 2020
Metacritic Rating: N/A
Tomatometer: 47
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 57
Combined Score: 52
How It Ranks
Sofia Carson, Enrico Colantoni and Wolfgang Novogratz star in “Feel the Beat,” which focuses on a group of dancing misfits trained by professional dancer April (Carson).
It’s a sweet story with huge appeal for anyone who loves dance scenes, a sentimental ending and a good dose of humor.
19. The Princess Switch
Release Date: Nov. 16, 2018
Metacritic Rating: N/A
Tomatometer: 75
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 48
Combined Score: 61.5
How It Ranks
If you’re a hopeless romantic, you’ll enjoy losing yourself in “The Princess Switch,” the light-hearted look-alike-swap story starring Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio and Nick Sagar.
This is another one with a Christmas theme to get you in the mood for the holidays.
18. The Christmas Chronicles
Release Date: Nov. 22, 2018
Metacritic Rating: 52
Tomatometer: 67
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 77
Combined Score: 65.33
How It Ranks
One of Netflix’s biggest festive hits of 2018 was “The Christmas Chronicles,” starring real-life couple Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn as Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Siblings Kate and Teddy Pierce (Darby Camp and Judah Lewis) plan to kidnap Santa on Christmas Eve, but things don’t quite go to plan…
17. Mary Poppins Returns
Release Date: Dec. 19, 2018
Metacritic Rating: 66
Tomatometer: 79
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 65
Combined Score: 70
How It Ranks
The much-anticipated remake of the classic “Mary Poppins” returns to Michael (Ben Wishaw) and Jane (Emily Mortimer) as grown-ups. Emily Blunt plays Mary Poppins, who returns to the family to look after Michael’s three children.
The fabulous cast doesn’t stop there — Julie Walters plays Michael’s housekeeper, Meryl Streep is Mary’s eccentric cousin Topsy, and Lin-Manuel Miranda takes the role of lovable street lamplighter Jack.
16. Next Gen
Release Date: Sept. 7, 2018
Metacritic Rating: N/A
Tomatometer: 80
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 67
Combined Score: 73.5
How It Ranks
Computer-animated sci-fi movie “Next Gen” features the voices of John Krasinski, Charlyne Yi, Jason Sudeikis, Michael Peña, David Cross and Constance Wu.
When a rebellious girl and a runaway combat robot join forces, can they stop a madman from taking over the world?
15. The Willoughbys
Release Date: April 22, 2020
Metacritic Rating: 68
Tomatometer: 90
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 64
Combined Score: 74
How It Ranks
The four Willoughby kids have had enough of their selfish parents, so they devise a plan to send them on vacation and create their own, improved family. Naturally, things don’t quite go to plan.
Alessia Cara, Maya Rudolph, Will Forte and Jane Krakowski provide voices for this whimsical, at-times-dark animated feature, which is based on Lois Lowry’s satirical book.
14. Ralph Breaks the Internet
Release Date: Nov. 21, 2018
Metacritic Rating: 71
Tomatometer: 88
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 65
Combined Score: 74.67
How It Ranks
The sequel to “Wreck It Ralph” is charming and funny, with important messages about love and friendship at its heart.
The story centers around Ralph and his best friend, Vanellope, as they overcome various challenges to save an arcade game from inside the land of the internet.
13. Enola Holmes
Release Date: Sept. 23, 2020
Metacritic Rating: 68
Tomatometer: 91
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 71
Combined Score: 76.67
How It Ranks
Millie Bobby Brown (of “Stranger Things” fame) takes the titular role in “Enola Holmes,” starring alongside Fiona Shaw, Helena Bonham Carter, Louis Partridge and Henry Cavill.
The PG-13-rated crime drama, which is set in England in the 1880s, follows 16-year-old Enola (the younger sister of Sherlock) as she tries to solve the mystery of her mother’s sudden disappearance. Along the way, she even manages to outwit her famous brother…
12. The Princess and the Frog
Release Date: November 25, 2009
Metacritic Rating: 73
Tomatometer: 85
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 74
Combined Score: 77.33
How It Ranks
Sometimes, you can’t beat a heartwarming animated movie that harks back to the traditional Disney days. In “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) meets Prince Naveen (Bruno Campos), who has been turned into a frog by the evil Dr. Facilier.
Naveen mistakes Tiani for a princess and kisses her in the hope of breaking the spell, but this only turns her into a frog as well.
11. ParaNorman
Release Date: Aug. 17, 2012
Metacritic Rating: 72
Tomatometer: 89
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 72
Combined Score: 77.67
How It Ranks
Tim Burton’s PG-rated “ParaNorman” has a bit of everything: fantasy, horror, comedy and adventure — all wrapped up in an animated, family-friendly package. The movie follows a young boy called Norman, who uses his ability to communicate with the dead to save his hometown from an age-old curse.
The voices of Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kodi Smit-McPhee add to the enjoyment.
10. Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Release Date: Jan. 19, 2018
Metacritic Rating: 75
Tomatometer: 89
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 71
Combined Score: 78.33
How It Ranks
When Mary follows a cat into the forest, she comes across an old broomstick and a mysterious Fly-by-Night flower, a rare plant that blooms once every seven years.
Kate Winslet and Jim Broadbent lead the cast in this beautiful animated story.
9. Miracle
Release Date: Feb. 6, 2004
Metacritic Rating: 68
Tomatometer: 81
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 90
Combined Score: 79.67
How It Ranks
Disney’s story of the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team in the 1980s is inspiring for viewers of all ages. Kurt Russell plays coach Herb Brooks, who is tasked with leading the team to victory against their Soviet foes.
Patricia Clarkson, Noah Emmerich and Eddie Cahill also star in this watchable family drama.
7. The Witches (tie)
Release Date: Aug. 24, 1990
Metacritic Rating: 78
Tomatometer: 93
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 70
Combined Score: 80.33
How It Ranks
Not to be confused with the latest remake that came out on HBO, this version of Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book, “The Witches,” first hit the big screen in 1990 in Jim Henson Productions’ adaptation.
Starring Anjelica Huston, Anne Lambton, Brenda Blethyn and Jane Horrocks, this family-favorite follows young Luke on a vacation with his grandmother that turns awry. He comes across a witch convention and has to try to stop them — even after they turn him into a mouse.
7. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (tie)
Release Date: March 1, 2019
Metacritic Rating: 68
Tomatometer: 86
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 87
Combined Score: 80.33
How It Ranks
The movie adaptation of William Kamkwamba’s memoir, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” is a story of courage and imagination.
To save his Malawian village from famine and his family from financial ruin, 13-year-old William (Maxwell Simba) builds a wind turbine using whatever resources are available to him. This is one that will inspire the entire family.
6. The Little Prince
Release Date: Aug. 5, 2016
Metacritic Rating: 70
Tomatometer: 93
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 84
Combined Score: 82.33
How It Ranks
Based on the 1943 novella by French aristocrat and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupery, the 2016 full-length animated adaptation of “The Little Prince” is a treat for the whole family.
Staying faithful to its source material, it tells the story of a girl who rediscovers her childhood when the Aviator introduces her to a new world.
5. Hugo
Release Date: Nov. 23, 2011
Metacritic Rating: 83
Tomatometer: 93
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 78
Combined Score: 84.67
How It Ranks
Directed by Martin Scorsese and based on Brian Selznick’s New York Times bestseller “The Invention of Hugo Cabret,” “Hugo” centers around a young orphan boy who lives in secret inside the walls of a Paris train station.
Unexpected encounters set Hugo off on an adventure that will change his life.
4. Klaus
Release Date: Nov. 8, 2019
Metacritic Rating: 65
Tomatometer: 94
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 97
Combined Score: 85.33
How It Ranks
Unlikely friendships between student-postman Jesper, teacher Alva and carpenter Klaus are at the heart of the Oscar-nominated animated comedy adventure “Klaus,” featuring the voices of Jason Schwartzman, Rashida Jones and J.K. Simmons.
This is one to watch to get in the holiday spirit.
3. How to Train Your Dragon 2
Release Date: June 13, 2014
Metacritic Rating: 76
Tomatometer: 91
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 90
Combined Score: 85.67
How It Ranks
It’s not often that a sequel is received better than its predecessor, but “How to Train Your Dragon 2” might be the exception.
The magical fantasy adventure, starring Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera and Kit Harington, brings back Hiccup and Toothless as they fight to save Berk from the dragon trapper Drago.
2. Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse
Release Date: Dec. 14, 2018
Metacritic Rating: 87
Tomatometer: 97
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 93
Combined Score: 92.33
How It Ranks
“Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse” gives the story one of our favorite superheroes a twist. Stunning animation, plenty of action and adventure, and clever comedy makes this one of the best family movies on Netflix.
It’s a crowd-pleaser, even for those less inclined to watch a superhero flick.
1. Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus
Release Date: Aug. 16, 2019
Metacritic Rating: N/A
Tomatometer: 100
Rotten Tomatoes’ Audience Score: 91
Combined Score: 95.5
How It Ranks
“Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus” is a continuation of the cult classic, animated television series “Invader Zim,” which originally aired on Nickelodeon from 2001 to 2002 and later Nicktoons in 2006.
The sci-fi comedy film is only 71-minutes long, but it won’t disappoint fans of the original product who’ve waited so long for its revival. And “Invader Zim” noobs will love the on-point animation and clever humor, earning it a remarkable score of 100 on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer.