"I don’t know about you, but the kids in my life are almost always asking to watch the same show/movie/YouTube unboxing video a few too many times. And in those moments when I hear the familiar intro music cue up again, I can’t help but think, “Isn’t there something else they can *@$%-ing watch?”
Well, if you can relate, we’ve got you covered. Netflix is practically overflowing with family-friendly options, giving you everything from award-winning classics to highly-anticipated new releases. However, there’s so many picks that it’s easy to get a little overwhelmed and simply resort back to the same thing your kid has watched 900 times. But that’s not happening anymore! It’s time to memorize a whole new set of songs, jokes, and whatever else from a movie or show that your kids will be repeating for the foreseeable future. Here are some of the best family movies and kids’ shows on Netflix to add to your watch list:
Family Movies on Netflix
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: TV-Y7
Who doesn’t love a throwback? In this movie, the beloved Ninja Turtles find themselves face to face with someone from the future and have to band together to protect the world from an evil alien species.
Sing 2
Genre: Comedy/Musical
Rating: PG
This feel-good children’s movie is enjoyable for the entire family and follows koala Buster Moon and his cast of extremely talented animal performers as they attempt to become the next big thing. However, they need the help of an elusive, long-retired performer, and they go through all the ups and downs to get him on their side. Full of iconic classic songs and modern favorites, Sing 2 is a powerful story for everyone to love.
The Boss Baby
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
This animated comedy follows the story of 7-year-old Tim Templeton, whose life is turned upside down with the arrival of his new baby brother. However, this baby is not an ordinary infant; he’s a business-savvy, suit-wearing baby on a secret mission. Tim and his new little brother must join forces to uncover a plot by Puppy Co.’s CEO, Francis E. Francis, to overshadow babies with adorable puppies.
The Sea Beast
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: PG
This animated film is all about awesome adventure. Legendary monster-hunter Jacob Holland is the best sea-creature slayer there is. When there’s a young stowaway on his ship, the two embark on an unimaginable journey. If the trailer alone doesn’t motivate you to watch, I don’t know what will.
13: The Musical
Genre: Adventure/Musical
Rating: PG
Twelve-year-old Evan navigates life as his parents are getting a divorce and he prepares for his Bar Mitzvah. This is a cute coming-of-age movie that any young musical aficionados would love.
Matilda the Musical
Genre: Musical/Fantasy
Rating: PG
Many of us grew up watching the 1996 version of Matilda—now we have the fun opportunity of sharing in the magic with our own kiddos and an all-new musical. Matilda doesn’t have a lot of people she can count on in her life, aside from a loving teacher. She also has telekinetic abilities she’s able to use against her cruel school headmistress.
Minions: The Rise of Gru
Genre: Comedy/Adventure
Rating: PG
Any Despicable Me fans will love watching this sequel together as a family. The film takes place in the 1970s where viewers learn about the life of young Gru. Watch as he tries to join a group of supervillains—but the interview goes terribly wrong. While on the run, he and the minions get some help from an unlikely source.
Paul Blart: Mall Cop and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
Genre: Comedy/Romance
Rating: PG
If you loved laughing along with Kevin James back in 2009, you’re going to want to introduce your kids to the lovable mall patrolman ASAP. The original and the sequel about a passionate security guard who finds himself dealing with some unexpected criminals will give everyone big belly laughs. Perfect for a double feature movie night!
Sixteen Candles
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
There’s nothing like introducing our kiddos to a nostalgic movies, especially one involving Molly Ringwald. Watch as she perfectly captures the trials of turning 16—earth-shattering crush and all. Note: while this movie was rated PG in 1984, it includes high school drinking, brief nudity, and racial stereotyping and is a better watch for older kids.
The Addams Family
Genre: Comedy/Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
It’s no secret that kids and adults alike loved when Netflix came out with the Addams family spin-off show Wednesday in 2022. Perhaps that’s because the gothic character and her family span generations. If you’ve never watched the Addams family in action before, now may be a great time to introduce your older kiddos to the 1991 version of The Addams Family that so many of us know and love.
Pitch Perfect
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13
Could it be? A movie whose soundtrack you’ll actually enjoy having stuck in your head? That’s right, our favorite a cappella group is just the press of a button away. Get ready for tons of “riff offs” and to teach the “Cup Song” to your kids.
13 Going on 30
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Rating: PG-13
Sometimes an early 2000s favorite is just what we need on a movie night in. Older kids will feel the same love for this film as we did, and will head to their bedrooms to learn the dance to “Thriller” the second they see the credits roll.
More Family-Friendly Movies on Netflix
- Bigfoot Family (TV-Y7)
- Over the Moon (PG)
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines (PG)
- Benji (PG)
- Vivo (PG)
- Matilda (PG)
- The Willoughbys (PG)
- Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (PG-13)
Netflix Original TV Shows for Kids
Action Pack
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-Y
An “action-packed” superhero animated series for kids, Action Pack follows a group of heroes and their teacher-mentor as he guides them through the process of what it takes to be a hero. Along with a robotic dog, Plunky, the gang exemplifies what it takes to work together and find the good in all things.
Charlie’s Colorforms City
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-Y
Based on the Colorforms, an original classic toy that originated in the 1950s, this children’s show teaches kids all about colors, shapes, and sizes. Telling different stories using these mediums, the show also utilizes the audience to help solve whatever problems or story they are trying to tell.
Spirit Rangers
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: TV-Y
Both Season 1 and Season 2 of Spirit Rangers follow the lives of Native American siblings Kodi, Summer, and Eddy, who are all secret Spirit Rangers. Their goal is to help protect the national park they call home.
Sharkdog
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-Y
Ten-year-old Max and his best friend, Sharkdog, are constantly getting into crazy antics. It makes sense, since Sharkdog is essentially half shark, half dog. Together, the two truly go through zany adventures yet grow together at the same time.
Angry Birds: Summer Madness
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-Y7
Featuring the Angry Birds’ beloved crew at summer camp, the birds get into summer antics as the second season makes its debut. With outdoor activities such as dodgeball and waterslides, the lighthearted, competitive nature of the gang shines through and shows true team-building skills.
Larva Family
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-Y7
This adorable animated show tells the story of Red and Yellow welcoming a baby caterpillar into their lives, throwing them into a crash course in parenting—the good, the bad, and everything in between. This is definitely the perfect family watch to learn new lessons in a fun, light-hearted way!
Unicorn Academy
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-Y7
Whether or not your little ones are fans of the book series by Julie Sykes already, they’re sure to fall in love with the magic found in Unicorn Academy. In this new series, dark forces threaten Unicorn Island and it’s up to a group of classmates to save their magical school.
Great British Baking Show: Juniors
Genre: Reality TV
Rating: TV-G
A spin-off of the beloved baking competition series The Great British Baking Show, this version for kids showcases the talents of young bakers partaking in intense baking challenges, all battling to stay safe from elimination and be crowned winner at the end. Even if cooking shows aren’t really your thing, its witty humor and adorable contestants make it a must-watch.
Floor Is Lava
Genre: Game Show
Rating: TV-PG
This family-friendly game show is inspired solely by kids’ imaginations. The basis is in the title: the floor is lava—or, in this case, gooey slime. Contestants make their way through an obstacle course and avoid falling to the floor to win a cash prize by the end of the episode. The show is all about pure, entertaining fun, and it’s good to put on to have a guaranteed laugh with the family.
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: TV-PG
Six teenagers attend an adventure camp on Isla Nublar, not expecting dinosaurs to wreak havoc across the island. Together, the gang has to work together to survive and protect not only themselves but also the rare species’ they’re encountering.
XO Kitty
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rating: TV-14
This show is suited for older kids, especially for any fans of the To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before movies. If anyone in your family is a sucker for a fun rom-com, this spin-off of the beloved movie franchise is right up your alley. The new series focuses on the life of Kitty Song Covey as she discovers she’s still got a lot to learn after moving halfway around the world and running into some trouble with her matchmaking antics.
More Netflix Original Series for Kids
- Dragons: Race to the Edge (TV-Y7)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (TV-PG)
Throwback Kids Shows on Netflix
Avatar: The Last Airbender
Genre: Animated Action Series
Rating: TV-Y7
Step back in time to 2004 to help your favorite avatar and his friends save his home from the evil fire nations.
The Powerpuff Girls
Genre: Animated Action Series
Rating: TV-Y7
Buttercup, Bubbles, and Blossom have been saving the world since way back in 1998. You and your littles can watch as they defeat forces like Mojo Jojo with sugar, spice, and everything nice.
Justice League
Genre: Animated Action Series
Rating: TV-Y7
Seasons 1-2 of this animated series brings together the world’s greatest superheroes to protect Earth from various threats. The core members, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian, and Manhunter, join forces to form the Justice League, and they face huge obstacles and adventures, including powerful supervillains and alien invaders, as they strive to maintain peace and justice across the world.
Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-G
Ned Bigby and his friends show the highs and lows of navigating middle school. When you’re sticking to Ned’s uber-specific school survival guide, you’re sure to find some laughs and actual great advice along the way.
Victorious
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-G
Up there with Ned and Zoey is another early 2000s favorite, Victorious. Starring Victoria Justice (and Ariana Grande!), the show follows an aspiring singer who aims to make a name for herself at the highly-competitive Hollywood Arts High School.
Zoey 101
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rating: TV-PG
Zoey (Jamie Lynn Spears) lives at boarding school with her best friends. Follow along as they navigate life as teenagers and encounter lighthearted teen topics from romance to friendships to academic struggles.
All That
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-PG
Seasons 2 and 3 of this classic Nickelodeon skit show are available to watch and it’s refreshing to see how some of our favorite comedians today (like SNL‘s Kenan Thompson) had a passion for comedy at a young age.
Kenan & Kel
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-PG
Another Nickelodeon classic, Kenan & Kel (also starring Kenan Thompson) follows two best friends as they get into zany situations together. It highlights relying on a best friend in your life and serves as a laidback sitcom to enjoy.
More Throwback Favorites on Netflix
- Barney and Friends (TV-Y)
- Rugrats (TV-Y7)
- The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (TV-Y7)
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (TV-Y7)
- Drake & Josh (TV-G)
- iCarly (TV-G)
- Goosebumps (TV-G)
- The Parkers (TV-PG)
- H2O: Just Add Water (TV-PG)
