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, 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Train Your Dragon
Genre: Adventure
Rating: PG
This blockbuster from 2010 is just as good today as it was back then. Hiccup is a misfit in his town where dragon fighting is commonplace. Holding more progressive views, he takes a different route and aims to change the future of his people after befriending an injured dragon he names Toothless. Now is a great time for a rewatch of this one, as a live-action remake is currently in the works.
Shark Tale
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
While I’m fairly certain I’ll enjoy rewatching Shark Tale even more than the little ones, this is super fun family-friendly movie option. Oscar is a chronic underachiever who has big dreams—and sees an opportunity when a shark who’s connected to the mob gets killed. He hatches a plan with the shark’s brother, Lenny, to claim that he is the ‘sharkslayer.’ Things go down hill quickly for Oscar when Lenny’s dad seeks out revenge on his son’s kill.
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.
Home
Genre: Adventure
Rating: PG
After aliens conquer Earth and relocate all of mankind, only one human, Tip, remains. Soon she meets one of the alien fugitives, Oh, who doesn’t share the group’s beliefs. They form a friendship and together work to find Tip’s mother despite all obstacles.
More Family-Friendly Movies on Netflix
- Over the Moon (PG)
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines (PG)
- Monster House (PG)
- Benji (TV-PG)
- Vivo (PG)
- Matilda (PG)
- Bigfoot Family (TV-Y7)
- The Willoughbys (PG)
Netflix Original TV Shows
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.
XO Kitty
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rating: TV-14
This is definitely a pick a bit more 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 franchise is right up your alley. The new series focuses on the life of Kitty Song Covey who discovers she’s still got a lot to learn after moving halfway around the world and running into some trouble with her matchmaking antics.
Great British Baking Show: Juniors
Genre: Reality TV
Rating: TV-G
A spin-off of the beloved baking competition series, this show 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.
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.
Angry Birds: Summer Madness (Season 2)
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-Y-7
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!
Sharkdog
Genre: Animated Series
Rating: TV-G
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.
Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: TV-Y7
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.
Spirit Rangers
Genre: Action/Adventure
Rating: TV-Y
Spirit Rangers’ season 1 and 2 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.
Throwback Kids Shows on Netflix
All That
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-G
Seasons 2 and 3 of this classic Nickelodeon skit show come to Netflix in June. It’s refreshing to see how some of our favorite comedians today had a passion for comedy at a young age.
Kenan & Kel
Genre: Comedy
Rating: TV-G
Another Nickelodeon classic, Kenan & Kel (starring longtime Saturday Night Live cast member Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell) 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.
Source: @netflix
Zoey 101
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Rating: TV-Y7
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.
Batman: The Animated Series
Genre: Animated Action Series
Rating: TV-PG
Batman seasons 1-5 follows the iconic Dark Knight as he protects Gotham City from loads of dangerous crime. With his unmatched detective skills, martial arts powers, and crazy gadgets, Batman fights against notorious villains like The Joker, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy in this thrilling series any superhero lover will enjoy.
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.
Justice League
Genre: Animated Action Series
Rating: TV-PG
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.
