With all of the streaming services, it's difficult to choose a kid-friendly movie that's both good and interesting enough to hold the attention of your little one. We're here to make your life a bit easier, having picked out a few of the most popular kid's movies on Netflix, animated and live-action.
If your kid is interested in superheroes, try plugging them into Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse or Ant-Man and the Wasp. Then again, if they're more interested in dark fantasy films, they might want to watch Coraline. What are you waiting for? Keep scrolling for some movie inspiration that will entertain your kids while they are stuck at home.
The Princess And The Frog
Tiana was introduced to the world in 2009 as Disney's first African-American princess. While the movie stays true to the original source material, Disney took some fun creative liberties. Set in New Orleans in the early 20th century, the story follows Tiana as she dreams of opening her own restaurant. Of course, she gets caught up in a voodoo curse that includes a frog prince.
If your kids need something to watch, direct them towards The Princess and the Frog. This film is one of the last Disney movies to use the traditional animation, so it's worth watching for that aspect alone.
Ralph Breaks The Internet
While the first film, Wreck-It Ralph, ventured into the world of classic gaming, the sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet, explores, you guessed it, the internet. Even though it is a kid's film, it ventures into some mature themes, including toxic masculinity and the dangers of online culture. Don't worry, though, Ralph and Vanellope learn valuable lessons along the way.
Such as what "makes someone a Disney princess." Per Disney's reputation, this sequel is delightfully entertaining and is one movie your kids should watch while they're stuck at home. They'll be rolling on the floor laughing at Ralph and Vanellope's antics.
Incredibles 2
After the action-packed first movie, Pixar went in a bit of a different direction with Incredibles 2. While there is still plenty of action, the film follows two storylines: Elastigirl, who is trying her best to restore the reputation of the supers. And Mr. Incredible, who is trying his hardest to raise three children, one of which is just coming into his powers.
The film is adventurous, family-oriented, and not to mention extremely funny. Incredibles 2 is the perfect choice for any kid who is stuck at home for a prolonged period. So, what are you waiting for? It's time to introduce your young one to the Parr family.
Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse
The film, Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse is arguably one of the most inspiring superhero movies to date. It shows that "anyone can wear the mask," and that there isn't just one Spider-Man, a good lesson for kids to learn! The film follows Miles Morales as he gets bit by a spider and develops superpowers.
Then something strange happens, the movie expands into a multi-verse, introducing viewers to Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, Spider-Ham, Penny Parker, and the original Spider-Man, Peter Parker. Only, Parker is going through a mid-life crisis and is reluctant to mentor Miles. The movie is packed with themes on friends, family, and heroism, making it an excellent film for youngsters!
The Adventures Of Tintin
The Adventures of Tintin is based on a comic book of the same name. Director Steven Spielberg was such a fan of the cartoonist Herge's work that after his passing, he obtained the film rights. He opted to use computer animation to bring Tintin, his dog Snowy, and their unlikely partner Captain Haddock to life as they search for the Unicorn's treasure.
If you want to know if the group of friends finds Haddock's ancestral ship's treasure, you're just going to have to watch the movie! The Adventures of Tintin is on Netflix and is waiting for you and your family to stream it.
Ant-Man And The Wasp
As far as Marvel movies go, Ant-Man and the Wasp is pretty kid-friendly. Unlike the other films in the MCU, the stakes are pretty low in this sequel film. The story follows Hank, Scott, and Hope, as they work to keep a laboratory from being stolen in the hopes of rescuing Janet Van Dyne from the Quantum Realm.
Of course, the plot follows Ant-Man, so it's funny and full of hijinks. If your kids opted to skip this film and go straight to Endgame, some plot points might become more clear, like how Scott wound up in the van and missed the entire snap.
Hook
The film Hook follows the story of Peter Banner, played by Robin Williams, as he learns about his past and who he truly is, Peter Pan. After Hook, played by Dustin Hoffman, kidnaps Pan's children, it is up to him to make his way back to Neverland and defeat his greatest enemy.
The twist is that he needs to remember how to use his imagination and fly! Hook is a family-friendly movie that never grows old. If you and your little ones are looking for a flick for family movie night, look no further. No one will be disappointed by this choice.
Spy Kids
If your kid is bored and stuck at home, then they need to stream Spy Kids on Netflix. The movie follows Carmen and Juni as they find out their parents were once international super spies. After learning that information, and that their parents have been kidnapped, the two young kids learn to become spies themselves, with the help of high-tech gadgets and ridiculous modes of transportation.
The movie is an adventure comedy that will have your kids questioning some suspect animation choices (thumb people, anyone?) while wishing they had the means of becoming a spy kid. Who wouldn't want to use all of the cool technology they have?
Mary And The Witch's Flower
If your kid likes anime-style films, then they're not going to want to miss out on watching Mary and the Witch's Flower. The movie follows Mary Smith as she stumbles across "fly-by-night," a magical flower that gives a person the ability to transform into a witch. The catch is that the transformation only lasts one night.
So, Mary keeps returning to the garden where she found the flowers, plucking one each night to gain magical powers. What could possibly go wrong? Hold on to your hats and broomsticks because this is one fantasy film your kids need to see while they're stuck at home.
Hugo
Director Martin Scorsese crafted the whimsical film Hugo in 2011. Based on the novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the steampunk movie is set in 1930s Paris and follows a young orphan boy as he sets off on an adventure that puts him and his friends into contact with filmmaker Georges Melies.
If your family is looking for a different type of kids film for your next movie night, look no further than Hugo. One critic says, "Hugo is an extravagant, elegant fantasy with an innocence lacking in many modern kids' movies, and one that emanates an unabashed love for the magic of cinema."
National Treasure
Which kid wouldn't be thrilled to sit at home and watch Nick Cage steal the Declaration of Independence in hopes of finding a long lost treasure? That's right; not many would turn down the opportunity.
The film is full of history, adventure, and Nick Cage trying to outrun Sean Bean to the lost stockpile of precious metals, artifacts, and jewelry left behind during the American Revolution. Pretty much, this movie has everything in it to keep your kid occupied for at least 131 minutes, give or take.
The Croods
Set in prehistoric times, The Croods follows a family of cave people as they try to survive the "dangers" of the outside world. How do they do that, you might ask? Well, they primarily stay in their cave. That is until the oldest daughter meets a more modern caveman, and he convinces the family that the end-times are near and they should relocate.
The animated film is hysterical and all too relatable for anyone with an overprotective father. If your kids aren't sure which movie to watch, we recommend telling them about The Croods. They won't regret watching it.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Even out of season, Ron Howard's live-action How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a great movie choice for any kids stuck at home. One can't help but fall in love with Jim Carrey's charismatic Christmas-hating Grinch character as he tries to ruin the festivities going on in Whoville with his trusty sidekick Max.
Carrey's performance is enough to have your kids eyes glued to the television screen from start to finish. And, the best part is that they will have no clue that they're watching a funny movie that has a very kid-friendly moral: the holidays are all about friends and family and not about the presents.
Christopher Robin
Christopher Robin follows the title character as he grows up and loses his sense of imagination. The good news is, his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood, including Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, and little Roo, are there to help him regain his sense of wonder.
The film is all about friendship, love, and the innocence of a child's imagination. It makes for the perfect feel-good movie for any kid who needs something to smile about while they're stuck at home.
The Little Prince
If your kids haven't seen an adaptation of The Little Prince, director Mark Osborne's version on Netflix is a great place to start. The film features an all-star cast and, while it takes some creative liberties, all of the fan-favorite characters are still present, such as The Rose, The Fox, and The Snake.
As for the plot, the film is a frame that follows a young girl as she is being told the story of the prince by an elderly pilot. What does that mean, you ask? You and your young ones are just going to have to watch the film to find out!
Coraline
Forewarning, while Coraline is a beautifully animated film, it might be a bit too intense for very young kids. That being said, if your kid enjoys fantasy movies with a bit of edge, then they should definitely check out Coraline. The movie follows the title character as she finds a secret door in her new home.
The passageway leads to a parallel universe, one where she is in charge and gets to order her parents around. It's perfect! Or, so it may seem. Your children are just going to have to watch the film to see how Coraline's fantastical story ends!
The Spiderwick Chronicles
The Spiderwick Chronicles is the perfect movie for those interested in fantastical creatures. It follows the story of Jared Grace and his family as they move to the Spiderwick Estate in New England. There, he finds a field guide left behind by Arthur Spiderwick. The book introduces Jared to the mystical world of magical creatures, primarily faeries.
Although his family doesn't believe in the creatures, Jared is wise enough to know that he shouldn't take the information in the book lightly, it might just save them one day, after all. This film is definitely one of a kind!
A Wrinkle In Time
A Wrinkle In Time follows the classic tale of the Madeline L'Engle novel of the same name. The film is based around a 13-year-old girl who travels to another dimension in hopes of saving her dad. He accidentally teleported himself off Earth and to another world. Visually pleasing, the movie will captivate a young one's attention, so they're focused on nothing but the film for its duration.
Aside from the dazzling scenery, A Wrinkle in Time is bound to teach your young ones important lessons, too. Such as light overcoming darkness, good triumphing over evil, and goodness defeating hatred.
The Secret Life Of Pets 2
Following the events that take place in the original film, The Secret Life of Pets 2 takes us back into the life of Max and Duke. This time, the doggie duo's human companion, Katie, gets married, and her new husband has a kid. So the animals have to learn how to live with a toddler, something they have no experience in doing.
The Secret Life of Pets 2 is the perfect flick for a kid who is stuck at home all day. It will keep them entertained while wondering if their own pet actually has these types of thoughts and animal relationships.
Bolt
If your young one enjoys heroic animals, then they're going to want to watch Bolt. Growing up as a star on a hit action show, Bolt believes he's a superhero. Because of that thought process, the puppy thinks he has to save his human, Penny, using his super-doggie powers. The only issue is he's a regular dog, and the only power he has is looking cute.
Along the way, Bolt befriends a cat and a hamster who teach him how to be "normal," but that doesn't stop him from wanting to find Penny. Your kid is just going to have to watch the film to find out what happens!
