The Best Movies to Watch with Your Kids (That You’ll Actually Love Too)

The Best Movies to Watch with Your Kids (That You’ll Actually Love Too)

Wholesome and Reflective Family Movies

• Flow
A black cat drifts through a flooded world, finding moments of connection and survival. It’s told without words—and it doesn’t need any.

• Robot Dreams
A dog and a robot become best friends in 1980s NYC. No dialogue, just feeling. A stunner.

• The Wild Robot
A robot learns to live in the wild and care for a gosling. Based on the book, it is a thoughtful choice for a family movie night and a great way to spark conversations about nature and empathy.

• Boyhood (for older kids/teens)
Filmed over 12 years with the same actors. A quiet, intimate portrait of growing up. Not flashy, just real.

• Whale Rider
A girl in a Maori village fights to break tradition and claim her place. Powerful, soulful, and unforgettable.

• The Little Prince (2015)
A modern reimagining with stop-motion touches. It is one of those reflective family movies that parents often enjoy as much as the kids.

Studio Ghibli and Fantastical Family Movies

• Spirited Away
A girl stumbles into a spirit world bathhouse. Strange and stunning in every way, and one of the most unforgettable Studio Ghibli movies for kids.

• My Neighbor Totoro
Two sisters move to the countryside and befriend a massive forest spirit. Nothing much happens—and it’s perfect that way.

• Kiki’s Delivery Service
A young witch delivers packages and figures out her place in the world. Gentle, warm, and empowering.

• The Secret World of Arrietty
Tiny people living under the floorboards, surviving off the scraps we leave behind. Lush animation, big heart.

• Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
A talking shell in a tennis shoe becomes an internet sensation and searches for his family. Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it’s perfect.

• The Iron Giant
A boy and a giant robot during the Cold War. A beautiful take on identity, sacrifice, and peace.

• Coco
Colorful, musical, and packed with emotion. It is a Pixar family favorite that celebrates family, memory, and Día de los Muertos, and it always hits hard.

Classic and Funny Family Movies for All Ages

• Secondhand Lions
A boy spends a summer with his two mysterious uncles in Texas. Tall tales, life lessons, and a whole lot of heart.

• The Sandlot
Baseball, friendship, and one legendary summer. Still one of the best classic family movies for tweens and parents to enjoy together.

• Holes
A juvenile detention camp, a mystery involving buried treasure, and a family curse. Quirky and oddly brilliant.

• Paddington 2
The bear in the duffle coat. Kindness, marmalade, and one of the most wholesome family movies you can find.

• Ratatouille
A rat who wants to cook in Paris. Pure Pixar joy.

• Inside Out
Emotions take the wheel inside an 11-year-old’s head. Smart, funny, and a great way to talk about feelings.

• Soul
A jazz musician falls into the afterlife and learns what it really means to live. A beautiful reset button.

• The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Chaotic road trip meets robot apocalypse. A funny family movie that sneaks in a surprising amount of heart.

• E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Still magical. Still moving. Still one of the best family films ever made.

Family TV Shows Worth Watching Together

• All Creatures Great and Small
Set in the English countryside, this is a wholesome family show that works well when you want a slower pace and gentle humor.

• Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Not for little kids, but a huge hit in our house. Goofy, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt. We quote it all the time.