10 Family Movies That Everyone Will Love

Streaming services have made it possible to watch pretty much anything desired with the click of a button. Gone are the days of waiting in line at the video store to stock up on movies for the weekend, nor do we have to endlessly scroll through cable channels to stumble upon a good watch.

Netflix, Hulu, Peacock, and others have enabled subscribers to have almost any show or movie available any time they please, which could make it challenging to settle on a program the whole family would enjoy.

In April 2024, a study conducted by Accenture revealed that 36 percent of people surveyed said they were tired of constantly browsing their numerous streamers to find something to watch, and 62 percent complained the content the platforms recommended didn’t align with their interests.

So how about we make it easy on you and ease the burden of doomscrolling apps? Below are some of our top movie picks that everyone will love, no matter the genre you’re craving.

The Lion King (1994)

The story of Disney’s The Lion King has been remade, added to with multiple sequels and prequels, and even completely reimagined with CGI (computer-generated imagery). However, nothing quite beats the original animated version, which premiered in 1994 with voices from Jonathan Taylor Thomas (young Simba), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), and Matthew Broderick (older Simba).

Fans went wild for the film upon its debut and in the years after with its hit tracks “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life,” compliments of Elton John. It’s a timeless tale that’s garnered a generational audience in its return to theaters with its 2019 live-action remake and 2024’s Mufasa: The Lion King.

While its reiterations have been well-received at the box office, going back to where it all began in the original The Lion King film would be the perfect Friday night movie watch that everyone would surely agree on.

Available on Disney+ with a subscription.

Toy Story (1995)

Disney’s Pixar clearly did something right with Toy Story, given its overwhelming success following its 1995 release and subsequent sequels. Fans can’t get enough of Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), and the rest of Andy’s toys and want to follow their story any chance they can.

This film is a favorite watch for all ages as it sneaks in some adult references kids won’t necessarily pick up on, plus older viewers will feel nostalgic with the toys featured. Meanwhile, young watchers are fascinated by the notion that toys come alive, not to mention their colorful production, making Toy Story a win-win all around.

Available on Disney+ with a subscription.

Finding Nemo (2003)

“Just keep swimming” is a mantra many people have used to motivate themselves in their lives, thanks to Finding Nemo‘s Dory (voiced by Ellen DeGeneres). The 2003 classic teaches excellent lessons to children about loss, family, and friendship, and is insanely entertaining across all viewing levels.

Maybe it’s DeGeneres’ character’s silly comments or the relaxed sea turtle Crush (Andrew Stanton) that fans adore about the film, but it’s been mega-popular with the masses, including its 2016 sequel Finding Dory. The laugh-out-loud moments will undoubtedly bring the family together, and they will probably want to watch it again and again.

Available on Disney+ with a subscription.

The Incredibles (2004)

The Incredibles has been a favorite for kids since its premiere in 2004 and sequel in 2018, so it’s no wonder Pixar announced a third film is in the works. The movie follows a family of undercover superheroes forced to spring into action to save the world despite trying to live a quiet lifestyle.

With voices from Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, and Samuel L. Jackson, the film held strong as Pixar’s highest-grossing movie ever until Inside Out 2 took that title in 2024. That statistic alone makes it worth suggesting for the next movie night, and it will most likely be well-received.

Available on Disney+ with a subscription.

Shrek (2001)

Who knew that an Ogre and a talking donkey would be so widely entertaining? DreamWorks had a hunch, and boy, was it right, given Shrek grossed more than $260 million at the box office upon its premiere in 2001. Its three subsequent films also did well, though many cite the first one as the best of the franchise.

Shrek tells the story of the titular character, voiced by Mike Meyers, who sets out to rescue Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) as a quest from Lord Faarquad (John Lithgow), strictly motivated by the lord’s promise to give him his swamp back after fairytale creatures took it over.

Featuring storybook characters like the Three Blind Mice and Humpty Dumpty, parents have welcomed the film onto their screens, and kids are in stitches over Donkey’s (Eddie Murphy) hilarious one-liners.

Available on Peacock with a subscription.

Frozen (2013)

The song “Let It Go” will most likely be playing on a loop in the house for some time after the kids watch Frozen, but thankfully, the soundtrack to the 2013 film is enjoyable for all. The movie took the world by storm, raking in $980 million and two Academy Awards upon its release, and it’s still of one the most popular Disney movies to grace the big screen.

Frozen has become so beloved that it has led to sing-along versions and two more installments (the third set for a 2027 premiere) that fans are just as excited to watch. Kristen Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa), Josh Gad (Olaf), and Jonathan Goff (Kristoff) brought their characters to life in extraordinary ways, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the adults find themselves singing “Do You Want To Build A Snowman?” long after the credits roll.

Available on Disney+ with a subscription.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Adults are probably more familiar with E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial than the youngsters, given it premiered more than 40 years ago, but the sci-fi film is just as captivating as when it hit theaters in 1982. The movie is about an alien stranded on Earth and is befriended by a young boy named Elliot, played by Henry Thomas.

Elliot and his two siblings (portrayed by Drew Barrymore and Robert MacNaughton) decide to keep their new friend a secret, which becomes more challenging when E.T. becomes ill and the government gets involved.

Back then, E.T. became the highest-grossing film of all time, surpassing Star Wars, and it won multiple awards for its outstanding production. It also turned into a highly sought-after attraction at Universal Studios Florida, which could be a good selling point when suggesting the film to the kids.

Available on Hulu and Amazon Prime with a subscription.

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

If the kids went wild over Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo’s 2024 film adaption of the musical Wicked, it might be time to introduce them to its origin source in The Wizard of Oz. The film came out in 1939, taking viewers on a ride through Dorothy’s (Judy Garland) fantasy after being swept away by a tornado in her Kansas hometown.

During her trek to find the Wizard to guide her back home, Dorothy meets a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), a Tin Man (Jack Haley), and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), also seeking the Wizard’s help with personal challenges.

While most are familiar with the story of The Wizard of Oz, given its many adaptations on screen and on Broadway, a reminder of where it all began might be what the family needs, and feel free to sing along at home.

Available on Amazon Prime, Max, and Hulu with a subscription.

Matilda (1996)

Fans were introduced to Matilda in 1996, and the comedy film has remained a must-watch for adults and children alike. Matilda (Mara Wilson) is a gifted child with psychic powers who uses her telekinetic abilities to defend herself from her evil principal, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), and her cruel parents (played by Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman).

In 2022, the film was adapted into a Netflix production titled Matilda: The Musical with Alisha Weir playing the lead, which might make the kids more intrigued to watch the original movie. Gen Zers particularly raved about Matilda and can pass on their excitement to the younger generation with a rewatch.

Available on Netflix with a subscription.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

The producers of Matilda are behind another remarkable family film, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Like others on this list, this movie has been remade numerous times, most recently in the 2023 adaptation, Wonka, starring Timothée Chalamet. Other times, Johnny Depp played the character of Willy Wonka, though there’s nothing quite like the original musical, which debuted in 1971.

Gene Wilder and Peter Ostrum led the film, which took viewers through Wonka’s magical factory, an eye-popping sight for young, poor boy Charlie (portrayed by Ostrum), after finding a golden ticket in Willy Wonka’s chocolate bar. The film garnered praise for years and is still widely considered one of the most well-developed productions as far as family movies go.

Available on Tubi and Hulu with a subscription.