The 12 Best Kids’ Movies on Netflix Right Now for When You Need a Break From Adulting
The easiest way to find a movie to stream is all about narrowing down your options—and look, you're almost there! So far, you've got *checks notes* that you need a movie (1) appropriate for kids, and (2) for that movie to be on Netflix. Now, the hard part: Actually choosing the film! But worry not, because I took the liberty of finding you some top-notch choices, if I do say so myself. So you'll have something to watch in no time.
Whether you end up with a movie about a talking bear, a go-to musical, or a new animated feature, there's literally something for everyone. Seriously, just about anyone can watch these movies—regardless of age. Babysitting? Hanging out with family? Need something to distract your kid? Just want to watch something a bit lighter on your own to cope with adulthood? These 12 kids movies on Netflix check every single box. See for yourself!
Paddington
First up, we have Paddington, the 2014 film about a talking bear (Ben Whishaw) based on the classic book series. In the movie, Paddington makes his way to London and is taken in by a family. Live-action stars include Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and Nicole Kidman as a *gasp* taxidermist.
Little Women
Based on Louisa May Alcott's novel, the 1994 adaptation of Little Women is about the four March sisters growing up in Massachusetts around the time of the Civil War. The movie shows the girls dealing with standard coming-of-age teen things, like school, sister drama, and first loves. The cast includes Winona Ryder, Claire Danes, Christian Bale, and Kirsten Dunst.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
This animated film takes viewers on a complete journey as a regular family (the Mitchells) tries to save the world from a robot uprising, aka the machines. The all-star voice cast includes Maya Rudolph, Abbi Jacobson, Olivia Colman, and Danny McBride.
How to Train Your Dragon
How to Train Your Dragon is based on the fantasy book series of the same name by Cressida Cowell. It's about a Viking boy who wants to become a dragon slayer, but instead he befriends a dragon, and thus needs to train it lol. And if the kid in your life, or you, can't get enough, Netflix has the sequel and a few spinoff series, too.
My Fair Lady
For the kid who likes musicals and has a lot of patience, there's My Fair Lady. The 1964 musical stars Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison and is about a professor who makes a bet that he can teach a poor flower-seller to become a high society lady. It's also three-hours long, so perhaps do two viewings depending on who's watching.
Vivo
Know what a kinkajou is? If not, Vivo will teach you. The animated movie is about a kinkajou (okay, it's a small rainforest mammal), who performs music in Cuba, but has to go on a musical mission to Miami. The voice cast includes Lin-Manuel Miranda—who also wrote the songs for the film—Zoe Saldaña, and Gloria Estefan.
Enola Holmes
Stranger Thing's Millie Bobby Brown stars in Enola Holmes as the younger sister of detective Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill). In the film, which is based on the YA books by Nancy Springer, Enola goes on a mission to London to locate her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter).
Puss in Boots
Puss in Boots exists as a story outside of the Shrek franchise, but 2011's Puss in Boots movie is a Shrek 2 spinoff prequel (still tracking?). Either way, the animated movie stars Antonio Banderas as the titular feline as he goes on an adventure involving other fairytale characters.
Over the Moon
And Just Like That...'s Cathy Ang stars in this 2020 movie as Fei Fei, a girl who goes on an adventure to meet the Chinese goddess of the Moon, Chang'e (Phillipa Soo). On her journey, Fei Fei encounters various aspects of Chinese mythology along the way.
Penguins of Madagascar: The Movie
If you can't already tell, this movie is about the penguins from the movie Madagascar—arguably the best part of the film. Fight me! The penguins (Tom McGrath, Chris Miller, Christopher Knights, Conrad Vernon) battle a vengeful octopus named Dave (John Malkovich), who is upset that penguins became a more popular zoo animal than him. Fair enough.
Mirai
The Japanese movie Mirai is about a young boy named Kun who becomes jealous when his little sister, Mirai, is welcomed into the family. Soon, he begins having time-traveling experiences, including seeing his sister as an older version of herself.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Yes, it really is about meatballs falling from the sky. Inspired by the 1978 book of the same name, this delightful animated film is about an inventor who makes a machine that can change water into food. Sounds cool! And it is, until the machine takes on a life of its own with the whole raining meatballs thing. The cast includes Bill Hader, Anna Faris, and Andy Samberg. There's also a sequel.
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