The 25 Best Family Comedies to Watch with Kids
It’s no easy task agreeing on something to watch for family movie night. Not only are there far too many streaming options to choose from, but it’s also difficult to find titles that children of all ages will enjoy. (Particularly, picky Pete, who is impossible to please.)
If you’re looking to shake up your next watch party, check out our list of flicks that will never get old…no matter how many times you’ve watched them. From The Incredibles to Matilda, keeping reading for the 25 best family comedies.
1. ‘School of Rock’ (2003)
Who’s in it? Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack and Miranda Cosgrove
What’s it about? A guitarist who goes to extreme measures after he gets kicked out of his band. In an attempt to find work, he poses as a substitute teacher at a private elementary school, where he secretly transforms his class into an all-out rock band.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime and Google Play
2. ‘The Incredibles’ (2004)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell and Samuel L. Jackson
What’s it about? A superhero family. No, really. The film follows Mr. Incredible and his wife, Elastigirl, as they introduce their three children to their alter egos.
How to watch? Available on Disney+ or for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
3. ‘Freaky Friday’ (2003)
Who’s in it? Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan and Mark Harmon
What’s it about? Anna and her mother, Tess, who don’t necessarily get along. Their relationship is put to the test when they receive a fortune cookie that magically switches their bodies in an attempt to help them see eye to eye.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play and iTunes
4. ‘Toy Story’ (1995)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney and Annie Potts
What’s it about? Andy and his collection of talking toys. The story follows Woody, Buzz and the rest of the toy box crew as they endure day-to-day obstacles—like new arrivals and Andy’s evil neighbor, Sid.
How to watch? Available on Disney+ or for purchase ($4) on Amazon Prime
5. ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)
Who’s in it? Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen
What’s it about? A young boy named Charlie Bucket, who obtains one of five highly coveted Golden Tickets, landing him an invitation to Willy Wonka’s candy factory. Inside, he discovers the chocolatier has created a magical world of his own—and he wants Charlie to join him.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on Amazon Prime, YouTube, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
6. ‘Frozen’ (2013)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Jennifer Lee
What’s it about? Anna, Elsa and a snowman. When Snow Queen Elsa’s icy spell traps the kingdom in a never-ending winter, her sister, Anna, teams up with iceman Kristoff to break the curse once and for all. (The soundtrack will be stuck in your head after one viewing. You’ve been warned.)
How to watch? Available on Disney+ or for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
7. ‘The Princess Bride’ (1987)
Who’s in it? Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin and Chris Sarandon
What’s it about? Love, plain and simple. Based on the namesake novel by William Goldman, the movie tells the story of a couple’s battle to stay together against all odds.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on Amazon Prime
8. ‘Shrek’ (2001)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow and Cody Cameron
What’s it about? An ogre named Shrek, whose isolated lifestyle is turned upside down thanks to Lord Farquaad. When Shrek cuts a deal with the dictator, he’s tasked with rescuing Princess Fiona, who—as it turns out—is hiding a deep, dark secret.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
9. ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ (1993)
Who’s in it? Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence
What’s it about? Robin Williams dressed as a woman. When Daniel Hillard’s wife divorces him, he comes up with an elaborate plan to see his kids more than their custody agreement allows. This includes dressing up as an older British woman and becoming the children’s nanny.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
10. ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)
Who’s in it? Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber and David Tomlinson
What’s it about? Magic and flying nannies, of course. While the Banks children aren’t thrilled about a nanny at first, that all changes when they meet Mary Poppins and embark on a musical adventure that is (almost) too unbelievable for words.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on iTunes; also available on YouTube, Amazon Prime and Google Play for $13
11. ‘Grease’ (1978)
Who’s in it? John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Didi Conn, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway
What’s it about? Summer lovin’, at least according to the film’s best song. After a steamy summer fling, Sandy attends a new school as an exchange student only to discover that her former lover, Danny, is the big man on campus—and not in a good way.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime and Google Play
12. ‘Coco’ (2017)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt
What’s it about? Family, fun and a whole lot of catchy tunes. Young Miguel embarks on a wild journey in the Land of the Dead while pursuing his dream of becoming a musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime and Google Play
13. ‘The Sandlot’ (1993)
Who’s in it? Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna and Chauncey Leopardi
What’s it about? A young boy named Scottie Smalls, who moves to a new neighborhood with his mom and stepdad. When he becomes friends with a group of boys who play baseball in a sandlot (get it?), he quickly learns the price of impressing your friends. “You’re killing me, Smalls!”
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
14. ‘Back to the Future’ (1985)
Who’s in it? Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson and Crispin Glover
What’s it about? Marty McFly, who is unexpectedly sent on a time-traveling mission after his crazy eccentric scientist friend, Doc Brown, enlists him for an experiment. Together, they must ensure everything stays the same, or it will change the future indefinitely.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
15. ‘Despicable Me’ (2010)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Elsie Fisher
What’s it about? Gru, a supervillain who devises a master plan to steal the moon. However, everything changes when three orphan girls suddenly want him as their dad.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on YouTube, Google Play and Vudu
16. ‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Alexander Gould
What’s it about? A young fish who is taken by a group of divers. His dad embarks on the journey of a lifetime to find him. Along the way, he meets a fish named Dory, who is far from helpful due to an unfortunate case of short-term memory loss.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Google Play, Amazon Prime and iTunes
17. ‘Hook’ (1991)
Who’s in it? Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Dante Basco
What’s it about? Peter Pan, who has officially grown up and put his Lost Boys days behind him. That is, until Hook captures his children, forcing him to return to Neverland as an adult. The whimsical tale will remind you why you fell in love with the classic story in the first place.
How to watch? Available for subscribers on Netflix and Vudu
18. ‘The Santa Clause’ (1994)
Who’s in it? Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold and Wendy Crewson
What’s it about? Santa Claus and a Santa Clause (with an “e”). When Santa falls off the roof, Scott Calvin is forced to take over the role, whether he likes it or not. Will his son, Charlie, be able to keep his secret?
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Google Play and iTunes
19. ‘Elf’ (2003)
Who’s in it? Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel and Bob Newhart
What’s it about? A man who was raised in the North Pole and ventures to New York City to find his biological dad. Hilarity ensues.
How to watch? Available for subscribers on Netflix
20. ‘Monsters Inc.’ (2001)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by John Goodman, Billy Crystal and James Coburn
What’s it about? Monsters Incorporated, a renowned scare factory. When a young girl accidentally enters their world, two monsters go above and beyond to ensure she’s returned safely.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, iTunes, Google Play and Amazon Prime
21. ‘Matilda’ (1996)
Who’s in it? Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman
What’s it about? A young girl whose parents don’t appreciate her. Based on the namesake story by Roald Dahl, the movie follows Matilda as she realizes she has telekinesic powers. She uses her skills to defend herself from her family and the evil principal, Miss Trunchbull.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on Amazon Prime and Vudu
22. ‘Inside Out’ (2015)
Who’s in it? Characters voiced by Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Richard Kind
What’s it about? A young girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves across the country. The catch? The story is told from the perspective of her emotions, who are animate beings.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play and iTunes
23. ‘Legally Blonde’ (2001)
Who’s in it? Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson and Selma Blair
What’s it about? Elle Woods, who is blindsided when her boyfriend, Warner, dumps her before heading to law school. She transforms herself into an ideal student and joins Warner as a classmate at Harvard Law.
How to watch? Available for free on Tubi and Vudu or for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Google Play and Amazon Prime
24. ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ (2002)
Who’s in it? Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and Lainie Kazan
What’s it about? Nia, who can’t seem to find “the one.” However, when she meets the perfect man, her parents can’t seem to get over his one flaw: He’s not Greek.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($3) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play and Vudu
25. ‘Home Alone’ (1990)
Who’s in it? Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara and John Heard
What’s it about? A boy who wishes his family didn’t exist and inadvertently gets his wish. When the McCallisters accidentally leave their 8-year-old son, Kevin, at home, he takes advantage of their absence. However, things take an interesting turn when two con men try to break in, forcing Kevin to do whatever it takes to protect the family home.
How to watch? Available for purchase ($4) on YouTube, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu and iTunes
