The 35 Best Family Comedies to Watch with Kids
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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.)
Fortunately for us, Netflix, Disney+ and several other streaming services offer some of the best family comedies. For instance, there's the timeless comedy Matilda (we're still not over that chocolate cake scene), everyone's favorite holiday classic Home Alone and the charming remake of Annie.
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 Coco, keeping reading for the 35 best family comedies.
1. School of Rock (2003)
Paul Drinkwater/NBC/Getty Images
Cast: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack and Miranda Cosgrove
Rating: PG-13
Run time: 109 minutes
A guitarist 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.
2. The Incredibles (2004)
Walt Disney Studios
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell and Samuel L. Jackson
Rating: PG
Run time: 115 minutes
The film follows Mr. Incredible and his wife, Elastigirl, as they introduce their three children to their alter egos.
3. Freaky Friday (2003)
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Lindsay Lohan and Mark Harmon
Rating: PG
Run time: 97 minutes
Anna and her mother, Tess, 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.
4. Toy Story (1995)
Walt Disney Studios
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney and Annie Potts
Rating: G
Run time: 84 minutes
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.
5. Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971)
Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images
Cast: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen
Rating: G
Run time: 99 minutes
A young boy named Charlie Bucket 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.
6. Frozen (2013)
Walt Disney Studios
Cast: Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad and Jennifer Lee
Rating: PG
Run time: 106 minutes
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.)
7. The Princess Bride (1987)
Cast: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin and Chris Sarandon
Rating: PG
Run time: 98 minutes
Based on the namesake novel by William Goldman, the movie tells the story of a couple’s battle to stay together against all odds.
8. Shrek (2001)
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow and Cody Cameron
Rating: PG
Run time: 90 minutes
An ogre named Shrek’s 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.
9. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
20th Century-Fox/Getty Images
Cast: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence
Rating: PG
Run time: 120 minutes
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.
10. Mary Poppins (1964)
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Cast: Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber and David Tomlinson
Rating: G
Run time: 139 minutes
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.
11. Grease (1978)
Paramount Pictures/Fotos International/Getty Images
Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Didi Conn, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway
Rating: PG
Run time: 110 minutes
Perhaps it's not the first movie that comes to mind when you think of the best family comedies, but it's got memorable characters and a lively tone to boost everyone's mood. In the movie, 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.
12. Coco (2017)
Disney/Pixar
Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt
Rating: PG
Run time: 104 minutes
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.
13. The Sandlot (1993)
20th Century-Fox/Getty Images
Cast: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna and Chauncey Leopardi
Rating: PG
Run time: 101 minutes
A young boy named Scottie Smalls 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!”
14. Back to the Future (1985)
Universal/Getty Images
Cast: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Lea Thompson, Thomas F. Wilson and Crispin Glover
Rating: PG
Run time: 116 minutes
Marty McFly 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.
15. Despicable Me (2010)
Universal Pictures
Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Elsie Fisher
Rating: PG
Run time: 94 minutes
Gru is a supervillain who devises a master plan to steal the moon. However, everything changes when three orphan girls suddenly want him as their dad.
16. Finding Nemo (2003)
Pixar/Disney
Cast: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres and Alexander Gould
Rating: G
Run time: 100 minutes
A young fish 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.
17. Hook (1991)
Murray Close/Sygma/Getty Images
Cast: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman and Dante Basco
Rating: PG
Run time: 141 minutes
Peter Pan 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.
18. The Santa Clause (1994)
Walt Disney Pictures/Getty Images
Cast: Tim Allen, Judge Reinhold and Wendy Crewson
Rating: PG
Run time: 97 minutes
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?
19. Elf (2003)
Cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Zooey Deschanel and Bob Newhart
Rating: PG
Run time: 96 minutes
A man who was raised in the North Pole ventures to New York City to find his biological dad. Hilarity ensues.
20. Monsters Inc. (2001)
Hiroyuki Ito/Getty Images
Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal and James Coburn
Rating: G
Run time: 92 minutes
When a young girl accidentally enters Monsters Incorporated (a renowned scare factory), two monsters go above and beyond to ensure she’s returned safely.
21. Matilda (1996)
Tristar Pictures/Getty Images
Cast: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito and Rhea Perlman
Rating: PG
Run time: 98 minutes
Based on the namesake story by Roald Dahl, the movie follows Matilda as she realizes she has telekinetic powers. She uses her skills to defend herself from her family and the evil principal, Miss Trunchbull.
22. Inside Out (2015)
Disney/Pixar
Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Richard Kind
Rating: PG
Run time: 95 minutes
A young girl’s 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 animated beings.
23. Legally Blonde (2001)
Eric Ford/Online USA/Getty Images
Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson and Selma Blair
Rating: PG-13
Run time: 96 minutes
Elle Woods 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.
24. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)
Bobby Bank/Getty Images
Cast: Nia Vardalos, John Corbett and Lainie Kazan
Rating: PG
Run time: 95 minutes
Nia 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.
25. Home Alone (1990)
Barry King/Getty Images
Cast: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O’Hara and John Heard
Rating: PG
Run time: 103 minutes
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.
26. Elemental (2023)
Disney/Pixar
Cast: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Catherine O'Hara
Rating: PG
Run time: 109 minutes
Set in a city where anthropomorphic elements of nature—including fire, water, land and air—live together, Elemental revolves around fire element Ember and water element Wade. When the latter is tasked with fixing a water pipe at Ember's father's store, the unlikely pair fall in love.
27. Yes Day (2021)
MATT KENNEDY/NETFLIX
Cast: Jennifer Garner, Édgar Ramírez, and Jenna Ortega
Rating: PG
Run time: 103 minutes
Two parents take the advice of a school guidance counselor and decide to give their kids a Yes Day, where for 24 hours, they have to say "yes" to all of their kids' requests. What ensues is a wild day packed with plenty of adventures.
28. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
Twentieth Century Fox
Cast: Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Hilary Duff, Tom Welling
Rating: PG
Run time: 99 minutes
When his wife, Kate, lands a successful book deal and has to travel to promote it, Tom Baker, a father of 12, is in for his biggest challenge yet: balancing his parenting duties with his dream job. Chaos ensues as he struggles to keep the house in order. (Pssst, if you enjoy this, you'll also love Cheaper by the Dozen 2.)
29. Moana (2016)
Disney
Cast: Auli'i Cravalho, Don Hall, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
Rating: PG
Run time: 107 minutes
Inspired by Polynesian myths, this fun adventure follows Moana, a brave young girl who's called by the ocean to rescue her village when a blight strikes her island. The task? To journey across the Pacific and secure a powerful relic that was stolen by the demigod, Maui. NBD.
30. Wonder (2017)
Dale Robinette
Cast: Stephen Chbosky, Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson
Rating: PG
Run time: 113 minutes
Wonder tells the story of August Pullman, a 10-year-old boy with craniofacial abnormalities. When he enters the fifth grade and starts public school for the first time, Auggie encourages his peers to look beyond his appearance and tries to form new friendships. The film's positive messages about empathy and kindness will resonate with adults and kids alike.
31. Spy Kids (2001)
Troublemaker Studios
Cast: Daryl Sabara, Antonio Banderas, Alexa PenaVega, Carla Gugino
Rating: PG
Run time: 87 minutes
Retired secret agents Gregorio and Ingrid are summoned to take on a dangerous new enemy when their spy friends start to disappear. When they also vanish, their inexperienced children, Carmen and Juni, must step up and rescue them.
32. Troop Zero (2019)
Amazon Studios
Cast: Mckenna Grace, Viola Davis, Jim Gaffigan
Rating: PG
Run time: 98 minutes
Set in 1977, this comedy-drama tells the story of Christmas Flint, a spunky young outcast who enlists the help of her Birdie Scout group to achieve her biggest dream: getting recorded on NASA's Golden Record. Expect standout performances by Grace and Davis.
33. Annie (2014)
SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, Rose Byrne
Rating: PG
Run time: 118 minutes
After escaping the clutches of her awful foster mother, young Annie gets taken in by an ambitious billionaire who's running for mayor. We've seen multiple versions of this popular rags-to-riches tale, but this remake stands out, thanks to the catchy tunes and stunning performances.
34. The Red Balloon (1956)
Films Montsouris
Cast: Pascal Lamorisse, Sabine Lamorisse, Georges Sellier
Rating: TV-G
Run time: 34 minutes
The classic French film centers on a young child named Pascal, who embarks on an adventure in Paris with a red balloon that has a mind of its own.
35. Arthur Christmas (2011)
Sony Pictures
Cast: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent
Rating: G
Run time: 97 minutes
When Santa Claus fails to deliver a little girl's present on Christmas Eve, his son Arthur is determined to save the day. With the help of his grandfather and a young elf, he races to drop off her present in time for Christmas.
