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Funny but imperfect mob comedy has violence, language.

The Family Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

There's nothing like family to make things bet

In truth, there are many reasons not to trust the

The movie's mood is often comic, but there'

One scene shows an older man having sex with a hig

Many uses of "f--k." Also "s--t,&qu

Products/brands seen include Peugeot, Citroen, and

Some wine-drinking and cigarette smoking. Although

Parents need to know that The Family is a mix of comic hijinks, mobster violence, and, to a lesser extent, melancholy. Because it's about an ex-mob boss (now in the Witness Protection Program), there are many scenes filled with Mafia hit jobs, with varying degrees of violence, from smacks to beatdowns to…

Positive Messages

There's nothing like family to make things better, even if they're wacky (or just busy whacking somebody).

Positive Role Models

In truth, there are many reasons not to trust the Blake family. But it's amazing how much they have one another's back, love one another dearly, and aren't afraid to show it. A young woman stands up for herself and won't let boys take advantage of her (even if she does beat them to a pulp when they try to).

Violence & Scariness

The movie's mood is often comic, but there's nearly an endless parade of scenes showing mobsters (and their families) avenging themselves or exacting punishment, including beating others with tennis rackets, bats, and other implements; dragging people down the street by a rope; shooting them point blank; blanketing them with bullets from semi-automatics; planting and exploding bombs; etc. The (rough) opening scene sets the tone: A family is sitting down for dinner when there's a knock at the door; when the father goes to open it, he's blasted across the floor. Then the man at the door walks in and point-blank shoots the mother and the two children.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

One scene shows an older man having sex with a high school student; no sensitive body parts are visible, but it's clear that they're having intercourse. Sexual innuendoes between a married couple.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Many uses of "f--k." Also "s--t," "hell," "a--hole," "ass," "damn," "goddamn," and "sonofabitch."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

Products/brands seen include Peugeot, Citroen, and other French brands, plus Coca-Cola, BMW, Cadillac, and Brother.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Some wine-drinking and cigarette smoking. Although one kid is said to run the cigarette concession at her school, she's not shown smoking. Giovanni's son fakes an injury to get to the school nurse's office. While there, he steals two vials of prescription drugs (pills) and deals them to a student.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Family is a mix of comic hijinks, mobster violence, and, to a lesser extent, melancholy. Because it's about an ex-mob boss (now in the Witness Protection Program), there are many scenes filled with Mafia hit jobs, with varying degrees of violence, from smacks to beatdowns to fatal shootings and explosions. Expect plenty of strong language, too, particularly "f--k" (the word's supposed ability to express so much is a running theme), and a scene in which an adult beds a teenager (no sensitive body parts shown, but it's clear they're having sex). Some drinking, smoking, and product placement as well. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Videos and photos.

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Community Reviews

  • Parents say (8)
  • Kids say (7)

Based on 8 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Giovanni Manzoni ( Robert De Niro ) narced on his mob family, a choice that sends him and his own family into the Witness Protection Program. But, of course, Giovanni's enemies aren't taking his decision in stride; they're crawling all over Europe, determined to find him and silence him forever. And the Manzonis are making it a little too easy for them: They just can't behave. His wife ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) will blow you up -- literally -- if you say a mean word about her family; their two kids ( Dianna Agron and John D'Leo) are using seduction and subterfuge to "fit in" at school. And Giovanni himself can't resist his violent urges, even when he's trying to deploy them for good. Their FBI protector ( Tommy Lee Jones ) is fed up with their shenanigans, especially when Giovanni decides to start writing his memoirs just as the mob starts to close in on the Manzonis.

Is It Any Good?

Here's the viewing trajectory for THE FAMILY: It starts briskly and violently, and knowing that Luc Besson is at the helm, you get ready for a bracing yarn. (Plus, it's tons of fun to see Pfeiffer married to the mob again.) But all too soon, the pacing goes slack. The movie starts to digress, to linger a little too long. You get the urge to check your watch. (There's a little too much about how the kids are doing at school, for instance; it would be better to spend more time with De Niro's compelling Giovanni.)

But then there's another shift after the movie's midpoint. What seems like yet another superficial dramedy about snitching on the Mafia takes on a subtle melancholy; it turns into a meditation on change (or the inability to truly embrace it). The people we leave behind won't let us; the future doesn't seem half as much fun. And when the body count piles up in the end, you're definitely no longer in a stupor, lamenting the film's meandering ways. By then, it's all come to a focus -- and sharp one at that.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about The Family 's violence . Is it all necessary to the story, or does any of it seem excessive? Would its impact be different if the movie's tone was more serious?

What does this movie contribute to the mob-movie genre? Does it stray from it? If so, how?

Are any of the characters intended to be role models?

Movie Details

  • In theaters : September 13, 2013
  • On DVD or streaming : December 17, 2013
  • Cast : Dianna Agron , Michelle Pfeiffer , Robert De Niro
  • Director : Luc Besson
  • Inclusion Information : Female actors
  • Studio : Relativity Media
  • Genre : Action/Adventure
  • Run time : 111 minutes
  • MPAA rating : R
  • MPAA explanation : violence, language and brief sexuality
  • Last updated : November 21, 2023

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8 Great Movie Review Sites For Parents With Kids In Mind

Fancy an evening watching movies as a family? Let's explore a few of the best movie review sites for kids so that you can choose the best go-to site for your family's needs.

You're ready to put The Wolverine into the DVD player, then suddenly you wonder if this movie will be a problem for your 8-year-old. Well, will it?

If you're a parent with a family who loves movies, you've probably realised that you need to be able to get some reliable information on those movies before you show them to the family. But navigating the various movie sites to find child-friendly titles can be a chore.

Today we'll explore a few of the best movie review sites for kids so that you can choose the best go-to site for your family's needs. We'll also show you the best ways to get drip-fed some useful information about new movie releases too. Then you can line up your Netflix list and get watching!

Common Sense Media

The Common Sense Media site has a unique way of showcasing their film reviews. Latest releases are shown in a list just with a poster, quick one-sentence blurb, age rating, and star rating. If you click through, you get to see a short video review of the film, featuring a few short clips from the film with a voice-over review. This really is great, as you can see for yourself the sorts of characters that are in the film. The reviews are also very comprehensive, letting you know if there is any educational value as well as covering the usual parental worries - and they're not afraid to tell you if they just don't like it much! If you can't watch the video for whatever reason, you can usually click through again to a text version.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eQ3UqV4cs4

The site is easy to browse with best of lists and the like. They also cover books, games, music, and more. Common Sense Media can be followed on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube , or via their mobile apps .

Plugged In is a family review site for movies, TV series, games, books, and music. It is seriously well worth a visit if you want to be certain about the suitability of any given entertainment for your child.

The reviews are very detailed, and categorised into positive elements, violent content, sexual content, and more. Their summary icons are limited in order to be simple to understand. This site is available to follow on Facebook, Twitter, or via their Focus On The Family apps.

Movie Guide

Movie Guide is focused on movies and reviews in general, and doesn't set out to have family-focused reviews. However, it has summary pages with information that families would need to make a decision. Each review page has an easy-to-read chart showing language, violence, sex, and nudity levels. It also starts the review with a very brief paragraph on potential issues families might have with the film content.

Follow Movie Guide reviews via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, RSS, or on YouTube .

Kids In Mind

Kids In Mind have very wordy reviews, focusing on three major areas of concern for parents: Sex & Nudity, Violence & Gore, and Profanity. Each film has an easy-reference chart showing the severity of content in these areas, but the review proper has a lot more information available.

Follow Kids In Mind on Facebook or via their iPhone or iPad app. Also, iPad users should check out our guide to  watching videos on the iPad  and Android users should read up on our list of  tablets you would let your kids use .

Box Office Mom

The Box Office Mom site appeals to parents as it gets straight to the answers you really want to know. In the full review, each of the following points is also elaborated on, so you can find out more detail if you're still unsure.

Each film has entries for:

  • Rating (Her star-rating guide)
  • Release Date
  • MPAA Rating
  • Best Age Group
  • Sexual Content
  • Violent Content
  • Crude or Profane Language
  • Drugs and Alcohol Content
  • Will it Appeal to Kids/Teens?

She seems to cover any and all movies that teenagers will bug their parents about. So, there are a few R rated movies in the mix, some of which get a big NO, while others could possibly be viewed by mature 17-year-olds.

You can also browse the site by genre, box-office favourites, or DVD favourites. If you want updates on her new reviews, you can subscribe using RSS, Facebook, and Twitter.

Kids Pick Flicks

The Kids Pick Flicks site has a good point: Why should kids care what a 50-year-old man has to say about movies? To turn that around, they offer a site full of reviews by kids and teenagers.

This, I feel, is an awesome way to find out for sure if your kids will even be interested in certain films. It's also a good way to get your kids interested in reading about movies -- or maybe even reviewing them themselves. In fact, many of the teenage writers on this site seem to have a real talent for writing movie reviews, and could easily line up a good career in it later, I'm sure.

The site is searchable or browsable by DVD reviews or more recent movie reviews. It's worth adding to your RSS feeds.

Raising Children Movie Reviews

The Raising Children site has a lot more than movie reviews, but their movie review section is definitely worth a mention. When browsing their list of movies, you can see prominent icons which let you know what sort of movie it is and what age groups it is recommended for.

The symbols make it easy to see:

  • Frightening scenes
  • Inappropriate language
  • Disturbing, upsetting or confusing scenes
  • Sexual references or sex scenes
  • Violence or scary scenes
  • Age recommendations: Not recommended for / parental guidance recommended for / or suitable for.

As Raising children is an Australian site, all recommendations have been made in conjunction with the Australian Council on Children and the Media. Obviously, clicking through to the film will give you more information on the story, themes, violence, disturbing scenes, sex scenes, product placement, coarse language and ideas to discuss with your children. The last section could be really valuable as a learning tool for your family.

The Dove Foundation

The Dove Foundation covers both movies and books, aiming to showcase the sorts of things that are good for family viewing. Each review comes with a small graph that shows the severity of each of the major worry points for parents: Sex, language, violence, drugs, nudity or other issues. The reviews themselves are brief and focus on what may be worrisome for the parents. The site looks a little outdated, but the content is still very good!

Movies With Kids

As a parent, I wholeheartedly recommend using all of these sites to make decisions. Some of them will obviously gel more with your family's needs more than others, but each of them offer great information about the films out today. I suggest downloading all of the apps and following all of the Facebook pages, as this way you'll get a drip-feed of useful information about the latest films and will have an app on hand to check when you need it.

If your kids also like to play Roblox, make sure you help them stay away from free Robux scams , too.

Image Credits: Little girl Via Shutterstock

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37 best family movies on Netflix in 2024

These are the best family movies on Netflix right now

Marcel the Shell (voiced by Jenny Slate) standing on a map in Marcel The Shell With Shoes On

Choosing from the best family movies on Netflix isn't easy, even with a new addition here and there. Netflix's always losing licensed movies, giving us reasons to update this list to make sure it reflects the current options. Making matters worse, Netflix's Children & Family Movies section is packed with films of questionable quality, and it takes a lot of time to sift through all of them to find something that works for you and your crew. 

We consider ratings from both Common Sense Media and Rotten Tomatoes, but neither is exactly the end-all-be-all for deciding what's truly one of the best family movies on Netflix. Trying to keep your kids away from inappropriate content? Check out our guide on how to set up Netflix parental controls . 

The best family movies on Netflix right now

'ruby gillman: teenage kraken'.

Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is a 16-year-old kraken who desperately wants to fit in at school with her peers. But that's hard to do when you have an overprotective mom who won't let you in the water. When Ruby breaks her rules and figures out she's part of a line of powerful kraken queens and is next in line for the throne from her grandmother, her life if being an invisible nobody ends as she must face off against a group of evil mermaids set on taking over the world's oceans. 

65% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up Watch now

'Marcel the Shell with Shoes On'

Marcel (Jenny Slate) is a tiny shell who lives with his grandmother, and yes, he has shoes on. The pair are the only ones who live in their town, though they once had a neighbor who mysteriously disappeared. After someone finds a film posted by the neighbor, the world discovers Marcel and millions fall in love with him and look to help him on his journey to reconnect with his long-lost family. 

98% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'

Following the events of the first “ Spider-Man : Into the Spider-Verse” film, Miles Morales is attempting to balance his life as a normal teenager with his identity as Spider-Man. However, after a fateful encounter with a villain known as “The Spot” and a reunion with his friend Gwen Stacy, Morales gets sucked back into the multiverse where he finds out that not all Spider-People have good intentions, and not all heroes want to save the world. 

This second entry in this blockbuster series garnered universal acclaim from critics and audiences and showcased a complex hero’s journey for Miles Morales. Filled with action, heart, and one of the best scores for an animated film in recent memory, this is definitely a trip into the multiverse that families will love taking. 

95% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 9 and up Watch now

'A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon'

Shaun goes sci-fi in “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon,” a slapstick stop-motion movie with a surprisingly heartwarming message about friendship, helping others, and the importance of home.

The film kicks off with a crash-landing near Mossy Bottom Farm, which leaves a strange alien stranded. Shaun decides to help, but soon finds out that this unearthly visitor is being pursued by a mysterious organization. While kids will enjoy the film’s close calls and over-the-top humor, there is plenty here for adults as well, including some smart callbacks to sci-fi classics like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “E.T.” and “2001: A Space Odyssey”

96% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 5 and up Watch now

'Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget'

Over two decades after their original daring escape in “Chicken Run”, soft-spoken and friendly hen Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) and brash American rooster Rocky (Zachary Levi) find themselves having to protect their newfound flock from an all-too-familiar menace. This time, the chickens won't be breaking out of the farm they live on, but breaking in – are their infiltration skills as good as their escape prowess all these years later? You bet – and the silly, family-friendly jokes make for a clucking good time, too. 

81% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 7 and up Watch now

'Over the Moon'

Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) is a young girl on a quest to validate the legendary tale of Chang’e (Phillipa Soo), the moon goddess who chose immortality over love with Houyi (Conrad Ricamora). To do that, Fei Fei builds a rocket to the moon, determined to prove the existence of the deity that she sees come to life in vibrant color, dancing across the print of a decorative scarf. This out-of-this-world adventure has a show-stopping pop number from Soo and absolutely gorgeous animation that you’ll want to rewind over and over to see again. 

82% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up Watch now

Leo (Adam Sandler) is an old lizard who still has a zest for life. After spending every day of his life as a class pet, eventually discovers his days are numbered, with just one year left to make his dreams of freedom from the school he lives in a reality. But when a notoriously mean substitute teacher takes over his class, Leo's escape plan takes an unexpected turn. He soon finds himself far away from his best friend and fellow school pet Squirtle (Bill Burr), in a new role where he acts as support and a confidant for frustrated students. 

82% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio'

(L-R) Gepetto (voiced by David Bradley) and Pinocchio in Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio reimagines the classic tale as a post-World War I story with many darker elements. Woodcarver Geppetto (David Bradley), still grieving the loss of his son Carlo (Gregory Mann), crafts a puppet from a pine tree planted at his son's grave. The puppet, named Pinocchio (Mann), comes to life as a mischievous little boy, leading to chaos in his small village. Guiding Pinocchio is Sebastian J. Cricket (Ewan McGregor). Pinocchio struggles with his identity while wishing for immortality, and gets caught up in several mishaps, including being exploited in a circus lead by Count Volpe (Christoph Waltz) and coming face to face with a terrifying sea creature. It’s a sight darker than the Disney version, but well worth the journey. 

96% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 11 and up Watch now  

Rescued by Ruby

Daniel O'Neil (Grant Gustin) is a Rhode Island state trooper who wants to join the K-9 search and rescue team. Despite repeated rejections, he keeps trying even harder after learning his wife is pregnant. In a twist of fate, Daniel crosses paths with Ruby, a hyperactive half-border collie with a history of failed adoptions from the local shelter. Recognizing a kindred spirit in Ruby, Daniel takes a leap of faith, adopting her to train as his search and rescue partner. Together, the pair overcome all odds to become who they were truly meant to be. - BV

100% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now  

The Sleepover

Clancy Finch (Sadie Stanley) is a teenager with a crush and a rebellious streak. She finds her world turned upside down when her mother Margot's (Malin Akerman) past catches up with them. Margot, a former member of a crime syndicate now in witness protection, is forced to confront her old life when a viral video blows her cover. The Finch children, along with Clancy's friend Mim (Cree Cicchino) and brother Kevin's (Maxwell Simkins) friend Lewis (Lewis Jaye), become accidental heroes as they embark on a mission to save their parents. 

67% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

(L, R) Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) and Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) in Nimona

This luxuriously-animated movie is all about odd allegiances. Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) is a shape-shifter whose people have been targeted by the knights of the kingdom.  But, then, knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is framed for the murder of the queen of this futuristic world — and needs Nimona's help to clear his name.

Critics praise Nimona for its positive messages, but also note that it may be a little too violent for some. Others, demand a sequel.

97% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 11 and up Watch now

Enola Holmes 2

(L to R) Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes, Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes, Louis Partridge as Tewkesbury in Enola Holmes 2.

Sequels, often, benefit from having their predecessor done the heavy-lifting needed to establish a world that characters (and audiences) can have fun in. So, now that young Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) Holmes is ready to break out of the shadow of her famous brother (Henry Cavill) and start her own agency, she's also old enough to learn that the world won't take a young girl seriously as a detective. 

Fortunately, she meets Bessie (Serrana Su-Ling Bliss), a factory girl in desperate need of help finding her missing sister. So, while audiences are entertained, they'll actually also get an education about the 1888 matchgirls' strike.

94% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 12 and up Watch now

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

Alisha Weir as Matilda in Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

Not every child is raised by parents who care about their education, and not every family can make it to a Royal Shakespeare Company performance. And so we talk about Netflix's new adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Applauded for solid performances all-around — Emma Thomson and Lashana Lynch were expectedly fantastic, while newcomer Alisha Weir also dazzles — this film is proof that Netflix can make some of the best family movies, period. And credit to director Matthew Warchus and screenwriter Dennis Kelly for sprinkling in the appropriately small amount of risk and danger on top. 

92% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

The Sea Beast

jacob and maisie on a small boat in netflix's the sea beast

Netflix is slowly hitting its stride again when it comes to family-friendly animated movies, and The Sea Beast is the latest piece of proof in that favor. This aquatic adventure finds the orphaned Maisie (voiced by Zaris-Angel Hator) stow away on a pirate ship run by monster hunters, led by Captain Crow (Jared Harris). But there's a beast known as The Red Bluster that's terrorizing the seas and causing trouble for the crew. Soon, Maisie and the captain's adopted son Jacob Holland (Karl Urban) are separated from the rest of the crew, and need to survive on their own.

94% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood

Milo Coy as Stan in Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood

Netflix's original animated kids movies typically go CGI and neon, so color us surprised and delighted to find that Richard Linklater is at the helm for Netflix's latest great movie for families. This time, Linklater is using his love of rotoscope animation to recreate what it was like to be a child during the space race. The film is told through two perspective, a child named Stan who dreams of being in space, and the astronauts and mission control team working during the first moon landing.

92% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up Watch now

Hilda and the Mountain King

Stills from Hilda and the Mountain King, one of the best family movies on Netflix

If your family hasn't watched Netflix's excellent animated series Hilda yet, now's the right time — as its sequel movie just came out. This wonderful show has a brilliant wholesome energy to it, with charm and emotional resonance. This feature-length episode looks at one of the show's biggest questions, "what's up with the human/troll conflict?" and does so with a traditional manner: a fish out of water story. The plot is simple, the titular Hilda wakes up with the body of a troll, and is now tasked with two missions: regain her human form and save the city of Trolberg. 

97% Rotten Tomatoes (audience score) Common Sense Media says: Not reviewed yet Watch now

Klaus (JK Simmons) and Jesper Johansson (Jason Schwartzman) in Klaus, one of the best family movies on Netflix

Don't think we need a Santa origin story? Sorry, while the movie industry has made many of us grinches when it comes to films that explain where long-loved characters come from, Klaus breaks the mold. This gorgeous animated film tells a tale set in the fictional town of Smeerensburg, Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) is a spoiled postman who somehow makes friends with — you guessed it — Klaus (voiced by J.K. Simmons), the local toymaker. Older audiences will appreciate veteran actors including Joan Cusack and the late Norm Macdonald.

94% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

Gabi and Vivo in VIVO, one of the best family movies on Netflix

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote eight original songs for the movie, which fuses his Broadway rapping style with the sounds of Cuba. Vivo follows the titular kinkajou (Miranda), a talented musician who busks in the streets of Havana with owner Andrés (Juan de Marcos). After a tragedy, Vivo journeys to Florida to deliver a love song to the famous singer Marta Sandoval (Gloria Estefan). Along the way, he makes some unlikely friends and connects in his grief with Andrés’ grandniece Gabi (Ynairaly Simo).

86% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

Escape The Undertaker

Xavier Woods, Big E and Kofi Kingston in Escape The Undertaker

OK, this one may be best for kids who are a little older (CSM ranks it for ages 9 and up), but this digital choose-your-own adventure movie offers something your kids may not have seen in a while. You make the decisions for WWE Superstars The New Day, who have decided to stop by The Undertaker's creepy mansion. The chemistry between the trio (Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) is hilarious, and it's perfect for younger and older children alike. Having trouble with inputting your selection? Netflix customer service might be able to help.

No Rotten Tomatoes score Common Sense Media says: ages 9 and up Watch now

The Mitchells vs. The Machines

The Mitchell family, in a careening car with their dog on the hood in The Mitchells vs. The Machines, one of the Best family movies on Netflix

The latest addition to this list of the best family movies on Netflix, The Mitchells vs. The Machines is an animated film that has something for everyone. Its visuals astound (as we expected from the team behind Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse), and its cast is filled to the brim with top players including Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre and Olivia Colman. 

And the story is simple until it's chaos: the Mitchell family is out for a road trip right before daughter Katie starts film school. But, then, the robot uprising begins. You know, all our smart tech has finally had enough of us, and is going to take over. It's the inevitable moment we all saw coming, and the exact last thing a family would want when they're on the road and reliant on technology. Too fantastic? Check out our guide to the best Netflix documentaries .

97% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

My Octopus Teacher

The titular octopus on the floor of the ocean in My Octopus Teacher, one of the Best family movies on Netflix

Tired of zany and too-wacky Netflix animated movies filled with animals who talk and prattle on too long? Looking to give your kids a completely different kind of movie night? Audiences 8 and up (according to Common Sense Media) will enjoy this documentary about a filmmaker who needs to get away from it all — and retreats to the shores of South Africa. 

Diving in the local kelp forest, he meets an octopus who becomes his new friend. The two spend nearly a year together, and their connection is genuine and powerful. 

95% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

Wish Dragon

Long the dragon with his head in the wind, sticking out of a cab in Wish Dragon, one of the Best family movies on Netflix

Kids will flock to Sony Pictures Animation's Wish Dragon for the colorful designs and zany antics, but their parents will keep paying attention because of a stellar cast of voice actors. The likes of John Cho, Constance Wu, Bobby Lee and Jimmy O. Yang lend their voices to project that will surely speak to younger audiences. 

Din (voiced by Jimmy Wong) is a college student with large dreams and a small budget, who is helped by Long (Cho) a wish-granting dragon. Think Aladdin, but slightly more relevant. Oh, and one more item for its credibility: Jackie Chan produced Wish Dragon. 

68% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

Enola Holmes

Millie Bobby Brown as enola holmes, reading a newspaper in enola holmes, one of the Best family movies on netflix

Families looking for a fun and lively action-filled mystery should stream Enola Holmes. The film stars Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown, who brings modern sensibilities to days of yore. And, yes, Enola is from that Holmes family. But her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Clafin) are among those who don't know quite what to make of how their little sister is remarkably free-spirited for her time. Brown thrives in the role, mixing the fourth-wall breaking fun that seems to only make it to older female characters such as Fleabag. But parents don't need to worry about the show being too adult, aside from some fight scenes employing knives and guns. For movies from a different historical era, check out our guide to the best Presidents' Day movies . Also, Enola Holmes 2 is almost here!

91% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up Watch now

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Dianna Babincova as Young Jessica, Justin Cornwell Cornwell as Young Jeronicus and Sharon Rose as Joanne in jingle jangle a christmas journey, one of the best family movies on Netflix

Seemingly a near-instant classic, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is the unexpected holiday season hit is one of the best family movies on Netflix — especially during the holiday season. A gigantic musical film, filled with joy and excitement — plus a top-tier cast — this John Legend-produced film has won applause all over, from critics to fans. We'll keep plot details minimal, but the film centers around a toymaker who's lost his smile, but may get his exuberance back when he's reunited with his intelligent granddaughter. Want more holiday cheer? Here's how to watch Elf online .

The Willoughbys

Willoughby kid Tim raising a question, alongside siblings Barnaby A and Barnaby B and Jane in The Willoughbys, one of the best family movies on Netflix

Silly yet grounded in real emotional truths, The Willoughbys is a success that proves the Netflix animated films team should be up there with the best. The story is relatable as well, with Willoughby siblings Tim (Will Forte), Jane (Alessia Cara), Barnaby A and Barnaby B (both voices by Seán Cullen) devise the ultimate plan for freedom from their parents. And the kids aren't wrong for this either: mom and dad are too occupied with their never-ending love for one another to care for the kids. The Willoughby kids plan, though, is a bit crazy: sending their parents on a vacation so dangerous that the kids will likely be orphaned by the end.  Feel like you've hit a wall on content in Netflix? Check out our guide to the best Netflix alternatives .

90% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch 

children seated around John Mulaney in John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch, one of the best family movies on Netflix

Are your kids not exactly traditional? Parents of kids with particularly unique and slightly mature tastes in TV and movies should consider John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch for the next movie night. In this film, the titular comedian (who is also great on HBO Max's The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo ) runs through all of the standard kids content tropes with a sly wit and a lot of kindness. Younger kids may not "get" it, but parents who are fans of Mulaney's will likely wonder why all kids-friendly content can't be this intelligent. It's also got musical numbers, to keep the especially young crowd from getting bored.

96% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

Pokemon Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution

Pikachu on Ash's shoulder in pokemon mewtwo strikes back evolution, one of the Best family movies on Netflix

A CGI remake of the original Pokemon film, Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution is both familiar but new. It focuses on what happens when the iconic Pokemon trainer Ash (and his fellow trainers) discover the massively powerful Mewtwo, a psychic Pokemon who is a massive threat. While it's not high art, it's still a decent choice for family movie night if and when your kid just got into the Pokemon world. Especially since the original is not on Netflix. Mewtwo will also teach kids about when you shouldn't judge others. 

44% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up. Watch now

Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus

Zim with his hand in the air in INVADER ZIM: ENTER THE FLORPUS, one of the Best family movies on Netflix

Netflix rebooted the Nicktoon classic Invader Zim with this 71-minute film that's easily one of the best family movies on Netflix — especially for younger parents. Just like the classic show, Florpus offers a wild manic energy with some jokes that kids won't get and parents will chuckle at. Reviews point to the film's amazing eye candy and endearing energy levels, and small nods to other classic animated shows. If your kids love this film, maybe it's time to dig up the original series or get them started on Adventure Time. 

100% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up. Watch now

The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

Maxwell Simba as William in The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind, one of the best family movies on Netflix

This inspiring film — set in a small farming village in Malawi — will pull audiences in with the presence of lead actor (and director) Chiwetel Ejiofor. The award-winning actor doesn't take up too much of the film, though, giving proper time to lead Maxwell Simba, who plays a 13-year-old boy named William. While William's story may read like a middle-school assignment, his education is taken away before he conceives a windmill-power generator to solve his town's problems, it's the kind of motivational story that science-obsessed kids might love.

85% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 12 and up. Watch now

Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling

Filburt, Heffer and Rocko sitting in a desert in front of Fatheads pops truck in Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling, one of the best family movies on Netflix

For slightly older kids and parents on the younger end, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling is both proudly progressive and delightfully nostalgic. Not only does the series match the original Nicktoon's vibe, but its approach to identity and transgender roles should be inspiring to other family programming looking to take the leap. And at only 45 minutes, this special won't take a huge bite out of your night. 

91% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up. Watch now

White Fang a snowy field with the Native American Grey Beaver in the background in White Fang, one of the Best family movies on Netflix

Inspired by Jack London's novel, White Fang will capture the imaginations of those who love pets and nature. Tracing the story of a wolfdog's life, as he moves between three masters, this wonderful animated movie comes to us from France, where it was originally titled Croc-Blanc. Voice acting work comes from beloved names such as Parks and Recreation stars Rashida Jones and Nick Offerman, as well as Paul Giamatti.

88% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up. Watch now

Mai Su and Project 77 in next gen, one of the Best family movies on Netflix

Parents looking for a futuristic animated film for their middle-school-aged (and up) kids that successfully manages to be appropriate and entertaining should check out Netflix's Next Gen. Featuring voice acting from John Krasinski (The Office) and Charlene Yi (Paper Heart), who play an AI and a young girl, respectively, who unite to stop a baddie. Next Gen is a sci-fi adventure movie that keeps its action scenes kid-friendly with laser blasts and explosions, while staying away from the more grizzly stuff.

60% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up. Watch now

Pee-wee's Big Holiday

Pee-wee Herman hitchhiking in Pee-wee's Big Holiday, one of the best family movies on Netflix

Parents of a certain age, who would be eager to introduce their kids to Pee-wee Herman and his manic energy, will find Pee-wee's Big Holiday to be one of the best family movies on Netflix. It may not provide as many laughs per minute as previous capers, reviews noted it offers a sweetness that will delight existing fans and kids who can handle some surreal humor. 

80% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 11 and up. Watch now

Yes Day

Allison (Jennifer Garner) and Carlos Torres (Édgar Ramírez) have always said yes to everything. Now that they have kids (Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner, and Everly Carganilla), they've changed their tune. They have to say no to keep their sanity with all three children to keep the peace, or so they think. When they get wind of a "yes day" where parents can't decline any request, the Torres family jumps in to try and rebuild the growing rift between them and their kids. But as they keep giving in to more outlandish requests, the Torres clan discovers that you need those "no" answers to temper the yesses, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy time as a family. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52% Common Sense Media says: Ages 8 and up Watch now

Paddington

In the heart of London, an unexpected visitor from the Peruvian rainforest finds himself far from home. Dubbed "Paddington" (Ben Whishaw) after the train station where he's discovered, this young bear quickly charms the kind-hearted Brown family: Henry (Hugh Bonneville) and Mary (Sally Hawkins). But as Paddington tries to adapt to city life and its challenges, he catches the eye of Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman), a taxidermist who wants him on her wall. The Browns must work together to protect their furry family member from a terrible fate, all the while learning a thing or two about each other along the way. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Common Sense Media says: Ages 6 and up Watch now

We Can Be Heroes

We Can Be Heroes

This standalone flick, set in the same universe as The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, is all camp, but perfect for the whole family. When the world's mightiest heroes are captured in an epic battle, it's up to their kids to rise to the occasion. Led by Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin), who's joined by an ensemble of super-powered kids, this plucky team finds themselves on a mission to stop an alien "takeover." As they venture into the heart of the alien mothership, under the guidance of trainer Grandma Anita (Adriana Barraza), this next generation of heroes proves that sometimes, you need a set of younger hands to save the day.  

Rotten Tomatoes score: 74% Common Sense Media says: Ages 8 and up Watch now

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Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over 13 years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Popular Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She's also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX East and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she's not writing or gaming, she's looking for the next great visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.

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What to watch with your kids: ‘Haunted Mansion’ and more

Here’s what parents need to know

Haunted Mansion (PG-13)

Ghostly comedy is a spirited ride with peril, some scares.

“ Haunted Mansion ” is a tween-friendly supernatural comedy that’s the second movie inspired by the classic Disney theme park ride (the first was released in 2003). The frights are similar to those in horror-comedy classics like “Ghostbusters” and “Beetlejuice”: Spirits have an edge of silliness to them, but a couple (like an ax-wielding bride with demon eyes) are genuinely unsettling. Ghosts swirl through the screen in bulk, and characters — including a child — are in constant peril. All of this makes the movie more appropriate for older tweens and teens than younger or more sensitive children. Kids who do want to have the (often powerful) experience of “surviving” watching a scary movie will definitely feel like they’re watching a fright fest — but it’s creepy, not screamy, and it’s balanced with a sense of humor. Themes touch on moving on after death and loss (for both the spirits and for living characters who are mourning the loss of a loved one), and adult characters drink throughout. (122 minutes)

The First Slam Dunk (PG-13)

Basketball anime about personal loss is a winner; language.

“The First Slam Dunk” is based on writer/director Takehiko Inoue’s popular 1990 basketball-themed manga series/franchise, Slam Dunk. The action takes place over the course of a high school basketball championship game, breaking away to give glimpses into key players’ personal stories, especially point guard Ryota Miyagi (voiced by Shugo Nakamura in the original Japanese and Paul Castro Jr. in the English dub). He lives in the shadow of his brother, a promising athlete who disappeared years earlier, traumatizing their family. He also gets bullied, targeted by a group that beats him bloody. But he’s a fantastic example of the importance of perseverance, both in facing life’s challenges and in working with a team to reach a goal. The teen characters frequently incorporate insults and profanity into their speech, including “a--hole,” “bastard,” “moron,” “s--t,” “goddammit,” and more. (124 minutes)

The Slumber Party (TV-PG)

Sweetly innocent take on “The Hangover” has crushes, a kiss.

“The Slumber Party” is a tween-friendly comedy about the shenanigans of a group of 14-year-old girls during a wild slumber party. There are some moments of peril, but no one’s ever genuinely scared or in danger. Romance includes two of the characters having crushes on older boys. One girl is filmed mildly “grinding” while on a homecoming float. There’s a lot of buildup to a single kiss between two teens. Expect a bit of mild insult language (“psychopath,” “freaky”) and a bleeped out “s--t.” Messages touch on the importance of going outside your comfort zone and trying new things before judging them, and the movie shows that families come in all shapes and sizes. (82 minutes)

Available on Disney Plus.

Zoey 102 (TV-14)

Funny, dramatic series reunion has kissing, social drinking.

“Zoey 102” is a movie sequel to the hit 2000s teen dramedy series “Zoey 101.” Star Jamie Lynn Spears and almost everyone from the cast of the original show — which aired from 2005 to 2008 on Nickelodeon — return. Themes of the movie include friendship, teamwork and the importance of honesty. The movie’s content is tween-friendly overall, but you can expect some social drinking and partying by adults, kissing, and characters waking up in bed together. An underlying storyline is that a killer is on the loose in Santa Monica, and a victim is shown in a body bag. (101 minutes)

Available on Paramount Plus.

Common Sense Media helps families make smart media choices. Go to commonsense.org for age-based and educational ratings and reviews for movies, games, apps, TV shows, websites and books.

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We are the essential review guide for parents when it comes to what kids are into: movies, TV shows, games, apps, podcasts, and more. Designed for families seeking unbiased and trusted information to help guide them to find safe and smart content for their children. •See how much mature content (like sex, nudity, profanity, violence, and drugs and drinking) and positive content (positive messages, role models, diverse representations) your kid will find in movies, TV shows, books, games, apps, podcasts, and more. •Get firsthand insights and extra details from other parents and kids in our community reviews. •Browse our library and effortlessly find the perfect pick for family movie night, thanks to intuitive filters, such as the streaming services you have, your kid's age and interests, and your family's preferences. •Easily filter out movies and TV shows with content and messages that aren't appropriate for your kids or that isn't right for your family. •Explore hand-curated collections of the best movies, shows, and books based on category, genre, theme, topic, and more. •Create your own custom watch and read list and save movies, TV shows, and books for later. Independent and Nonprofit Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working on behalf of kids and teens to make the digital world more safe, healthy, and equitable for them and for all families. Our unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. Terms of service: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/site-terms-use

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I’ve been using the csm website for sometime. Not sure if the app is new or I just finally discovered it, but I love it! Makes searching book and movie titles much quicker. The app design is clean and simple to use. And the concept of common sense media is as helpful as always, I love being able to check movies/books before allowing my son to view them. Since every kid is different and can handle a different level of stuff it’s nice to look through the comments and different aspects of each review so I can find something that is truly suitable for my child. I definitley recommend becoming a member, I have been for a while now because I would hate finding new content without the help of this app and the website.

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I think the app overall is okay. When I realized I had to pay for it, deleted immediately. I would rather have a few adds for relevant products for families than pay for something I can search for on the internet. I also was disappointed about the way the filters work. If you have little boys, the books that are more likely to be enjoyed by them are at the bottom. Something that could have been awesome impacted by virtue signaling and money making.
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What to watch with your kids: ‘The Garfield Movie,’ ‘Furiosa’ and more

The garfield movie (pg).

Legendary cat’s animated adventure has peril, lots of ads.

“The Garfield Movie” is the first fully animated mainstream release based on Jim Davis’s popular comic strip about the iconic orange cat who loves lasagna and hates Mondays. It follows Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt) from his kittenhood meet-cute with owner Jon (Nicholas Hoult) to an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), that puts Garfield’s survival skills (or lack thereof) to the test. Expect lots of slapstick violence, including falls and face-smackings; a scene where a cat swallows a bird and another in which a bird is electrocuted; and many chases and confrontations in which main characters are nearly injured or killed (or, in one case, land in a pile of manure). There’s also one mildly suggestive scene that’s likely to go over kids’ heads, plus a few insults like “worthless,” “outcast” and “crazy,” and a use of the British slang “bloody.” Garfield’s laziness, size and larger-than-life appetite are played for laughs (including a fatphobic joke about him breaking a scale). The movie’s frequent, overt product placement makes it seem like an ad for Olive Garden, Sony, Popchips and more. All of that said, there are clear themes of perseverance, teamwork and forgiveness, as well as the importance of communication between parents and children. (111 minutes)

Available in theaters.

Furiosa: A Max Max Saga (R)

Stunning, intense prequel has near-constant peril and violence.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” a prequel to the 2015 reboot “Mad Max: Fury Road, ” tells the origin story of Imperator Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) after she’s taken from the Green Place as a child by a group of bikers led by a feared warlord (Chris Hemsworth). Expect constant, intense violence, including explosions, dismemberment, torture, references to sexual assault, and lots of warring and death. Cannibals are shown, and people are shot and stabbed. Language is limited to a few uses of “b-----d,” “bollocks” and similar terms. Only one relationship could be interpreted as romantic, but it never crosses beyond deep affection and forehead touching. While there’s little racial diversity in the primary cast, Furiosa is a determined, courageous and strong woman who is selfless in the face of nearly impossible odds. And despite all the violence, the movie does promote teamwork and resistance against oppressive authority. (148 minutes)

Atlas (PG-13)

Tense sci-fi action tale has strong violence, language.

“Atlas” is a sci-fi action film with graphic violence and swearing that centers on a woman named Atlas (Jennifer Lopez) who must fight against AI robots to save humanity. She and a colonel, played by Sterling K. Brown, are the film’s heroes. There’s a recurring theme that women are considered weak if they’re emotional and hostile if they’re driven. Atlas demonstrates courage in facing her fears. But many people and robots are killed or destroyed, including through electrocution, firearms, explosions, crashes, fights, dismemberment and falls. Characters also suffer graphic bodily harm and deal with psychological trauma from feeling responsible for the deaths of others — including colleagues and a parent — and from witnessing or anticipating AI attacks on humans. Language includes “f---,” “s---,” “a--,” “hell,” “goddamn,” “damn” and “b----.” (118 minutes)

Available on Netflix.

Angry Birds Mystery Island (TV-G)

Castaway story has new faces, less violence and more teamwork.

“Angry Birds Mystery Island” is a comedy series based on the popular mobile game. It introduces four new teenage characters: three hatchlings and a piglet (voiced by Harvey Guillén, Kate Micucci, Nasim Pedrad and Dominic Monaghan) who get stranded on a mysterious island. As in other versions of the franchise, the show puts the pigs and short-tempered birds in typical cartoon comedy situations — especially falling from great heights or being crushed by heavy objects for laughs. But unlike previous Angry Birds series , this one focuses less on competition and destruction and more on themes like working together and caring for one another. As castaways on a mysterious island, the hatchlings encounter volcanic activity and threatening monsters, like a carnivorous plant and a giant sand worm. They must rely on teamwork to find their way, build a home and concoct a plan to escape the island — all while creating a new family of their own. (Eight episodes)

Available on Prime Video.

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  5. Atlas Movie Review

    Our review: Parents say: Not yet rated Rate movie. Kids say: Not yet rated Rate movie. This tense, sci fi-action film is enjoyable, so long as you can suspend disbelief and withstand an overly sentimental final act. You also need to appreciate Lopez, who is in most scenes, often as the only human, in the titular character role of Atlas.

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    Based on 12 parent reviews. Marcia S. Parent of 9, 10, 11, 13 and 15-year-old. May 17, 2024. age 5+. Could have been 5 Star! My family enjoyed this movie; however, it would have been great if the script didn't call for the cast and characters to flippantly use God's name. There was absolutely no need.

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