Movie night is a battlefield. Don’t get us wrong, it’s also one of those traditions that can unite families like few others. But in order for that to happen, everyone has to agree on a movie first. And picking one that satisfies the youngest, pickiest demographic – without fully alienating and/or annoying everyone else – can be a monumental challenge for parents. Make the right choice and you make warm, lasting memories. Choose poorly and prepare for an evening of grumbling, eye-rolling and TikTok scrolling.
Thankfully, one of the things Netflix does well is kid and tween-centric films. Of course, as with every other genre on the platform, there’s a lot of half-baked crud among the sparkling gems, and trying to blindly differentiate between the two isn’t easy. Well, that’s why we’re here. On this list, we’ve sorted out the best of the kiddie crop, from wild roadtrip comedies to nostalgic rock’n’roll stories to animated tales with diverse casts and progressive themes. The next time the fam is gathered on the couch, pick any of these and you can feel confident that everyone will stay glued to the screen. They may even think you’re cool – or at least, a little less lame than before.
Recommended:
✍ The 100 best animated films of all-time
👪 The 50 best kids movies to watch as a family
💻 The best family movies on Netflix for all-ages
🤣 The best family comedy movies
🧒 The best kids’ movies from the ’90s