If you have Netflix, planning a family movie night isn’t hard at all. Simply set aside one night a week where the whole family can get together, pop some popcorn, and get comfy on the couch while enjoying a great film. The best thing about these family-friendly films is that no matter your age, you’re definitely going to find something to enjoy.
Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back – Evolution
Ratings: 44% Rotten Tomatoes | 5.8/10 IMDb
Ages: 8 and up
This is CGI remake of the first Pokémon film ever released back in 1998. Evolution offers a decent mix of both the familiar and the new, and is perfect for a family of Pokémon fans.
The story focuses on Pokémon trainer Ash and his pals who run into the massively powerful Mewtwo, a psychic Pokémon who is bent on revenge against the humans who created them. While perhaps not as good as the original, it’s still a great way to introduce your kids into the Pokémon world and teach them a lesson about friendship and forgiveness.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Ratings: 97% Rotten Tomatoes | 8.4/10 IMDb
Ages: 9 and up
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is proof that a movie can be both beautiful and entertaining. This film checks off all the boxes – entertaining for the whole family, artistic, creative, funny, and compelling. They are heroes of all types in this film, and it teaches viewers that anyone can be hero as long as they put their heart into it.
If your kids are into superheroes, this film is a great choice, but anyone can enjoy it whether they’re fans or not.
Mary and The Witch’s Flower
Ratings: 89% Rotten Tomatoes | 6.8/10 IMDb
Ages: 8 and up
This beautifully-animated film is a product of Academy Award nominee Hiromasa Yonebayashi, who worked on familiar Studio Ghibli masterpieces like Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Ponyo. The story follows a young girl named Mary who stumbles upon a magic flower and old flying broom that whisks her away to a magic school called Endor College.
If your kids are fans of Harry Potter and/or Studio Ghibli films, this one is a great choice for those looking for a family-fun, magic-filled adventure.
The Little Prince
Ratings: 93% Rotten Tomatoes | 7.7/10 IMDb
Ages: 10 and up
This Netflix-exclusive adaptation of the 1943 novella, The Little Prince, is a sincere, heartfelt, and visually striking ode to the classic. The story focuses on a young girl (Mackenzie Foy) that strikes up an unlikely friendship with an old pilot (Jeff Bridges) who tells her an extraordinary tale about a boy (Riley Osborne) who lives on asteroid.
If you haven’t already, try reading the book beforehand with the kids. It will be fun to compare the two versions after.
With so many films to choose from, you’re sure to find one that your whole family will enjoy. Hopefully these suggestions will give you a place to start!
