Highly Recommended Animated and Live-Action Films for Kids on Netflix

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The best kid-friendly movies help even the youngest in your family learn new things. They’re also just as fun and insightful for the older kids and adults in the room. Whether you’re looking for a laugh, a timely lesson, or a bit of both for your little ones, these top kids’ movies on Netflix deliver wholesome entertainment for everyone in the family to enjoy.

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Orion and the Dark (2024): An Adventure Story About Overcoming Fears

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 6.3/10

Genre : Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Starring : Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Colin H anks

Director : Sean Charmatz

Motion Picture Rating : TV-Y7

Runtime : 1 hour, 32 minutes

Eleven-year-old Orion has a great imagination—and a lot of fears. He spends much of his time sketching out those fears in order to overcome them, but the worst imaginable scenario ensues: His drawings and fears literally come to life from the page. Orion then meets the friendly Dark who takes him on an unforgettable adventure around the world—and helps him accept his insecurities.

Some of the imagery in this Charlie Kaufman-directed animated film is quite vivid, which makes this movie best suited for older children. But it could be a helpful entry point for discussing anxiety and finding tools to manage fears of the unknown.

Watch ‘Orion and the Dark’

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The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021): It’s Like a Kid-Friendly ‘Maximum Overdrive’

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 7.6/10

Genre : Animated, Adventure

Starring : Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph

Director : Michael Rianda

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 53 minutes

Katie Mitchell is a teen heading out on a road trip with her family to start her first year of film school. The only thing standing in her way? An army of electronic devices that suddenly develop sentience and decide to go on the attack.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a fun and energetic adventure film. Kids will enjoy the silliness and hyperactive action, while parents can enjoy the deadpan humor and a heartwarming theme about family bonding.

Watch ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ on Netflix

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Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022): It’s Like Carrie, But For Kids

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 7.0/10

Genre : Comedy, Drama, Musical

Starring : Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch

Director : Matthew Warchus

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 57 minutes

Matilda (Alisha Weir) is bullied at home and school, especially by the cruel principal, Ms. Trunchbull. With the encouragement of a kind teacher, Matilda unlocks her true potential, which happens to include telekinetic powers.

It’s more light-hearted than the twisted 1990s version of_Matlida_ . It’s still based on a Roald Dahl book, so it’s pretty weird.

Watch ‘Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical’ on Netflix

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Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie (2021): Return of an Anime Icon

Toei Animation

IMDb Rating : 7.0/10

Genre : Animated, Action, Adventure

Starring : Kotono Mitsuishi, Stephanie Sheh (English version), Kate Higgins (English version)

Director : Chiaki Kon

Motion Picture Rating : TV-14

Runtime : 2 hours, 40 minutes

This two-part Netflix film brings back iconic anime magical girl Sailor Moon and her friends in all their pastel-colored glory. For the uninitiated, the_Sailor Moon_ series is about a young girl who befriends a magical cat named Luna that lets her turn into a hero via the flashiest, most elaborate transformation sequences ever put on celluloid.

In_Eternal_ , she meets Pegasus, who’s searching for someone who can break the seal of the Golden Crystal, while a creepy circus seeks the Silver Crystal in hopes of using it to dominate the universe. Anyone who’s followed Sailor Moon’s exploits for the last few decades is in for a treat.

Watch ‘Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal The Movie’ on Netflix

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My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021)—For Fans of Glitter and Nigh-Unbearable Cuteness

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 6.8/10

Genre : Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Starring : Elizabeth Perkins, James Marsden, Vanessa Hudgens

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 30 minutes

The latest offering from the_My Little Pony_ franchise sees three ponies teaming up to help the land of Equestria, which has lost all of its magic.

Idealistic Earth Pony Sunny (Vanessa Hudgens) is determined to bring magic back and reunite the various pony factions. She’s helped by exuberant Unicorn Izzy (Kimiko Glenn), fellow Earth Pony Hitch (James Marsden), and many others. Anyone who’s a fan of the long-running multimedia franchise will undoubtedly enjoy the ponies’ latest adventures.

Watch ‘My Little Pony: A New Generation’ on Netflix

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Vivo (2021): Sony’s First-Ever Musical Adventure

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Sony Pictures

IMDb Rating : 6.7/10

Genre : Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Starring : Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldana

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 43 minutes

Vivo is an animated musical from Sony Pictures and_Hamilton_ creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Featuring an all-new original soundtrack from Miranda, it tells the story of a kinkajou who embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to deliver a love song for an old friend.

Fans of Miranda will enjoy the signature musical stylings and catchy soundtrack.

Watch ‘Vivo’ on Netflix

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Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans (2021)—Concluding the Tales of Arcadia Trilogy

Dreamworks

IMDb Rating : 6.6/10

Genre : Animated, Action, Adventure

Starring : Emile Hirsch, Nick Offerman, Steven Yeun

Director : Johane Matte, Francisco Ruiz-Velasco, Andrew L. Schmidt

Motion Picture Rating : TV-Y7

Runtime : 1 hour, 44 minutes

Rise of the Titans is the follow-up to Dreamworks and director Guillermo del Toro’s_Tales of Arcadia_ series. Characters from all three installments—Trollhunters ,3Below , and_Wizards_ —must band together to defeat the evil Arcane Order and the ancient titans it summons in its attempt to destroy the world.

Critics have praised the_Trollhunters_ series for its animation, its darker storytelling, and its voice acting. It was nominated for nine Daytime Emmy Awards in 2017. Fans should enjoy this conclusion to the story, while newcomers can catch up on the rest of the_Tales of Arcadia_ series on Netflix first before watching the finale.

Watch ‘Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans’ on Netflix

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Back to the Outback (2021): A Film About Finding a Place to Fit In

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 6.5/10

Genre : Animation, Adventure, Comedy

Starring : Isla Fisher, Guy Pearce, Tim Minchin

Director : Harry Cripps, Clare Knight

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 35 minutes

Australia is known for having some of the world’s deadliest creatures. But, when some of them get tired of being gawked at while in captivity, they escape and head back to the Outback.

There’s Maddie, a sweet but poisonous snake; a cocky Thorny Devil lizard named Zoe; a lovelorn hairy spider named Frank; and the sensitive scorpion Nigel. They’re joined on their mission by their nemesis Pretty Boy, an annoying koala. Featuring a big cast of talented voice actors, the film promises to be a fun time.

Watch ‘Back to the Outback’ on Netflix

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Chicken Run (2023): Dawn of the Nugget

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 6.4/10

Genre : Animation, Comedy

Starring : Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey

Director : Sam Fell

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 41 minutes

This sequel to the 2000 stop-motion film by Aardman Animations (Wallace & Gromit ) picks up with the renegade crew of chickens after their escape from Tweedy Farm. They’ve settled to new lives in an island bird sanctuary, but a new danger soon makes it necessary for them to break back into the farm to protect their new home.

The original_Chicken Run_ is the most successful stop-motion film of all time, and this follow-up is worth the decades-long wait.

Watch ‘Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget’ on Netflix

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Finding ‘Ohana (2021): Goonies for Generation Z

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Netflix

IMDb Rating : 6.1/10

Genre : Action, Adventure, Comedy

Starring : Kelly Hu, Ke Huy Quan, Lindsay Watson

Director : Jude Weng

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 2 hours, 3 minutes

Two siblings from Brooklyn reluctantly head to Hawaii to visit their grandpa but end up on a life-changing adventure. Part_Goonies_ , part_Indiana Jones_ , this uplifting Netflix original is also a lively celebration of Hawaiian culture. This adventure highlights family togetherness and pride in one’s heritage.

Watch ‘Finding ‘Ohana’ on Netflix

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The Loud House Movie (2021): The Popular Nickelodeon Series Gets a Feature Film

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 6.1/10

Genre : Animation

Starring : David Tennant, Grey Griffin, Michelle Gomez

Motion Picture Rating : TV-Y7

Runtime : 1 hour, 23 minutes

Based on the popular Nickelodeon series,The Loud House Movie sees Lincoln Loud, his 10 boisterous sisters, and his parents head to Scotland. There, they learn they’re related to royalty. It promises to be as witty and wholesome as the television series.

Watch ‘The Loud House Movie’ on Netflix

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The Sea Beast (2022): A Swashbuckling Family Adventure

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Netflix

IMDb Rating : 6.0/10

Genre : Animation, Action, Adventure

Starring : Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris

Director : Chris Williams

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 55 minutes

Young Maisie is enthralled by the sea creatures of yore and is determined to have her own adventure, which is why she secretly boards the ship of legendary sea adventurer Jacob Holland. The two embark on an voyage full of monsters and lessons about bravery and teamwork.

From the minds behind_Moana_ and_Big Hero 6_ ,The Sea Beast offers plenty of adventure and heartwarming moments to keep the whole family entertained.

Watch ‘The Sea Beast’

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Nightbooks (2021): A Fun Horror Romp Suitable for Younger Viewers

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 5.8/10

Genre : Fantasy, Horror

Starring : Krysten Ritter, Winslow Fegley, Lidya Jewett

Director : David Yarovesky

Motion Picture Rating : TV-PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 43 minutes

Alex (Winslow Fegley) is an imaginative young boy who loves scary stories. When he discovers an evil witch (Krysten Ritter) living in his apartment building, she captures him and demands he tell her a new spooky tale each night.

He meets another prisoner named Yasmin (Lidya Jewett), and together they seek a way to escape. Whimsical and genuinely spooky at times, it’s a good introduction to the horror genre for younger viewers, while older viewers will appreciate Ritter’s fun performance as the evil witch.

Watch ‘Nightbooks’ on Netflix

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Chupa (2023): A Boy and His Chupacabra

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 5.5/10

Genre : Action, Adventure, Drama

Starring : Demián Bichir, Christian Slater, Evan Whitten

Director : Jonás Cuarón

Motion Picture Rating : PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 35 minutes

Young Alex (Evan Whitten) has always heard that chupacabras are vicious. However, while on a trip with his family, he comes across a baby chupacabra who is anything but ferocious.

Chupa is a predictable yet fun family movie reminiscent of classics like_E.T._ and_Free Willy._

Watch ‘Chupa’ on Netflix

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Confessions of an Invisible Girl (2021): A Sweet Brazilian Film About Fitting In

Netflix

IMDb Rating : 5.3/10

Genre : Comedy, Drama

Starring : Klara Castanho, Júlia Rabello, Stepan Nercessian

Director : Bruno Garotti

Motion Picture Rating : TV-PG

Runtime : 1 hour, 31 minutes

Anyone who’s ever felt like they don’t quite fit in will enjoy this sweet Brazilian teen movie.

Tetê is a socially awkward girl who feels alone both at school and at home. But when her parents are forced to move the family to Copacabana and she starts over at a new school, Tetê is determined to change for the better. Whether or not the school’s queen bee lets her is another story.

Watch ‘Confessions of an Invisible Girl’ on Netflix

The Best Teen Movies on Netflix

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