The 30 Best Kids’ Movies on Netflix Right Now

• Director: Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda
• Cast: Sandra Bullock, Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Allison Janney
• Rating: PG
• Run time: 91 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 56%; IMDb 6.4/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Speaks to the value of friendship, teamwork, persistence and loyalty.

Fans of Despicable Me will appreciate this feel-good prequel, which offers some fascinating insight into where the yellow creatures come from and how they crossed paths with Gru. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments—like when the minions try to kidnap the Queen of England—and they're sure to keep the kids entertained. Plus, it boasts a star-studded voice cast, from Sandra Bullock to Michael Keaton. (BTW, Minions was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2015, and the film's success spawned a sequel called Minions: The Rise of Gru.)

• Director: Glen Keane
• Cast: Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho
• Rating: PG
• Run time: 95 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 82%; IMDb 6.3/10
• Genre: Musical Fantasy
• Educational Value: Explores Chinese culture, navigating loss and grief, friendship and family

Meet Fei Fei, a young girl who dreams of meeting the legendary moon goddess, Chang’e. But that dream just might become her reality when she builds a rocketship and makes plans to travel to the moon. I love the vibrant animation and Fei Fei's passion for science is sure to inspire young STEM girls, but I was especially impressed by the representations of Chinese culture and tradition. The musical fantasy earned a (well-deserved) Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature and scored a Golden Globe nod in the same category. Also, it became Netflix’s most-watched movie just a week after it was released.

• Director: Kris Pearn
• Cast: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews
• Rating: PG
• Run time: 92 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91%; IMDb 6.4/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Tackles heavier themes like parental neglect, emotional abuse, identity and family dynamics.

In this offbeat comedy, four neglected siblings embark on a mission to replace their selfish parents with better ones. While it maintains a fun tone, the movie deftly explores key themes that will resonate with kids and adults alike, from family dysfunction to courage and resilience. As a bonus, the catchy soundtrack, gorgeous animation and snappy dialogue will pull the young ones in. (Fun fact: This marked Rob Lodermeier's feature directorial debut, and it's based on Lois Lowry's book of the same name.)

• Director: Kirk DeMicco
• Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zoe Saldaña, Juan de Marcos, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Rooker, Nicole Byer
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93% | IMDb 7.5/10
• Genre: Adventure, Musical Comedy
• Educational Value: Speaks to the importance of the power of music and explores selflessness, grief and redemption.

Set in Havana, a musically talented kinkajou and his owner set out to deliver an important message to a retiring singer named Marta Sandoval. Thanks to the genius that is Lin-Manuel Miranda, there are plenty of great tunes and genre mash-ups that'll make the entire family want to get up and dance.

Vivo, which marked Sony Pictures Animation's first musical film, garnered a whopping 5.7 million views within the first week of its release, and it became the most popular film on Netflix for the month of August.

• Director: Chiwetel Ejiofor
• Cast: Maxwell Simba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lily Banda
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 113 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 86% | IMDb 7.6/10
• Genre: Drama
• Educational Value: Raises awareness about climate change, poverty and education access while exploring resilience, resourcefulness and the power of community.

A truly exceptional and gifted teen saves his African village with ingenuity and serious STEM skills in this powerful story based on true events. The intense reality of life in Malawi makes for some sad scenes and a bit of violence, too—but the cultural exposure promotes empathy and is ultimately profoundly enriching for kids old enough to handle the subject matter. It’s not all heavy, either—the boy’s triumph is an act of humanity and intelligence so inspiring, viewers of all ages will likely cry tears of joy by the end.

• Director: Sergio Pablos
• Cast: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 8.2/10
• Genre: Fantasy
• Educational Value: Highlights the value of generosity, kindness, forgiveness and reconciliation.

I have a slight obsession with this film, thanks mainly to the heartwarming message and redemptive story arc. It revolves around an entitled postman who gets stationed at an island that's in desperate need of holiday cheer. But things start to change when the postman strikes up an unlikely friendship with a reclusive toymaker. Klaus made history as the first animated Netflix film to be nominated for an Academy Award, and it won the British Academy Film Award for Best Animated Film.

• Director: Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham
• Cast: Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 82 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 100% | IMDb 7.8/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Sheds light on the dangers of advanced technology.

When Wallace's latest high-tech invention goes rogue and gets him in trouble, his dog, Gromit, must step up and rescue his master. (Oh, and did I mention that a familiar villain makes a comeback?) This marks the sixth Wallace & Gromit film in the franchise and it boasts a perfect Tomatometer score, thanks to the balance of nostalgia and smart commentary on modern technology.

PureWow Editor Abby Hepworth says, "I used to watch those movies on VHS at my Grandma's house 400 years ago, and I was so excited to see a new one come out just this year. The claymation feels bright and fun, and is a nice break from the usual animated kids movies. And the comedy is such that all ages can enjoy."

• Director: Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim
• Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 102 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 84% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Musical Comedy
• Educational Value: Examines the nature of friendship, the value of innocence, aging and self-acceptance.

From Sandler's Happy Madison Productions comes this unforgettable gem, which follows a talking tuatara who's eager to escape his familiar cage in a fifth-grade classroom. But when he finally gets his golden opportunity, things don't go according to plan. It's worth noting that there's some mild innuendo, so you might want to watch along with the kids. Still, from the stellar voice work and animation to the epic music, Leo is a treat for viewers of all ages.

According to Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay, "My nephew went through a Leo obsession when it first came out. An animated musical about a talking lizard voiced by Adam Sandler? It's kid gold."

• Director: Frank E. Abney III 
• Cast: N/A
• Rating: G
• Run Time: 9 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 74% | IMDb 6.4/10
• Genre: Superhero, Action
• Educational Value: Explores family dynamics, parenting, identity, false perceptions and the impact of technology.

The poignant 9-minute, dialogue-free film packs a punch, telling the story of a grandfather who struggles to cope and regain motivation after a loved one passes away. The storyline was inspired by Abney's real-life experience of losing his father at a young age, and it includes positive messages about hope, healing and family. Canvas nearly brought me to tears, so you might want to keep some tissues handy.

• Director: Sam Rega
• Cast: Jacques Bailly, Kevin Negandhi, Sanjay Gupta, Fareed Zakaria
• Rating: G
• Run Time: 82 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 92% | IMDb 6.9/10
• Genre: Documentary
• Educational Value: Sheds light on the immigration narrative and the importance of perseverance.

An inspiring, culturally rich documentary about four smart-as-a-whip young Indian-American kids and how they prepare to compete in the country’s most distinguished spelling bee. Children of all ages will be engaged by the wit and upbeat personalities of talented peers, who work hard and harness both their inner strength and the support of family to achieve their goal. This feel-good doc promises to have a motivational impact on kids.

• Director: Mike Rianda
• Cast: Danny McBride, Abbi Jacobson, Maya Rudolph, Olivia Colman, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 109 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 97% | IMDb 7.6/10
• Genre: Sci-Fi, Comedy
• Educational Value: Explores complicated family dynamics, self-discovery and the impact of modern technology.

If you're up for a fresh, quirky and imaginative flick that revolves around a dysfunctional family, you're in the right place. Rianda's directorial debut follows the misadventures of the Mitchell family as they work together to save the planet from robots—and it's nothing short of brilliant. It was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and won a Critics Choice Award in the same category.

Hepworth says, "The animation style is unique, I'd never seen a movie quite like this one. It's a great adventure story, a tiny bit thrilling but not so scary that young ones can't watch, and everyone will find someone to relate to—whether it's daughter Katie who just wants a chance to be herself, her tech-averse father Rick, or even defective PAL robots Deborahbot 5000 and Eric who only want to help."

• Director: Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin
• Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 80% | IMDb 7.6/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Explores themes of family, adoption, single parenthood and teamwork.

This action-packed film flips the good-versus-evil script with a story about a supervillain with a no-good plan that he has too big a heart to execute. Despicable Me serves up plenty of excitement and laughs, but parents should know that there’s violence as well, including scenes with lethal weapons. Also, the storyline mishandles a sensitive topic, with depictions of the adoptive process that come across as downright hurtful. Overall, this movie is fun to watch and positive in the sense that it shows how people can change but, because of its flaws, it is best enjoyed with older kids. (And paired with a thoughtful follow-up conversation that does right by adoptive parents and their children.)

• Director: Genndy Tartakovsky
• Cast: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 91 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 45% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Fantasy
• Educational Value: Tackles friendship, discrimination and acceptance.

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, a private luxury resort where the world's most famous monsters can unwind apart from the human population. All goes smoothly under Count Dracula's leadership until he gets a surprise guest—one that could jeopardize the success of his hotel. Mild scares and subtle innuendos aside, the humor is wholesome, the characters are fantastic and there's never a dull moment.

PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint says, "I’m a fan of Hotel Transylvania, particularly around Halloween. The cast is all-star and it always has my kids in stitches."

• Director: Clay Kaytis
• Cast: Kurt Russell, Judah Lewis, Darby Camp, Lamorne Morris
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 67% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Tackles loss, grief, the importance of kindness, generosity and embracing the Christmas spirit

On Christmas Eve, Teddy reluctantly agrees to help his little sister, Kate, capture the real Santa Claus on camera. However, their plans go south when they end up in Santa's sleigh and teleport to another city. The film has all the makings of a kid-friendly holiday classic, from the rebellious bad boy who lost his Christmas spirit to the clever but lovable man in the red suit.

Per Philip Mutz, PureWow's VP of Entertainment and News, "I love The Christmas Chronicles and it's a super fun family flick that kids will enjoy. Kurt Russell as Santa and Goldie Hawn as Mrs. Claus is inspired casting."

• Director: Susan Johnson
• Cast: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Romantic Comedy
• Educational Value: Deals with grief, family, social dynamics and the challenges of growing up.

If you’re looking for a way to get your teenager to spend some time with you, this is the movie night pick that just might do the trick. To All the Boys is a charming adaptation of Jenny Han's namesake YA novel, and it revolves around a high schooler whose private letters are accidentally mailed out to her crushes.

It's swoon-worthy and charming, but it also doesn’t hold back in its honest presentation of grief and the high school experience, so you’ll hear a few references to virginity and sex. Still, it’s a fun watch that will get the message across about the importance of self-confidence and honesty, even while navigating the social challenges that go hand in hand with being a high school kid.

• Director: Matthew Warchus
• Cast: Alisha Weir, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Emma Thompson
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 118 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 93% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Fantasy Musical
• Educational Value: Highlights the harmful impacts of bullying, the strength and resilience of kids and the importance of education.

“We are revolting children, living in revolting times!” The song still lives rent-free in my mind—but there's more to this remake than the catchy tunes. Alisha Weir is delightful as the witty and charming Matilda, a neglected child who uses her newfound psychokinetic powers to fight back against her cruel headmistress. Like the 1996 classic, it captures the original story (and even includes the iconic chocolate cake scene), but I really enjoyed the musical element and the bold, whimsical tone. Thompson's terrifying depiction of Miss Trunchbull might be hard for sensitive children to stomach, but overall, it's such a fun watch.

• Director: David E. Talbert
• Cast: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 122 minutes
• Genre: Fantasy
• Educational Value: Reeveals the importance of hope, loyalty, family and following your passion.

A vibrant, feel-good musical with a diverse cast? Sign me up. This movie tells the story of a toy inventor (not Santa Claus) who loses everything when his trusted apprentice betrays him. Three decades later, his granddaughter is determined to help save his life’s work. The dance numbers are epic, the content is kid-friendly and the themes of loyalty, companionship and family are positive.

Former editor Alexandra Hough says, "The entire film is reminiscent of big-studio musicals (think Oliver!) and Broadway plays with giant singing and dancing ensembles coming and going—starting with the first musical number. The vibrant Victorian-esque costumes are an added bonus."

• Director: Steve Carr
• Cast: Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin, Steve Zahn, Regina King
• Rating: PG
• Run time: 92 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 27%; IMDb 5.6/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Challenges traditional gender roles while shedding light on the realities of childcare.

Murphy and Garlin deliver loads of family-friendly laughs throughout this sweet and silly story about two laid-back fathers who decide to launch a daycare service after losing their jobs. Before long, Chaos ensues when a rival daycare emerges to take them down. I've lost count of how many times I've watched this because the humor is so timeless—but don't just take my word for it.

PureWow Associate Editor Delia Curtis, who rewatched the film as an adult, also says, "The jokes hit different as an adult because they most definitely have some hidden meaning. I also loved that the story revolves around expectations around gender roles and undoing the stereotypes that women are the only capable caretakers. Plus, I will never get over the scene of Eddie Murphy and Jeff Garlin having a boxing match dressed as a carrot and a broccoli."

• Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
• Cast: Hana Sugisaki, Yūki Amami, Fumiyo Kohinata
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 89% | IMDb 6.8/10
• Genre: Fantasy
• Educational Value: Explores friendship, self-acceptance and grappling with change.

Self-confidence, courage, perseverance and kindness are among the virtues celebrated by this fantasy film, based on Mary Stewart’s children novel The Little Broomstick and brought to life with striking Japanese animation. Fans of fantasy will be enthralled by this gripping and artful film about the magical adventures of a charming young witch. This pick is best for big kids, though, because the perilous encounters are portrayed with considerable intensity.

• Director: Damien O'Connor
• Cast: Lucy O’Connell, Ruth Negga, Brendan Mullins
• Rating: TV-Y
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 70% | IMDb 7/10
• Genre: Drama, Adventure
• Educational Value: Explores the true spirit of Christmas, as well as the power of family and hope.

This adorable holiday story revolves around a young Irish girl who has sympathy for the Baby Jesus she spots at her church’s nativity scene. Convinced that he's cold, she comes up with a plan to keep him warm. It's funny, it's heartwarming and it includes a solid message about hope. And as a bonus, the movie is only 30 minutes long, making it perfect for kids with short attention spans, and the suspense is mild. The movie's cast and production team scored three Emmy Award nominations.

• Director: Aleksey Tsitsilin
• Cast: Nicholas Corda, Sylvana Joyce, Alyson Rosenfeld
• Rating: PG
• Run time: 105 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 52%; IMDb 6.2/10
• Genre: Comedy, Adventure
• Educational Value: Explores good and evil, navigating tough challenges and the power of teamwork.

Calling all fans of Hansel and Gretel! In this family-friendly film, the two secret agents use magic to find a missing king and demonstrate the importance of teamwork along the way. Tsitsilin said in an interview, "We wanted not to remake [the original], but to rethink. Leave the logic of the narrative and string some additional details. The story begins to play with new colors, it becomes different, but at the same time you realize that it is all the same Hansel and Gretel."

• Director: Will Becher, Richard Phelan
• Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Amalia Vitale
• Rating: G
• Run Time: 87 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 96% | IMDb 6.8/10
• Genre: Sci-Fi Comedy
• Educational Value: Explores friendship, teamwork, bravery and the importance of family.

In this sequel to Shaun the Sheep Movie, Shaun and the flock meet a super-powered alien who lands near Mossy Bottom Farm. Together, they must find a way to get her back home, or she'll be taken by the Ministry for Alien Detection. The silly comedy is filled with engaging characters and it nicely balances silly humor with more serious themes. While there's a bit of slapstick violence, no one is seriously injured and it's mild enough for kindergarten and elementary school kids.

• Directors: Karey Kirkpatrick, Tim Johnson
• Cast: Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, William Shatner
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 83 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 75% | IMDb 6.7/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Highlights the relationship between humans and animals and the importance of preserving nature.

When Verne, a shy box turtle, and his fellow woodland friends come out of winter hibernation, they discover that they have new human neighbors. A raccoon named RJ convinces them to take advantage of the family's suburban home—but unbeknownst to them, RJ has an ulterior motive. Adults will appreciate the social critique of the environment, but it's also an age-appropriate movie that teaches valuable lessons about honesty and the importance of family.

• Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
• Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Mahershala Ali
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 140 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 95% | IMDb 8.5/10
• Genre: Action, Comedy
• Educational Value: Includes themes of belonging, finding your identity, exploring your destiny, dealing with generational trauma and morality.

Superhero storylines are always a big draw for the tweenage crowd, but this particular movie is special because it boasts diversity that’s markedly absent elsewhere in the genre. The superhero star of this film is a black boy from Brooklyn, and while the movie has all the comic-book violence and action you would expect, the film still makes room for insight into the main character’s multicultural background—an important adjustment towards inclusivity that can and should be explored further with kids once the thrills of the film come to an end.

• Directors: Campbell Bryer, Jason Groh
• Cast: Kintaro Akiyama, James Armstrong, Aaron Barashi
• Rating: G
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes (N/A) | IMDb 2.8/10
• Genre: Adventure, Musical
• Educational Value: Shows the importance of teamwork, friendship, persistence and gratitude.

Inspired by Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son Christopher's The Railway Series books, this fancy animated adaptation follows engine Thomas and his pal Kana as they work together to cross the finish line at the Sodor Cup. Does it live up to the classic TV series? Not quite, but the storyline and characters are engaging enough to keep the pre-schoolers occupied. The scares are minor and it includes positive messages about friendship and persistence.

• Director: Floyd Russ
• Cast: Zion Clark Gilbert Donahue Kimberly Clark
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 12 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 75% | IMDb 7.1/10
• Genre: Sports Documentary
• Educational Value: Focuses on persistence, hard work and overcoming adversity.

Super quick, but incredibly powerful this 10-minute award-winning documentary is a must-see conversation starter, appropriate for older grade school kids and teens. Zion, the subject of the film is a remarkable black teen, born without legs and abused while in the foster system, became a fierce competitor in high school wrestling before going on to thrive in life as an adult. The material is heavy, but this deeply moving tale of courage, resilience and triumph is well worth a watch.

• Director: Sammi Cohen
• Cast: Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler, Adam Sandler, Sadie Sandler
• Rating: PG-13
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 91% | IMDb 6/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Addresses the challenges of growing up, school cliques, fitting in, friendships, navigating crushes and the significance of Bat Mitzvahs within the Jewish community.

Adam Sandler passed down his acting chops, because his entire family nailed their roles in this charming comedy (which stars his wife and two daughters). It follows a young teenager who enlists the help of her BFF to plan an epic bat mitzvah (and win over her crush). However, things go south after her bestie betrays her. The quirky coming-of-age tale will resonate with older kids, thanks to its depiction of friendship and middle school drama. Former PureWow Editor Rachel Gulmi, said, "[This movie] made me feel like I was that age again, with all the drama and friendship circles and party invites. It was so cute and hit on all the right notes."

• Director: Robert Rodriguez
• Cast: YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Andy Walken, Hala Finley
• Rating: PG
• Run time: 110 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 74%; IMDb 4.7/10
• Genre: Adventure, Superhero
• Educational Value: Focuses on the value of teamwork, bravery, leadership and friendship.

Set in the same universe as The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, the movie follows a group of brave children who band together to save Earth’s superheroes after they get kidnapped by alien invaders. But first, they need to escape the government's safe house. The quirky, action-packed film is imaginative and full of heart, which explains why Netflix already confirmed plans to develop a sequel.

• Director: Miguel Arteta
• Cast: Jennifer Garner, Édgar Ramírez, Jenna Ortega
• Rating: PG
• Run Time: 86 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes 52% | IMDb 5.7/10
• Genre: Comedy
• Educational Value: Establishes the importance of family bonding, empathy, good communication and, yes, having fun.

At the suggestion of a school guidance counselor, Allison and Carlos decide to give their kids a Yes Day in hopes of proving they're capable of having fun. So in other words, the family agrees that for 24 hours, both parents will say "yes" to all of their kids' demands. Naturally, a chaotic adventure ensues, including a wild makeover and an intense water-balloon fight. Ortega gives a solid performance and Garner brings her usual charm. Plus, fans will be happy to know that Netflix has already confirmed a Yes Day sequel.

In my honest review of the movie, I wrote, "I really like the overall message of the film. I like that it taps into the importance of balancing family and work, and I love that it briefly addresses the downsides of “good cop, bad cop” parenting."

• Director: Josh Wakely
• Cast: Ashleigh Ball, Lili Beaudoin, Shannon Chan-Ken
• Rating: TV-Y
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Reviews: Rotten Tomatoes (N/A) | IMDb 6.9/10
• Genre: Adventure
• Educational Value: Emphasize the importance of friendship and teamwork.

If you are the parent of a preschool kid (or younger) and are wondering what movie you can possibly watch that won’t be too boring or too scary, Beat Bugs: All Together Now is the answer. Young kids (like everyone else) love the music of the Beatles and this cute, silly movie makes every song fun and relatable to small children, thanks to a colorful bunch of bugs who turn very literal interpretations of the music into a narrative that’s cohesive, engaging and full of feel-good social and emotional learning.