ALLY MSANGI

@allymsangi · 18 Feb 2022

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what to watch with family on Netflix

Choosing from the best family movies on Netflix isn't easy — because there are just so many of them. To make it easy for you, here are the Best Family and Kids Movies on Netflix Right Now.

Paddington
Based on the charming children's book character Paddington Bear (created by Michael Bond), Paddington is a lovely movie tailor-made for family time. The film earned widespread acclaim when it was released in 2014, receiving two BAFTA nominations. While the movie does introduce some changes, the heart of the source material is preserved, which just adds to Paddington's charm.
The story of Paddington revolves around the eponymous talking bear, who moves from "Darkest Peru" to London in search of a family to take care of him. It's not an easy task, but Paddington holds on to his sweet, polite nature despite the obstacles in his path.

Despicable Me 2
Gru's gone good in Despicable Me 2, giving Steve Carell a different way to play the former villain in this sequel. Now dedicated to protecting his girls, Gru's also being recruited to fight baddies on a professional level by the Anti-Villain League, which is represented by Lucy (voiced by Kristen Wiig). The two have a small, romantic/flirtatious subplot, and the bulk of the movie is focused on Gru stopping the person who is trying to fill his void in the world of villainy.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines
The whole family will absolutely love The Mitchells vs. the Machines. The story of this original animated film follows a family in the wake of a robot apocalypse, just as they were about to embark on a cross-country road trip to take the daughter to college. They must work together if they have any hope of saving themselves (or the world), which is difficult because the father and daughter are having trouble communicating. This movie is silly and goofy but also emotional, with a rich heart at its center and a story of the importance of communication boosted by a female lead who is fiercely creative. It's also tremendously rewatchable. – Adam Chitwood

We Can Be Heroes
If you’re looking for a sweet and silly sci-fi adventure that’s fun for the whole family, Robert Rodriguez’s We Can Be Heroes is a pretty delightful option. Set in the same universe as his beloved 2005 family superhero film The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, his Netflix film brings all that bright and bubbly energy to a new generation of heroes. After Earth’s legion of superheroes are captured by aliens, their children have to step up and save the day, each with their own distinct set of powers, from classic superhero abilities like controlling time to controlling objects by singing to a good old-fashioned knack for leadership. And lest we forget the scene-stealing Guppy, Sharkboy and Lavagirl’s adorable young daughter who inherited Shark Strength and knows how to use it. It’s a light-hearted, breezy fantasy/sci-fi adventure for kids that should land well with fans of Sharkboy and Lavagirl and Rodriguez’s Spy Kids franchise.

Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
I know you're thinking of the delightful Disney animated classic, but maybe save this one for when the kids are just a bit older. Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, largely overshadowed by Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book released just two years earlier, is a much darker, more intense take on the source material, courtesy of the mo-cap king himself, Andy Serkis (who also provides the voice for brown bear Baloo). But it's also got one heck of a cast, led by committed young actor Rohan Chand crawling through mud and leaves as Mowgli, surrounded by A-listers like Christian Bale as black panther Bagheera, Benedict Cumberbatch as villainous tiger Shere Khan, Cate Blanchett as the python Kaa.

How to Train Your Dragon 2
The best film in the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy is also the most emotional one. The 2014 sequel How to Train Your Dragon 2 takes place five years after the events of the first film and finds Hiccup coming into contact with his long-lost mother (played by Cate Blanchett) and battling a madman (Djimon Hounsou) who wants to take over the world. Compassion and empathy are prominent themes in this “kids movie” that may or may not leave parents in puddles of tears by its end. It’s a testament to Dean DeBlois’s filmmaking skills (with an assist by cinematographer Roger Deakins) that this movie is as great as it is, and as a bonus you get a truly wonderful score by composer John Powell.

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