With content providers doing everything they can to grab your attention (and the attention of your kids), it is understandable that users are overwhelmed. Lets be honest, with the volumes and volumes of content that is offered who has time to really browse a site for all the best films? Well, look no further as we believe we have you covered with the 15 best kids and family movies available onNetflixright now.
Kids movies are a dime a dozen. Yet, they are the holy grail for content creators. Provide a respite for weary parents, one that is actually going to help your children, and you will have some very satisfied customers. Break that trust and it will be something that is very hard to get back. Something that will not only stain your reputation as a provider of solid content, but also something that will make you easily forgotten in today’s world of content overload. Basically, you have a lot more to lose than one time viewership, because the beauty of today’s content enriched world is that younger people tend to watch the same things over and over.
Add to that the ease with which this content can be obtained. Netflix is on every device imaginable. Open the app and you have thousands of films at your fingertips. It literally is so easy a very young child could figure it out. It is with all of this in mind that we have put this list together. The best part? Netflix is constantly switching up their content. They are a “consumer obsessed” company so chances are more than one of the films on this list will grab your interest.
15The Jungle Book (2016)
This much revered retelling ofThe Jungle Booktale boasts such cast members as Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, and Bill Murray. It follows Mowgli, who leaves home and braves the jungle with a big assist from a panther named Bagheera and a bear named Baloo. At first you might wonder about the need to make such a film, however, I defy you to watchThe Jungle Bookand not thank Netflix for putting it in your queue.
14The BFG (2016)
This somewhat overlooked gem from Steven Spielberg (hey, it cost $140 million to make and it grossed a paltry $183 million worldwide),The BFGhas everything you want in a kid’s film. Netflix certainly knows how to grab content people want, even if they don’t want to see it in the theater. The story is essentially about a Big Friendly Giant that teams up with a little girl to stop giants from taking over the human world. With a strong message of acceptance, dazzling special effects, there’s something here for both adults and kids.
13Paddington (2014)
Paddingtonis the story of a young bear finding a home with the Brown family. So special is this story, so deftly woven together by director Paul King, that it literally glides effortlessly across the screen.Paddingtonis quiet in tone, big on laughs, and strong in spirit. It’s the kind of movie Netflix needs and the sort of film that parents love sharing with their kids.
12Baby’s Day Out (1994)
With the name of the title character being Baby Bink,Baby’s Day Outis a classic screwball comedy in the mode of Frank Capra. Basically, Baby Bink gets kidnapped but ends up giving the kidnappers much more than they bargained for. With a cast that includes Lara Flynn Boyle, Joe Mantegna, and Joe Pantoliano (whose fun bad guy recalls Ralph Cifaretto fromThe Sopranos), this Netlfix gem from 1994 is a true darling.Baby’s Day Outmay be sort of an oddball film, but that’s only because it’s so much fun.
11Bee Movie (2007)
Jerry Seinfeld as the main voice in a kid’s film likeBee Movie? Talk about a slam dunk. Thestory follows Barry B. Benson(Jerry Seinfeld) as a bee who goes against nature. He doesn’t want to make honey. He soon finds out that human’s devour honey, and he sets about taking legal recourse. With a truly unique premise,Bee Movieis a stand-out on the content stacked Netflix and that’s saying something!
10The Prince of Egypt (1998)
The voices of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes and Michelle Pfeiffer truly enhanceThe Prince of Egypt. This long told tale of Moses and how he brings his people out of bondage in Egypt is captivating in both its scope and style. It is honestly a time where animation rises to the level of art. It is hard to know how longThe Prince of Egypthas been on Netflix, but we have a feeling it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
9Chicken Run (2000)
A cockerel makes it’s way into a dreary chicken farm and suddenly captive chickens see a chance at freedom.Chicken Runis one of the best animated films, not just from Aardman, but in the history of the medium. It is littered with solid voices from Phil Daniels, Mel Gibson and Miranda Richardson, and that not only lends gravitas to the proceedings but a lot of fun as well. Netflix is steeped in the original content game and they would be well to try and duplicate a film likeChicken Run.
8Ella Enchanted (2004)
A young Anne Hathaway top-lines this movie that truly defines what a 4 quadrant film is. She plays the title role of a woman who has sworn obedience to protect a prince. Along the way she encounters many obstacles and uses her cunning wit to come out ahead. What a special film for the #metoo/#timesup movement.Ella Enchantedmay not be everybody’s cup of tea, but this is a Netflix offering that is clearly for everyone.
7The Little Rascals (1994)
How can you deny the staying power ofThe Little Rascals. With characters likeSpanky, Stymie, Buckwheat, Alfalfa and Darla, this redo from 1994 is full of spunk, laughs, and adventure. The story is really an aggregation ofThe Little Rascalsfrom many years ago, but the fact that this film was directed by Penelope Spheeris (Suburbia) only ups this movie’s cool quotient.
6Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade (2003)
Okay, if you don’t enjoy the deepness ofRecess: Taking the Fifth Gradethen you may want to find out if you have a pulse. As usual, the main characters are coming up against obstacles that stop them from having fun. However, like all theRecessfilms there is a bigger lesson afoot. One of friendship, loyalty, and the preciousness of youth. Netflix has hit a home run by having this movie in their kid’s line-up.
