Looking for family movie night ideas? Start with Disney+
Looking for family movie night ideas? Start with Disney+
It’s packed with movies your kids will love it, and you’ll actually enjoy watching too.
What makes a movie “family-friendly,” anyway? Yes, it’s got to be safe for kids - no over-the-top violence, swearing, or anything you wouldn’t want your little ones repeating. But here’s the thing: it also needs to keep the adults (like me) entertained. Because let’s face it, nobody wants to sit through a movie that feels like a chore, no matter how kid-safe it is. The best family-friendly movies strike that balance… and that’s exactly where Disney+ shines. It’s not just a treasure trove of content you can trust your kids to watch - it’s also a platform loaded with movies that’ll have you laughing, reminiscing, or just genuinely enjoying yourself. Disney+ has mastered the art of making stories that are as fun for adults as they are for kids, and that’s why it’s my favorite streamer for family-friendly movies.
Everything you need to know about the best streamer for family-friendly movies:
What popular family-friendly movies can you stream on Disney+?
For me, Disney+ isn’t the top pick for family-friendly movies just because of its big-name hits. What really sets it apart is its ability to deliver action-packed movies that are fun without being overly violent. Take the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise - it’s packed with great battles in a fun world, but it’s done in a way that’s exciting for kids and totally enjoyable for adults too, without crossing into anything too intense. There’s plenty of fast-paced action and colorful characters to keep kids hooked, while the humor, classic rock soundtrack, and surprisingly emotional moments give adults something to connect with. Whether it’s Star-Lord’s sarcasm, Rocket’s dry wit, or those nostalgic ‘70s and ‘80s tunes, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
I can’t talk about Disney+ without mentioning the “Moana” movies. I watched the first movie with my five-year-old niece over Christmas, along with the rest of my family, and it was a pleasant surprise. These films follow Moana, a bold young girl who sets out on a daring ocean adventure to save her island and discover her true destiny. Kids love the fun characters, catchy songs, and the high-stakes journey, but there’s so much here for adults, too. The film gave me a lovely glimpse into Polynesian culture, from the traditions to the mythology, and the themes of self-discovery and connection resonate no matter your age. Plus, the animation is stunning - it’s hard not to get swept up in the story.
My wife and I also saw the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” in theaters and loved it. First, there’s the nostalgic aspect, but it also has gorgeous visuals along with the iconic songs. My favorite aspect of the film was watching Awkwafina as Scuttle - she takes it to another level. Her performance is hilarious, especially “The Scuttlebutt,” a song all about spreading juicy gossip. It’s so funny and offbeat that even adults will find themselves cracking up. It’s the perfect example of how this movie updates the classic while keeping it a blast for everyone.
When it comes to family-friendly movies on Disney+, “Encanto” is another standout. It’s all about Mirabel, the only one in her magical family who doesn’t have a special gift. While everyone else can heal, grow plants, or control the weather, she’s just trying to figure out where she fits in. But when their magic starts to disappear, Mirabel steps up to save the day… and her family. Kids love the bright colors, fun characters, and super-catchy songs (you’ll definitely be singing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”), and for adults, it’s a really touching story about family, individuality, and learning to see each other for who we really are.
For some live-action fun, “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” is a perfect pick. It kicks off with a cursed pirate crew, a kidnapped governor’s daughter, and a blacksmith teaming up with the one-and-only Captain Jack Sparrow to save the day. Kids get swept up in the sword fights, ship battles, and ghostly curses, while I can’t help but enjoy Johnny Depp’s hilarious, offbeat take on Jack. The dialogue is sharp, the story is fast-paced, and it’s got enough twists and turns to keep everyone on board (pun intended). It’s a great pick for a family movie night when you’re in the mood for some high-seas fun.
Finally, Disney+ is a goldmine for “Star Wars” fans, with access to all the films and a ton of shows set in the galaxy far, far away. For family movie night, you can start with classics like “A New Hope” or newer hits like “The Force Awakens,” which bring epic space battles and lightsaber duels that kids love, along with characters and stories that adults can really get into. For younger fans, animated series like “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” or “Rebels” are perfect - they’re action-packed but still age-appropriate. And if you’re looking for something everyone can enjoy, “The Mandalorian” is a great pick with its mix of adventure, heart, and, of course, Baby Yoda (Grogu).
Here are some of the other family-friendly movies you can watch on Disney+:
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Coco
October 27, 2017Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.
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Inside Out
June 17, 2015When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home.
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Frozen
November 20, 2013Young princess Anna of Arendelle dreams about finding true love at her sister Elsa’s coronation. Fate takes her on a dangerous journey in an attempt to end the eternal winter that has fallen over the kingdom. She’s accompanied by ice delivery man Kristoff, his reindeer Sven, and snowman Olaf. On an adventure where she will find out what friendship, courage, family, and true love really means.
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The Lion King
June 24, 1994Young lion prince Simba flees when his father is killed by his usurper uncle. Years after the betrayal and tragedy, a grown-up and mature Simba returns to claim his rightful place on the throne.
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Raya and the Last Dragon
March 3, 2021Long ago, in the fantasy world of Kumandra, humans and dragons lived together in harmony. But when an evil force threatened the land, the dragons sacrificed themselves to save humanity. Now, 500 years later, that same evil has returned and it’s up to a lone warrior, Raya, to track down the legendary last dragon to restore the fractured land and its divided people.
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Toy Story
October 30, 1995Led by Woody, Andy’s toys live happily in his room until Andy’s birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy’s heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
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The Princess Bride
September 25, 1987In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can’t stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
This is an endlessly quotable classic. It’s a perfect blend of comedy, fantasy, action, and love conquering all odds.
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Mary Poppins
December 17, 1964Mr Banks is looking for a nanny for his two mischievous children and comes across Mary Poppins, an angelic nanny. She not only brings a change in their lives but also spreads happiness.
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Finding Nemo
May 30, 2003Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist’s office aquarium. It’s up to his worrisome father Marlin and a friendly but forgetful fish Dory to bring Nemo home — meeting vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more along the way.
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The Incredibles
October 27, 2004Bob Parr has given up his superhero days to log in time as an insurance adjuster and raise his three children with his formerly heroic wife in suburbia. But when he receives a mysterious assignment, it’s time to get back into costume.
What other streaming platforms carry family-friendly movies?
While Disney+ might lead the pack for family-friendly movies, there are a few other streamers that deserve a mention.
Netflix is a strong contender for families with gems like “The Mitchells vs. The Machines,” a lovely film about an eccentric family saving the world from a robot apocalypse. They’ve also got “Klaus,” a visually stunning take on the origin of Santa Claus, and “My Father’s Dragon,” a magical adventure filled with friendship and courage.
Max is another platform that’s great for family movie nights, offering both classics and modern favorites. You can stream “The Wizard of Oz,” a timeless adventure beloved by generations, or something newer like “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” which combines basketball, laughs, and plenty of Looney Tunes chaos. The range of options makes Max a solid pick for families who love variety.
Finally, Prime Video also deserves a shout-out for some excellent family-friendly options. Titles like “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” bring humor and heart, while a classic like “The Lego Movie,” never fails to charm younger audiences and adults, too. These platforms might not have the same magic formula as Disney+, but they offer plenty of family-friendly movies to keep everyone entertained.
Here are some of the popular family-friendly movies you can watch on other streamers:
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The Mitchells vs. the Machines
April 22, 2021A quirky, dysfunctional family’s road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity’s unlikeliest last hope.
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Klaus
November 8, 2019When Jesper distinguishes himself as the Postal Academy’s worst student, he is sent to Smeerensburg, a small village located on an icy island above the Arctic Circle, where grumpy inhabitants barely exchange words, let alone letters. Jesper is about to give up and abandon his duty as a postman when he meets local teacher Alva and Klaus, a mysterious carpenter who lives alone in a cabin full of handmade toys.
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My Father's Dragon
November 4, 2022Struggling to cope after a move to the city with his mother, Elmer runs away in search of Wild Island and a young dragon who waits to be rescued. Elmer’s adventures introduce him to ferocious beasts, a mysterious island and the friendship of a lifetime.
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The Wizard of Oz
August 15, 1939Young Dorothy finds herself in a magical world where she makes friends with a lion, a scarecrow and a tin man as they make their way along the yellow brick road to talk with the Wizard and ask for the things they miss most in their lives. The Wicked Witch of the West is the only thing that could stop them.
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Space Jam: A New Legacy
July 8, 2021When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life.
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Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
January 31, 2022When Van Helsing’s mysterious invention, the “Monsterfication Ray,” goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny becomes a monster. In their new mismatched bodies, Drac and Johnny must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy.
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The Lego Movie
February 6, 2014An ordinary Lego mini-figure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil Lego tyrant from conquering the universe.
