Look, we've all been there. It's a rainy Saturday, someone's home sick, or you just need 90 minutes of peace to get something done. You open Netflix, scroll past 47 options that look either too scary, too babyish, or suspiciously like they were animated by someone's cousin in their basement, and somehow end up watching the same movie your kid has seen 14 times already.
The good news? Netflix actually has some genuinely great films for kids across every age range. The bad news? They're buried under a mountain of mediocre content, and the algorithm seems to think your 8-year-old wants to watch the same three things forever.
This guide breaks down the actual best Netflix films by age group—movies that won't make you want to leave the room, that have some substance beyond just keeping eyeballs glued to screens, and that you might even enjoy watching together.
Not all kids' movies are created equal, and I'm not just talking about animation quality. The difference between a thoughtfully made film and straight-up brain rot is real. Good movies can:
- Spark conversations about friendship, courage, failure, or just how cool octopuses are
- Expand imagination in ways that formulaic content just doesn't
- Model emotional intelligence through characters who actually grow and change
- Provide shared cultural touchstones (yes, even in our fragmented media landscape)
Plus, let's be honest—you're probably going to end up watching at least part of whatever they're watching. Might as well be something that doesn't make you want to claw your eyes out.
Ages 3-6: Preschool & Early Elementary
At this age, you're looking for movies with clear storylines, not-too-scary conflicts, and ideally some educational value sneaked in there.
Shaun the Sheep Movie is basically perfect for this age. It's Aardman Animation (the Wallace & Gromit folks), there's zero dialogue so no worrying about language, and it's genuinely clever physical comedy. Parents love it too.
The Willoughbys has gorgeous animation and a sweet story about found family, though heads up—it deals with neglectful parents in a darkly comedic way that goes over little kids' heads but might feel a bit close to home for some families.
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is the sequel and equally delightful. If your kid likes one, they'll like both.
Ages 6-9: Early Elementary
This age can handle more complex plots and mild peril, but still needs clear good vs. evil and happy endings.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines is hands-down one of the best animated films of the past few years. It's about a quirky family saving the world from an AI apocalypse, it's hilarious, the animation style is innovative, and it has genuine heart about family dynamics and accepting each other's differences. Ages 7+ will get the most out of it.
Klaus is a gorgeous origin story for Santa that's not saccharine. Beautiful 2D animation, a story about kindness creating change, and it works for the whole family. Perfect for the holiday season but honestly good year-round.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is stunning stop-motion animation with a darker, more meaningful take on the classic story. It's set during Mussolini's Italy and deals with loss, war, and what it means to be human. This is NOT the Disney version. Age 8+ for sure, and even then, sensitive kids might find parts intense.
Ages 9-12: Tweens
Tweens want stories that feel more grown-up but aren't actually inappropriate. They're ready for moral complexity, real stakes, and characters who make mistakes.
The Sea Beast is an adventure film about monster hunters that subverts expectations in really smart ways. Great animation, exciting action sequences, and themes about questioning what you've been taught. Solid for ages 8-13.
Nimona is based on the beloved graphic novel and it's fantastic. A shapeshifter and a disgraced knight team up, there's medieval sci-fi vibes, LGBTQ+ representation that feels natural, and themes about not fitting in that will resonate with this age group. Age 9+ will appreciate it most.
Enola Holmes and Enola Holmes 2 are live-action mysteries starring Millie Bobby Brown as Sherlock's brilliant younger sister. Smart, fun, feminist without being preachy, and might get your kid interested in actual detective work (or at least reading). Great for ages 10+.
Okja is from the director of Parasite and it's about a girl trying to save her giant pet pig from a corporation. It's beautiful, emotional, and has some intense moments around animal welfare and corporate greed. This is for mature 11-12 year olds who can handle those themes.
Ages 13+: Teens
Teens need movies that respect their intelligence and don't talk down to them. They're ready for ambiguity, complex themes, and stories that don't tie everything up in a neat bow.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines works here too—the family dynamics and tech satire hit different for teens.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is really more of a teen/adult film despite being animated. The themes are heavy and sophisticated.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is a blast—a whodunit with a stellar cast, clever writing, and social commentary that teens will pick up on. There's some language and adult themes, so 13+ is right.
Netflix's age ratings are... inconsistent. They tend to be more conservative than theatrical ratings, but still, watch trailers yourself before committing. Common Sense Media
has detailed reviews if you want a second opinion.
"Kids' movies" doesn't mean "movies kids will sit through." A beautifully crafted film with slow pacing might lose a 6-year-old who's used to YouTube's rapid-fire content. That's not a failure of the movie or your kid—it's just about matching content to attention span and developmental stage.
Co-viewing is your friend. Watching together means you can gauge reactions, pause for questions, and use the movie as a jumping-off point for conversations. Plus, some of these are legitimately good films you'll enjoy.
Netflix's library rotates. Movies come and go based on licensing deals. If something on this list isn't available when you look, it might come back, or you can find it elsewhere. Check JustWatch to see where else it's streaming.
The best Netflix film for your kid is the one that matches where they are developmentally, holds their attention without being pure sugar, and maybe—just maybe—gives you something to talk about afterward.
Start with one from the age range below where your kid actually is. Kids can often handle content for older ages, but there's no shame in starting younger and working up. A movie they fully understand and enjoy is better than one that's technically age-appropriate but leaves them confused or anxious.
And if they want to rewatch the same movie for the 47th time? Sometimes that's okay too. Comfort rewatching is real, and there are worse things than a kid who's memorized every line of The Mitchells vs. The Machines.
Want more recommendations? Check out our guides on best Netflix shows for kids or movies that aren't on Netflix but are worth finding.
Trying to balance screen time? Our guide to screen time by age can help you figure out what makes sense for your family.
Want to know what other families are watching? Screenwise's community data shows what's actually popular in different age groups in your area—not just what Netflix's algorithm thinks you want to see.