Let me guess: you're standing in front of the TV, scrolling through Netflix for the 47th time this month, and every single movie looks either too young, too violent, too boring, or just... questionable. Meanwhile, your kid is asking "can we watch something?" for the third time in two minutes, and you're about to just put on whatever has a colorful thumbnail and hope for the best.
Here's the thing about finding good movies to watch with kids in 2026: the streaming era has given us infinite options and somehow made choosing harder than ever. Our community data shows that 92% of families use streaming services regularly, with 40% of families letting kids choose Netflix content themselves and 50% watching Disney+ together as a family. That's a lot of scrolling, a lot of "is this okay?" moments, and honestly, a lot of mediocre content getting through because we're all just tired.
But here's what matters: not all screen time is created equal. A well-chosen movie can spark conversations about friendship, resilience, creativity, or even just teach your kid that not everything needs to be solved with a fart joke (though honestly, sometimes it does). A poorly chosen one can mean awkward questions about why that character said that word, or worse—90 minutes of absolute brain rot that leaves everyone feeling kind of gross.
Look, I'm not here to tell you that every movie needs to be an educational experience or a heartwarming Pixar tearjerker. Sometimes you just need 90 minutes of peace, and that's completely valid. But since our kids are watching movies anyway—and since about 62% of families in our community use streaming services with some level of kid independence—we might as well be intentional about what's actually worth their time.
Here's what good movie choices can do:
- Build emotional literacy - Seeing characters navigate complex feelings gives kids language for their own emotions
- Spark curiosity - A great movie can launch a month-long obsession with space, ancient Egypt, or marine biology
- Create shared culture - Family movie nights build memories and inside jokes that last for years
- Model problem-solving - How do characters handle conflict, disappointment, or challenges?
And here's what bad choices do: waste time, normalize behavior you don't love, or just leave everyone feeling kind of... blah.
The MPAA ratings are basically useless at this point. PG can mean "gentle adventure with one mild swear" or "intense peril and some truly disturbing imagery." Here's what actually works:
Ages 4-7: The "Will They Sit Still?" Years
Look for: Simple plots, clear good vs. bad, humor that lands with little kids, runtime under 90 minutes
Strong picks: Paddington and Paddington 2 (genuinely delightful, adults will enjoy them too), Moana (catchy songs, strong female lead, beautiful animation), The Mitchells vs. The Machines (funny family dynamics, surprisingly heartfelt).
Skip: Anything with "intense peril" that might seem fine to you but will have them asking to sleep in your bed for a week. Also, most live-action Disney remakes—they're just not as good as the originals and weirdly darker.
Ages 8-11: The "They Think They're Older Than They Are" Years
Look for: More complex plots, humor with layers, characters facing real challenges, themes they can discuss afterward
Strong picks: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (visually stunning, great message about being yourself), Encanto (family dynamics that hit different when you're old enough to get it), The LEGO Movie (clever, genuinely funny for all ages), Kubo and the Two Strings (gorgeous stop-motion, deeper themes about family and storytelling).
Watch out for: The "it's animated so it must be for kids" trap. Not every animated movie is kid-appropriate, and not every kid movie needs to be animated. Also, be ready for the Marvel conversation—some kids this age can handle the action and complexity, others can't. Learn more about Marvel movies and age appropriateness
.
Ages 12+: The "Can I Watch What My Friends Are Watching?" Years
Look for: Nuanced characters, more sophisticated humor, themes that reflect their growing complexity, stuff that doesn't talk down to them
Strong picks: The Princess Bride (a classic for a reason), Hunt for the Wilderpeople (quirky, heartfelt, underrated), Akeelah and the Bee (inspiring without being cheesy), Spirited Away (if they haven't seen it yet, now's the time—it's weird and wonderful).
The hard part: This is when kids start wanting to watch what their friends watch, and their friends might have very different boundaries. About 30% of families in our community give kids free rein on Amazon Prime by this age, but that doesn't mean you have to. Read more about navigating peer pressure around media.
The streaming algorithm is not your friend. Just because Netflix recommends something under "Family" doesn't mean it's right for your family. The algorithm optimizes for engagement (aka keeping eyeballs on screens), not for quality or appropriateness.
Read the parent reviews, not just the star ratings. Common Sense Media is your friend here—actual parents sharing what surprised them, what their kids loved, what made them uncomfortable. Our Screenwise community also shares real reviews and WISE scores that can help you make informed choices.
Preview is powerful. If you're unsure, watch the first 15 minutes yourself or skim through. You'll get a sense of tone, humor, and whether it's a fit. Yes, this takes time. Yes, it's worth it.
Co-viewing creates connection. The data shows 50% of families watch Disney+ together, and there's a reason—watching together means you can gauge reactions, pause for questions, and talk about what you're seeing. It's not always possible, but when it is, it's valuable.
Not every movie needs to be a "good" movie. Sometimes you just need something fun and silly. The Mitchells vs. The Machines is both smart and silly. Paddington is pure joy. These aren't going to change lives, but they're not brain rot either.
Finding good movies to watch shouldn't feel like a research project, but in 2026, it kind of does. The good news? Once you find a few trusted sources—whether that's Screenwise, Common Sense Media, or that one parent friend with great taste—it gets easier.
Start with your family's values and your kid's actual maturity level (not their age, their maturity). Build a list of vetted options so you're not scrolling in desperation at 6 PM on a Friday. And remember: a "no" to one movie doesn't make you the bad guy—it makes you the parent who's actually paying attention.
- Build your family movie list: Grab 5-10 movies from the suggestions above that fit your kids' ages and your family's vibe. Save them in a list so you're not starting from zero every time.
- Check out our guide to Netflix parental controls if your kids are browsing independently—there are settings you probably don't know about.
- Try a family movie night ritual: Same night each week, take turns choosing, make it special. Consistency makes it easier to say "yes, but on movie night."
- Use Screenwise to explore: Search for specific movies you're curious about, or ask our chatbot questions about what's age-appropriate for your kids.
The goal isn't perfection. The goal is being intentional about what your family watches, so when you do press play, you feel good about it.