As family movie night approaches, selecting a film that appeals to everyone can be quite the challenge. While it’s tempting to stick with tried-and-true favorites, if you’re feeling more inclined to tackle your taxes than watch Frozen for the umpteenth time, you’re in for a treat. With the abundance of streaming services available today, a world of fantastic films is just a click away, providing a plethora of choices to suit every taste.
From blockbuster hits featuring star-studded casts to charming indie films and delightful dramedies, there are a multitude of new family movies available to stream that will please even the pickiest family member. Discovering the best new family films streaming right now can lead to a night filled with joy, laughter, and entertainment suitable for both kids and adults. Any of these selections will make for a wonderful cozy night in with family and friends.
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Experience the Adventure of ‘Monkey King’ (2023)
Loosely inspired by the first seven chapters of the iconic Ming dynasty novel, Journey to the West, Monkey King narrates the enthralling journey of the titular character, who embarks on a quest to prove himself as a worthy king. Throughout his adventure, Monkey faces an array of challenges including formidable demons, dragons, gods, and other mythical beings, particularly the tyrannical Dragon King, as he grapples with his own ego. Voiced by the talented Jimmy O. Yang, the protagonist Sun Wukong, also known as Monkey King, engages in a riveting battle against Bowen Yang, who brings the villainous Dragon King to life.
Offering a lighthearted spin on age-old folklore, Monkey King presents a vibrant, amusing, and charming animated tale bursting with energy that is bound to resonate with viewers of all ages. Upon its release, this Netflix original animated film garnered accolades for its exceptional animation, captivating storyline, and dynamic character interactions. Critics also praised the film for its humorous take, which softens the gravity of the original Chinese legends, making it accessible and enjoyable for a contemporary audience. —Maddie P
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Delve into the World of ‘Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken’ (2023)
Among the most underrated standalone films from the illustrious DreamWorks’ catalog, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken centers on Ruby, an awkward high school student who struggles to conceal her family’s secret that they are krakens. As Ruby discovers her family’s rich heritage as guardians of the ocean, she yearns to embrace this legacy far more than her mundane high school existence. However, lurking dangers manifest when Ruby realizes that her new classmate, Chelsea, is actually a mermaid, an enemy of krakens.
The standout feature of Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is its stunning and expressive character animations, with each character bursting with vibrant colors and dynamic movements. From the simplistic land sequences to the dazzling underwater scenes, this film is a visual feast that is sure to captivate audiences of all ages. Even though the storyline may lean towards predictability, the charm and joy embedded in its narrative make it a delightful watch.
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Join the Fun with ‘Despicable Me 4’ (2024)
As the fourth installment in the immensely popular animated film franchise, <em>Despicable Me 4</em> continues the adventures of Gru (Steve Carell), a former supervillain turned Anti-Villain League agent, along with his loyal minions. This exciting sequel picks up after the events of 2017’s Despicable Me 3 and follows Gru, now a devoted husband and father of four, as he navigates challenges to safeguard his family from the vengeful Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), who poses a threat to Gru’s infant son, Gru Jr.
Despite receiving a mixed critical reception, Despicable Me 4 emerged as a summer blockbuster success in 2024, continuing the franchise’s trend of box office hits. With a fast-paced storyline and the introduction of colorful, quirky new characters, including superhero minions voiced by Joey King, Stephen Colbert, and Sofía Vergara, Despicable Me 4 promises an exhilarating joyride of entertainment suitable for the entire family. —Maddie P
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Enjoy a Whimsical Adventure in ‘Merry Little Batman’ (2023)
Taking a unique approach reminiscent of a holiday children’s book, Merry Little Batman features Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian Wayne, whose biggest wish for Christmas is to emulate his father’s heroic status. After Damian is left alone at home on a night filled with crime-fighting adventures for Batman, he accidentally uncovers a villainous scheme aiming to take over Gotham City. Determined to make a difference, he decides to assume the role of Batman and ventures into the snowy night to save the day.
Merry Little Batman stands apart from other Batman films by adopting a tonal and stylistic direction that is refreshingly different, using the familiar characters and universe as a foundation for a heartwarming tale of family bonding during the festive season. The film employs a distinct 2D animation style that echoes classic children’s literature and nostalgic holiday specials, perfectly capturing the warmth and comfort of family gatherings during the holidays.
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Discover the Magic of ‘Orion and the Dark’ (2024)
As one of the latest original films from DreamWorks Animation, Orion and the Dark chronicles the journey of Orion (Jacob Tremblay), a young boy whose vivid imagination often leads to more fears than enjoyment. One fateful night, he encounters the personification of night itself, Dark (Paul Walter Hauser), who aims to showcase the wonders of existence and help Orion overcome his paralyzing fears.
Although Academy Award-winning screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is typically associated with themes of dread and existentialism, he skillfully adapts his writing for younger audiences in Orion and the Dark. The outcome is a captivating animated film that, alongside its brilliant visuals and inventive premise, honors its young audience with respect and appreciation, setting it apart from many other animated features. Orion and the Dark carries a profound message at its core, one that resonates deeply with viewers of all ages.
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Unleash Your Imagination with ‘IF’ (2024)
In a remarkable shift from his previous horror films, IF showcases John Krasinski exploring the whimsical world of childhood imagination, delving into what becomes of imaginary friends as children mature. The story follows young Bea (Cailey Fleming), who, while visiting her grandmother during her father’s hospital stay, discovers her ability to see everyone’s imaginary companions. Recognizing the struggles and loneliness faced by these forgotten friends, she embarks on a heartfelt quest to reunite them with their now-adult companions.
Krasinski’s unique directorial style and flair for creativity elevate IF beyond the typical quirky family films, holding nothing back in showcasing the limitless potential of childhood imagination. The film delivers a beautiful and poignant message about nurturing one’s inner child and maintaining optimism, even during challenging times. One can only hope that Krasinski continues to embrace his inner child in crafting more family-centric films in the future.
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Experience the Heartwarming Tale of ‘The Magician’s Elephant’ (2023)
Discover one of the best new children’s films available for streaming that you may not yet have encountered, The Magician’s Elephant, which is a Netflix original animated feature that follows Peter’s (Noah Jupe) quest to find his missing sister. Driven by a fortune teller’s claim that she is still alive, Peter embarks on a magical adventure that leads him to follow an elephant.
Before long, Peter finds himself on an extraordinary journey that he could never have anticipated. The Magician’s Elephant is a poignant story about resilience and bravery driven by love. While it may not aim to be groundbreaking, it effectively resonates with audiences, tugging at heartstrings at precisely the right moments.
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Uncover the Origins in ‘Transformers One’ (2024)
While previous Transformers films often felt more like showcases for explosive action and high-budget CGI, Transformers One takes a fresh animated perspective that genuinely cherishes the mythology and characters of the Transformers universe. This film serves as an origin story for Optimus Prime and Megatron, exploring their early friendship as Orion Pax and D-16, lowly miners on Cybertron. Their journey leads them on an unexpected quest to recover a long-lost artifact and save their planet from impending doom.
Not only is Transformers One crafted to be more family-friendly than its predecessors, but it also offers a deeply emotional narrative with significant thematic depth. The story illustrates the inevitable rift between its protagonists, yet infuses enough charm and humor into the opening acts, heightening the impact of its more serious moments. This film easily represents the best installment in the Transformers series in years and opens up exciting pathways for the franchise’s future.
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Sing Along with ‘Sing 2’ (2021)
The sequel to the widely adored and successful Illumination film, Sing 2 continues the theatrical aspirations of Buster Moon and his eclectic crew of singers, as they set their sights on staging a new show at the prestigious Crystal Tower Theater. However, the transition to the bustling life of Redshore City proves more challenging than expected, as Moon must leverage any connections available to secure a chance for their performance. Their big break arrives when they promise to bring back the legendary retired rock star Clay Calloway.
Sing 2 retains many of the elements that made the original film such a hit, blending the inherent family-friendly appeal of adorable animated animals with a classic talent show narrative. The film successfully evolves the characters introduced in the first installment, while also introducing an array of new memorable faces. The culmination is a spectacular show featuring vibrant, upbeat music and a satisfying resolution for all the characters’ arcs.
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Experience the Hilarity of ‘Hotel Transylvania: Transformania’ (2022)
As the fourth entry in the Hotel Transylvania series, Hotel Transylvania: Transformania shakes up the established formula when an invention goes awry, transforming Johnny into a monster and Dracula along with his friends into humans. Struggling to adapt to their new forms, the group embarks on a global quest to find a cure before they are permanently stuck in these bodies.
The Hotel Transylvania films are renowned for their vibrant character animation and innovative use of 2D animation techniques within a 3D environment, and Transformania continues this tradition beautifully. The film excels in showcasing the expressive and chaotic new designs of the characters, along with the inherent humor derived from the plot and the stellar vocal performances from the cast. It successfully honors the legacy of the series and is a must-watch for fans of the previous movies.
