Family Movie Night: Top Picks for Parents and Kids This Weekend

Animated Adventures

• Encanto (2021, PG) – A Disney musical fantasy about the Madrigal family in a magical Colombian village. When Mirabel, the only child without a superpower, discovers the family’s enchantment is failing, she must save their magic. Critics praise Encanto as “enchanting, beautifully animated fun for the whole family”. This lively, culturally rich film (with catchy songs like “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”) is streaming on Disney+.

• The Incredibles (2004, PG) – An action-packed Pixar adventure about a seemingly ordinary family with a secret. Years after saving the world, Mr. Incredible (Bob Parr) and Elastigirl (Helen) are living quiet suburban lives with their three kids – until a top-secret mission calls them back into hero work. Disney+ offers this humorous family film, which combines superhero thrills with heartfelt parent-child moments.

• Finding Nemo (2003, G) – A heartwarming ocean adventure. When young clownfish Nemo is captured from the Great Barrier Reef, his anxious father Marlin and the forgetful fish Dory set off on an epic quest to rescue him. This beloved Pixar classic (rated G) is full of colorful sea creatures and gentle humor, and is available to stream on Disney+.

• Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018, PG-13) – A visually dazzling superhero tale on Netflix. Teenager Miles Morales gets bitten by a radioactive spider and teams up with Spider-Man heroes from other dimensions. The result is a fun, imaginative, and critically acclaimed adventure (Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature) with plenty of action for older kids and teens. (Into the Spider-Verse is currently streaming on Netflix.)

• The Wild Robot (2024, PG) – A new DreamWorks sci-fi tale now on Netflix. An intelligent robot named Roz survives a shipwreck on a deserted island, befriends the local wildlife and even adopts an orphaned gosling. Reviewers say it “dazzles the eye while filling your heart to the brim,” calling it “wondrous entertainment” for all ages. The Wild Robot began streaming on Peacock in Jan 2025 and moved to Netflix in May 2025, making it easy to find for family viewing.

Live-Action Adventures & Comedies

• The Princess Bride (1987, PG) – A timeless fairy-tale adventure on Disney+. In this lighthearted classic, a grandfather entertains his sick grandson with a swashbuckling tale of true love and high adventure. (“A man regales his ailing grandson with a tale of romance and adventure in this lighthearted fairy tale”.) Full of sword fights, humor, and charming characters, The Princess Bride is beloved by kids and parents alike. It’s streaming on Disney+ and perfect for an all-ages movie night.

• Jumanji (1995, PG) – A thrilling fantasy adventure on Netflix. When siblings Judy and Peter find a magical board game, jungle dangers come to life in their house – and they unwittingly free Alan Parrish, a man trapped inside the game for decades. This Robin Williams classic mixes suspense and comedy as the family races against time to finish the game. It’s available on Netflix and is sure to keep older kids (and nostalgic parents) on the edge of their seats.

• Paddington 2 (2018, PG) – A heartwarming live-action comedy on Netflix. Paddington Bear wants to buy a gift for Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, but hilarity ensues when he’s wrongly accused of stealing a precious book. This gentle, funny film is praised for its warmth and humor – perfect for children and adults. Paddington 2 offers sweet lessons about kindness and is currently streaming on Netflix.

• Christopher Robin (2018, PG) – A charming fantasy-drama on Disney+. Winnie the Pooh walks through a magical door into London to reunite with his childhood friend Christopher Robin, who is now a busy adult. Together, Pooh and Christopher rediscover the joys of imagination and friendship. This nostalgic adventure (starring Ewan McGregor) is rated PG and is available to stream on Disney+. It’s gentle and uplifting, great for young kids.

• Enola Holmes 2 (2022, PG-13) – A fun detective adventure on Netflix. Sherlock’s spirited teen sister Enola starts her own agency, and her first missing-person case turns into a big conspiracy. Millie Bobby Brown charms as Enola in this witty, Victorian mystery-comedy. Rated PG-13, it offers some intrigue and humor suitable for older kids and teens. Enola Holmes 2 is streaming on Netflix, making it an easy choice for a family movie night with a touch of sleuthing fun.

Educational & Inspiring

• Hidden Figures (2016, PG) – An inspiring true story on Disney+. This Oscar-nominated film tells how three African-American female mathematicians at NASA (Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson) helped launch John Glenn into orbit. It’s a feel-good drama that combines history, science and teamwork. Rated PG, Hidden Figures entertains while teaching a positive lesson about perseverance and equality. It’s available on Disney+, so families can stream it and discuss its real-life heroes after the show.

Each of these movies is highly rated and packed with entertainment that appeals to both kids and parents. Check your streaming service (Disney+, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.) – the availability noted above is current as of this weekend – and cozy up with snacks for a fun and family-friendly film night!