Many favorite childhood memories involve a comfy couch, microwave popcorn (maybe with a handful of M&Ms mixed in for good measure), and a family movie night. And for those of us who have children of our own, it’s delightful to discover that watching our kids watch movies makes for new memories that are just as special. Their unexpected giggles, their fully engaged wide eyes, their endearing way of grabbing your arm during a mildly scary scene — it’s all just the best. The only thing better? Enjoying the films yourself, with or without those mini co-viewers. 

So, we’ve made you a list of 13 fun flicks that are guaranteed to hold your attention to the end (even if the youngest sleepyhead in your party doesn’t make it quite that far). From animated adventures to live-action comedies and mesmerizing musicals, there’s something for every fam. Pass around the popcorn and enjoy!

Enola Holmes

Did you know Sherlock had a sister? With sleuthing skills to rival her brother’s, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown) is on a case to find her missing mother (Helena Bonham Carter), who disappeared on the morning of Enola’s 16th birthday. Soon after, Enola’s brothers Mycroft (Sam Claflin) and Sherlock (Henry Cavill) return home, but do more to hinder than help, at least at first. So, with only her wits and a few curious birthday gifts (read: clues) that her mother left behind, Enola sneaks away to try to track her down alone. Enola Holmes has nonstop mystery, excitement, and cleverness in spades, and you don’t have to be a detective to know what everyone will want to watch when it’s over — the sequel.

Enola Holmes

2h 4m   PG-13   2020

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Family Switch

In this Freaky Friday–esque feature, a family outing to Los Angeles’ Griffith Observatory just before the holidays turns out to be life-changing — literally. After a planetary alignment–slash–telescope fiasco, the Walkers awake the next morning to discover they’ve all swapped bodies: Mom Jess (Jennifer Garner) and daughter CC (Emma Myers), dad Bill (Ed Helms) and son Wyatt (Brady Noon), and toddler Miles (Lincoln and Theodore Sykes) and French bulldog Pickles. With limited time, the Walkers must figure out how to repair the telescope (shout-out to helpful astrologer Angelica, played by Rita Moreno) and survive role-playing in each other’s lives. The results? Hilarity and a heartwarming dose of perspective that leads to “family bonding” — this time, thankfully, in a figurative sense.

Family Switch

1h 45m   PG   2023

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Leo

Experience is the best teacher, and class pet Leo (Adam Sandler) — a talking tuatara — has learned a lot in his 74 years observing fifth graders. So in the face of a mortality crisis (Leo overhears a parent remark that his life expectancy is 75), he decides to make the most of his remaining time by acting as a sort of kid therapist. Whenever a class member takes him home, Leo offers a listening ear (do tuataras have ears?), solid advice, and, oftentimes, a catchy song (did we mention this was a musical?). Genuinely funny and surprisingly self-aware, this is only the second animated feature from Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions, and 21 years after Eight Crazy Nights, it was worth the wait. 

Leo

1h 46m   PG   2023

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The Mitchells vs. The Machines

Aspiring moviemaker Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) is on a cross-country road trip to her dream film school, accompanied by her dog (Doug the Pug), little brother (Mike Rianda), mom (Maya Rudolph), and tech-hating dad (Danny McBride). But meanwhile, an AI virtual assistant called PAL (Olivia Colman) has learned her creator’s newest robotic inventions will render her obsolete — and PAL refuses to go down without a fight. Cue a robot apocalypse and diabolical plan to capture all of humanity. Now the Mitchells’ family squabbles and misunderstandings have to take a backseat to… well, saving the world. This Oscar-nominated sci-fi action-comedy is sharp, funny, and touching. And we haven’t even mentioned its deep bench of voice cameos — Fred Armisen, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Blake Griffin, and Conan O'Brien, to name a few.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines

1h 54m   PG   2021

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Nimona

Chloë Grace Moretz stars as the titular shape-shifting teen in this Oscar-nominated web comic adaptation. Nimona’s kingdom has long been protected from monsters by an elite force of knights, and hoping to join their ranks is Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) — who’d be the first commoner to do so, due to Queen Valerin’s (Lorraine Toussaint) decree that a hero’s heart should matter more than their bloodline. But during the knighting ceremony, tragedy strikes and Ballister is framed. Assuming him to be a kindred spirit, the rebellious Nimona declares herself Ballister’s sidekick and vows to help prove his innocence, while harboring a potentially kingdom-shattering secret herself. Because of its heart, irreverence, mischief, and stunning animation, we especially recommend Nimona for families with teens.  

Nimona

1h 42m   PG   2023

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Orion and the Dark

From Charlie Kaufman, the mind behind meta classics including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Being John Malkovich, comes this DreamWorks Animation creation about an 11-year-old who’s scared of everything — but mostly the dark. And frankly, Dark (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser) is a little fed up. Hoping to prove he’s really nothing to be afraid of, Dark invites the anxious Orion (Jacob Tremblay) to accompany him on the job, promising that he can help Orion overcome his fears by morning, because “one night can change everything.” With any luck, this smart, unique, and critically acclaimed work just may resonate with a few real-life kids who are overly attached to their night-lights.

Orion and the Dark

1h 32m   TV-Y7   2024

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Over the Moon

Our final musical on the list is a space-filled fantasy about a teenager named Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) with a mission to prove the existence of a legendary moon goddess (Phillipa Soo). Still grieving the death of her mother (Ruthie Ann Miles) and upset by her father’s (John Cho) desire to remarry, Fei Fei builds a rocket and sets her lunar course — only to realize her soon-to-be stepbrother, Chin (Robert G. Chiu), has snuck aboard. Now they’ll have to work together to accomplish their goals and make it back home. Rounding out the stellar cast is Sandra Oh, Margaret Cho, Kimiko Glenn, and Ken Jeong. This beautifully poignant story about loss, acceptance, and moving on is still light enough for little ones. 

Over the Moon

1h 40m   PG   2020

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Paddington in Peru

The politest bear in history is back — for a third film in the franchise based on the Paddington Bear children’s series created by British author Michael Bond. This time, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) returns to his homeland when the Reverend Mother at the Home of Retired Bears (Olivia Colman) writes to him concerned about the state of his dear Aunt Lucy (Imelda Staunton). Before you can say “marmalade,” the Brown family (Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin) is on their way. But when they arrive, they learn Lucy has gone missing — and that there’s more to find in Peru than they ever could’ve imagined. 

Paddington in Peru

1h 46m   PG   2024

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Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical

This charming movie-musical is based on the stage musical of the same name, which was itself based on the beloved children’s novel by Roald Dahl, as the title suggests. Despite negligent parents (Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough), the precocious Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir) remains sweet-tempered and devoted to her love of reading — even at Crunchem Hall under the dastardly headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull (Emma Thompson). Matilda soon develops telekinetic abilities, and sets out to lead her kind-hearted teacher Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch) and her classmates in a revolution to free them from Trunchbull’s tyranny once and for all. Thanks to a classic, compelling story plus unbelievably gifted young stars (the dance scenes alone are mind-blowing!), kids and parents alike will be singing its praises. (And if you want to pair Matilda with a classic throwback, consider queueing up the 1982 movie-musical Annie, which also boasts a charming young heroine, talented-kids ensemble, and conniving adults who underestimate them.)

Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical

2h 2m   PG   2022

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The Sea Beast

As legendary as the sea monsters that roam the deep are the hunters who go after them. And the most famous of these hunters is Captain Crow (Jared Harris) and his crew, which includes first mate Sarah (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) and adopted son Jacob (Karl Urban). To secure their careers, Crow’s team must find and kill a beast known as “The Red Bluster” before the king and queen (Jim Carter and Doon Mackichan) and Admiral Eric Hornagold (Dan Stevens) can manage it first. To make things more interesting, a daring young orphan named Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) stows away on their ship. This epic (and Oscar-nominated) tale features gorgeous animation and all the swashbuckling adventure any wannabe pirates could hope for.

The Sea Beast

1h 59m   PG   2022

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The Secret Life of Pets

Ever wonder what your doggo does all day at home while you’re at work? Wonder no more. This animated comedy presents Max (Louis C.K.), a Jack Russell Terrier, on the misadventure of a lifetime. When Max’s owner (Ellie Kemper) adopts another dog, Duke (Eric Stonestreet), to share their home, Max is jealous. Soon after, the adopted dog-brothers find themselves far from the apartment and in danger of being scooped up by animal control, and tangled up with "The Flushed Pets," a gang of abandoned, human-hating animals out for vengeance. Can Max and Duke work together to get back to Katie? Comedy legends Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Hannibal Buress, Lake Bell, Bobby Moynihan, and Dana Carvey also star. 

The Secret Life of Pets

1h 26m   PG   2016

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Sing

Want to entertain the kids and hear some of your favorite songs? This jukebox musical comedy tells the story of an enterprising koala named Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) who’s desperate to save his struggling theater. He thinks new talent could do it and decides to host a singing competition. But a typo promises the winner $100,000 instead of $1,000, so now Buster must fund the prize money before his newly selected cast of hopefuls finds out. Starring the voice talents of Scarlett Johansson, Tori Kelly, Taron Egerton, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane, Nick Kroll, John C. Reilly, and Jennifer Saunders, Sing will make your heart do just that. 

Sing

1h 48m   PG   2016

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The Willoughbys

If your household’s sense of humor skews darker, we suggest this oddball movie, which opens with a warning delivered by a blue tabby cat (Ricky Gervais): “If you love stories about families that stick together and love each other through thick and thin, and it all ends happily ever after… this isn’t the film for you, OK?” Based on the children’s book by Lois Lowry, The Willoughbys follows four siblings — Tim (Will Forte), Jane (Canadian singer-songwriter Alessia Cara) and twins both named Barnaby (Seán Cullen) — who hatch a plan to send their wickedly selfish parents (Martin Short and Jane Krakowski) on a vacation from which they’ll never return. After the Willoughby parents depart, a warm and boisterous nanny named Linda (Maya Rudolph) arrives to actually care for the children in their stead.

The Willoughbys

1h 32m   PG   2020

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