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When it comes to finding the best movies to watch with kids, finding something that everyone can agree on can be difficult. Do you want an animated movie that takes you on a world of adventure? A live-action movie with jokes and subplots that are really more geared for adults than little ones? Or a classic that you may remember from your own childhood — or one that's even older than that?
The next time it's time to decide, check out one of these best kids' movies to watch in 2023. We've got a mix of something for everyone: brand-new favorites that everyone might be talking about in school, older films that have stood the test of time and still hold up after years (or decades), gentle movies for the littlest cinephiles and edgier movies for the older ones. (But note: All of these are PG and G, so maybe the teens will want to look beyond the scope of this list.) See which ones look good and mark down your favorites, and the next time family movie night rolls around, the only arguing you'll be doing is over your pizza toppings.
Looking for more great family movies? Check out these Good Housekeeping guides:
Best Toddler Movies | Best Teen Movies on Netflix | Best Kids Movies on Netflix
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
The movie event of the year for the video-game set is this animated adaptation of the Super Mario Bros. Nintendo game. Mario is certainly brave, and Princess Peach shows much strength as they go on an adventure to save Luigi — but Bowser steals the show with his "Peaches" song. There are plenty of references and Easter eggs for older NES fans, too.
Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Sleeping Beauty brings the fairy tale to life in a gorgeous color palette, and almost every moment of it looks like it's worthy of hanging on your wall in a frame. Even though it was made more than 60 years ago, it still feels like it could be in theaters tomorrow without looking dated.
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Nimona (2023)
Knights with mechanical arms, shape-shifting teenagers, monsters — this movie has all the stuff that fantasy fans adore. Nimona is the shape-shifter in question, who decides to defend a knight she thinks was framed for murder. But was he, really? The story comes from ND Stevenson, who also made Netflix's She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Mrs. Brisby deserves a spot in the Movie Mom Hall of Fame, if such a thing existed. In order to find medicine to save her sickly son, she has to go on an adventure that has her going up against cats, befriending a bird and uncovering a conspiracy that her husband may have been involved in before he died.
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
This is one of the first movies to emphasize the teenage part of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: They actually sound (and act) like kids. That makes sense coming from producers Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg, who made Superbad.
Labyrinth (1986)
A teenage girl goes on a journey of self-discovery when she accidentally banishes her baby brother to an alternate world. David Bowie plays The Goblin King, who's holding the baby hostage, and rules over a bunch of creatures from the Jim Henson Company. Jim Henson directed the film, too.
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The LEGO Movie (2014)
This zany, fast-paced adventure somehow approximates the feeling of playing with your own toys. The adventure of Emmett, a regular minifigure who wants to be a Master Builder, is incredibly dense with jokes and gags — especially if you're a long-time LEGO collector.
The Dark Crystal (1982)
Gelflings and Skeksis are locked in a struggle between good and evil, and the power comes from a mysterious crystal. This is another Jim Henson classic, populated by his creative fantasy creatures. If kids want more Gelfling adventures, they can move on to the Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
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Moana (2016)
More hero than princess, Moana takes to the sea with the demigod Maui to save her village and people. The soundtrack is just as globetrotting, mixing elements of traditional South Pacific music with Broadway and even hip-hop.
The Princess Bride (1987)
As a grandfather in the beginning of the movie explains when he begins to tell this story, this movie has something for everyone: There's sword-fights, pirates, a wicked prince, miracles, giants and, of course, true love. When it's over, everyone is satisfied.
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Paddington 2 (2017)
Paddington 2 is gentle, droll and all-around easy to be charmed by, but its big claim to fame was that, for a long time, it boasted the rare 100% fresh rating on movie-review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. (Sadly, now it's down to a mere 99%.) Paddington is also pretty charming, if you need to start there.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Kids learn empathy from watching the way Elliott warmly connects with a visitor from outer space. Director Steven Spielberg is a master at capturing childhood without overly romanticizing it, all while still tugging on those heartstrings.
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
It doesn't matter how many Spider-Man movies there are — kids will always be in the mood for another one. This one has jaw-dropping animation and a good theme about how heroism can come from anywhere. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse continues the theme, going into a multi-verse filled with near-infinite Spider-People.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
More than eight decades later, the Wicked Witch of the West is still one of the scariest villains in all of children's entertainment — but she's no match for Dorothy's down-home sweetness. From ruby slippers to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," this movie is the source of so many things we still associate with childhood today.
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My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
This Studio Ghibli movie tells the story of a family that moves into a new house. The two girls in the family start to encounter strange creatures and beings in and around their house, leading to fun adventures that aren't too perilous, making this a good pick even for the youngest cinephiles.
Encanto (2021)
This would win a spot on our list for "We Don't Talk About Bruno" alone, which quickly rocketed up the list of the best Disney songs the minute it came out. The fact that "Bruno" is surrounded by a moving story about family — one that turns many Disney conventions on its head (there's no quest or adventure outside the home, for example) — is just icing on the cake.
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The Karate Kid (1984)
If you can stomach the idea of the kids "wax-on, wax-off"-ing their karate moves around the house, show them this inspiring movie about a kid who delves into martial arts as a refuge from school bullying. If they like it, they can try the 2010 remake starring Jaden Smith, the two sequels, or the Netflix series.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Amaze your family with a true story that goes behind-the-scenes in America's early space exploration. The film follows three women working at NASA 1960s, so it's a good way to illuminate a bit of history (good and bad) while nurturing a budding math geek.
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Despicable Me (2010)
What would the world be like without Minions? We wouldn't want to know. See the movie that kicked off the Minion trend — even though it's mostly about their evil master, Gru, and how three orphans softened him up. This one spawned a franchise that's now six movies deep and counting, so there are plenty of Minions to follow.
Mary Poppins (1964)
This Julie Andrews movie is practically perfect in every way. If it's a hit in your house, follow it up with the sequel, Mary Poppins Returns.
Marisa LaScala
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor
Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.
