Here are the Best New Family Movies for kids to watch in 2023. These family entertainers promise fun not just for kids but for adults as well.
We totally get the agony of choosing a movie for a family movie night that ticks every criteria, is suitable for all kids of all ages, appears interesting and most importantly gets everyone’s vote – from young kids to teens and adults!
That’s why we have rounded up a list of Best Family Movies that will put an end to your movie selection woes.
Table Of Contents:
New Family Movies of 2023
Wondering what to watch on the weekend with family? We have got you!
These recent releases include adventure tales, animation, fantasy to superhero movies and what not to please your finickiest member and keep everyone hooked!
No more random browsing through the online movie streaming websites and settling in for a kid-friendly movie that you have either watched a zillion times before or is just simply too kiddish for adults (as well as tweens and teens!) to enjoy.
1. The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Release Date: April 7, 2023 | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Let’s all agree, we have spent hours playing Mario, cramped in front of our TV screens! Saving the princess was our only ONE big goal as a kid!
Well, that childhood is back with the same adventure and a wholesome storyline. But this time, our princess will be guiding and motivating Mario to save the world and Mr. Luigi from the evil dragon.
Together they overcome challenges, cross universes, work together to surprise allies, and preserve their world with weird comedy and daring pranks.
With voice actors, such as Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy, humor and hilarious punchlines are a big serve! There’s light-weighted comedy in this adventurous family movie that makes it all the more enjoyable!
You’ll love watching this fun family movie with your kids and before you know it, you will be reminiscing about your own childhood and secretly envying how good today’s kids movies are!
2. Haunted Mansion
Release Date: July 28, 2023, | Where to Watch: Disney+
Do your kids have a neck for Adrenaline-filled movies that weigh on the horror side of the spectrum? Haunted Mansion would be a full package for them and the whole family!
It’s not an A-graded movie and wouldn’t scare your kids to the bones, Relax! This fantasy film has a comedy twist throughout the script, including funny ghosts, hilarious punchlines, and Father Kent.
Father Kent is played by none other than Owen Wilson. If you don’t know him, you are missing out big time!
The actor is known for his comic roles and perfect comedy timing. Shanghai Knights and Night at the Museum are two other great movies by Owen Wilson, Jackie Chan, and Ben Stiller for your kids.
Back to Haunted Mansion, the movie revolves around Dr. Gabbie and her young son who soon discover their house to be haunted— statues bowing to him, candles flying without wind, doors closing down automatically, and whatnot!
They call for Father Kent’s help and together build a ghost-fighting team with an astrophysicist and a beautiful psychic. It is a perfect non-animated family movie to watch on Halloween!
3. Peter Pan & Wendy
Release Date: April 28, 2023 | Where to Watch: Hotstar
We have all loved Peter Pan and his mischievous personality as kids. Well, Disney has brought Peter Pan back to life with this live-action movie for family!
Meet Wendy, her two brothers, Tinker Bell, and the old Captain Hook on this adventure to Neverland, where nobody gets old!
The latest installment is filled with magic, adventure, ships, and amazing pirate action on the roll! It’s always fun to watch Peter Pan defeat Captain Hook!
Quick Tip: If you are a Disney Movie fan, you’ll love this Disney Trivia!
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Release Date: August 2, 2023 | Where to Watch: Apple TV and Amazon Prime
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will take you back to those good ol’ times when Ninja turtles and their quick Ninjutsu combat techniques were what we lived for!
Well, the time has come back, but with better animation, of course!
Get your kids ready for this fantastic animated family film where four Ninja Turtles fight off the ‘bad guy’ with excellent espionage and spying skills. People are calling them modern-day spies and for all good reasons.
The four Ninja siblings will rise from the dark to save the day in the now gloomy New York City. Be prepared for some good and wholesome Ninja action!
One of the very best family movies for action lovers, this is a sure shot entertainer!
5. Elemental
Release Date: June 16, 2023 | Where to Watch: Apple TV
It’s a Pixar movie, the animation and storyline are bound to be AMAZING!
In that aspect, Elemental doesn’t disappoint with its colorful and vibrant graphics along with a rebellious and fruitful storyline. We would say it’s a good science chapter for your kids!
That’s not all, it teaches us about “listening to our hearts, following our dreams, exploring the world, and living life to the brim.”
Meet Ember, a fire beauty, who accidently falls in love with Wade, a water element. Together they explore the beautiful world and find new dreams!
Related: Also check out Science Movies for Kids & Family!
6. The Little Mermaid
Release Date: May 26, 2023 | Where to Watch: Apple TV, Disney+
Disney casts a woman of color to play Ariel in their live-action movie to welcome and make every little girl, especially of different races, feel at home with Disney Princesses.
The family film empowered many little black young girls and gave them a beautiful sense of inclusion and belonging! The storyline follows the similar theme but with upgraded, far more beautiful graphics.
We assure you if you loved Disney’s classic Little Mermaid, you would appreciate and welcome this new take.
For those who don’t know, The Little Mermaid is a love story between a human and a mermaid. It’s tragically beautiful!
7. Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Release Date: June 30, 2023, | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
“I just want to be normal,” said Ruby but then her friends replied, “Booh! Where is the fun in that?”
Ruby Gillman is a movie about a teen girl who soon discovers herself to be a royal Kraken princess in reality. Initially, she was scared of her new identity; she felt like a freak and feared her new powers.
As the movie progresses, Ruby starts to accept her unique existence and use her power for good. The movie has a hilarious twist where the Mermaid are the real villains and Ruby must fight them to protect the human and Underwater World.
The narration is unapologetically humorous and empowering. You will adore its stunning animation and colorful presentation.
“It’s not bad to be different, in fact, It is kind of cool!”
8. The Amazing Maurice
Release Date: February 3, 2023, | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
The Amazing Maurice is not your average fairy tale, there is no knight in shining armour or a damsel in distress. The animated movie has talking rats and a big fat cat, called Maurice.
Malicia, the witty narrator, along with Maurice and Keith, guides viewers through the story where they fight the mean rat king and those cruel rat catchers to free innocent rats.
The best bits of the movie rely upon its humorous narration and unique characters; they are all fun to watch. The storyline in itself is a game changer— c’mon cats going on an adventure to save the rats? Now that’s a fun story, to begin with.
In the end, the rats are free, the bad king’s gone, lessons learned, town and rats live together happily.
Movie Based on Books for Kids
If you have young readers at home, this category of family movies will delight you! And in case your kids shy away from reading, these wonderful movies inspired from children’s books might just be the push they need.
Either way, everyone will love these family entertainers.
9. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Release Date: April 28, 2023, | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Self-acceptance. Religion. Adolescence. Courage.
If you are looking for a family movie to watch that deals with the hardships of growing up and finding a sense of belonging, this is the movie you need to watch!
11-year-old Margaret relocates to New Jersey with many milestones as a new teenager. She struggles to find her identity amongst all the crises adolescence brings along. If you have a teen girl who has recently entered adolescence, this movie will hit home!
Inspired by Judy Blume’s novel, this movie will help your kids rediscover their confidence, identity, body image, new friendships, the true essence of growing up, and faith in god whilst overcoming the negatives puberty brings along.
Related: Check out Biographies for Kids for fun reads that inspire!
10. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Release Date: November 9, 2023 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is yet another masterpiece by Netflix, a movie that will erode your emotions and bring you to happy tears.
We all know the usual tail that follows Pinocchio, the wooden creature whose nose gets bigger every time he tells a lie.
But this movie will take you deeper into the folds of Pinocchio’s real life and what it’s like to be different and unique.
“People are sometimes afraid of things they don’t know.”
It’s a story about acceptance, kindness, compassion, and courage. It’s a story of freeing yourself from being a puppet to other’s manipulative tactics.
The animated movie has some great and unique graphics to showcase along with a powerful script and a beautiful adventure, full of ups and downs.
11. The Bad Guys
Release Date: April 22, 2022 | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Oh, your kids will absolutely LOVE this movie irrespective of the book! It’s hilarious, especially the bad guy’s costumes, their punchlines, and the whole “rich money” getup!
In a world where animals and humans coexist, Mr. Wolf and his team of Mr. Shark, Mr. Angela (Spider), Mr. Piranha, and Mr. Snake rule the world with their bad-boy energy. They are essentially thieves, planning on a big heist!
They are almost successful until a small and insignificant dialogue changes Mr. Wolf’s whole personality for good. His friends call it “Identity Crisis” – talk about the comedy and hilarious punchlines!
A whole troop of animals sitting in a Mustang sipping wine was already enough for us, but the director took comedy to an ultimate level where you can only hold your stomach, rolling down the floor laughing!
Watch how the bad guys become the good guys in a funny blink of events! The motto of the story: It’s never too late for a good change!
12. Lyle Lyle Crocodile
Release Date: October 7, 2022 | Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video
Lyle Lyle Crocodile, based on the popular children’s book by the same name, is a lightweight comedy movie featuring Shawn Mendes’ soothing voice!
It’s cute protagonist, a Crocodile named Lyle, aspires to become a singer and perform in the competition. But not everything is easy and in line!
The family who was first scared of Lyle soon comes to love him dearly! They help him get to the competition despite the many obstacles led by their grumpy neighbor.
“Dreams are dreams and nobody has the right to take them away from you.”
13. White Bird: A Wonder Story
Release Date: July 30, 2023 | Where to Watch: Apple TV
We recommend you watch the movie “Wonder” before beginning with this phenomenal masterpiece. The movie entails a young boy who was expelled for bullying Auggie.
It’s a newer take on parenting, kids, and bullying— and how no kid is born bad. They just need the right parenting.
The story takes you within a story of a Jewish couple who eloped the nazism terror back in the time. The movie does great justice in defining and justifying their morale with the cruelty nazis imposed on people who were different from them.
It was a meaningful analogy backed by strong and powerful historical events.
The movie’s morale: “Don’t hate and justify your cruelty just because someone’s different from you. Your kindness should prevail above all other emotions.”
14. Wonka
Release Date: December 15, 2023 | Where to Watch: In the Theatre
The movie has Rowan Atkinson, the famous Mr. Bean! So, you can expect a lot of laughter on the roll!
Wonka is an original prequel to “Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory,” featuring Timothée Chalamet as the young Wonka and how he mastered his chocolate factory to supreme success.
Along with comedy, be ready for some awe-inspiring magic, Oompa Loompas, friendships, and loads of chocolate that will water your mouth to no end! A fun family movie for all occasions, this one reserves a dear spot with kids of all ages.
15. Matilda the Musical
Release Date: December 2, 2022 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Matilda the Musical has the best cast! The young kids have portrayed their roles beautifully, the music is outstanding and the narrative ever so gripping that even Ronald Dahl would be proud!
There is something special and passionate about watching young kids rebel and revolt against something that is wrong. It requires courage and that’s what Matilda The Musical is all about!
Matilda is the superstar of this movie who fights against the headmaster with her magical powers and intelligent mind.
New Family Movies on Netflix
Looking for new family movies on Netflix, we have got you covered! These good, clean movies on Netflix are just perfect for family movie night.
16. Nimona
Release Date: June 14, 2023 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Nimona would be your fresh escape from those generic fantasy, action movies for family!
This movie has suspense, thrill, mysteries, a big loyalty statement, friendship, and of course, our beautiful shape-shifter— her name, Nimona.
She is a beauty with brains, mischievous and charismatic! Her unique powers can transform her into whatever she wants to be; whether a fierce dragon or a cute little insect.
The story unfolds with a kind knight being framed for a murder he didn’t commit. Together, Nimona and the knight, unfold the truth and bring light back to justice.
It’s a great movie to teach your kids about loyalty, honesty, friendship, and the importance of sticking with the truth, no matter how tainted.
If you have a baby girl, this animated movie will empower her because there’s no Disney damsel in this story, only a strong-minded girl to save her knight in shining armour.
Quick Tip: While cinema does a great job at inspiring kids, make sure to read them about Women Trailblazers for real inspiration!
17. The Monkey King
Release Date: Aug 18, 2023 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Your kids will be rolling down on the floor, laughing at the absurd comedy this movie renders!
Whether an adult or a kid, The Monkey King is full of comic antics, valuable life lessons, vibrant and colorful graphics, fluid motion, and a script to die for!
It’s hilarious, especially the dialogue delivery done by the very famous stand-up comedian, Jimmy O. Yang. You have to agree, the movie has to be good when you cast Jimmy!
Here’s the beautiful message the movie wishes to portray, “Killing off bad guys is alright, but the right path to righteousness is being good within and helping others.”
They have done quite a beautiful job of delivering the message! You are one trailer away from falling in love with this new family movie on Netflix!
18. Dog Gone
Release Date: January 13, 2023 | Where to Watch: Netflix
All my pet parents say “Woof!” We have a dog to find!
As the name suggests, the movie revolves around a cutie-beauty dog, named Gonker. Pet to a college student with social anxiety, he soon becomes the student’s knight in shining armor with his bright and goofy personality!
The story takes an emotional turmoil when Gonker goes missing! The boy’s father who didn’t like Gonker initially joins his son (the college student) to find the dog out in the jungle.
This family movie is for all pet lovers and families with pets.
19. Ladybug & Cat Noir, the Movie
Release Date: July 28, 2023 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Ladybug & Cat Noir, the movie is a fresh take on its original series!
It focuses on the highlights powerfully whilst not losing the core essence of each character. The humor intent is well-put and hilarious!
The script is smart without boring people out of their wisdom teeth. If you are not a big fan of watching the series, this movie sums up the story quite beautifully in two hours.
20. Slumberland
Release Date: November 18, 2023, | Where to Watch: Netflix
Slumberland is a movie for Dreamers; It’s a magical world hidden deep within your sleep and dreams. Our lead girl, Nemo, teleports to Slumberland (in her sleep) with the help of her pig and Mr. Flip.
Mr. Flip is played by none other than Jason Mamoa, his presence in the movie adds a goofy and funny vibe.
Nemo’s dream adventure is about Nemo who wishes to see her father one last time!
Slumberland is a world where your wishes come true. So, she hunts for wish pearls in order to bring her wish to reality.
However, Nemo cannot be asleep forever! It’s a beautiful movie and one worth watching!
21. The Sea Beast
Release Date: July 8, 2022 | Where to Watch: Netflix
An animated pirate movie for kids? Aye Aye, captain! Love is love and kindness is kindness— no movie could have better-defined empathy and humanity than “The Sea Beast.”
The story revolves around a cute little girl named Maisie Brumble who aspires to become a sea pirate and fight off the sea beasts along with the troop. Smuggling herself on the ship, she is ready for the adventure.
What started as a fight against the sea beasts soon takes a revolting turn when the girl adopts one of those sea beast babies as her pet.
She soon discovers her love and empathy for creatures that are wildly misunderstood and attacked for years.
Join Maisie who willfully protects and saves those beasts out of kindness and humanity.
It’s a humorous animated movie that teaches why love, compassion, and kindness are the most powerful tools to ever exist!
22. Wendell & Wild
Release Date: October 21, 2022 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Fair warning: The Netflix movie, Wendell and Wild, is rated PG-12, A.K.A., it’s not for kids aged 12 or under. A fair look at the trailer will attest to the statement—the movie’s stop-motion animation can be disturbing for young boys and girls. Plus, the thematic material and use of strong language (although scarce) can be triggering!
Apart from that, the movie is an artistic masterpiece—its animation and the dark theme are perplexing!
Not to forget, the intelligent script and the profound complexities it highlights. The story revolves around a troubled teen, Kat, and her two demons, Wendell & Wild. She is an abandoned orphan— a confident, smart, and strong girl with a love for rock music fighting her demons and saving the world with smart tactics!
It’s a powerful fantasy film, especially for kids who think differently, rebelliously, and boldly!
