Best kids’ films on Netflix

As you might expect, Woody and pals get themselves into their usual scrapes when they are mistakenly dropped off in a big box to a nursery school instead of Andy’s attic. Ever loyal, Woody has to convince the other toys and teddies that Andy would never abandon them, and they had better get home, quick smart, before he leaves for college.

As fun and fast paced as the two before it, boys and girls of any age will love Toy Story 3 and it’s a great one for the whole family with jokes aimed at the adults too.

Watch as these adorable little blue fellows are rudely introduced to city life in New York. The smurfs are chased from their village by an evil wizard called Gargamel onto the mean streets of NY.

This is easy watching for little kids with a witty tone they’ll love, as the Smurfs are tumbled around unfamiliar territory on their adventure. All ends well and the film lasts for 103 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to yourself while the kids are occupied.

It might be twice the age of your kids but this animated film hasn’t got old over the past 16 years and is still a fun way to spend an afternoon. You can expect plenty of naughty older sister antics from Angelica while she, Tommy, Chuckie and the twins Phil and Lil get lost on holiday and need to make their way home – in the rather brilliant Reptar wagon, nonetheless.

With characters of all ages (even if they are cartoons!), children love this animated representation of classic sibling relationships.

Kids’ films might not be what you go to first when you think of Oscar winners, but win an Oscar this film did, in 2012 for its amazing original soundtrack. Combining real-life actors and the cheeky puppet Muppets, this comedy come musical tells the story of hardship, hard work and eventually, triumph! With the help of three theatre-loving fans The Muppets must save their beloved theatre from a greedy oil tycoon who wants to run it into the ground.

Watch this film a couple of times you’ll find yourself happily singing along to all the original songs. Although, be warned, you may be asked to watch this more times than you might care to.

Tony is a little boy who is feeling a little lonely in school and is on the lookout for a friend to share adventures with. And adventures are exactly what he gets when he meets Rudolph, a vampire with a healthy appetite!

When the whole vampire race is suddenly put at risk, the two must work together to solve the problem. Like a soft version of Twilight, this film would be suitable for children from around 6 and up as they’ll be delighted at the thought of a friendly vampire best friend!

A couple of quirky characters make this a film kids will fall in love with from the first watch. The cheeky penguins are cute, funny and silly as they prepare for the annual Penguin World Surfing Championships. Be prepared to follow up-and-coming penguin surf star Cody Maverick in his journey to win the competition.

We’ve found children love the behind-the-scenes aspect of this film, with its sweet relationship development between the young Cody Maverick and former surf expert Geek. Expect a few life lessons from Geek to Cody. This is perfect for little ones from 5 and up.

Everyone knows the story of the boy who never wanted to grow up. Introduce your kids to this classic fairytale by Disney in the animated 1953 version. Watch as Wendy and her brothers are whisked off to Neverland with Peter and see the adventures they face against the horrible Captain Hook, making friends with the lovable lost boys and getting to know the mischievous Tink.

There are of course many versions of this sweet story but this is one of our favourites. We can’t help but watch along with the kids whenever this is on. This has something for boys and girls, from around 5 and up.

If you’ve got a pop-loving-princess in your house then they’re going to love this look at the life and career of American star Katy Perry. Follow Katy on her Callifornia Dreams tour and see what life is like for this busy star. Girlie girls will love the focus on Katy’s costumes, hair and make-up as well as singing along to her chart-toppers.

Better suited to young teens or ‘tweens’, this film might go over the heads of younger family members. Although, if they know Katy Perry songs they might just enjoy the sing-along without having to concentrate too much on the documentary-style film.

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy make this family film energetic, funny for kids and adults and a little bit mad. The three actresses play sisters, who also happen to be witches who are resurrected from the dead on Halloween night. Two teenagers, a little girl and an immortal cat are tasked with putting an end to the witches once and for all.

Great for the lead up to Halloween and even 21 years on we think this film is one of the best in its genre. Little ones might find it a little bit too spooky so probably best to save this for kids who are 7 years and up.

Straight from the pages of a storybook, fairytale land residing Giselle is sent to the real world by a jealous evil queen to fend for herself. There’s a handsome lawyer come modern day prince who reluctantly falls in love with this Cinderella-like princess. But can the fantasy of fairytale love survive in the real world? We’re sure you can guess the answer to that!

A sweet twist on a classic fairytale storyline, this is one for girls of all ages, from tots up to teenagers.

A sympathetic remake, this version of one of our favourite ever childhood tales is delightfully well done. Dakota Fanning plays little Fern’s voice, who hand rears Wilbur, the runt of a litter of piglets. As Wilbur grows strong enough, Fern gives him over to her uncle to rear on his farm. After learning from the other animals at the farm that his fate is most certainly to end up on someone’s dinner plate, Wilbur makes friends with a kind and wise spider called Charlotte, who vows to save his life.

Watch as Charlotte and Wilbur hatch a sure-fire way to save the loveable little pig. This is perfect for the whole family to watch on a cosy night in.

The lovable hero of this Pixar animated film is the rather dopey Flik. Each year a group of nasty grasshoppers come to the Flik’s anthill to eat a gathering of food the ants have worked hard all year round collecting for themselves. Flik accidentally pushes all the food for the grasshoppers into the river and somehow must get it back by the time the grasshoppers return. Instead, the brave little ant comes up with a plan to get rid of them once and for all. No one thinks much to Flik’s plans, but he might just surprise them all…

This film includes a circus troupe of bugs, a love story and naturally, a happy ending. Little boys will love the mud and bug elements of this unconventional tale; perfect for the 3-8 age bracket we’d say.

It’s probably best not to explain this one in too much detail. All you should know before settling down to watch this fun animated flick is that in the town where main character Flint lives, food falls from the sky like rain – and he was the one who caused it.

A naughty mayor causing trouble and Flint, who loves to invent odd things turns out to be the perfect combination for a comedic relationship. Children from 3 upwards will love this silly yet lovable tale of perseverance in following your dreams and of good prevailing over bad.

In an updated tale of the Loch Ness Monster story this film focuses on the appropriately named Angus, a little boy who lives on an estate with his mother, sister and staff in Scotland. Angus finds a large mysterious egg one day while out searching for tadpoles and keeps it until it hatches into a unknown creature.

Watching Angus care for the Water Horse is pretty sweet and the kids will love watching as Angus’s strange pet is discovered by outsiders and hunted. Can Angus save him? You’ll just have to wait and see. This film is perfect for kids from round 7 years and up.

Rango is a rather flamboyant pet chameleon who is always on the hunt for adventure and action, just as long as it’s the kind that he invents and acts out himsel that is. A car accident sees him unexpectedly catapulted into a lawless old western town called Dirt. The two things this town is crying out for are water and a hero sheriff. Rango decides to take on both challenges.

If you need any persuading to sit down to watch this with the gang then let us just share with you that the lovely Johnny Depp is the voice behind this cheeky reptile. A great film for kids of around 5 and up.

A cocky young racing car called Lightening McQueen winds up far away from his usual glamerous racetracks in a rundown town called Radiator Springs. Here he makes plenty of friends and learns a few lessons on the real meaning of friendship and family love.

If you’ve got a little one who loves cars, vans and trucks they will adore this film. Younger kids from about 3 years will be happy to watch all the colourful vehicles go racing across the screen while slightly older children are sure to fall in love with the characters behind the cars.

A real 90’s cult classic, this film follows young schoolgirl Madeline as she gets herself into trouble again and again, much to the disapproval of her headmistress Miss Clavel. When Madeline’s school is coming up for sale she must find a way to save it, luckily she’s quite the problem solver.

Madeline provides the lovable rogue character which makes for such a fun film. Children from around 7 will enjoy this, and we didn’t mind sitting though it either!

Three children are left orphaned when their parents are killed. The big brother and sister, along with their tot of a little sister, are handed over to their cousin, the dastardly Count Olaf who is plotting to snatch their parents’ great fortune from them. Adamant that this won’t happen, the children set off on a mission to protect their parents’ fortune and as you might guess, stumble upon a series of unfortunate events.

Children from around 6 or 7 will love this film of kids overcoming adults in the intelligence stakes.