Fun children's movies: 9 must-see titles for a perfect family movie night

As a child, these were the best evenings: pajamas on, the whole family on the couch, and then watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn within reach. I don't have kids (yet), but I can't wait to experience those moments again. For everyone who wants to plan a family movie night: we got you. We've lined up the 9 best kids‘ movies that the kids will love; and you will too, by the way. Because let's be honest, some ’kids' movies' are secretly the most fun to watch.
Paddington (Prime Video)
Okay, I dare to say it: ‘Paddington’ is truly the best family movie ever. From the very first moment, it steals your heart and you can't help but watch with a big smile. The bear lives in Peru but dreams of a life in Great Britain. After an earthquake destroys his home, he is smuggled onto a ship by his aunt heading to London, in search of a better life. But once in England, he feels especially lonely. Until he is found by the Brown family. They name him Paddington and take him in. Paddington's big dream comes true. Until animal collector Millicent spots him. She wants to capture him for her museum, but Paddington and his new family can't let that happen, of course. Be sure to watch the Dutch version; Beau van Erven Dorens is truly the best Paddington.
Lilo & Stitch (Disney+)
With a Disney classic, you can't really go wrong. The animated films are already great, but the live-actions are also definitely worth it. Can we recommend one? ‘Lilo & Stitch’, it's just too cute. To refresh your memory: 6-year-old Lilo lives with her older sister Nani in Hawaii, after losing their parents. Lilo is a bit rebellious and has a rich imagination, which often gets her into trouble. One day she finds an alien creature and names him Stitch. The creature was created in a lab and is supposed to cause chaos. Thanks to Lilo, that plan goes completely awry. The two form a close bond, but that is put at risk when the aliens from the lab want to retrieve Stitch. Lilo and Nani must do everything they can to stop that, because as Stitch taught them: ohana means family, and family never leaves you behind.
Mickey’s Best Christmas (Disney+)
It's still early, I know. But this Christmas movie just has to be on this list. ‘Mickey’s Best Christmas’ is the perfect choice for a family movie night. The film consists of five mini-stories. Ideal for when your kids are still a bit younger, and their attention span won't reach the peak of the Christmas tree yet. Each segment revolves around one of Mickey's friends. Minnie, Scrooge, Donald, and Goofy also celebrate the holidays, but it doesn't go as smoothly as hoped. What is Christmas without a bit of chaos, right? Be sure to add it to your watchlist for the upcoming Christmas vacation. Trust me, this will be a hit.
Yes Day (Netflix)
Just a little warning for the movie ‘Yes Day’: there's a good chance your kids will want to do this afterwards. At a parent-teacher meeting, Allison (Jennifer Garner) and Carlos Torres (Édgar Ramírez) discover that their reputation isn't exactly five stars. According to their kids, they always just say ‘no’, and that's a bit painful. That has to change, so the parents come up with a great solution: a ‘yes day’; and that's exactly what you expect from it. For 24 hours, they say ‘yes’ to everything their kids ask, as long as they stay out of trouble. But no matter how hard they try to keep everything under control, the day quickly turns into one big chaos. Sorry in advance to anyone who can't avoid their own yes day afterwards. Maybe one small consolation: it will come to an end again.
Coco (Disney+)
It's of course spooky season, but watching a heavy horror movie right now; maybe not the best idea. What is a top option: the Pixar film ‘Coco’. The story revolves around the Mexican Day of the Dead, so there are some skeletons and ghosts involved. But don't worry, no one will lose sleep over this; it will actually make you happy. In the film, we follow 12-year-old Miguel, who dreams of a life in music. The problem? His father, a musician, once left the family, and since then it has been strictly forbidden in the family to play even a single note. For Miguel, that's almost impossible, especially because he believes he is descended from the national music hero Ernesto de la Cruz. When he suddenly enters the world of the dead, Miguel searches for the real truth behind his family history. The animations and music in ‘Coco’ are truly beautiful. Your movie night will definitely be a mini-party on the couch.
KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
Now that we have the musical vibe going: KPop Demon Hunters is truly a must-see. Officially, the film is recommended from 10 years; but if we can believe TikTok, many fans are also a bit younger. It's no wonder it's the most-watched Netflix film ever. The story revolves around the three singers of the Korean pop group HUNTR/X. During the day, they perform on stage for sold-out venues full of fans, but outside the spotlight, they are mainly busy fighting demons that threaten their world. The tension increases when a group of demons poses as a boy band. HUNTR/X must now protect their fans from falling into the trap of evil. Not only the film, but also the songs are a hit. Especially the song ‘Golden’ is hard to get off the global Spotify charts. Not that it's a problem; secretly, the songs are really catchy.
The Wild Robot (SkyShowtime)
Once it was Wall-E who captured our hearts, but now he has competition from another cute robot: Roz, in ‘The Wild Robot’. After a shipwreck, she washes up on a deserted island, where she must learn to survive in the wilderness. Well, deserted; there are no people, but plenty of animals that are very curious about Roz. Slowly but surely, she begins to open up to her surroundings and forms a special bond with the animals. Especially with baby Brightbill, a gosling desperately looking for someone to help her grow up; and more importantly, to learn to fly. But can a robot do that? Robots don't have feelings, do they?
The Boskampi’s (Netflix)
This list wouldn't be complete without a Dutch film. Sometimes we almost forget those films among the mountain of foreign titles, but there are real gems among them. Like ‘The Boskampi’s’. Paul Boskamp (Henry van Loon) is a clumsy accountant who is bullied by his colleagues and the neighborhood kids. Because of that bad reputation, his son Ruben (Thor Braun) is also the target. But when Paul gets a promotion and they move, it's time for Ruben to change. In their new neighborhood, he convinces everyone that he is the son of a big mafia boss. With a leather jacket, a half jar of gel, and the name Boskampi, the trick seems to work. But when a bully from the past shows up, it's still a question of how long Ruben can keep his secret.
Wonka (HBO Max)
We have to confess something: there might be two personal favorites on this list. ‘Paddington’ is amazing, but ‘Wonka’ is also an absolute must for your family movie night. The cast, the songs, the decor, and of course the story; everything is perfect. Timothée Chalamet takes us as Willy Wonka to the story before ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Because how did Willy actually become the way we know him there? When he arrives in London after a long journey, he can finally fulfill his big dream: to open his own chocolate shop. But with the competition from chocolatiers Slugworth, Prodnose, and Fickelgruber, who work against him like a cartel, that's not so simple. Especially not when they bribe the chocolate-addicted police officer to thwart Willy even further. So, get the chocolate ready and enjoy. This film is fantastic in one word; not just for the kids.



