HBO Max apologies, Max (for those keeping score), is pretty much the ultimate candy store for film lovers. Look anywhere and something is dazzling, weird, or heartwarming, just dying to be discovered. Whether you’re corralling a bunch of restless kids or just hankering for a nostalgia fix, Max has the perfect lineup. Here’s a countdown of the 10 best family movies streaming right now, each one a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
10. The Boy and the Heron
Hayao Miyazaki’s long-awaited return to animation is everything fans dreamed and then some. The Boy and the Heron will take viewers on a visually stunning and deeply moving ride into loss and wonder in a mysterious new world. The film balances sorrow, imagination, and beauty in a way only Miyazaki can. With its Oscar in hand, it’s a must-watch for anyone who loves motion artistry.
9. Flow
You might not expect a dialogue-free animated film from Latvia to pack such an emotional punch-but Flow does exactly that. It follows a street-smart cat and a scrappy group of animals trying to survive after their world is consumed by floodwaters. Poetic visuals and quiet storytelling make this the first independent film ever to take home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. No words, just pure emotion-prepare to feel it all.
8. Kiki’s Delivery Service
Few films so beautifully convey the sense of uncertainty and excitement that surrounds growing up as Kiki’s Delivery Service. It tells the story of a young witch who sets out on her own to establish a flying courier service, with her endlessly charming black cat, Jiji. A gentle yet empowering film exploring independence, creativity, and finding your confidence. Ghibli’s signature animation and heart create an all-ages classic.
7. How to Train Your Dragon
Soar with Hiccup and Toothless on this DreamWorks animation of friendship, courage, and understanding. How to Train Your Dragon is breathtakingly beautiful and emotionally resonant, boasting one of the most memorable film scores of the past decade. It’s the perfect blend of excitement and heart that captures the wonder of childhood-and yes, Toothless will absolutely steal your heart.
6. My Neighbor Totoro
If comfort could be bottled into a movie, it would look like My Neighbor Totoro. This timeless Studio Ghibli gem follows two sisters who move to the countryside and discover a world of gentle forest spirits, including the irresistibly cuddly Totoro. It’s whimsical and deeply comforting, with quiet moments of joy. And don’t be surprised if, after watching, you suddenly need a Totoro plush of your own.
5. Time Bandits
Leave it to Monty Python alum Terry Gilliam to make time travel an eccentric, hilarious, and yes, even surprisingly heartfelt adventure. Time Bandits follows a boy who joins up with a group of mischievous dwarves on an odyssey through history to steal its greatest treasures. Featuring John Cleese, Sean Connery, and more, it’s a wonderfully bizarre fairy tale that reminds us the bounds of our imaginations are, well, limitless.
4. Spirited Away
Spirited Away. No list of family movies is complete without Spirited Away. Miyazaki’s masterpiece tells the story of a girl who stumbles into a spirit world and has to rescue her parents-who have been turned into pigs. It is hauntingly beautiful, endlessly imaginative, and universally praised as one of the best animated films ever made. Magical and mysterious in equal parts, it’s the perfect entry into Studio Ghibli’s world.
3. The Wizard of Oz
Even nearing a century later, The Wizard of Oz remains movie magic at its finest. Follow Dorothy over the rainbow and into a Technicolor dreamscape filled with songs, heart, and unforgettable characters. From the Wicked Witch to the Cowardly Lion, every moment is iconic. It’s the kind of film that defines “timeless,” and it still feels as enchanting now as it did in 1939.
2. Wonka
Timothée Chalamet brings a youthful energy and just a hint of sweetness in Wonka, a charming prequel to the classic Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Rich with colour on every frame, filled with inventive musical numbers, and lightly tinged with magic, this gives a heartwarming origin story for the legendary chocolatier. The playful sincerity of Chalamet’s performance makes this one a delightfully palatable treat for the whole family.
1. Blue Beetle
Who says superhero movies can’t be family films? Blue Beetle delivers action, humor, and heart in equal measure. Xolo Maridueña stars as Jaime Reyes, a recent grad who bonds with an alien scarab and becomes a reluctant hero. But unique to this film is the warmth and unity of his Mexican American family, who jump headfirst into the chaos alongside him. It’s funny, heartfelt, full of cultural pride, and just incredibly fresh and new for the genre.
There you have it-the ultimate lineup for a family movie night that’s anything but ordinary. From magical spirits and dragons to chocolate factories and heartfelt heroes, these films prove that Max is home to stories that bring everyone together. All that’s left to do? Pop the popcorn, dim the lights, and let the movie magic begin.