Let’s be honest: finding a family movie everyone can agree on can feel harder than beating the final boss in a video game. Prime Video’s catalog doesn’t make it easier—you’ll stumble across random ‘80s oddities, a sea of sequels nobody asked for, and the occasional hidden gem. But don’t worry, I’ve dug through it all and pulled out the true winners. Whether you’re wrangling little kids, teens, or just movie-loving adults, these 10 picks are guaranteed to make family movie night way less stressful.
10. Bookworm (2024)
This charming New Zealand adventure is like an old family movie. There’s brazen Nell Fisher in search of the legend of the Canterbury panther, taking along her estranged father (Elijah Wood, ever Frodo to some of us) for the ride. It’s sweet, funny, and has just enough of the right mix of magic and family moments without ever being contrived.
9. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Mario fans, this is for you. Packed with colorful chaos, familiar faces, and as many Easter eggs as parents will be able to shout out, it’s pure Mushroom Kingdom enjoyment. Chris Pratt voices Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy gives us a grittier-than-ever Peach, and Jack Black steals the movie as Bowser. Kids will laugh, parents will get the nostalgia kick—it’s a win-win.
8. Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022)
The monsters are back, with a twist: humans get monstrous and monsters get human. Stage the chaos. The fourth and final film in the series brings the same goofy humor and vibrant animation fans love, along with a heartwarming message about not judging a book by its cover. It’s silly, entertaining, and perfect for younger children (or anyone still a kid at heart).
7. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
Few sequels prosper, but this one soars. Hiccup and Toothless return for a richer, more emotional experience that opens up their world nicely. With eye-popping animation and action that equals any live-action franchise, it’s one of those Marvel family movies that really makes kids and adults cry.
6. Troop Zero (2019)
In the 1970s, this quirky underdog story is about an oddball girl (McKenna Grace) who’s a fan and brings together a quirky Girl Scout troop to chase her ambition. Viola Davis and Jim Gaffigan add plenty of adult heft, but the children power this movie. It’s charming, funny, and a reminder that outsiders can shine brightest.
5. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
You didn’t think the Shrek franchise had gas in the tank? Think again. This sequel is a visually stunning, refreshingly deep journey into coming to terms with mortality and living life. It’s funny, warm, and simply stunning to look at—a sequel as good or better than the original.
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
Last, a Turtles reboot that gets it right. This animated origin story leans into the brothers’ relationship while encasing it in a bold, graffiti-inspired animation style that is modern and vibrant. It’s humorous, action-packed, and shows April O’Neil the respect she deserves. Whether a lifelong fan or introducing your children to the pizza-loving heroes, this one hits the mark.
3. IF (2024)
Directed by John Krasinski, this imaginative story explores what happens to abandoned imaginary friends. Cailey Fleming stars as a girl who can see “IFs” and goes out on a mission to reinstate them to their adult human selves, and Ryan Reynolds is along for the ride. It’s funny, it’s sweet, and it will likely have you thinking about your own childhood friends, a couple of them.
2. The Black Stallion (1979)
This sequel is proof that family movies can be breathtaking cinema as well. A young boy and a runaway horse, stranded together after a shipwreck, form an unbreakable bond that leads them to the racetrack. Poetically set and emotionally rich, it’s a more leisurely pace than most kids’ films today—but all the more reason that it’s ageless.
1. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
Yes, it’s officially known as a Christmas movie, but really, it’s an anytime movie. Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey learns just how much his life matters in this timeless, never-to-be-forgotten classic. Its themes of niceness, neighborhood, and hope are just as relevant today as they were nearly 80 years ago. Show it to your kids—it’s a story that will remain with them.
Prime Video’s lineup is a little hit-or-miss, but these films are the real treasures—fun, tear-jerking, and family-friendly for families of all shapes and sizes. Grab a blanket, dim the lights, and let movie night commence.