The 19 best animated movies on Netflix for kids (and your inner child)
The 19 best animated movies on Netflix for kids (and your inner child)
Kevin Jacobsen, Ilana GordonTue, April 14, 2026 at 7:00 PM UTC
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Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (voice: Jay Baruchel) and Toothless in 'How to Train Your Dragon'; Rumi (voice: Arden Cho) in 'KPop Demon Hunters'; Miles Morales (voice: Shameik Moore) in 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'Credit: DreamWorks Animation; Netflix; Sony Pictures Animation
As Guillermo del Toro once proclaimed, animation is cinema. While often stereotyped as kiddie fare, animated films can be far more than mindless entertainment for little ones, even speaking to mature themes and informing us about our place in the world.
Netflix is packed with animated films that satisfy audiences of all ages, from pop sensations like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and KPop Demon Hunters (2025) to Oscar-nominated gems like I Lost My Body (2019) and The Sea Beast (2022).
Ahead, find our recommendations for the 19 best animated movies on Netflix, most of which are appropriate for family movie night.
01 of 19
Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Stanley (voice: Milo Coy) in 'Apollo 10 1/2'Credit: Netflix
Richard Linklater returned to rotoscope animation following Waking Life (2001) and A Scanner Darkly (2006), with this nostalgic trip back to the summer of '69. Young Stanley is an imaginative young boy whose fascination with the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon inspires him to fantasize about being on board the history-making spaceship. Jack Black voices the adult version of Stanley, looking back on his childhood memories with fondness.
Fans of Linklater's Oscar-nominated film Boyhood (2014) will find the director working in familiar territory here, exploring the coming-of-age process with a wistful eye. The dreamlike film earned widespread acclaim from critics, praising its dreamlike atmosphere and vivid animation. —Kevin Jacobsen
Where to watch Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood: Netflix
Director: Richard Linklater
Cast: Jack Black, Milo Coy, Glen Powell, Zachary Levi
02 of 19
The Bad Guys (2022)
Mr. Shark (voice: Craig Robinson), Mr. Snake (voice: Marc Maron), Mr. Piranha (voice: Anthony Ramos), Mr. Wolf (voice: Sam Rockwell), and Ms. Tarantula (voice: Awkwafina) in 'The Bad Guys'Credit: DreamWorks Animation LLC
This sprightly comedy is among many DreamWorks comedies adapted from beloved children's books, though this one has an edgier appeal than How to Train Your Dragon (2010) or The Wild Robot (2024).
Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, the film follows the titular gang of criminals led by Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell), who are finally caught by the authorities. After accepting a deal to reform their ways, Mr. Wolf and his cronies pretend to be on the path toward rehabilitation while still hatching criminal acts, but things become complicated when Mr. Wolf feels inspired to go good for real.
With visually striking animation and dynamic voice performances, The Bad Guys recalls the heist movies of old, most notably Ocean's Eleven (2001). —K.J.
Where to watch The Bad Guys: Netflix
Director: Pierre Perifel
Cast: Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, Anthony Ramos
03 of 19
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Aunt (voice: Akemi Yamaguchi), Seita (voice: Tsutomu Tatsumi), and Setsuko (voice: Ayano Shiraishi) in 'Grave of the Fireflies'Credit: Studio Ghibli/Kobal/Shutterstock
WARNING: Of all the films on this list, this anime tragedy is probably best watched with fellow adults.
Set during the Pacific War, Grave of the Fireflies follows two orphaned siblings, Seita and Setsuko, struggling to survive amid harsh conditions. In the aftermath of the bombing of Kobe, rations run scarce and the children desperately try to sustain themselves through dire circumstances.
This Studio Ghibli classic certainly isn't for the faint of heart, but it's one of the most powerful, unflinching looks at the devastating effects of war. —K.J.
Where to watch Grave of the Fireflies: Netflix
Director: Isao Takahata
Cast: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi
04 of 19
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)
Pinocchio (center; voice: Gregory Mann) in 'Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio'Credit: Netflix
Codirectors Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson transport the classic story of Pinocchio to World War II-era Italy in this meticulously crafted stop-motion animated film.
Following the death of his young son, carpenter Geppetto cuts down a tree and carves a wooden boy, who is subsequently brought to life and dubbed Pinocchio. As the boy ventures to the outside world, he is met with dark forces that attempt to use and corrupt him, all against the backdrop of Benito Mussolini's reign as leader of Fascist Italy.
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio is a darker take on the tale compared to the well-known Disney adaptation (which also received a far inferior live-action remake in 2022). From the fraught setting to the detailed creature designs, del Toro and Gustafson create a distinct world while providing valuable life lessons to viewers of all ages. The film became the first Netflix production to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. —K.J.
Where to watch Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: Netflix
Directors: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson
Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Cate Blanchett, Christoph Waltz
05 of 19
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Hiccup (voice: Jay Baruchel) and Toothless in 'How to Train Your Dragon'Credit: DreamWorks SKG/Courtesy Everett Collection
This beloved DreamWorks film brilliantly combines eye-popping animation, a soaring score, and lovable characters that make many kid viewers long for a pet dragon of their own.
The film centers on a Viking teen named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) who defies his clan's dragon-hunting ways by befriending one, the adorable Toothless.
How to Train Your Dragon's success at the box office and with fans launched a franchise with a sequel, threequel, three animated series, a handful of shorts, and a 2025 live-action remake — featuring Gerard Butler reprising his role as Hiccup’s dad, Stoick. —K.J.
Where to watch How to Train Your Dragon: Netflix
EW grade: A–
Directors: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
Cast: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill
06 of 19
I Lost My Body (2019)
Naoufel (voice: Hakim Faris) in 'I Lost My Body'Credit: Netflix
A severed hand goes on a perilous journey to reunite with its body in this French animated drama. When we're not following the hand's quest, we get to know its owner, Naoufel, who accidentally caused his parents' death and now lives with his uncle in Paris. Working as a pizza delivery driver, Naoufel is also hopelessly infatuated with Gabrielle, a librarian. We ultimately come to learn the series of events that led Naoufel's hand to be severed.
I Lost My Body was a critical success when it was released in 2019, winning a prize at the Cannes Film Festival and earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. Its eccentric story combined with its striking 2-D animation make for an unforgettable experience. —K.J.
Where to watch I Lost My Body: Netflix
Director: Jérémy Clapin
Cast: Hakim Faris, Victoire du Bois, Patrick d'Assumçao
07 of 19
Klaus (2019)
Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) and Jasper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) in 'Klaus'Credit: Netflix
Regardless of whether or not 'tis the season, Klaus is a Santa Claus origin story that's enjoyable any time of the year. Starring J.K. Simmons as the film's eponymous hero, Klaus tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian lumberman who is recruited by the town's new postman, Jesper (Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his father, the postmaster general, wrong.
But when Klaus' toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself.
Klaus isn't just another feel-good film; it's also a visual spectacle. Employing unique technology to transform 2-D animation into what looks like 3-D, the film is well-deserving of its Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature (the first of Netflix's original animated features to receive that distinction). —Ilana Gordon
Where to watch Klaus: Netflix
Director: Sergio Pablos
Cast: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba
08 of 19
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)
The Saja Boys in 'KPop Demon Hunters'Credit: Netflix
K-pop has been a worldwide sensation since the 2010s, with its winning combination of earworm melodies, catchy Korean lyrics, and swoon-worthy boy bands and girl groups. Directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans harnessed that X-factor with this highly entertaining sci-fi musical, which centers on a girl group called Huntr/x whose members moonlight as demon hunters, with their target set on the demonic Saja Boys boy band.
Exploding with vibrant energy and propelled by instantly memorable pop songs (including the Oscar-winning “Golden”), KPop Demon Hunters also makes room for character-driven emotional drama, delving into themes of identity, shame, and resilience. —K.J.
Where to watch KPop Demon Hunters: Netflix
Directors: Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans
Cast: Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim
09 of 19
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Katie (voice: Abbi Jacobson), Linda (voice: Maya Rudolph), Rick (voice: Danny McBride), and Aaron (voice: Mike Rianda) in 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines'Credit: Sony Pictures Animation
Every family has problems, but the Mitchell family has big problems — robot apocalypse-type problems. In this animated comedy, a dysfunctional family's already messy road trip is thrown into further chaos when robots attempt to take over the world. As the only people left to fight them off, it's up to the Mitchells (voiced by Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, and director Mike Rianda) to take out the machines and save humanity. But, to do that, they'll have to ensure their family's connection to each other is stronger than their connection to their phones and iPads.
In an ironic twist, The Mitchells vs. the Machines — whose message warns of the dangers of relying too much on technology — employs both hand-drawn and CGI animation to create its visuals. —I.G.
Where to watch The Mitchells vs. the Machines: Netflix
Director: Mike Rianda
Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda, Olivia Colman
10 of 19
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Nimona (2023)
Nimona (voice: Chloë Grace Moretz) in 'Nimona'Credit: Netflix
Blending medieval folklore and futuristic fantasy, this Oscar-nominated adaptation of the 2015 graphic novel is more timely now than ever.
Chloë Grace Moretz gives voice to Nimona, a mischievous shapeshifter who comes to the aid of Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight who has since been ostracized by the kingdom due to his background as a commoner. Naturally, Nimona has her own history with being outcast, and the pair unravel a conspiracy that resulted in the queen's death.
Featuring a powerful queer allegory, both Nimona and Ballister try to overcome prejudice from their community while forging a bond due to their circumstances. As EW's critic writes, "The story admiringly delves into how such monsters are in fact created by a society that refuses to accept their differences." —K.J.
Where to watch Nimona: Netflix
EW grade: B+
Directors: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint
11 of 19
Orion and the Dark (2024)
Dark (voice: Paul Walter Hauser) and Orion (voice: Jacob Tremblay) in 'Orion and the Dark'Credit: DreamWorks Animation
Based on the 2014 children's book of the same name by Emma Yarlett, Orion and the Dark is an inventive exploration of what it means to face your fears. Adapted by surrealist extraordinaire Charlie Kaufman, the film follows 11-year-old Orion (Jacob Tremblay), who suffers from debilitating fears. One night, the power goes out, and the personification of the dark (Paul Walter Hauser) arrives to take him on a journey that will help quell his anxieties. Along the way, he meets other personified nighttime beings such as Sleep and Unexpected Noises, coming to understand their functions.
As the film goes on, however (and as adult viewers have come to expect from Kaufman), it becomes clear that there are many layers to this story. Beneath the colorful animation and lively voice performances, Orion and the Dark offers a thought-provoking message for all ages. —K.J.
Where to watch Orion and the Dark: Netflix
Director: Sean Charmatz
Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Colin Hanks, Angela Bassett, Ike Barinholtz
12 of 19
Over the Moon (2020)
Bungee, Fei Fei (voice: Cathy Ang), and Chin (voice: Robert G. Chiu) in 'Over the Moon'Credit: Netflix
Netflix's original animated feature, Over the Moon is one of the platform's most stunning visual works of art. Directed by Oscar-winner Glen Keane (the Disney animator behind The 1989’s Little Mermaid, 1991’s Beauty and the Beast, and 1992’s Aladdin), this vibrant film tells the story of Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), a young Chinese girl mourning the death of her mother. A passionate scientist, Fei Fei finds solace in a story her parents told her about Chang'e (Phillipa Soo) — a goddess who lives on the moon — and decides to build a rocket ship so she can visit her.
A vibrant exploration of Chinese culture, grief, and believing in the face of adversity, the film features gorgeous animated sequences, memorable songs, and the voices of John Cho, Ken Jeong, and Sandra Oh. An ambitious feature lovingly crafted by a pedigreed production team, Over the Moon is a family film that will haunt you long after the credits have rolled. —I.G.
Where to watch Over the Moon: Netflix
Director: Glen Keane
Cast: Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Sandra Oh
13 of 19
The Sea Beast (2022)
Jacob (voice: Karl Urban) and Maisie (voice: Zaris-Angel Hator) in 'The Sea Beast'Credit: Netflix
A brave orphan girl named Maisie stows away aboard a ship of sea monster hunters in The Sea Beast, a film full of dazzling colors, fast-paced thrills, and classical storytelling.
The sailors within are renowned for their hunting abilities, though their status is threatened by their society's admiral, who wishes to replace them. They go out on one last hunt to track down a powerful sea beast called the Red Bluster, but, as Maisie soon discovers, the creatures may not have the kind of malicious intent for which they've come to be known. —K.J.
Where to watch The Sea Beast: Netflix
Director: Chris Williams
Cast: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste
14 of 19
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019)
Shaun (voice: Justin Fletcher), Bitzer (voice: John Sparkes), Timmy (voice: Justin Fletcher) in 'A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon'Credit: Netflix/courtesy Everett
This Oscar-nominated claymation delight from the cheeky minds at Aardman Animation finds the titular sheep crossing paths with an extraterrestrial. Shaun the Sheep encounters the alien, Lu-La, a friendly but impish entity who hopes to find a way home.
As Shaun helps Lu-La, the Ministry of Alien Detection is hot on their tail — as is Bitzer the sheepdog. The brilliance of Farmageddon, like most Aardman films, is its visual inventiveness, playing in familiar sci-fi tropes without much need for dialogue, making for a universally enjoyable watch. —K.J.
Where to watch A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon: Netflix
Directors: Richard Phelan, Will Becher
Cast: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Amalia Vitale
15 of 19
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Miles Morales (voice: Shameik Moore) in 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse'Credit: Sony Pictures Animation
At a time when we had seen three different live-action incarnations of Spider-Man in 15 years, it would've been fair to approach this animated version with a bit of caution.
Any of that Spider-Man fatigue quickly flew out the window, however, in the opening minutes of this visual feast of a film, which centers on teenage Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore) and his struggles to adjust to his new role as Spidey while fighting in a multiverse battle of good and evil.
While it's worth a watch just to experience the dazzling blend of 2-D and 3-D animation, Into the Spider-Verse is also thematically rich in how it explores identity and our capacity for heroism. —K.J.
Where to watch Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: Netflix
Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
Cast: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry
16 of 19
Suzume (2022)
Suzume (voice: Nanoka Hara) in 'Suzume'Credit: Crunchyroll
This critically acclaimed anime film is yet another visual feast from celebrated writer-director Makoto Shinkai (2016's Your Name, 2019's Weathering With You). Suzume is a 17-year-old orphan girl who meets a man named Souta, who has a curious mission that involves shutting doors at various locations to prevent a giant worm from wreaking havoc throughout Japan. But things take a turn when a mystical cat magically turns Souta into a chair, in one of the more inspired bits of animation in recent years.
Despite its epic scope, Suzume is emotionally intimate in its storytelling, as Shinkai told EW in 2023: "While there is this massive backdrop of a large-scale disaster, I look at how it affects people on an individual and personal level." —K.J.
Where to watch Suzume: Netflix
Director: Makoto Shinkai
Cast: Nanoka Hara, Hokuto Matsumura, Eri Fukatsu, Shota Sometani, Sairi Ito
17 of 19
Vivo (2021)
Vivo (voice: Lin-Manuel Miranda) and Gabi (voice: Ynairaly Simo) in 'Vivo'Credit: Sony Pictures Animation
Viva la Vivo! Lin-Manuel Miranda partnered with Netflix for this computer-animated original that starts in Havana and ends in Miami, with stops in Key West and the Everglades along the way. Underscored by Latin beats, propelled by a fast-moving story, and even featuring some rapping, Vivo is a buoyant celebration of Caribbean culture.
Miranda stars as Vivo, a kinkajou living in Havana as one half of a street-performing act. When his partner, Andrés (voiced by Juan de Marcos González), passes away, Vivo resolves to deliver a song Andrés wrote for his long-lost love, Marta (Gloria Estefan), who is about to perform her retirement show in Miami. Aided by Andrés' great-niece Gabi (Ynairaly Simo), Vivo hits all the wrong notes in his quest to keep love alive, but his journey is a delight to watch. Musically, Vivo combines mambo, hip-hop, and EDM, and, while it's not Miranda's best-known work, earworms like "My Own Drum" are sure to lodge themselves deep into your subconscious. —I.G.
Where to watch Vivo: Netflix
EW grade: B
Director: Kirk DeMicco
Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zoe Saldaña, Juan de Marcos, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Rooker
18 of 19
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)
Gromit, Norbot (voice: Reece Shearsmith), and Wallace (voice: Ben Whitehead) in 'Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl'Credit: Courtesy of Netflix
Feathers McGraw is back, and he's looking for revenge against our plucky heroes. The criminal mastermind penguin was last seen being locked up (at the local zoo) in the 1993 short The Wrong Trousers, having tried to steal a precious blue diamond. Vengeance Most Fowl features bumbling inventor Wallace and his trusty dog Gromit trying to apprehend the slippery villain, though Feathers' army of evil robot gnomes won't make it easy.
As reliably entertaining as all Wallace & Gromit installments, this second feature film in the franchise creatively tackles the perilousness of modern technology and lampoons numerous crime films with its signature cheeky wit. —K.J.
Where to watch Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl: Netflix
Directors: Nick Park, Merlin Crossingham
Cast: Ben Whitehead, Peter Kay, Lauren Patel, Reece Shearsmith
19 of 19
A Whisker Away (2020)
Miyo Sasaki (voice: Mirai Shida) in 'A Whisker Away'Credit: Netflix
Who among us hasn't pretended to be something we're not, to attract the attention of a crush? In the 2020 Japanese anime film A Whisker Away, a middle-school girl named Miyo struggles with unrequited love as she yearns for her classmate, Kento, who continues to reject her romantic advances. Upon receiving a magical mask capable of turning her into a cat, Miyo is able to spend time with Kento without fear of rejection — but it's a risky proposition, as one day, the transformation could become permanent.
The film's Japanese title, which literally translates to Wanting to Cry, I Pretend to be a Cat, tells you all you about the simplicity and heart of the narrative. Packed with sumptuous visuals and a universally relatable core, this winsome coming-of-age story is intended for teens and young adults, but is also a must-see for anime enthusiasts, magical realism fans, and those looking to have their faith in love renewed. —I.G.
Where to watch A Whisker Away: Netflix
Directors: Junichi Sato, Tomotaka Shibayama
Cast: Mirai Shida, Natsuki Hanae, Hiroaki Ogi
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