The best Max family movies offer an exciting variety of family fun, filled with magical tales, laugh-out-loud moments, and thrilling adventures. But what makes this collection shine is its universal appeal – each film is perfect for audiences of all ages. So, if you’re ready for a cosy family movie night, these films are well worth adding to your must-watch list.
With such a diverse lineup, Max stands out as one of the best streaming services for families. And if you're in the mood for even more great movies, check out our broader list of the best Max movies, though some may be best enjoyed after the kids are tucked in. Dive in below to discover the best Max family movies the streaming service has to offer.
Where the Wild Things Are
Director: Spike Jonze
Runtime: 101 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark Ruffalo, Lauren Ambrose and Chris Cooper
RT score: 73% (critics); 57% (audience)
Based on Maurice Sendak’s beloved book, Where the Wild Things Are is a visually stunning and emotional journey into the mind of a young and lonely boy named Max. After a tough day, Max escapes to a fantastical island that’s inhabited by mysterious creatures called “wild things” who crown him their king.
Where the Wild Things Are beautifully captures childhood’s mix of wonder and confusion, delving into Max’s imagination and emotions. There’s a blend of live-action and visual effects here that makes this movie feel unique, and it’s one of the many reasons why it so beautifully speaks to both kids and adults. It’s part adventure, part self discovery.
Babe
Director: Chris Noonan
Runtime: 91 minutes
Age rating: G
Main cast: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Zoe Burton, Paul Goddard and Wade Hayward
RT score: 97% (critics); 67% (audience)
Babe is a delightful story about an unlikely hero: a little pig with big dreams. Raised by sheepdogs, Babe believes he can also be a “sheep-pig” and finds himself competing in a sheepdog trial. With the help of his friends and his kind-hearted farmer, Babe learns that kindness and determination are what it taks.
Impressive animal animatronics and voice acting make Babe both a funny and moving film, teaching kids timeless lessons about acceptance, courage, and following your dreams. There's a reason it's such a family favorite, and this farmyard classic is perfect for all ages looking for a story filled with charm and warmth.
Elf
Director: Jon Favreau
Runtime: 97 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart, Ed Asner and Mary Steenburgen
RT score: 86% (critics); 79% (audience)
Since it first came out in 2003, Elf has become a modern Christmas classic. This is largely thanks to Will Ferrell’s hilarious and heartwarming performance as Buddy, a human raised by Santa’s elves. It follows the story of Buddy's travels from the North Pole to New York in search of his real father, where he discovers a world very different from the cheerful holiday haven he grew up in.
Packed with laugh-out-loud moments and plenty of holiday cheer, Elf is a feel-good comedy that delights audiences of all ages and has solid messages about family, belonging, and spreading joy throughout that are good for kids. It’s a must-watch for the holiday season, and even if you've already seen it many times, it's sure to bring laughter and warmth to any family movie night.
8-Bit Christmas
Director: Michael Dowse
Runtime: 97 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Neil Patrick Harris, Winslow Fegley, June Diane Raphael, David Cross and Steve Zahn
RT score: 84% (critics); 75% (audience)
Take Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hunt for Turbo Man in 1996’s Jingle all The Way, but switch it into a love of gaming and you’ve got yourself the festive comedy movie, 8-Bit Christmas. 10-year-old Jake Doyle is on an epic quest to secure the very greatest game system, a NES, for Christmas. For gaming lovers, what’s more nostalgic than thinking about one of your earliest consoles?
It’s a sweet, nostalgia-driven tale of friendship, the hope of fulfilling your present wishlist, and remembering the Christmas spirit. And, it’s Jake’s dad, John (Steve Zahn) that embodies this spirit with a wonderful performance that will have you pulling your family closer this Christmas, not your controller.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Runtime: 119 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Chieko Baisho, Takuya Kimura, Akihiro Miwa, Tatsuya Gashūin and Ryūnosuke Kamiki
RT score: 87% (critics); 93% (audience)
With Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli movies, you’ll be utterly transfixed by the animated tales. For Howl’s Moving Castle, it’s the story of teenager Sophie who is cursed by a malicious witch who grows jealous of Sophie’s relationship with wizard, Howl. The curse transforms her into the body of an old woman and, on her quest to break the spell, she boards Howl’s mechanical, mysterious home on a journey of wonderment and magic.
Although within the magic the story intertwines with the conflict of war, pining for self-discovery, and a theme of love you might not expect. Howl’s Moving Castle joins other enchanting titles on our list, which are all available to stream on Max, including Ponyo, Spirited Away, and My Neighbor Totoro. Check out our guide on the best Studio Ghibli movies if you’re unsure where to start.
Superman: The Movie
Director: Richard Donner
Runtime: 143 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Christopher Reeve, Ned Beatty and Margot Kidder
RT score: 94% (critics); 86% (audience)
Superman and his luscious brown quiff and majestic red and blue suit has taken many iterations, with actors donning the mighty cape and becoming the Man of Steel. But, it’s Christopher Reeve’s performance – marking the first of the movie franchise – that ignited viewers’ love affair with the superhero on the big screen.
And if we’re talking about cast, he’s in exceptional company with Gene Hackman playing ego-centric villain, Lex Luthor and Marlon Brando as Kyrptonian scientist, Jor-El. While it could be considered a dated addition to the franchise now given its 1978 release date, it’s the no nonsense storytelling of the 70s and the nostalgia that comes along with it that makes it one of Superman’s best movies.
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
Director: Aaron Horvath and Peter Rida Michail
Runtime: 84 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Greg Cipes, Scott Menville, Khary Payton, Tara Strong and Hynden Walch
RT score: 91% (critics); 71% (audience)
If you’ve flicked on Cartoon Network at any point in the last decade, you may well have found yourself watching the bright, loud, action-packed series, Teen Titans Go!. Based on DC Comics’ fictional superhero team, Teen Titans, there’s been almost 400 episodes and, for what we’re here to talk about now, a feature film in 2018.
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies sees the teen superheroes ironically trying to find their own way onto the big screen and finding Hollywood fame, especially sidekick turned de facto leader, Robin. Unfortunately, on their quest for stardom, they’re sidetracked by a villain’s maniacal plan to take over the world. Which, once again ironically, makes a really good storyline for a movie. Plus, there’s Nicolas Cage as Superman to enjoy.
The LEGO Batman Movie
Director: Chris McKay
Runtime: 104 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes
RT score: 90% (critics); 80% (audience)
LEGO has always been and will continue to be fun for all the family. And it’s the LEGO movies that have excited movie fans spanning classic LEGO fun to Ninjago to this entry right here, The LEGO Batman Movie. For this action-packed and wonderfully fun animation, Batman (Will Arnett) fears he won’t ever connect with others following the death of his parents.
With the city of Gotham to protect and keep him busy, he continues to fight crime while also fighting with his own emotions. In the most part instigated by accidentally adopting orphan Dick Grayson (aka Robin) as his sidekick, and somehow son. With Michael Cera as Robin and Zack Galifianakis as the Joker, you’re in good company and with a cast list like this, it’s – and we’ll say it again – fun for all the family.
Wonka
Director: Paul King
Runtime: 116 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph and Matt Lucas
RT score: 82% (critics); 91% (audience)
Wonka may have only hit theaters in 2023, but it's already on Max and a strong contender for the best new family movie to watch on the streaming platform. Starring Timothée Chalamet in the lead role, the movie tells the early story of Willy Wonka, exploring his origin story and explaining where his love for chocolate came from years before his antics in the Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971) movie.
Although it's not technically been referred to as a sequel, director Paul King once described it as a "companion piece" to the original film, so the stories make sense together and you can expect familiar parts of the story we all know and love, like som of the music and the Oompa Loompas. If you're looking for a warm and watchable fantasy movie, then Wonka is a silly ride for the whole family with catchy music and eye-popping production design.
Ponyo
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Runtime: 101 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Tomoko Yamaguchi, Kazushige Nagashima, Yūki Amami, George Tokoro and Yuria Nara
RT score: 91% (critics); 83% (audience)
If you're a fan of Studio Ghibli movies, there are several available to stream now on Max, including Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro. But a slightly lesser-known Ghibli classic is Ponyo. This charming The Little Mermaid-esque story is about a goldfish princess called Ponyo who forms an unlikely bond with a boy called Sōsuke.
Directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, we think this enchanting film is a great watch for the whole family, exploring themes of friendship and the magic of childhood innocence. As you might expect, the visuals in Ponyo are stunning, showcasing Ghibli's signature hand-drawn animation that brings to life the beauty of the underwater world Ponyo comes from.
The Hobbit
Director: Peter Jackson
Runtime: 215 minutes to 263 minutes
Age rating: 12A
Main cast: Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch and Evangeline Lilly
RT score: 64% (critics); 83% (audience)
If you’re ready to get cosy and indulge in an epic movie marathon, you’ll find all three of The Hobbit films are available to watch on Max. This trilogy of truly epic fantasy adventures is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel The Hobbit.
Set before the events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit follows the story of Frodo’s cousin (although he calls him “uncle”), Bilbo Baggins, played by Martin Freeman, who is convinced by the wise wizard Gandalf, played by Ian McKellen, to accompany thirteen dwarves on a quest to reclaim their homeland, The Lonely Mountain, from a greedy dragon called Smaug. Along the way they encounter elves and trolls and orcs and all sorts of other magical creatures and tense challenges.
You’ll need a whole day to watch all three, or spread them out over a few nights. But they’re some of the best Max family movies available right now. And however you choose to enjoy them, The Hobbit saga is a delightful story filled with adventure, high stakes and truly stunning special effects.
Spirited Away
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Runtime: 125 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki, Takashi Naito and Yasuko Sawaguchi
RT score: 96% (critics); 96% (audience)
2001 Japanese fantasy film Spirited Away has a dreamy and timeless quality. That's likely because of its story about a young girl named Chihiro, who unknowingly enters a spirit realm and must survive there while finding her way back to the human world. It's a tale about childhood, growing up, and connection, with strong influences from Japanese folklore.
The animation and story are as compelling and beautiful as you'd expect from Studio Ghibli, and we have a feeling this is one of those movies parents will thoroughly enjoy introducing to their kids. If you're a fan, you'll be happy to know that several other Studio Ghibli classics are also available on Max now, like My Neighbor Totoro, which we've also included in this guide. And be sure to read our best anime article, too, which offers even more recommendations in the genre.
My Neighbor Totoro
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Runtime: 86 minutes
Age rating: U
Main rating: Chika Sakamoto, Noriko Hidaka and Hitoshi Takagi
RT score: 93% (critics); 94% (audience)
A selection of Studio Ghibli classics has long been included among the best Max family movies (as you'll have seen above). Smash hit My Neighbor Totoro is widely adored for its stunning animation and close study of childhood – and the English dubbed version is now available on Max. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), it follows schoolgirl Satsuki (Dakota Fanning in the English language dub) and her younger sister Mei (Elle Fanning), whose mother is taken into hospital with an illness. The pair are taken to live in an old country house by their father (Tim Daly), and they spend their time befriending the playful spirits that live there.
The Japanese-language version was the winner of multiple awards. The film has also been adapted into a series of four books, a stage play, and has an anime short sequel (Mei and the Kittenbus). In short, it's a classic that should be on every child's watchlist.
The Wizard of Oz
Director: Victor Fleming
Runtime: 101 minutes
Age rating: G
Main cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley
RT score: 98% (critics); 89% (audience)
Not just one of the best Max family movies, The Wizard of Oz is one of the best movies ever created. An adaptation of L. Frank Baum genre-bending novel, The Wizard of Oz follows Judy Garland's Dorothy, who is whisked away from Kansas by a tornado to Munchkin City, where she accidentally squashes the Wicked Witch of the East. Her sister, the Wicked Witch of the West vows revenge, leaving Dorothy in a race against time to get home. She sets off on that legendary yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz, hoping he can tell her how to get home, making friends and enemies along the way.
It's an iconic, tender, and truly timeless classic, and one that the whole family can enjoy. It's a bit dated these days but you'll laugh, cry, and cheer as Dorothy and company bravely face the odds stacked against them. It's also a worthy inclusion in our best Max movies list.
DC League of Super-Pets
Director: Jared Stern
Runtime: 105 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski and Vanessa Bayer
RT score: 72% (critics); 88% (audience)
The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) is undergoing a radical reset right now, with co-studio heads James Gunn and Peter Safran effectively rebooting Warner Bros' superhero movie slate – read our guide to what they have in store for the new-look DC Cinematic Universe (DCU).
While DC's movie output has always been a mixed bag, Warner's DC League of Super-Pets is one of its few cinematic offerings that's both ripe for kids/families, and also actually half-decent. The movie begins with Krypto, Superman's pooch, enjoying time with his owner. However, the duo's recreational time is rudely interrupted when Superman is kidnapped by Lex Luthor. To get him back, Krypto unites a rag-tag group of household pets and sets out to free the Justice League.
A-listers such as Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, and Keanu Reeves, plus Andor's Diego Luna, Russian Doll's Natasha Lyonne and Sonic the Hedgehog 2's Ben Schwartz, lend their voices to an impressively stacked cast. Kids will love the humor, animation fans will appreciate the, well, animation, and parents will get around 100 minutes of peace.
Shazam!
Director: David F. Sandberg
Runtime: 132 minutes
Age rating: PG-13
Main cast: Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer and Djimon Hounsou
RT score: 90% (critics); 82% (audience)
Effectively Big in spandex and a cape, Shazam! is childhood wish fulfillment in the form of a DC superhero movie and one of the best Max family movies to watch right now if you love superheroes. Teenager Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is granted Superman-like abilities when a wizard gifts him the power of the gods, and all he has to do to transform into his grown-up, musclebound alter-ego (played by Chuck's Zachary Levi) is say his magic word. Conveniently, it's also the name of the movie.
While the plot is by-the-numbers stuff – embittered Dr Sivana (Mark Strong) wants Billy's powers for himself – Shazam! has heart and charm in spades, particularly when Billy's interacting with his foster family. Unfortunately, 2023 sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods struggled to recapture the same magic, but you can also check it out now on Max. Want to know how Shazam! fits into the DC continuity? Read our guide on how to watch the DC movies in order.
The Harry Potter movie collection
Director: Chris Columbus (1–2); Alfonso Cuarón (3); Mike Newell (4); David Yates (5–8)
Runtime: 130 to 164 minutes
Age rating: PG (1-3, 6); PG-13 (4-5, 7-8)
Main cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith
RT score: 77% to 96% (critics); 74% to 89% (audience)
Warner Bros is so enamored with the magical world of Harry Potter that it's announced a new TV show based on the phenomenally successful book series. The eight films have also long been a big part of the best Max family movies roster -making this the ideal place to enjoy the phenomenally successful saga again and again and again.
Faithful almost to a fault, the eight movies capture the magic of the novels with the help of blockbuster visual effects, and a stellar cast of top British acting talent. Like the books, the adaptations vary massively in quality, but with the entire series available on Max – along with all three Fantastic Beasts movies – a trip to Hogwarts is never far away. Not sure which of the saga is worth your time? Read our guides on the best Harry Potter movies, or find out how to watch the Harry Potter movies in order.
Time Bandits
Director: Terry Gilliam
Runtime: 113 minutes
Age rating: PG
Main cast: David Rappaport, John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall and Katherine Helmond
RT score: 91% (critics); 77% (audience)
You wouldn't expect Monty Python veteran Terry Gilliam to make a conventional family movie, and Time Bandits is anything but. Bankrolled by Beatle George Harrison (who also stepped into finance Monty Python's Life of Brian), this deliciously weird tale centers on an 11-year-old boy who winds up on a time-hopping adventure with a gang of dwarfs with grand larceny on their minds.
While the this and inventive family movie features plenty of the director's trademark flights of fantasy, it's also anchored to a more solid and engaging story than many of his subsequent films. Gilliam also managed to rope in a few major stars to cameo as famous figures from history, including Sean Connery as King Agamemnon and his old Python sidekick John Cleese as Robin Hood.
For more Max-based coverage, check out our best Max shows and new Max movies articles. Alternatively, read our guides on The Last of Us season 2 and Euphoria season 3.
