Entertainment
8 Greatest Family Movies of the Last 10 Years, Ranked
Family movies sometimes get unfairly dismissed as simple kid’s entertainment, but the very best examples prove that appealing to all ages is one of filmmaking’s hardest tricks of all. A great family film needs adventure, humor, and memorable characters, at least for younger viewers, while still offering enough emotional depth and thematic richness to resonate with the adults sitting beside them.
What’s great is that the last decade has produced an impressive collection of films that have done exactly that. Some have reimagined beloved fairy-tales, with others exploring deeply human themes through fantastical worlds. So, whether they be animated or live-action, these are the films that understand how family audiences deserve heartwarming stories, all made perfect for a unifying leisurely watch.
8
‘Puss in Boots: The Last Wish’ (2022)
After burning through eight of his nine lives, the fearless feline outlaw Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) discovers that his confidence may not be enough to save him anymore. Now, faced with his own mortality for the first time, Puss sets out on a quest to find the mythical Wishing Star, hoping to restore his lost lives. Unfortunately, along the way, he soon finds himself competing against a colorful set of rivals pursing the same prize.
While Puss in Boots: The Last Wish could’ve easily become a fun (but disposable) Shrek spin-off, it instead became one of the decade’s most emotionally resonant animated films. Beneath its vibrant fairy-tale adventure lies a surprisingly mature story about fear, aging, and learning to appreciate the life one lives. With Death itself placed as a standout animated villain, Puss’ journey transforms into something genuinely affecting—a feat that’s only made better by its stunning animation style that livens every action sequence.
7
‘Klaus’ (2019)
Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) is a spoiled and self-centered postal academy graduate who is sent to a remote artic town, divided by generations of feuding families. Desperate to fulfill a mail quota and return home, he discovers a reclusive toymaker named Klaus (J.K. Simmons) living alone in the woods. Soon enough, their unlikely friendship sparks a chain reaction that slowly transforms the town and eventually gives rise to the legend of Santa Claus.
Few modern holiday films have achieved the instant classic status of Klaus. And while it reimagines a familiar myth, the movie’s true strength lies in its sincerity and emotional intelligence. The relationship between Jesper and Klaus evolves beautifully, grounding the story in themes of compassion, forgiveness, and community. Plus, when combined with breathtaking animation and a script that balances humor with genuine heart, Klaus feels like a true Christmas classic that many strive for but rarely achieve.
6
‘Coco’ (2017)
Aspiring musician Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of following in the footsteps of his idol Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), despite his family’s generations-long ban on music. Cut to Día de los Muertios, and Miguel not only discovers that de la Cruz might just be his great-great-grandfather, but he also accidentally transports himself to the Land of the Dead. Needing to return to the land of the living, Miguel runs to secure his ancestor’s blessing—a quest that ultimately uncovers a dark truth behind his family’s history.
While its stunning vibrant visuals and songs are unforgettable, Coco endures mostly because of the emotional power behind them. By exploring memory, family legacy, and the fear of being forgotten, the film builds toward one of Pixar’s most moving and tender endings. Every revelation deepens Miguel’s understanding of where he comes from, transforming what begins as a colorful adventure into a deeply personal story about honoring the people who shaped us. Remember to grab your tissues with this one. That last song is a doozy.
5
‘Wonder’ (2017)
Based on R.J. Palacio‘s bestselling novel, Auggie Pullman (Jacob Tremblay) is a young boy born with facial differences who’s attending mainstream school for the first time in his life. Needing to confront his fears, Auggie navigates his coming-of-age journey of friendships, bullying, and the challenges of fitting into a judgmental world (no matter how hard it may be).
What elevates Wonder beyond a typical inspirational drama is its empathy. Rather than focusing solely on Auggie’s perspective, the film examines how kindness, insecurity, and acceptance affect those around him. Tremblay delivers a deeply endearing performance, while the supporting cast helps create a perfectly nuanced portrait of family life. The result is a movie that never feels manipulative, despite its emotional subject matter, offering a genuinely heartfelt reminder of the power of compassion—one that will leave you desperately reaching for the tissues again.
4
‘Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio’ (2022)
Set in fascist Italy between the World Wars, a grieving woodcarver named Geppetto (David Bradley) who, in his despair over losing his son, magically brings a wooden puppet to life. Now, a young Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) must navigate a complicated world filled with political unrest, exploitation, and difficult questions about mortality—all of which allow him to learn what it truly means to be human.
Rather than retelling the familiar tale beat-for-beat, del Toro transforms Pinocchio into something deeply personal and profound. For one, the stop-motion animation is breathtaking. However, it’s the film’s exploration of grief and impermanence that lingers longest. By positioning death as a natural part of life rather than something to fear, the movie finds emotional depth rarely seen in family animations. In this way, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio proves how children’s stories can tackle complex ideas without losing their sense of wonder.
3
‘The Wild Robot’ (2024)
After being shipwrecked during a storm, a service robot named Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) finds herself stranded on a remote island populated entirely by animals. Initially viewed as an outsider, Roz learns to adapt and survive the wilderness, allowing her to form connections that challenge her original programming. In particular, she unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of an orphaned gosling named Brightbill (Kit Connor).
At its core, The Wild Robot is a beautiful story about parenthood, belonging, and the bonds that form between unlikely individuals. The relationship between Roz and Brightbill gives the film its emotional foundation, while its picturesque animation captures both the beauty and harshness of the natural world. Better still, it balances adventure and humor with thoughtful reflections on identity and community. So, like the best family films, it speaks to audiences of all ages without ever talking down to them.
2
‘The Sheep Detectives’ (2026)
When a seemingly ordinary shepherd (Hugh Jackman) is found dead under mysterious circumstances, his loyal flock of sheep—led by the clever Lily (Julia Louis Dreyfus)—decide to investigate the case themselves. Determined to uncover the truth before humans can ruin everything, the sheep begin piecing together clues from their unique perspective, leading them through a mystery filled with eccentric small town suspects and unexpected revelations.
Who would’ve thought a bunch of sheep would make grown adults leave the cinemas in tears? Part murder mystery, part charming animal adventure, The Sheep Detectives shines because it fully commits to its delightfully absurd premise. And yet, it has surprised audiences with its emotional depth, poignantly exploring themes of grief, loneliness, and belonging. Sure, the whodunnit might be a little predictable in the end, but this is a movie that perfectly balances warmth, humor, and heartache with remarkable grace. Personally, that’s far more important than a clever mystery (at least when it comes to family films).
1
‘Paddington 2’ (2017)
Having settled happily into life with the Brown family in London, Paddington (Ben Whishaw) sets out to earn enough money to buy a special pop-up book for his Aunt Lucy’s (Imelda Staunton) birthday. But when the book is suddenly stolen, Paddington is wrongly accused of the crime and is sent to prison, forcing both him and the Browns to uncover the real culprit before it’s too late.
There is a reason Paddington 2 is often considered one of the best films of all time. For one, it completely radiates kindness without ever feeling naive, thanks to Paddington’s unwavering optimism bringing out the best in everyone around him. Making matters more fun, Hugh Grant‘s delightfully theatrical villain adds a layer of comedic brilliance, while the story itself quietly champions empathy, decency, and community spirit. Funny, poignant, and meticulously crafted, it’s practically impossible to dislike (and should frankly still have its 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes).
Paddington 2
- Release Date
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November 10, 2017
- Runtime
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104 minutes
- Director
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Paul King
- Writers
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Simon Farnaby, Paul King, Michael Bond, Jon Croker
Next: The 10 Greatest Live-Action Family Films of the 21st Century, Ranked
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