It can be difficult to find something to watch together. Hulu offers a variety of movies that are enjoyable for all ages.
We have scoured Hulu’s library to find the best choices for family movie nights. These selections will appeal to every member of the family, from heartwarming stories of friendship to animated adventures. You don’t even need to subscribe to Hulu for these videos, so it’s completely hassle-free.
These are the 10 most family-friendly Hulu movies, in no particular order.
1. Shrek (and Shrek 2)
Memes-worthy masterpiece It’s still being celebrated 20 years later, ShrekIt is one of the greatest kid movies ever made. It balances fairy tale characters with gross-out gags, while telling a sweet story about love and not judging a book’s cover. Shrek, the grouchy green ogre who is everyone’s favorite, is reluctantly on a quest to save Princess Fiona (voiced in part by Cameron Diaz). Eddie Murphy voices Donkey as his sidekick. He also encounters Donkey, who is a trusted companion, fights a dragon and has monologues on onions. Shenanigans take the show to new heights Shrek 2. Hulu also offers the sequel, which is worth a watch just for the “Holding Up for a Hero” sequence. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Fellow (*)
How to watch: ShrekHulu is streaming it now
2. No cost Willy
Unexpected friendship between humans or animals is one of the most popular children’s movie tropes. This trope is rarely portrayed in children’s movies. Free Willy. The classic story of a coming-of age story. Free WillyJesse (Jason James Richter), an orphan with a history of problems, ends up working as a security guard at an amusement-park. He makes friends with Willy, the park’s new orca. Jesse tries to save Willy from harm when he discovers the park owner. Jesse and Willy form a strong bond, and Willy’s triumphant leap over the rocks is pure family-friendly joy. Free WillyAlthough it may be more than 20 years old, it is still a great resource for all ages. — B.E. (*)
How to watch: Free WillyHulu is streaming it now
3. Dora and The Lost City of Gold
Get your map and a backpack ready to embark on the adventure of a life time. Dora and The Lost City of Gold. The live-action version shows Dora (Isabela Merced), a 16 year old struggling to adjust to high school. Dora is able to save her family when her parents leave to search for a lost town. This hilarious comedy has many meta references to the original series. Dora and The Lost City of GoldThis is an extremely enjoyable time. Merced is a delight as Dora and is joined by familiar faces such as Diego (voiced primarily by Danny Trejo), Boots (voiced mainly by Danny Trejo), or the nefarious fox Swiper, voiced by Benicio Del Toro). — B.E. (*)
How to watch: Dora and The Lost City of GoldHulu is streaming it now
4. Missing link
From CoralineTo Kubo and The Two StringsLaika animation studio has consistently produced some the most visually stunning movies over the years. Missing linkThis is no exception. It tells the story of Sir Lionel Frost, a fame-seeking adventurer, who discovers Sasquatch (A.K.A. Zach Galifianakis voices Mr. Link. Mr. Link is one of the few remaining Americans of his type. He desperately wants to travel with the Yetis who are rumored be living in India. He and Sir Lionel began an epic journey around the globe, joining forces with the formidable Adelina (voiced Zoe Saldana), and running from hired assassins. Missing linkYou will be amazed at the variety of characters and action in this animated short. — B.E. (*)
How to watch: Missing linkHulu is streaming it now
5. Charlie Brown, a Boy named Charlie
Charlie Brown, a Boy named CharlieCharles M. Schulz was the inspiration for the first feature-length film. PeanutsIt captures comic strip’s essence. PeanutsIt’s charm and complexity. The movie centers on Charlie Brown (voiced and narrated by Peter Robbins), who is trying to win a spelling contest and prove that he isn’t a failure. However, the film feels more like a slice of life film due to the inclusion vignettes from children’s everyday lives. Beautiful animation and a great score. Charlie Brown, a Boy named CharlieIt captures the joys, frustrations, and wonders of childhood. But it also conveys a message about persevering even when things go wrong and how to fail. — B.E. (*)
How to watch: Charlie Brown, a Boy named CharlieHulu is streaming it now
6. Cloudy with a Chance for Meatballs
Flint, the plucky inventor (voiced by Bill Hader), creates a device that literally rains food from the skies. To the delight of his small hometown, However, Flint soon realizes that the meals can have serious unintended consequences. He must come up with a plan to stop his creation from devastating the world.
This video combines silly jokes with slick animation and a sweet message. Cloudy with a Chance for MeatballsIt is a delicious and healthy dish that can be enjoyed by all ages. — Angie Han, Deputy Entertainment Editor (*)
How to watch: Cloudy with a Chance for Meatballs Hulu now streams it.
7. Happy Feet
You want to tap your toes? Check out this cartoon about a penguin band that loves to dance and sing. Elijah Wood lends his voice to Mumbles, an emperor penguin who feels left out because he’s not much of a singer, like the rest of his raft. Instead, he prefers shaking a tail feather. George Miller directs this charming fable about learning how to love yourself. He brings together a stellar cast including Brittany Murphy (Robin Williams), Hugh Jackman (Nicole Kidman), Steve Irwin (Steve Irwin), and others. Together, they lend their voices to cuddly critters who burst into a panoply of popular songs, like “Somebody to Love,” “Kiss,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” A beak-to-toe delight, it’s only natural Happy FeetIn 2007, the Oscar was awarded for Best Animated Feature. — Kristy Pouchko is Deputy Entertainment Editor (*)
What to Watch: Happy Feet Hulu now streams it.
8. The Baby-Sitters Club
Netflix existed long before Netflix. The Baby-Sitters Club book series into a streaming show, this 1995 gem brought Kristy, Dawn, Mary Ann, Claudia, Stacey, Mallory, and Jessi to life for a movie that pretty much encapsulates everything great about the 90s. It has it all Blossom hats, overalls, butt cuts, unsupervised children, and a rap number about the human brain that’s been stuck in people’s heads for 26 years and counting. Although this is true, Baby-Sitters Club movie may not have been a hit at the time, it successfully translates the book series’ blend of aspirational childhood fun and thoughtful handling of real-life issues. — Alexis Nedd is Senior Entertainment Reporter
How to watch: The Baby-Sitters Club Hulu now streams it.
9. The Lorax
Climate change activism is a newfangled concept? Those who claim otherwise haven’t seen the animated classic of the 1970s. The Lorax (or read the Dr. Seuss book, published in 1971). Through whimsical rhymes that are catchy and catchy tunes. The Lorax animated-special packs a brutal environmentalist punch that was as relevant 50 years ago as it is today. The greedy Once-ler puts his capitalist wants ahead of Lorax’s beloved Truffula forests is a classic example of corporations that exploit the environment to make money. And the last phrase of the story is still a powerful call to arms. It’s not.” — A.N.
What to Watch: The Lorax Hulu now streams it.
10. Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events
If you’re looking for a family flick with darker flair, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events This is the movie for your needs. Jim Carrey gives a delightfully deranged performance as Count Olaf, a sinister villain trying to steal the Baudelaire orphans’ family fortune.
Violet (Emily Browning), Klaus (Liam Aiken), and Sunny (Kara and Shelby Hoffman) try their best to escape Olaf’s clutches, but this proves difficult thanks to a host of incompetent adults and terrifying locations, including a reptile house and a leech-infested lake. With arresting visuals and a cast including Meryl Streep and Catherine O’Hara, A series of unfortunate events is a morbidly fun ride that isn’t afraid to get weird. — B.E.
How to watch: Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events Hulu now streams it.
Asterisks
Indicate that this entry was previously featured in another Mashable streaming site.(*)
