The best family movies to watch online with a free streaming trial


The best family movies to watch online with a free streaming trial

If you’re searching for the perfect family-friendly film for your next family movie night, look no further than this collection of feel-good movies that are sure to bring joy and laughter. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming tale, an exciting adventure, or a hilarious comedy, this curation of films has something that the whole family can enjoy.

From timeless classics to the latest releases, setting up a cozy movie night with the fam is easier with this guide. Discover captivating stories and unforgettable characters from The Princess Bride to the Harry Potter and Star Wars franchise and every animated film with inspiring themes of family and love.

What’s in this Guide

Best family movies of all time

Prepare for the ultimate movie night with the fam as we explore the best family movies of all time, perfect for younger viewers and adults alike. From the magical creations of Walt Disney Studios (The Lion King, Toy Story) and the imaginative wonders of Studio Ghibli (Spirited Away) to the beloved classics from Warner Bros. (The Lego Movie), Sony Pictures Animation (The Muppet Movie), and Dreamworks Animation (Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon), there is an incredible array of options to choose from.

So if you’re looking for animated adventures, live-action wonders, or just simple heartwarming family films that have the cinematic power to inspire and entertain, we’ve rounded up every feature film that has made a remarkable impact on moviegoers below.

Up (2009)

Up movie

Produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, Up movie follows the remarkable journey of Carl Fredricksen, a young boy who idolises explorer Charles Muntz. Carl befriends a young girl and fellow Muntz enthusiast, Ellie. Together, they dream of moving their “clubhouse” to Paradise Falls in South America. Fast forward to Carl’s retirement, now a widower in his late 70s, he finds himself determined to fulfill Ellie’s wish of making their childhood adventure into reality.

Transforming his house into a magnificent airship with the help of helium balloons, Carl sets off for Paradise Falls. Along for the ride is Russell, an eight-year-old “Wilderness Explorer” and unexpected stowaway. Their adventure takes a thrilling turn as they encounter a storm that propels their house to South America.

  • Running time: 1h 36m
  • Released: 2009
  • Genre: Adventure, Comedy
  • Directors: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
  • Stars: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger
  • Streaming services: Disney+

Matilda (1996)

Matilda

Enter the whimsical world of the 1996 fantasy comedy film, Matilda, revolving around the extraordinary child prodigy of the same name. Gifted with psychokinetic abilities, Matilda uses her newfound powers to navigate the challenges posed by her disreputable family and the tyrannical principal of her school, Miss Trunchbull. Matilda’s compassionate teacher, Miss Honey, becomes her guiding light, inviting her into a world of warmth and understanding.

As Matilda discovers more about Miss Honey’s past, she finds out about the early passing of Miss Honey’s mother and her father’s questionable decision to welcome the manipulative presence of her mother’s stepsister, Miss Trunchbull, into their lives. With suspicions arising around the death of Miss Honey’s father, Matilda and Miss Honey embark on a daring mission. Sneaking into what used to be Miss Honey’s childhood home, they aim to uncover the truth and reclaim what rightfully belongs to them.

  • Running time: 1h 38m
  • Released: 1996
  • Genre: Family, Comedy
  • Director: Danny DeVito
  • Stars: Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson
  • Streaming services: Paramount+, Stan

Elf (2003)

Elf

The heartwarming tale of this holiday classic, aptly titled Elf, begins on a magical Christmas Eve when a baby crawls into Santa Claus’s sack and is unknowingly whisked away to the North Pole from an orphanage. Embraced by the elves, the baby is named Buddy and raised as one of their own, despite his towering height and lack of toy-making skills. Growing up believing he’s an elf, Buddy’s world is turned upside down when he overhears that he is actually a human. Determined to find his true identity, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City.

In the bustling city, Buddy encounters his long-lost father, Walter Hobbs, a self-absorbed executive who has little time for Christmas. Buddy faces challenges as he tries to connect with his father and navigate the unfamiliar modern world. Along the way, he meets Jovie, an employee at a department store, and instantly falls for her. With the hope of spreading Christmas cheer and redeeming his father, Buddy sets out to transform the store into a winter wonderland.

  • Running time: 1h 37m
  • Released: 2003
  • Genre: Family, Comedy
  • Director: Jon Favreau
  • Stars: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart
  • Streaming services: Foxtel Now, BINGE, Paramount+, Stan

New family movies to watch online

Discover new movies to watch online with a treasure trove of captivating stories at your disposal. Whether you’re craving the latest blockbuster hit, a deeply moving family film, or a fun animated feature, the digital landscape offers an array of options for every film enthusiast. Disney Plus alone has hundreds of family movies just waiting to be discovered (or rediscovered). The delightful family movies on Netflix (The Mitchells vs. the Machines!) are also a must-see.

How to watch family movies free online

Streaming services like Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Foxtel Now, BINGE, Netflix, and so many others provide a great deal of content in the family drama genre. You can even watch complete franchises in one place like how you can stream all Toy Story movies on Disney Plus.

If you love to watch movies and enjoy streaming a lot of those online, then it only makes sense to sign up for one or two streaming plans or even more if you’re feeling up for it. Besides, most streaming services offer free trials so you can always cancel afterward. Check out some of the best streaming plans in Australia below.

Streaming TV Plans

Plan
Inclusions
Price
Monthly
  • 7-day free trial
  • Monthly
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • Stream on up to 4 devices
  • Watch hundreds of shows and movies ad-free
  • $9.99/mth
$9.99/mth
Min Cost - $9.99/mth onwards after free trial

Standard Monthly
  • 7-day free trial
  • Standard Monthly
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • Exclusive content
  • Stream in HD on up to two devices
  • $10.99/mth
$10.99/mth
Min Cost - $10.99 over 1 month

Monthly
  • New customers: 7-day free trial
  • 3 months free when you buy an eligible Apple device
  • Monthly
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • 4K HDR included
  • Up to 6 simultaneous streams
  • $12.99/mth
$12.99/mth
Min Cost - $12.99 over 1 month

Basic with Ads
  • 7-Day Free Trial
  • Basic with Ads
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • Stream in HD on a single device
  • 25,000+ hours of the world's best shows & movies
  • $10/mth
$10/mth
Min Cost - $10/month after free trial

Starter
  • 10-Day FREE Trial
  • Starter
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • 30+ channels: Entertainment, Drama, Lifestyle, Comedy, and News
  • Login on 5 devices and watch 2 at the same time
  • $35/mth
$35/mth
Min Cost - $35 over 1 month

Standard Monthly
  • Standard Monthly
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • Stream in full HD & up to 5.1 audio
  • Downloads on up to 10 devices
  • $13.99/mth
$13.99/mth
Min Cost - $13.99 over 1 month

Monthly Subscription
  • 14-day free trial
  • Monthly Subscription
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • New docos added weekly
  • Stream in HD, ad-free
  • $8.99/mth
$8.99/mth
Min Cost - $8.99/month

Monthly Subscription with Ads
  • 30-day free trial
  • Monthly Subscription with Ads
  • No Lock-in Contract
  • Titles available in 4K
  • Use 3 screens at the same time
  • $9.99/mth
$9.99/mth
$9.99/month after 30 days free trial

Best Internet Streaming Plan

Best internet streaming plan

Save for the first 12 mths
Save: $20/mth for first 12 months. Offer ends 28 Jan 2025.
Save up to $20/mth with Dodo's nbn100 plan

Benefits

$20/mth off 100 Mbps for 12 months
Offer ends 28 Jan 2025. New and returning internet customers only.
Get $30 off Dodo Family Modem (normally $159.90 upfront)
T&Cs apply
No Lock-in Contract
Unlimited Data
NBN 100™ Fixed Line
100Mbps download & 17Mbps upload typical evening speeds
Manage your account online with My Dodo
No fees for standard connection
More Details
$68.90
/mth
Total Minimum Cost is $198.80 ($68.90/mth discounted plan fee + $129.90 discounted Family Modem cost = $198.80)

Family Movies Streaming with free trials

Making it easier to try the many streaming services available are free trials. It can go from 7 days to a more generous 30 days. Here are some of the free trials you can take advantage of right now.

Other family movie classics to watch online

Looking to revisit some of cinema’s most treasured family films? We’ve made this easy-to-browse selection below. Even better, some of these are available to stream online instantly for free.

Explore more family movies

There are hundreds of family movies that you can watch on your big screen TV or online when you’re on the go. If you’re looking for more options on the best family movies to watch instantly, you’ll find something that can entertain and more. With varied selections at your disposal, you can really indulge in heaps of family films whenever you want.


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