After a tough day after schoolwork, it’s time for a family movie night. But deciding what to watch is difficult. Streaming services provide their customers with a list of the best family movies. Plus, choosing something that everyone will enjoy is like ordering food for the whole neighborhood. Don’t worry! We’ve been there and can help. Whether you’re in the mood for hilarious musicals, wild adventures, fanciful fantasy, nostalgic fun, or just plain old fun, we’ve got you covered.
Our team has assembled the list of best family movies on HBO Max just for you guys. We want to ensure that the quality time you spend with your family watching the best family movies is always worth it. You don’t have to waste your time surfing for the best family movies. Below is a list of the titles and short descriptions of the best family movies on HBO Max currently, which will make your family movie night one of the most memorable ones.
Related: Best Kids Movies on HBO Max
1. All Dogs Go to Heaven
Year: 1989
Director: Don Bluth
Stars: Daryl Gilley, Dom DeLuise, Charles Nelson Reilly, Candy Devine, Burt Reynolds
Rating: G
Runtime: 85 minutes
An “old is gold” quote fits this movie well, indeed it is one of the best family movies out there. While Disney+ has the stranglehold on streaming animation, HBO Max offers the Don Bluth flicks about gorgeous dogs! This is the story of a German Shepherd (voiced by Burt Reynolds) who leaves heaven to investigate his murder but ends up adopting a lovely orphan. It’s even better than you recall. The 1996 sequel is indeed available to watch on HBO Max.
2. Bringing Up Baby
Year: 1938
Director: Howard Hawks
Stars: Katharine Hepburn; Cary Grant; Charles Ruggles; Barry Fitzgerald; May Robson; Walter Catlett; Fritz Feld
Rating: NR
Runtime: 102 minutes
This is a fantastic entry point of one of the best family movies, into the world of vintage film because it is entertaining for both children and adults. In this comedy about two humans and a leopard named Baby, Howard Hawks directs Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn at the height of their captivating charms. Here are some fun facts about the movie: The production reportedly overspent because the shooting was delayed as Hepburn and Grant couldn’t keep a steady face.
3. Clash of the Titans
Year: 2010
Director: Louis Leterrier
Stars: Alexa Davalos; Sam Worthington; Gemma Arterton; Mads Mikkelsen; Liam Neeson; Ralph Fiennes
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 106 minutes
Back in 1981, when the very first Clash of the Titans was produced, becoming an enormous smash, it was marketed as a family-friendly adventure film. Harry Hamlin starred in the final Ray Harryhausen stop-motion special effects picture, which depicts the myth of Perseus in a supposedly based manner. If you’re a Gen Xer with a membership to HBO Max, you might be able to satisfy an old-school nostalgia hunger with this show.
4. The Dark Crystal
Year: 1982
Director: Frank Oz; Jim Henson
Stars: Lisa Maxwell; Stephen Garlick; Percy Edwards; Billie Whitelaw
Rating: PG
Runtime: 93 minutes
As far as I know, this is a kid’s movie. Sorta. It’s true that there are puppets in this interesting fantasy picture, but it’s also a dark, frequently scary adventure story that doesn’t talk down to children and isn’t afraid to scare them. In terms of puppetry, special effects, and even the way children’s entertainment was written, this film was revolutionary for its day. As a result, Netflix has returned to the universe of the film nearly four decades later.
5. Doctor Dolittle
Year: 1967
Director: Richard Fleischer
Stars: Rex Harrison; Samantha Eggar; Anthony Newley; Richard Attenborough
Rating: G
Runtime: 152 minutes
Despite the fact that HBO Max does not now feature the Eddie Murphy remake, perhaps it is time to educate the kids about what captivated young people in the ’60s To be honest, the Rex Harrison musical was a great success for all ages, even receiving a nomination for Best Picture. It was one of the year’s most popular films.
6. Early Man
Year: 2018
Director: Nick Park
Stars: Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall, Miriam Margolyes
Rating: PG
Runtime: 89 minutes
Aardman is simply the greatest. The stop-motion artists are still probably most famous for Wallace & Gromit (and perhaps now Shaun the Sheep), but they’ve also done other films, like this 2018 movie about a tribe of Stone Age people facing a battle against the future when bronze-using invaders approach them to a football match. This hilarious comedy, directed by Nick Park, may not be Aardman’s best, but small Aardman is indeed a family movie worth viewing.
7. Finding Neverland
Year: 2004
Director: Marc Forster
Stars: Johnny Depp; Kate Winslet; Julie Christie; Radha Mitchell; Dustin Hoffman
Rating: PG
Runtime: 101 minutes
The historical drama about the writer J.M. Barrie and the family he befriended, who inspired him to write Peter Pan, maybe better appropriate for families with older children, but it is still worth seeing. It was a critical and commercial success, earning nominations for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for star Johnny Depp at the Academy Awards. It was also a watershed moment in the career of a young Freddie Highmore.
8. The Flintstones
Year: 1994
Director: Brian Levant
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan; Elizabeth Taylor; John Goodman; Elizabeth Perkins; Rosie O’Donnell; Rick Moranis; Halle Berry;
Rating: PG
Runtime: 91 minutes
Adapting beloved cartoon series into live-action films was once a common practice in Hollywood, particularly in the 1990s. Though the original Bedrock hit’s hallucinogenic remake didn’t always work, it succeeded well enough to warrant the production of a sequel, which premiered on HBO Max. It features John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Elizabeth Perkins, and Rosie O’Donnell in the primary roles, and it just might be the nostalgia hit that HBO Max members are searching for when they open the service.
9. Happy Feet
Year: 2006
Director: George Miller
Stars: Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman, Robin Williams, Carlos Alazraqui.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 108 minutes
It would be a shame if George Miller only directed the Mad Max movies. He also worked on two pairs of family classics, the Babe films, and the Happy Feet films, which are about a penguin who wants to understand his heart song. Joyful and fun, this is the winner of the Oscar for the best-animated film. The sequel is undoubtedly as great, but it’s hard to say for sure.
10. Harry Potter Series
Year: 2001–2011
Director: Chris Columbus, David Yates, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell
Stars: Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe), Draco Malfoy (Tom Felton), Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis), Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint), Fred and George Weasley (James and Oliver Phelps)
Rating: PG
Runtime: 1178 minutes
Due to the fact that HBO Max is essentially a new library service for Warner Brothers, it only seems logical that their most famous series would become the unique asset of the streaming service. All eight movies are based on the J.K. Rowling books and are available to stream in high definition right now.
11. The Iron Giant
Year: 1999
Director: Brad Bird
Stars: Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel, James Gammon.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 86 minutes
First, Brad Bird crafted a superhero movie that pays tribute to American culture and entertainment from previous generations, while also being oddly eternal. After 2 decades, the narrative of a youngster who discovers a real-life robot in the woods has attracted a considerable amount of traction.
12. The LEGO Batman Movie
Year: 2017
Director: Chris McKay
Stars: Will Arnett; Zach Galifianakis; Michael Cera; Rosario Dawson; Ralph Fiennes
Rating: PG
Runtime: 104 minutes
This family film is much more than a kid’s rendition of a superhero film or a satire of the genre; it’s a really creative and well-crafted action film that anybody can enjoy. A spin-off of Will Arnett’s depiction of the Dark Knight, who first appeared in The LEGO Movie, is released in a film that deconstructs the clichés surrounding Bruce Wayne as well as Batman in a sense that is both amusing and highly intellectual.
13. Looney Tunes Back in Action
Year: 2003
Director: Joe Dante
Stars: Brendan Fraser; Jenna Elfman; Timothy Dalton; Joan Cusack; Bill Goldberg; Heather Locklear; Steve Martin
Rating: PG
Runtime: 91 minutes
The video features puppets, but it’s also a dark, sometimes scary adventure story that doesn’t talk down to children and isn’t afraid to scare them. In terms of theater, visual effects, as well as the way children’s entertainment was scripted, this film was revolutionary for its day. As a result, Netflix has returned to the universe of the film nearly 40 years later.
14. Miracle on 34th Street
Year: 1947
Director: George Seaton
Stars: Dylan McDermott, Elizabeth Perkins, J.T. Walsh, Richard Attenborough, James Remar.
Rating: NR
Runtime: 101 minutes
Two versions of the iconic holiday favorite around a department store Santa who pretends to be the real deal are currently available on HBO Max because they’d be ideal for families to watch on a weekend at any period during the year. Despite the fact that the 1947 Edmund Gwenn edition is the best one, Richard Attenborough made the 1994 version nearly as delightful as the 1947 version.
15. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
Year: 1985
Director: Tim Burton
Stars: Mark Holton; Diane Salinger; E.G. Daily; Judd Omen; Paul Reubens;
Rating: PG
Runtime: 90 minutes
If you’re looking for something different, Tim Burton’s first feature film is a must-see. Some of his most memorable films, including Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and Batman Returns, started with this big-budget road trip picture about a youngster in quest of his stolen bicycle.
Pee-wee Herman is played by Paul Rubens, a live-wire on a joyous adventure across the country to regain his beloved bike. Every pit stop brings him friends or problems! Adults can relive the wild fun of the “Tequila” dance as well as the spooky thrill of Large Marge in this oddly delightful film. Kids may relive Pee-wee and wonder at a PG-rated film from 1985.
16. The Wizard of Oz
Year: 1939
Director: Victor Fleming
Stars: Margaret Hamilton, Judy Garland, Frank Bert Lahr, Morgan, Ray Bolger, Billie Burke, Charley Grapewin, Jack Haley
Rating: PG
Runtime: 112 minutes
Perhaps you’ve heard about it before? In all seriousness, what else could be written when you’re on the edge about The Wizard of Oz? Could it be that you haven’t watched it since you were a kid? Consider revisiting Dorothy’s voyage over the rainbow, if that is the case, and appreciating this lovely tale on an entirely new level.
17. Little Monsters
Year: 1989
Director: Richard Alan Greenberg, Richard Greenberg
Stars: Fred Savage, Howie Mandel, Ben Savage, William Murray, Amber Barretto, Rick Ducommun
Rating: PG
Runtime: 103 minutes
Before Monsters, Inc., this live-action comedy portrayed a kid’s odd relationship with the monster under his bed. ‘Wonder Years’ Fred Savage plays a suburban boy eager to explore the underground realm of creepy crawlers. For his part, Howie Mandel dons blue makeup and horns.
Together, they create a wild world devoid of parents, homework, or laws, allowing audiences to experience the excitement of being a monster! It’s true that critics and audiences hated Little Monsters. Regardless, this 1989 fantasy evokes memories. A joyously silly guilty pleasure, directed by Richard Alan Greenberg.
18. Mouse Hunt
Year: 1997
Director: Gore Verbinski
Stars: Nathan Lane; Lee Evans; Maury Chaykin; Christopher Walken
Rating: PG
Runtime: 98 minutes
This 1997 black comedy, produced by the legendary Gore Verbinski, is entertaining for the entire family. According to the plot synopsis, it’s the tale of two siblings who are being tormented by a single little mouse inside the house which they have received from their father. Laurel & Hardy and Abbott & Costello are the inspiration for Nathan Lane and Lee Evans’ physical comedy, which is inspired by legendary comedic duos such as Laurel & Hardy and Abbott & Costello.
19. The Muppets Take Manhattan
Year: 1984
Director: Frank Oz
Stars: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Richard Hunt.
Rating: G
Runtime: 94 minutes
The third Muppet film also marks the final appearance of all of the original agents of hilarious mayhem who helped make the brand a cultural phenomenon. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie, and the rest of the crew travel to New York to create a Broadway musical, only to realize it’s far more difficult, expensive, and hazardous than they could have imagined.
As a result, the Muppets individually aim to make it all in the major city on their own, offering the colorful characters some unusual solo experiences. They must eventually reassemble the group in order to aid in the restoration of Kermit’s memories. The end product is amazing.
20. Nanny McPhee
Year: 2005
Director: Kirk Jones
Stars: Emma Thompson; Colin Firth; Angela Lansbury.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 97 minutes
In this 2005 movie based somewhat on Christianna Brand novels, Emma Thompson is excellent as the eponymous heroine. The Mary Poppins spoof is based in Victorian England and describes the tale of a nanny who helps a widower with seven children who is unable to look after them on his own. Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang Theory star Emma Thompson both created the adaptation and appeared in a 2010 sequel, which is also available on HBO.
21. Paddington 2
Year: 2017
Director: Paul King
Stars: Hugh Bonneville; Sally Hawkins; Brendan Gleeson; Julie Walters; Jim Broadbent; Peter Capaldi; Hugh Grant; Ben Whishaw
Rating: PG
Runtime: 97 minutes
What a delightful film for the entire family. Paul King returns to direct the sequel to the 2014 classic, a movie that outperforms its predecessor in terms of both humor and emotion. Ben Whishaw reprises his role as the marmalade-loving bear in a movie that brings Paddington to jail and educates him principles about communities that never feel patronizing to children. It actually works for people of all ages.
22. The Polar Express
Year: 2004
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Tom Hanks; Daryl Sabara; Nona Gaye; Jimmy Bennett; Eddie Deezen
Rating: G
Runtime: 100 minutes
Though it’s true that motion-capture animation in 2004 appears even creepier now than it did before, there’s enough charm and pathos in this Robert Zemeckis picture to continue audiences coming back to it throughout the holiday season time after time. And, no, it is not necessary to watch it during the holiday season only.
23. The Goonies
Year: 1985
Director: Richard Donner
Stars: Sean Astin; Josh Brolin; Jeff Cohen; Corey Feldman; Kerri Green; Martha Plimpton; Ke Huy Quan
Rating: PG
Runtime: 114 minutes
There are several films about and directed toward children, but few succeed in capturing the magic of childhood quite like “The Goonies.” They’re rough and tumble, get into scrapes, crack each other’s chops, get into fights with each other, resent adult norms and speak plainly, develop allies and rivalries, and are often in quest of experiences that are not enough for a moderate motorcycle ride away. Like real kids, the Goonies.
“The Goonies” is a classic action film for kids for all of these reasons. Foreclosure-stricken Goonies uncover an old pirate’s hidden treasure and set out to find the gold they’ve been searching for. With a gang of buddies who “never say die!” in their corner, they find themselves in all kinds of terrible situations.
24. Spies In Disguise
Year: 2019
Director: Nick Bruno
Stars: Hisato Masuyama; Jarrett Bruno, Rachel Brosnahan, Toru Uchikado, Claire Crosby,
Rating: PG
Runtime: 102 minutes
Spies in Disguise, Blue Sky Animation’s final feature before shutting down, is a fun-filled and cute spy caper with an extremely great voice-cast lead by two of Hollywood’s top talents, Will Smith and Tom Holland. Spies In Disguise imagines what would happen if the world’s finest super spy (Smith) was changed into a pigeon. It’s filled with stunning animation, a fantastic sense of humor, a large heart, a crazy tale, and, of course, pigeons. If your children aren’t old enough to be used for Bond currently, Spies In Disguise is an excellent substitute.
25. Speed Racer
Year: 2008
Director: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski
Stars: Emile Hirsch, Matthew Fox, Christina Ricci, Nicholas Elia, Susan Sarandon.
Rating: PG
Runtime: 135 minutes
The Wachowski Sisters’ exuberant live-action adaptation of the 1960s manga and anime Speed Racer is a creative blockbuster. Despite initially garnering mixed reviews and disappointing box office results, the picture has gained a loyal fan base. Unlike many American live-action adaptations of Japanese manga and anime, the Wachowskis let Speed Racer feel like the ideal transition between anime to live-action.
The movie depicts the main racer (Emile Hirsch) as he joins a cross-country competition to take down the schwarmy organization that killed his brother. It’s complete chaos, and you can’t help but admire the film’s daring.
26. My Neighbor Totoro
Year: 1998
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Stars: Chika Sakamoto, Hitoshi Takagi, Shigesato Itoi, Noriko Hidaka
Rating: G
Runtime: 86 minutes
Hayao Miyazaki is not only one of the most iconic and revered animators but also one of the finest talented cinematic storytellers of all time. HBO Max has every Studio Ghibli film available, but My Neighbor Totoro is a great place to start for any young viewer.
The story involves two girls who relocate to the country to care for their ailing mother and soon find themselves in adventures with several charming woodland spirits, including the beautiful Totoro. The picture gives the new people a taste of Miyazaki’s creative spirit and his great imagination, but it will also steal the hearts of adult viewers.
27. Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole
Year: 2010
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Hugo Weaving; Emily Barclay; Abbie Cornish; David Wenham; Jim Sturgess;
Rating: PG
Runtime: 97 minutes
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole is a huge sweeping tale starring an extremely cute band of owls. It is based on the Kathryn Larsky book series and directed by Man Of Steel director Zack Snyder. The film centers on Soren (Jim Sturgess), a barn owl who is kidnapped along with his siblings by someone with an army of wicked owls.
Following his escape, Soren joins forces with numerous other owls in an attempt to track down the legendary Guardians of Ga’hoole, who will put an end to the terrible forces attempting to rip their civilization apart. Legend of the Guardians seems notably darker than many contemporary animated pictures, but it is unmistakably a family film that isn’t afraid to experiment.
28. Space Jam
Year: 1996
Director: Joe Pytka
Stars: Michael Jordan; Billy West; Wayne Knight; Theresa Randle; Danny DeVito
Rating: PG
Runtime: 100 minutes
A New Legacy: Space Jam However, the original 1996 picture, despite being far from flawless or even a great movie, serves as a sentimental reminder of the Looney Tunes’ glory days. With the help of Chicago Bull legend Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny and his gang take on a group of interplanetary creatures that have mastered the basketball abilities of some of the NBA’s greatest. This is a weird and ridiculous experience, but gosh, is it fun. Plus, Bill Murray is in it.
Best HBO Max Kids Movies List
- The Iron Giant
- The LEGO Batman Movie
- Tom & Jerry
- All Dogs Go to Heaven
- Curious George
- The Secret World of Arrietty
- Early Man
- Barnyard
- Osmosis Jones
- Space Jam
- The Polar Express
- Stuart Little 2
- Spies In Disguise
- Scoob!
- Spirited Away
- My Neighbor Totoro
- Rise of the Guardians
- Flushed Away
- Over the Hedge
- Princess Mononoke
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- Kiki’s Delivery Service
- Batman Mask of the Phantasm
- Ice Age 4: Continental Drift
- Legend of the Guardians
- Happy Feet
- Igor
- Looney Tunes Cartoons
- Adventure Time
- We Are Bare Bears: The Movie
Past HBO Max Movies
- The Lego Movie
- Mighty Ducks
- Total Drama Island
- The Princess Bride
Your HBO Max Fan Favorites?
What is your favorite family movie on HBO Max right now? Is there a chance that any movie from our list of best family movies will become an instant classic? If our list of the best family movies on HBO Max has influenced your choice of a family film, please let us know.
Related: The Best Movies on HBO Max
Conclusion
As a result of the best family movies limitless choices, it might be difficult for a family to discover one of the best family movies on HBO Max that everyone can enjoy. HBO Max is a great place to get some of the best family films along with different genres.
HBO Max has a wide selection of the best family movies, both live-action and animated, to choose from. HBO Max boasts a variety of the best family movies, including classics like the Harry Potter franchise, as well as favorites from your youth, including Space Jam and The Iron Giant.
