The 10 Best Family Movies on Amazon Prime Right Now (December 2020)

Elf (2003): Will Ferrell's Goofy Best

This feel-good Christmas classic features Will Ferrell as Buddy, a human raised by elves at the North Pole. Naive, optimistic, and harboring the emotional maturity of a large child, he travels to New York City to find his biological father, a cynical book publisher (James Caan). The two try to form a relationship with chaotic results. While it can be a little hokey at times, Elf is a fun and funny movie filled with holiday spirit and a sweet message about family.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009): Best Science Experiment Gone Wrong

Loosely based on the 1978 children's book, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is about an aspiring inventor named Flint Lockwood who must save the world from his own creation, a machine that can make any food from water. The machine has gained sentience and is now bombarding people with Italian cuisine. It's a ridiculous premise, but the film has some funny moments, and adults watching with their kids will appreciate the pop culture references and performances by Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Bruce Campbell, and even Mr. T. 

A Christmas Story (1983): Best Family Film About BB Gun Safety

Just in case you miss one of the thousand airings of this film on basic cable this holiday season, you can watch A Christmas Story on Amazon Prime. A holiday staple, it follows the exploits of Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), an imaginative kid who desperately wants a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas. But standing in his way are his cranky father (Darren McGavin), his doting mother (Melinda Dillion), and every other adult who believes he'll shoot his eye out.

Troop Zero (2019): Best Underdog Scout Revenge Story

This Amazon Original movie tells the story of Christmas Flint (Mckenna Grace), a young girl growing up in rural 1970s Georgia. Shut out of the local Birdie Scout group, she rallies a group of fellow misfits to create their own troop and compete for the chance to have their voices transmitted into space by NASA.

Though it deals with some heavy themes and emotions, Troop Zero is a fun comedy with an uplifting message that the whole family can enjoy.

Charlotte's Web (1973): Best Talking Spider You'll Love Story

Classic children's book Charlotte's Web has multiple adaptations, but this version is the 1973 Hanna Barbara/Sagittarius Productions animated film. The story follows a pig named Wilbur (Henry Gibson) who is first raised by Fern (Pamelyn Ferdin) as a pet, and then sent to a farm when he gets too big. There he meets a spider named Charlotte (Debbie Reynolds), who tries to save him from the eventual fate of all barnyard swine by spinning short messages like Some Pig into her webs.

This one is a real tear jerker, but we won't say exactly why just in case anyone has actually managed to avoid spoilers on this over the years.

Labyrinth (1986): Best Use of Muppets To Teach a Lesson

This cult classic from director Jim Henson tells the story of teenage Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) who wishes that her infant stepbrother Toby (Toby Froud) would disappear. Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie) appears to grant her wish, and Sarah is forced to follow into a world of bizarre creatures (Muppets). If she can't defeat Jareth's labyrinth within the span of 13 hours, her baby brother will be turned into a goblin.

The Gruffalo (2010): Best Animated Short Film About Using Imagination

This delightful short film, based on the book of the same name, is perfect if you're looking for something to watch with the kids but don't have time for a feature length film. Exploring themes like overcoming your fears and using brains instead of brawn, The Gruffalo is the story of a mouse (James Corden) who conjures up the fearsome Gruffalo (Robbie Coltrane) to scare away predators, but what will he do when his creation comes to life?

If this one goes over well, Amazon Prime has the related short The Gruffalo's Child.

The Secret of Nimh (1982): Best Mom Saves the Day as Told by Mice Story

The Secret of Nimh is a dark fantasy tale about a widowed field mouse named Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman) whose child falls ill. Unable to move her pneumonia-stricken son, and with their field about to be plowed under, Mrs. Brisby seeks help from a mysterious group of rats and their mystical leader Nicodemus (Derek Jacobi). She hopes that the rats can save her child, but they can't do it without her help.

Rango (2011): Best Use of a Chameleon in a Kids Animated Western Film

Rango is a western the whole family can enjoy. Johnny Depp stars as the title character, Rango, a chameleon who fancies himself a bit of a swashbuckling hero. He stumbles on the town of Dirt and is forced to rise to the occasion as not the hero he is, but the hero the people of Dirt need.

Kids love the beautifully animated characters and bright colors, parents can appreciate director Gore Verbinski's fantastic visuals, and just about everyone should enjoy the story.