Photo:
courtesy Netflix
A good movie can do more than just entertain us, it can transport us to another world, and leave us wanting more of the same magic. Whether we’re experiencing the land (and songs) of Oz, an adventure in a blocky landscape or popstars fighting demons, we can all relate to the urge to dive back in with another movie that has a similar vibe.
I’ve put together a list of movies to watch that will keep the mood going after you finish five of today’s most popular hits:
- “K-Pop Demon Hunters”
- “Lilo & Stitch”
- “A Minecraft Movie”
- “Freakier Friday”
- “Wicked”
So the next time you are searching for something to watch with the kids, pick one of these movies with a similar vibe and be the family movie night hero!
“K-Pop Demon Hunters”
This smash hit has been streaming on Netflix and also played for a weekend in theaters! The K-pop group Huntr/x rocks the music charts by day and fights demons at night, protecting humanity from supernatural threats. If you are looking for more stories where music and the unexpected meet, check these out:
- “Wish Dragon”: If you like fantasy with a modern twist, this is a great follow-up. Like “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” it weaves modern life with cultural mythology, but this time the spotlight is on Shanghai, where a magical dragon teaches a teenager that friendship is more valuable than fame or fortune.
Stream on Netflix, rated PG - “Nimona”: In a futuristic-medieval kingdom, Nimona (a rebellious shapeshifter) teams up with a disgraced knight to expose corrupt powers. Similar to “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” you’ll find bold animation, action, humor and themes of self-acceptance and found family.
Stream on Netflix, rated PG - “Over the Moon”: This movie is a fantasy-filled musical adventure! Young, brilliant Fei Fei builds a rocket ship, hoping to meet a mythical moon goddess and encounters plenty of other mythical creatures and adventures along the way.
Stream on Netflix, rated PG - “Kubo and the Two Strings”: This beautiful stop-motion film offers a familiar mix of music, myth and magic that fans of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” will recognize. Kubo uses his magical instrument to tell stories and search for enchanted armor so he can defeat his evil grandfather, the Moon King. This magic movie has been a favorite in my house for years.
Stream on Netflix, rated PG - “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba”: If it’s more demon fighting you are after, look no further — this movie takes that energy to the next level! After a demon attack leaves members of Tanjiro’s family dead or cursed, he takes up a journey to find a cure — and revenge. This highly rated, award-winning anime adventure can get intense and might not be appropriate for younger viewers.
Stream on Netflix, rated TV-MA
“Lilo & Stitch”
The animated movie was released in 2002, and a live-action version hit theaters in 2025. If you can’t get enough sweet alien/human friendship, check these out next:
- “Home”: As another movie about a young girl and an alien who work together to fix her family and repair his reputation, this is your obvious next movie night pick! Filled with lots of laughs and a great story of friendship, this one will be a hit with the whole fam.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG - “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial”: A total classic in the alien/human friendship genre. Watch bikes fly and young Drew Barrymore scream her head off. The end can get a little intense, so stick close to young viewers.
Stream on Netflix, rated PG - “The Iron Giant”: Yet another movie about an alien (robot) befriending a child while it tries to avoid being captured by a bad, paranoid government. This award-winning movie is a beautifully animated story of friendship and sacrifice.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG - “My Neighbor Totoro”: Even though Totoro is more of a spirit than an alien, this Hayao Miyazaki classic should absolutely be on your radar. Two young sisters befriend a forest spirit and have amazing adventures in this animated film. Trust me, you’ve never seen anything quite like it.
Stream on HBO Max, rated G - “Flight of the Navigator”: Time travel, space ships, adorable little alien pets — this movie from 1986 has it all! When 12-year-old David goes missing for years, the secret to his mysterious disappearance lies in his brain, which also happens to be filled with alien information. David finds himself on a high-flying space adventure and befriends an alien ship in this wild journey that I watched on repeat as a kid.
Stream on Disney+, rated PG
“A Minecraft Movie”
Did someone say Chicken Jockey? This wacky movie based on the super popular video game took movie theaters by storm this summer. If your kids loved seeing people stuck in a video game, check out these movies tonight:
- “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”: When a group of teens find a video game based on the board game Jumanji, they get sucked into an old gaming system and find themselves facing a series of challenges. Similar to “A Minecraft Movie,” you’ll find lots of laughs, physical humor and Jack Black!
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG-13 - “Ready Player One”: In this version of the future (which is starting to feel a little too close for comfort) everyone spends all their time in a virtual world called the Oasis while the real world falls into disarray. While the characters are not technically trapped in the game, most of the movie’s action takes place in the Oasis as the characters search for clues to solve a mystery.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG-13 - “The Lego Movie”: If your kids loved watching the world of Minecraft come to life, this movie is sure to be a hit as you enter the world of everyone’s favorite building bricks. Both movies are about building and creativity where ordinary characters become heroes with the help and support of their friends. And if you thought “Lava Chicken” was an earworm, prepare yourself for “Everything is Awesome”!
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG - “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”: Run, jump and soar through another familiar video game world, Mario Brothers! Mario and his video game pals must work together to save his brother Luigi from the evil Bowser in this fast-paced animated movie.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG - “Wreck-It Ralph”: Tired of being a bad guy, Ralph goes on a journey to become the hero when he leaves his video game to explore other games in his arcade. This fun animated movie treats video game characters the way “Toy Story” treats toys. You might never look at the characters in the arcade the same way again.
Stream on Disney+, rated PG
“Freakier Friday”
When a mom and her daughter swap bodies after a magical event, will they gain a better understanding of (and empathy for) one another? That’s the basic premise of the body-swapping genre, along with lots of laughs and physical comedy, of course. If you can’t get enough of Jamie Lee Curtis acting like a teenager, check out these other fun movies where characters swap places (sometimes with themselves!):
- “The Shaggy Dog”: A normal suburban dad (Dave) gets bitten by a genetically altered dog that shows up at his house and the swap begins. Dave starts turning into the dog when prompted by activities typical of a dog (such as a stick flying through the air). This movie is quite silly, but who can resist a cute sheepdog? (You can also check out the 1959 original.)
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG - “Vice Versa”: This is basically the father/son version of “Freaky Friday.” Marshall and his 11-year-old son Charlie (played by ‘80s teen star Fred Savage) touch a magical Tibetan skull and swap bodies. When they head to school and work as each other, get ready for laughs and misunderstandings galore.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG - “Big”: In this 1988 classic, 13-year-old Josh is tired of being a kid and wishes he were “big” using an antique fortune-telling machine. His wish is granted, and the next morning he wakes up in the body of an adult (played by Tom Hanks), and chaos and confusion (and a famous duet on a giant piano) ensue.
Stream on Disney+, rated PG - “13 Going on 30”: Nerdy 13-year-old Jenna just wants to be popular, and longs for the future when she is “thirty and flirty and thriving.” Thanks to another magical intervention, she wakes up the next morning at age 30, but with a new twist — 17 years have passed! She finds herself living her life as an adult, and it’s not what she had ever imagined.
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG-13 - “17 Again”: This time the age swap goes the other direction! Mike is transformed back to his 17-year-old self after falling into a time vortex and wakes up as a teenager again. (Sounds like more of a nightmare to me!) Now he’s got a chance to fix his relationship with his teenage kids and estranged wife. Can he do it?
Stream on Amazon Prime Video, rated PG-13
“Wicked” (“Wicked: For Good” premieres in theaters on Nov. 21, 2025)
Two very different witches — Elphaba and Galinda — meet at school and form an unlikely friendship that sends them toward their destinies. This hit musical dominated the box office and had audiences singing along with the incredible cast. While you wait for part two, check out these other musicals that are sure to have you belting out showtunes in your living room:
- “The Wizard of Oz”: OK, this might seem like an obvious choice, but this 1939 classic is a must-watch. And while no one can deny the pure talent of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Judy Garland is a tough act to beat! And I challenge you to ever find a better portrayal of a witch than Margaret Hamilton’s performance as the Wicked Witch of the West. (And check out Margaret Hamilton’s appearance in Mr. Rogers if your kids need convincing she’s not really scary.)
Stream on HBO Max, rated G - “The Greatest Showman”: Looking for another musical with super catchy, fun songs? Here it is! This is the true story of P.T. Barnum, who started the famous Barnum & Bailey Circus. Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Zendaya are fantastic in this fun family musical. And next time you need to pump yourself up for something, just blast this song a few times and you’ll be ready to take on the world.
Stream on Disney+, rated PG - “Tick, Tick … Boom!”: Before “Hamilton,” there was “Rent,” written by the young composer, Jonathan Larson. This movie follows Larson on his journey to compose his first musical, and Andrew Garfield is fantastic as Larson (he won a Golden Globe for the performance and was nominated for an Oscar). This movie will probably inspire you to check out “Rent,” which is great (though the movie doesn’t hold a candle to the live show) but a little saltier and might not be appropriate for younger viewers.
Stream on Netflix, rated PG-13 - “Into the Woods”: This Stephen Sondheim musical is a modern retelling of classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales, including “Cinderella,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” and “Rapunzel.” The 2014 film version was nominated for three Oscars and has a star-studded cast including Chris Pine, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt and Meryl Streep.
Stream on Disney+, rated PG - “Hairspray”: Tracy Turnbald’s dream is to appear on a local TV dance show in 1962 Baltimore. When her dream becomes reality, her life changes overnight as she campaigns for the show’s integration. Filled with fun songs, costumes, dance numbers and a powerful message about being yourself, this musical is sure to be a hit.
Stream on Apple TV+, rated PG
More to watch on family movie night: |
