Shubhabrata Dutta
Oftentimes, it so happens that even after deciding to watch a movie and spend some quality time with family, the right movie isn’t found. All we end up doing is scrolling through the list of movies across OTT platforms, waiting for that one movie that everyone likes to show up, which doesn’t always happen. We understand the importance of family and that spending time with them is paramount to you. This is why we bring you a list of the best family movies available for streaming on Paramount+. Now, you just have to take your pick, click on play, and enjoy these gems with your family!
12. The Tiger’s Apprentice (2024)
This animated fantasy flick is directed by Raman Hui and is based on the 2003 novel ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ by Laurence Yep. It centers on young Tom Lee, who is reached out to by the Zodiac, warriors who shall train him to become the next Guardian, the protector of humanity. The shapeshifting powers of the Zodiac are rooted in the Chinese zodiac and have been sworn to protect the Guardian. Together, they must protect humanity from the wrath of the dark sorceress Loo, who intends to use the Phoenix Stone to pull the souls out of all mortals. A fun-to-watch family movie steeped in Chinese folklore, the ‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ voice cast includes Brandon Soo Hoo, Henry Golding, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, and Michelle Yeoh. You can watch it here.
11. Bumblebee (2018)
A standalone prequel/re-boot of the live-action sci-fi action franchise ‘Transformers,’ this Travis Knight directorial centers on Bumblebee, one of the Autobots (the good autonomous robotic organisms that came to Earth (‘Transformers’ (2007)), along with the bad ones who are known as Decepticons to look for a power source). The movie is set in 1987; it shows Bumblebee, aka B-127, crash land on Earth, where he is found by newly-turned-18 Charlene “Charlie” Watson (Hailee Steinfeld). What follows is how the two try to defend themselves against the Decepticons who have arrived on Earth following an inadvertent activation of a signal by Charlie, as well as the U.S. Military led by Sector 7 agent Jack Burns (John Cena), for whom Bumblebee is a threat. You can stream the movie here.
10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem’ is the latest movie on this list. While many of us will already know the four turtles who were brought up by a ninja rat in the sewers, there are many who may not be familiar with them. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a group of four turtles, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and Donatello, who are well-trained in ninjutsu. Despite growing up in the sewers, they long for human interaction against their master Splinter’s orders. What made these creatures sentient was a mutagen that fell into the New York City sewers.
The animated movie (7th theatrical release of the TMNT franchise) is directed by Jeff Rowe, who co-wrote the screenplay with Seth Rogen along with Evan Goldberg, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit. It shows how the turtles try to merge with the New Yorkers and make themselves feel accepted. To do that, they will have to face a bunch of mutants bent on eradicating humans. The voice cast includes Shamon Brown Jr. as Michelangelo, Nicolas Cantu as Leonardo, Brady Noon as Raphael, Micah Abbey as Donatello, and Jackie Chan as Splinter. If you have kids who are more into action stuff, this movie will serve as a great watch that you can experience here.
9. The Perfect Game (2009)
Based on the 2008 book of the same name by W. William Winokur, ‘The Perfect Game’ effectively recreates the historic win by the Industrial Little League of Monterrey, Mexico, the deemed underdog team, at the 1957 Little League World Series. Industrial Little League was the first team outside the United States to claim the title. How the young boys, trained by a coach, defied poverty and other odds to become the champions, claiming the only perfect game in the championship’s history, is what we see in this inspiring sports drama. To be a part of that charming experience, you can watch ‘The Perfect Game’ here.
8. Clifford The Big Red Dog (2021)
There is hardly anyone who wouldn’t want to see a dog movie, especially when the dog in the movie is almost the size of the house where it lives. Right? Clifford is literally a “big red” Vizsla who grows in size based on how much his owner loves him. In the movie, he is brought home by middle schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp), a misfit at school, and finds her only true friend in Clifford. However, as their love grows, greed grows somewhere else too. Clifford soon grabs the attention of a genetic company that wants to increase the size of animals and wants to run tests on Clifford.
The movie is about whether Emily and her uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) are able to keep Clifford safe as he transforms the lives of those around him. Directed by Walt Becker, the movie is based on the children’s book series of the same name by Norman Bridwell, first published in 1963. More than anything else, Clifford’s growth corresponding to the love he receives symbolizes how love helps love grow. You can stream the movie here.
7. Dora and the Lost City of Gold (2019)
Based on the Nick Jr. animated series Dora the Explorer, the James Bobin directorial follows 16-year-old Dora and her pet monkey, Boots, as they are kidnapped, along with some other kids, by mercenaries during a school trip and taken to Peru. Joined by a guy named Alejandro, who rescues the young lot, Dora has to rescue her kidnapped parents and prevent the mercenaries from stealing the riches from Parapata-the Lost City of Gold. This means finding Parapata before the thugs, setting on a thrilling adventure filled with quicksand, hallucination-inducing spores, puzzles, and traps. Appreciated for the way it respects the source material while offering a modern depiction of the iconic character, ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold’ is a thoroughly enjoyable family drama. You can watch it here.
6. Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
Based on the popular video game character Sonic, ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ brings Sonic (voice of Ben Schwartz), the supersonic fast blue anthropomorphic hedgehog, to Earth after he escapes from those who want to harness his powers. However, he faces the same fate here as an evil scientist, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey), who wants to use Sonic’s powers to power his army of drones and robots and give shape to his dream of world domination. Aided by a human friend cum Sheriff, Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), Sonic will have to leave Earth, and the only way to do that is to find the rings he lost.
These rings allow him to open portals to different worlds. How he and Wachowski survive Robotnik and whether they are able to find the rings is what the CGI/live-action movie chronicles. While the Jeff Fowler directorial will be more effective for those who have played the game and are accustomed to the character and its different facets, the movie is an enjoyable one even for those who do not know the character and serves as a great introduction for Sonic. You can stream the movie here.
5. Rango (2011)
If there is ever an animal counterpart of Johnny Depp to be made, it should be a chameleon. Period. The way Depp has breathed life into the character of Rango, a pet chameleon who ends up in the Western town of Dirt, cannot be overstated. Directed by Gore Verbinski, the movie shows how Rango, using his passion for acting, convinces the Dirt folk (desert animals) about his shooting skills and is made the new sheriff of the water-deprived town after inadvertently killing a hawk that had been terrorizing the town.
Now, it is up to him to figure out a way to bring water to the parched land of Dirt and quench the thirst of all. His investigation uncovers a conspiracy that makes the movie akin to real life while keeping the movie with humor and entertainment. Alongside Depp, the cast of ‘Rango’ includes Gore Verbinski, Abigail Breslin, Bill Nighy, Alfred Molina, Isla Fisher, and Timothy Olyphant. Feel free to check out the movie here.
4. Blue’s Big City Adventure (2022)
This live-action/animated comedy musical is directed by Matt Stawski and brings to the screen the beloved puppy from Nickelodeon’s popular show ‘Blue’s Clues & You!’ In the film, we see Blue and Josh (Josh Dela Cruz), the host of ‘Blue’s Clues & You!’ come to New York for a Broadway musical audition. Blue is voiced by Traci Paige Johnson, who has been Blue’s voice since she debuted in ‘Blue’s Clues’ in 1996. A family entertainer, by all means, you can watch ‘Blue’s Big City Adventure’ right here.
3. IF (2024)
‘IF’ is a live-action/CGI fantasy comedy-drama that centers on “Imaginary Friends,” AKA IFs, imaginary beings that serve as children’s companions. Directed by John Krasinski, the film follows twelve-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming), who teams up with a guy named Cal (Ryan Reynolds) to help the imaginary creatures find their new human companions or reunite with their old ones, who are now adults. With a voice cast that includes Steve Carell, Louis Gossett Jr., Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and Awkwafina, ‘IF’ is a visually stunning family drama about the importance of family and friends. You can watch it here.
2. Home for the Holidays (1995)
Helmed by Jodie Foster, ‘Home for the Holidays’ centers on single mother Claudia Larson (Holly Hunter), who travels alone to her dysfunctional family home for Thanksgiving. She has lost her job, and even her daughter declined to join her. Her peculiar family members bring their own oddities to the table, adding to Claudia’s underwhelming family dinner. Thankfully, there is her brother’s handsome friend Leo Fish (Dylan McDermott), the only spoonful of honey amidst all the sugar. Sparks soon start to fly between the two, but will it result in anything? Based on a short story by Chris Radant, ‘Home for the Holidays’ is a quintessential family movie crafted masterfully with emotions and drama. You can watch it here.
1. The Addams Family (1991)
An iconic movie based on one of the most beloved fictional families of all time, ‘The Addams Family’ is directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. It centers on the titular family, comprising Gomez Addams, his wife Morticia, their kids Wednesday and Pugsley, the family butler Lurch, and Thing (a disembodied hand.) When Gomez’s long lost brother Fester returns, the family is overjoyed, but soon it is revealed that the person is not Fester but someone else with a secret motive. When Gomez finds out about it, he takes the required steps to ensure that the guy’s plan fails. This, along with the very gothic culture of the family that is explored in the film, makes it a true-to-form family drama full of entertainment. You can watch it here.
Read More: Best Kids Movies on Paramount+
