Ridham Vashishth
Peacock has swiftly emerged as a significant player in the streaming game, offering an array of movies to cater to every movie lover’s taste. In a world swamped with action thrillers, dystopian dramas, and intense documentaries, there remains a deep-seated desire for movies that are safe and enjoyable for everyone in the family – from the youngest to the oldest. This is where family movies shine, ensuring that kids and adults can share in the joy of these films.
These movies promise heartwarming tales that kindle laughter and tears, often leaving audiences with invaluable lessons on love, courage, and hope. As you scour the internet for that perfect film to watch on a lazy Sunday afternoon or during a family movie night, Peacock’s ever-growing catalog is at your service. Dive into this curated list of the best family movies on Peacock that guarantee wholesome entertainment for all.
10. Prodigal Husband (2020)
‘Prodigal Husband, ‘produced, written, and directed by Nancy Bellany, is a family-drama film that delves into the trials and tribulations faced by ex-NFL player Kedar Ellis. After suffering a career-ending injury, Kedar spirals into depression, questioning his purpose and future. While his devoted wife Lydia pushes him to rediscover himself, Kedar gives in to temptation and abandons his responsibilities. Lydia, however, emerges as the film’s true hero, juggling the challenges of maintaining her home, rediscovering her faith, and navigating a path to forgiveness.
The film showcases commendable performances by Nancy Bellany, David K. Williams, Tyra Hughes, John C. Johnson, Samantha Trevino, and James Troup. ‘Prodigal Husband’ is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience, the power of faith, and the enduring strength of love and forgiveness. You can watch the movie here.
9. Greater (2016)
‘Greater’ is a gripping sports biographical film masterfully directed and co-written by David Hunt. The film paints the life of Brandon Burlsworth, perhaps the most remarkable walk-on in college football’s history. Overcoming physical and social challenges, Brandon’s unwavering determination led him to earn both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees while excelling on the football field.
With a star-studded cast comprising Christopher Severio, Neal McDonough, Leslie Easterbrook, Michael Parks, Fredric Lehne, Nick Searcy, and others, the movie brings to life the inspirational journey of a young man whose life was tragically cut short. Earning its place on this list, the film is a tear-jerking testament to human resilience, faith, and the profound question of life’s meaning. You may watch the film here.
8. The Christmas Spirit (2022)
Co-written and directed by Marquand Ragland, ‘The Christmas Spirit’ navigates Faith’s emotional turmoil, which is evident when she returns home after her father’s sudden demise. Torn between furthering her education and taking on her father’s ministry, her emotional journey gets a unique twist with an unexpected visitor. The visitor’s intent: guide Faith through her anguish. This heartfelt drama showcases the talents of Tyrone Brown, Harriet Burnette, Robert Covington, Brad Jones, Damien Lee, and Carla Mahaffee. It’s a poignant reminder of the power of faith, acceptance, and the unseen forces guiding us through life’s challenges, making it a fitting entry for a family movie night. You may watch ‘The Christmas Spirit’ here.
7. The Year Between (2022)
Directed by Alex Heller, ‘The Year Between’ is a dark comedy that takes a humorous route to exploring family dynamics. At the center of it all is Clemence Miller, played by Heller, who has bipolar disorder and depression, and struggles to navigate the daily chaos that is brought her way by life. She ends up quitting school and shifting back to her home, much to her chagrin, as she has to deal with her siblings and parents. Her conversations with the old familiar faces and new ones, as well as her experiences, are showcased in a very personal and hard-hitting manner. A true-to-form family drama, ‘The Year Between’ is further fueled by the performances of J. Smith-Cameron, Steve Buscemi, Wyatt Oleff, and Emily Robinson. You can enjoy it right here.
6. Labyrinth (1986)
Directed by Jim Henson, ‘Labyrinth’ is an adventure drama garnished with fantasy elements and songs. The story is told from the POV of a 16-year-old Sarah Williams (Jennifer Connelly), whose wish to get rid of her infant half-brother Toby due to the latter’s constant crying gets fulfilled, much to her shock and regret. She then encounters the Goblin King Jareth, who gives her 13 hours to solve his labyrinth. If she fails, her brother will turn into a goblin and remain so forever. Sarah’s experiences, as she tries to get out of the maze, are replete with fantastical elements like talking worms, dwarves, trolls, and other creatures. Fascinating in how the movie reveals the plot like a magician pulling off one trick after another, ‘Labyrinth’ is a true-to-form fantasy drama that can be enjoyed with family. It can be streamed here.
5. The Bad Guys (2022)
‘The Bad Guys’ is a family-friendly animated heist comedy that centers on a criminal gang of anthropomorphic animals whose leader, Mr. Wolf, upon getting the taste of being good, is conflicted about what they do and what he feels they should be doing. However, his teammates, Mr. Snake, Ms. Tarantula, Mr. Shark, and Mr. Piranha, have no intention of turning good, having earned the reputation of being the bad guys after much hard work. So, Wolf has to make a choice: he can either become good and leave his friends or remain bad by overlooking his urge to be a nice guy. With a talented voice cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Awkwafina, Craig Robinson, and Anthony Ramos, ‘The Bad Guys’ is a fast-paced and funny movie with a heart that people of all ages can enjoy. It can be streamed here.
4. The Shrek Movies (2001-2007)
The cult classic animated fantasy movies are based on William Steig’s picture book of the same name, published in 1990. The adventures of the titular anti-social ogre and his newly-made talkative friend, Donkey, as they track down and rescue Princess Fiona, form the first movie’s premise. Their aim is to bring the princess to Lord Farquaad of Duloc in exchange for their land, from which Farquaad has moved them and other creatures for the sake of the land’s beautification. In the following three movies, Shrek, Donkey, and Fiona, who marries Shrek at the end of the first movie, take on different characters fueled by nefarious motives, like the zealous Fairy Godmother, Prince Charming, and Rumpelstiltskin. With Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, and Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, the ‘Shrek’ movies are a necessary addition to any family movie list ever. They can be streamed here.
3. The Kung Fu Panda Movies (2008-2024)
The four ‘Kung Fu Panda’ animated movies center on Po, a panda chosen as the Dragon Warrior in the first movie, an unexpected choice for Master Shifu, as made by Master Oogway. Even Po himself doesn’t believe it, though he is well-versed in the knowledge of the Dragon Warriors, finding it all very cool. He is reluctantly trained by Shifu, alongside Shifu’s other skilled students, AKA the Furious Five, and soon proves himself worthy of the title, eventually defeating the first antagonist, Tai Lung, a snow leopard. The following three movies show Po and the Furious Five going up against more fierce antagonists, namely Lord Shen, a peacock warlord, General Kai, a zebu spirit warrior, and the Chameleon, a shape-shifting sorceress, respectively. With an animated approach to the blend of comedy and martial arts, ‘Kung Fu Panda’ is one of the most beloved animated movie franchises, powered by a talented voice cast that includes Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Dustin Hoffman, Ian McShane, Gary Oldman, J. K. Simmons, and Viola Davis. You can watch the movies here.
2. Migration (2023)
The animated movie ‘Migration’ is about a family of ducks (mallards) migrating to New England from their home in Jamaica. The family comprises Mack Mack (Kumail Nanjiani has voiced), his wife Pam (Elizabeth Banks has voiced), and their children Dax (Caspar Jennings has voiced) and Gwen (Tresi Gazal has voiced). When a storm makes them lose track of their path, they end up in an unfamiliar city, resulting in a string of unfamiliar situations, including other birds, animals, and weird organisms called humans. As the mallard family works together to overcome the obstacles so that they can resume their journey, we get a fun-filled drama underscored by the quirky mirth and warmth of togetherness. You can enjoy ‘Migration’ with your “mallards” right here.
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ didn’t just open the doors to Hogwarts—it opened the doors to family movie night magic. The film is an instant mood booster, whether it is Christmas or a rainy Saturday. Harry Potter, a boy living in a “cupboard under the stairs,” catches a train from Platform 9¾ to Hogwarts, the magical school of witchcraft and wizardry. The journey has a “he-who-shall-not-be-named” villain, secrets about Harry’s biological parents, profound friendship, and endless courage. The film, although mostly for kids, promises to charm adults all the same. You can enjoy it with your loved ones right here.
Read More: Best Mind-Bending Movies on Amazon Prime
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