Finding the perfect film for a family movie night can sometimes feel like a juggling act when you need to make sure the content is right for everyone, from the littlest viewers to the grown-ups. G-rated films are a fantastic choice because they’re designed to be suitable for all ages, offering wholesome entertainment without any surprises. These movies often feature universal themes, gentle humour, and engaging stories that can captivate the whole family.
To make your next movie choice a little bit easier, we’ve carefully selected the top 10 G-rated movies that have charmed audiences worldwide. Our list highlights everything from animated classics that stand the test of time to exciting family adventures, and even educational films.
You’ll discover some of the highest-earning G-rated movies globally, ensuring you can confidently stream a truly loved and appropriate film for your family.
What are the best G rated movies for families?
We’ve ranked each film primarily by its global box office revenue, ensuring you see the most commercially successful titles that have been succesful with audiences worldwide. This makes our selection process for the best G-rated movies for families straightforward and transparent.
Beyond the numbers, we’ve added valuable information for each movie. You’ll find details like the genre, the director, and talented cast who brought the characters to life. We also highlight on what streaming service you can find it, a concise synopsis, and its trailer. This helps you choose the perfect family-friendly film with ease.
How to Train Your Dragon
Animation •Kids •Fantasy •Adventure •Action •Family
Overview
A young Viking with aspirations of becoming a dragon hunter befriends a young dragon, and learns more about the creatures than he ever assumed.
Director
Chris Sanders
Cast
Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill
Duration
94 minutes
Shrek
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Fantasy •Family •Romance
Overview
It ain’t easy bein’ green — especially if you’re a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot — a wisecracking donkey.
Director
Andrew Adamson
Cast
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel
Duration
90 minutes
The Princess Bride
Kids •Comedy •Family •Fantasy •Romance
Overview
In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can’t stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
Director
Rob Reiner
Cast
Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, André Roussimoff
Duration
98 minutes
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Crime •Drama •Family •Action •Adventure
Overview
The Fantastic Mr. Fox, bored with his current life, plans a heist against the three local farmers. The farmers, tired of sharing their chickens with the sly fox, seek revenge against him and his family.
Director
Wes Anderson
Cast
George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe
Duration
83 minutes
Wonder
Drama •Family •Kids
Overview
The story of August Pullman – a boy with facial differences – who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
Director
Stephen Chbosky
Cast
Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson, Julia Roberts, Izabela Vidovic, Danielle Rose Russell
Duration
109 minutes
The Adventures of Tintin
Adventure •Animation •Mystery •Action •Family •Thriller •Kids
Overview
Intrepid young reporter, Tintin, and his loyal dog, Snowy, are thrust into a world of high adventure when they discover a ship carrying an explosive secret. As Tintin is drawn into a centuries-old mystery, Ivan Ivanovitch Sakharine suspects him of stealing a priceless treasure. Tintin and Snowy, with the help of salty, cantankerous Captain Haddock and bumbling detectives, Thompson and Thomson, travel half the world, one step ahead of their enemies, as Tintin endeavors to find the Unicorn, a sunken ship that may hold a vast fortune, but also an ancient curse.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Cast
Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis, Nick Frost, Simon Pegg
Duration
107 minutes
The Secret Life of Pets
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Adventure •Family •Action
Overview
The quiet life of a terrier named Max is upended when his owner takes in Duke, a stray whom Max instantly dislikes.
Director
Chris Renaud
Cast
Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper
Duration
83 minutes
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Animation •Kids •Action •Adventure •Comedy •Fantasy •Family •Sci-fi
Overview
Struggling to find his place in the world while juggling school and family, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales is unexpectedly bitten by a radioactive spider and develops unfathomable powers just like the one and only Spider-Man. While wrestling with the implications of his new abilities, Miles discovers a super collider created by the madman Wilson “Kingpin” Fisk, causing others from across the Spider-Verse to be inadvertently transported to his dimension.
Director
Bob Persichetti
Cast
Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry
Duration
112 minutes
The Neverending Story
Kids •Fantasy •Drama •Family •Action •Adventure
Overview
While hiding from bullies in his school’s attic, a young boy discovers the extraordinary land of Fantasia, through a magical book called The Neverending Story. The book tells the tale of Atreyu, a young warrior who, with the help of a luck dragon named Falkor, must save Fantasia from the destruction of The Nothing.
Director
Wolfgang Petersen
Cast
Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Moses Gunn, Patricia Hayes
Duration
94 minutes
Pokémon Detective Pikachu
Kids •Comedy •Adventure •Action •Family •Sci-fi •Fantasy
Overview
In a world where people collect pocket-size monsters (Pokémon) to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent monster who seeks to be a detective.
Director
Rob Letterman
Cast
Justice Smith, Ryan Reynolds, Kathryn Newton, Bill Nighy, Ken Watanabe
Duration
100 minutes
Frequently asked questions
In Australia, a G rating means “General” and is suitable for everyone. Content is very mild in impact, with no material likely to upset or offend. While these films are perfect for kids, the G rating just means it’s universally appropriate, so some might appeal more to adults too!
Absolutely! The beauty of G-rated movies is their universal appeal. Our list includes animated classics and family adventures designed to captivate young imaginations, while often featuring clever humour and heartwarming stories that resonate just as strongly with older viewers. It’s perfect for true family viewing.
Global box office revenue helps identify films that achieved widespread popularity and critical success around the world. These are the movies that truly connected with massive audiences, making them a safe bet for quality entertainment that many families have enjoyed and loved.
Yes, many of the best G-rated movies are readily available across Australia’s most popular streaming services. Platforms like Disney Plus, Netflix, Stan, and BINGE often feature a fantastic selection of family-friendly titles, including many of the animated classics and family adventures on our list.
Definitely! Educational films can be incredibly engaging for families, particularly when they present information in an entertaining and accessible way. These G-rated picks often blend learning with fun, sparking curiosity and providing valuable insights while keeping everyone entertained.
While a G rating means it’s generally suitable for everyone, some G-rated films might contain brief moments that could mildly scare very young children. You can often check the consumer advice provided with the rating, or read a quick synopsis, to ensure it’s perfectly suited for your little ones.
Given that our list features animated classics and family adventures ranked by their global box office success, you’re very likely to recognise many of the titles! These are films that have charmed millions worldwide and often hold a special place in family movie collections.
While animated classics hold a timeless appeal, new G-rated movies are continually being released. Major studios still produce family adventures and educational films specifically designed for all ages, so the collection of G-rated content is always growing with fresh options. New releases include The Wild Robot, Paddington in Peru, A Minecraft Movie, Flow, Moana 2, and more.
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