About to gather the family for a movie night? It really should be easy, but, sometimes finding a film everyone agrees on is a whole other challenge. That’s where family comedy movies come in. This genre is so much more than a laugh – bringing everyone closer, it’s a shared experience. But, we’ve all been there, endlessly scrolling to find comedy gold. So we’ve compiled a definitive list of the best family comedy movies to help.
In our guide, we’re focused on the top 20 titles that deliver big laughs for every age. We don’t just mention beloved animated films – the range of movies also includes timeless live-action favourites and cheerful holiday specials. What’s trending and what’s resonating with the public are our measures of comedy movie greatness. So, all that’s left is to start streaming your next feel-good family night.
What are the best family comedy movies to watch now?
We don’t just think about our own opinions to create our list of twenty films. Establishing a baseline for each movie’s popularity, we consider the opinions of the public and what is currently trending across major media platforms. And by looking at a number of key details, we determine the final ranking of each film and provide a comprehensive and helpful guide for readers.
The genre and cast? We look at these factors too to understand the film’s creative approach. But we also look at the streaming service, title, synopsis, director, and runtime to provide a complete picture. All of this ensures our list reflects both critical popularity and the essential details readers need to choose a film.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Adventure •Comedy •Family •Sci-fi •Action •Kids •Fantasy
Overview
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.
Director
Jeff Fowler
Cast
Ben Schwartz, Jim Carrey, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, Colleen O’Shaughnessey
Duration
110 minutes
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Family •Fantasy •Sci-fi •Documentary
Overview
Lady Tottington’s annual vegetable contest is threatened when a giant crop-munching rabbit goes on the rampage.
Director
Steve Box
Cast
Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Peter Kay, Nicholas Smith
Duration
82 minutes
Madagascar
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Family •Action •Adventure
Overview
Four animal friends get a taste of the wild life when they break out of captivity at the Central Park Zoo and wash ashore on the island of Madagascar.
Director
Tom McGrath
Cast
Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen
Duration
86 minutes
Megamind
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Adventure •Action •Family •Sci-fi •Crime •Fantasy
Overview
After Megamind, a highly intelligent alien supervillain, defeats his long-time nemesis Metro Man, Megamind creates a new hero to fight, but must act to save the city when his “creation” becomes an even worse villain than he was.
Director
Tom McGrath
Cast
Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill, David Cross
Duration
92 minutes
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
Over the Hedge
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Family
Overview
A scheming raccoon fools a mismatched family of forest creatures into helping him repay a debt of food, by invading the new suburban sprawl that popped up while they were hibernating – and learns a lesson about family himself.
Director
Tim Johnson
Cast
Bruce Willis, Garry Shandling, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner
Duration
83 minutes
The Secret Life of Pets
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Family •Action •Adventure
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
Wonka
Comedy •Family •Fantasy •Kids
Overview
Willy Wonka – chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time – is proof that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you’re lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.
Duration
117 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
Shrek
Animation •Kids •Comedy •Fantasy •Family •Romance •Action •Adventure
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
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Animation •Kids •Fantasy •Adventure •Comedy •Action •Family •Drama
Overview
Five years have passed since Hiccup and Toothless united the dragons and Vikings of Berk. Now, they spend their time charting unmapped territories. During one of their adventures, the pair discover a secret cave that houses hundreds of wild dragons — and a mysterious dragon rider who turns out to be Hiccup’s mother, Valka. Hiccup and Toothless then find themselves at the center of a battle to protect Berk from a power-hungry warrior named Drago.
Director
Dean DeBlois
Cast
Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera
Duration
98 minutes
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Sci-fi •Family •Kids •Fantasy •Action •Adventure
Overview
An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliot who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliot, his brother, and his little sister Gertie form an emotional bond with their new friend, and try to help him find his way home.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Cast
Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Robert MacNaughton, Peter Coyote, Dee Wallace
Duration
110 minutes
Transformers One
Animation •Sci-fi •Adventure •Action •Family •Kids •Fantasy
Overview
The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Director
Josh Cooley
Cast
Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi
Duration
104 minutes
The Karate Kid
Drama •Sport •Action •Family •Adventure •Kids
Overview
Daniel LaRusso moves to Los Angeles with his mother, Lucille, and soon strikes up a relationship with Ali. He quickly finds himself the target of bullying by a group of high school students, led by Ali’s ex-boyfriend Johnny, who study karate at the Cobra Kai dojo under ruthless sensei, John Kreese. Fortunately, Daniel befriends Mr. Miyagi, an unassuming repairman who just happens to be a martial arts master himself. Miyagi takes Daniel under his wing, training him in a more compassionate form of karate for self-defense and, later, preparing him to compete against the brutal Cobra Kai.
Director
John G. Avildsen
Cast
Ralph Macchio, Pat Morita, Elisabeth Shue, Martin Kove, Randee Heller
Duration
127 minutes
Matilda
Kids •Comedy •Family •Fantasy
Overview
Matilda Wormwood is an exquisite and intelligent little girl. Unfortunately, her parents, Harry and Zinnia misunderstand her because they think she is so different. As time passes, she finally starts school and has a kind teacher, loyal friends, and a sadistic headmistress. As she gets fed up with the constant cruelty, she begins to realize that she has a gift of telekinetic powers. After some days of practice, she suddenly turns the tables to stand up to Harry and Zinnia and outwit the headmistress.
Director
Danny DeVito
Cast
Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris
Duration
98 minutes
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Animation •Kids •Fantasy •Adventure •Comedy •Action •Family •Drama
Overview
As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.
Director
Dean DeBlois
Cast
Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler
Duration
100 minutes
Hook
Kids •Fantasy •Comedy •Family •Action •Adventure
Overview
The boy who wasn’t supposed to grow up—Peter Pan—does just that, becoming a soulless corporate lawyer whose workaholism could cost him his wife and kids. During his trip to see Granny Wendy in London, the vengeful Capt. Hook kidnaps Peter’s kids and forces Peter to return to Neverland.
Director
Steven Spielberg
Cast
Dustin Hoffman, Robin Williams, Julia Roberts, Bob Hoskins, Maggie Smith
Duration
142 minutes
IF
Comedy •Fantasy •Family •Kids •Animation •Drama
Overview
A young girl who goes through a difficult experience begins to see everyone’s imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up.
Director
John Krasinski
Cast
Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Steve Carell, John Krasinski, Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Duration
104 minutes
Paddington
Kids •Comedy •Family •Fantasy •Action •Adventure
Overview
A young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a new home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family.
Director
Paul King
Cast
Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Samuel Joslin, Madeleine Harris
Duration
91 minutes
Home
Animation •Kids •Sci-fi •Comedy •Family •Fantasy
Overview
When Earth is taken over by the overly-confident Boov, an alien race in search of a new place to call home, all humans are promptly relocated, while all Boov get busy reorganizing the planet. But when one resourceful girl, Tip, manages to avoid capture, she finds herself the accidental accomplice of a banished Boov named Oh. The two fugitives realize there’s a lot more at stake than intergalactic relations as they embark on the road trip of a lifetime.
Director
Tim Johnson
Cast
Jim Parsons, Rihanna, Steve Martin, Jennifer Lopez, Matt Jones
Duration
90 minutes
Frequently asked questions
From the littlest kids to the grown-ups, everyone can be entertained by family comedy movies – that’s a key element of this genre. Typically usually light-hearted, with a central theme of family, friendship, or overcoming challenges these films often use clever humour that works on multiple levels, so parents and kids can all share in the laughter.
Got a large family with individuals of different ages? You want to pick a movie that works for everyone – this is all about looking at the details. But it’s not difficult as we’ve included the runtime and a synopsis for each film on the list. A mix of animated and live-action films, is here, allowing you to choose a movie that’s perfect for your family.
Yes, and we’re proud to say that every single film on our list is currently available on a major streaming service in Australia. Of course, nothing’s more frustrating than finding a great movie only to discover you can’t watch it, so, with our list you can choose to watch any film from our guide for your next movie night.
No doubt about it. Have a familiy that prefers animation? Got family members who love a classic live-action film? These are definitely sub-genres of the family comedy movie genre! No matter your family’s preference you can find something that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Since they can explore wild and funny ideas in a way live-action films can’t, animated comedies are a perfect fit for families. With a huge cast of beloved characters, combined with engaging plots, these animated worlds offer some of the best storytelling in the genre – it’s this that makes these movies popular.
There’s something unique about our tastes in comedy – one might laugh at something another doesn’t find funny. But no sweat. A wide range of films is included here to appeal to different tastes. Like quirky adventures? Enjoy classic slapstick? We have those! Our list includes holiday-themed comedies and witty stories, so you can easily find a film that brings the whole family together for a laugh.
Everyone’s got a favourite comedy for a family movie night. But our list is based on what’s trending and what’s currently piquing the audience’s interest. And we couldn’t include every classic. With the top 20 movies we picked, we hope you discover a new family favourite.
Recent hits can be just as intriguing as timeless classics that are still beloved by audiences today. But we found that the best family comedies are the ones that stand the test of time. Of course, everyone has their own favourites, and can embrace the humour of their favourite sub-genre as they watch it unfold.
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