New, Original Family Movies You’ll Only Find on Netflix, Disney+ & Apple TV in 2023
by Nicole Johnson
A bonus to these new movies coming in 2023? You can watch all of them from the comfort of your own home
Whether you want a coming-of-age, a rom-com, or a tear-jerker, 2023 is packed with some of the best new kids’ movies streaming right to your television. We are pleased to roll out a list of the best movies to stream in 2023 that includes something for everyone from parents of every generation and kids of all ages. Grab the remote, and hit play.
When teenage sailor Jessica set out to be the youngest person to sail around the world unaccompanied, many said she couldn't do it. With the support of her parents and sailing coach, she managed to cross the vast oceans in just 210 days. This adventurous true story is based on Jessica Waton's memoirs.
Directed by: Sarah Spillane Starring: Teagan Croft, Cliff Curtis, and Bridget Webb, with Josh Lawson and Anna Paquin Release date: February 3, 2023 Streaming platform: Netflix Rated: PG
First published as a short story on Vice.com, this family comedy focuses on a ghost named Ernest. Fans of the popular Netflix original Stranger Things will delight in seeing Police Chief Jim Hopper, played by David Harbour, in a starring role. Though originally set for release in 2022, the date was pushed back to 2023. Parents should know that We Have a Ghost may be best suited for teens due to violence and suggestive content.
Directed by: Christopher Landon
Starring: Jennifer Coolidge, David Harbour, Faith Ford, and Anthony Mackie
Based on Newberry Medal-winning author Kate DiCamillo's novel, when Peter crosses paths with a fortune teller, he only has one question to ask—is his sister Adele still alive? From there, he starts his journey to find a mysterious elephant and a magician, complete three seemingly impossible tasks, and have an adventure he'll never forget.
Directed by: Wendy Rogers
Starring: Pixie Davies, Noah Jupe, Mandy Patinkin, Benedict Wong
Release date: March 17, 2023
Streaming platform: Netflix
Rated: PG
Chupa
Netflix
While visiting family in Mexico, teenage Alex discovers the mythical Chupacabra hiding in his grandpa's garage. A misunderstood and featured creature, Alex must embark on an adventure to save his new friend.
Directed by: Jonás Cuarón
Starring: Demián Bichir, Evan Whitten, Christian Slater, Ashley Ciarra, Nickolas Verdugo, Adriana Paz, Gerardo Taracena, Julio Cesar Cedillo
Adapted from a graphic novel of the same name and set in a techno-medieval animated world, spunky shape-shifting teen Nimona comes to the aid of a fallen knight, Lord Ballister Blackheart, to help prove his innocence, shed light on the fact that people aren't always who they seem to be and that labels don't define who we are.
Directed by: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang Release date: June 14th, 2023 Streaming platform: Netflix Rated: PG
Miraculous: Ladybug & Cat Noir, The Movie
Netflix
If your kiddo loves this superhero duo, then they'll love the 'prequel' movie musical. They'll find out how an ordinary teen who moves to Paris acquires superhero powers, makes an unlikely friend, and defeats her first villain.
Directed by: Jeremy Zag
Starring: Cristina Valenzuela, Bryce Papenbrook, Keith Silverstein
Get ready for an action-packed adventure with Monkey and his magical fighting Stick! Executive-produced by iconic filmmaker and actor Stephen Chow, Monkey will fight demons, gods, wild creatures, and his own ego in this fun animated film based on the Chinese legend "Journey to the West."
Directed by: Anthony Stacchi
Starring: Jimmy O. Yang, Bowen Yang, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Jo Koy, Ron Yuan, Hoon Lee, Stephanie Hsu
Release date: July 30, 2023
Streaming platform: Netflix
Rated: TV-Y7
Spy Kids: Armageddon
The Spy Kids franchise's latest installment is a reboot that'll be available in the fall. This new kids' movie in 2023 pits the children of the world's greatest spies against a programmer in possession of a computer virus that will allow them to control the world's technology. Robert Rodriguez, who created the popular family-friend franchise, will return to direct the film.
Directed by: Robert Rodriguez
Starring: Gina Rodriguez, Zachary Levi, Everly Carganilla, Billy Magnussen, and Connor Esterson
Adam Sandler stars as Leo, a 74-year-old lizard, and class pet, in this animated musical comedy about the last day of elementary school. When Leo discovers he only has one year to live, he sets out to escape and see the world. Instead, he gets caught up in the worries of his students (be on the lookout for a terrible substitute teacher), and his adventures turn out to be quite different than he originally envisioned.
Directed by: Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, David Wachtenheim
Starring: Adam Sandler, Bill Bur, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider
The 2000 stop-motion animated film Chicken Run is finally getting that sequel. Parents and kids can catch up with the chickens after they've escaped from the farm. Rocky, Ginger, Fletcher, and Babs all return and are safe and sound on their island home. Things won't remain peaceful for long though...
Directed by: Sam Fell
Starring: Bella Ramsey, Zachary Levi, Thandiwe Newton, Jane Horrocks, and David Bradley
From the book The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six Moreby famed children's author Roald Dahl, the film focuses on several stories with the main one focusing on the titular Henry Sugar who has some amazing abilities. The film will be director Wes Anderson's sophomore effort at adapting a Dahl book for the screen. His first was the 2009 Oscar-nominated film, Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Ben Kingsley, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Rupert Friend
Release date: September 27, 2023
Streaming platform: Netflix
Rated: PG
The Mothership
After her husband disappears, a woman and her two kids find a strange object of extraterrestrial origin on their farm. They must work together to find their missing father and husband and figure out what's really happening. While there is no definitive release date, Netflix has confirmed that The Mothership will be released at some point in 2023.
Directed by: Matt Charman
Starring: Halle Berry, Molly Parker, Omari Hardwick, Jaiden J. Smith, and Quinn McPherson
In this family film, a teen makes a bet that he'll be able to dunk a basketball by Homecoming. The ambitious Chang will do whatever it takes to make the basket, impress the girl he likes, and prove to his peers that he is more than just a high school nobody. Parents should be aware that there may be some language and content that may be inappropriate for younger kids.
A teen who has a life-long dream of going to Harvard realizes some things in life may be more important, like falling in love. The film takes place during prom season, a time of sticky-sweet prom proposals. While kids will be pleased with the rom-com's cast featuring some of the most popular teen stars, parents will love the main character's strength and intelligence. They will also love her mother played by none other than Wendi McLendon-Covey from the long-running television series, The Goldbergs.
Directed by: Anya Adams
Starring: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Milo Manheim, Margaret Cho, Wendi McLendon-Covey
A retelling of the timeless classic that was first brought to life by author J. M. Barrie. This version will follow Wendy and her siblings as they follow the eternal boy-child Peter Pan to Neverland, though this installment will be a bit more Wendy-centric. Peter Pan & Wendy has some big names attached including Jude Law, who plays Captain Hook, and comedian Jim Gaffigan, who plays his right-hand man, Smee. Parents should be aware that there is some violence and frightening situations.
Directed by: David Lowery Starring: Jude Law, Jim Gaffigan, Alexander Molony, Ever Anderson, Joshua Pickering, and Jacobi Jupe Release date: April 28 Streaming platform: Disney+ Rated: PG
This sci-fi flick is a coming-of-age story about a boy who goes on an adventure with four of his friends after his father dies. They go on a planetary excursion to see an epic crater.
Directed by: Kyle Patrick Alvarez Starring: Mckenna Grace, Billy Barratt, Isaiah Russell-Bailey Release date: May 12, 2023 Streaming platform: Disney+ Rated PG
Produced by the director of Hamilton comes an all-new hip-hop musical comedy co-written by Utkarsh Ambudkar (he also co-wrote the film's original songs). In World's Best, 12-year-old Prem Patel is a math genius who's also trying to navigate the trials and tribulations of being in middle school. When he discovers his father (who recently passed) was a famous rapper, he sets off to discover if musical talent runs in the family.
