The Best Family Movies Of 2023

In 2022, movie-going audiences were treated to a number of wonderful films for the whole family, from Disney's "Turning Red" to the offbeat "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On." Not to be outdone, 2023 is already off to a rollicking start, with a number of movies that fans of all ages can enjoy. Plus, now more than ever, there's no shortage of great family films you can watch in theaters and at home, thanks to streaming.

From fantasy to sci-fi and everything in between, we've seen a wide variety of exciting adventures, captivating cartoons, and touching tales that mom and dad can watch with their kids. Whether you're looking for a whimsical journey into a magical realm, an action-packed roller coaster ride, or an emotionally affecting drama that tugs at your heartstrings, we've compiled a list of the cream of the crop that have already earned accolades and are sure to satisfy. So gather 'round, grab some popcorn, and mute your cell phones, because we're taking a look at the best family movies of 2023 so far.

"The Amazing Maurice" is a CGI-animated romp from the UK, based on a children's book by Terry Pratchett. It boasts an all-star cast, led by Hugh Laurie in the title role alongside Emilia Clarke, David Thewlis, Himesh Patel, Gemma Arterton, David Tennant, and Rob Brydon.

This roster is impressive, but the plot is just as enticing. Based on the story of the Pied Piper, "The Amazing Maurice" begins with the realization that the rats plaguing a small town are smart and organized. It turns out that the Piper himself, Keith (Patel), is their leader, and his cat Maurice (Laurie) is working with them on a money-making plot that takes advantage of the naïve townsfolk. Heading to a new city, Keith, Maurice, and their rats are hired — not to stop an invasion of rodents, though, but to find the reason behind a devastating food shortage. Plus, the Mayor's daughter discovers their scam. Things soon get complicated

Clever, charming, and fun for the whole family, "The Amazing Maurice" has received high marks for its eccentricity and charismatic characters, with the Guardian comparing it favorably to Pixar's "Ratatouille."

Released in January in its native Australia (and February everywhere else), "True Spirit" is based on the remarkable true story of a teenaged nautical pioneer. Jessica Watson (Teagan Croft), a young Australian sailor, attempts to circumnavigate the globe in a boat called Ella's Pink Lady. She's hoping to be the youngest person to ever accomplish the feat. Jessica has her family by her side, and is guided by her coach Ben Bryant (Cliff Curtis), a down-on-his-luck sailor who's looking to redeem himself from a bitter past.

Followed by intense media coverage even during preliminary training, every nautical mile of Jessica's perilous journey is captured for all the world to see. From getting caught in a dangerous storm to an intense confrontation between Jessica and Bryant, this trip faces more challenges than expected. But the question remains: Can a 16-year-old girl really accomplish a feat that even adult sailors struggle to achieve?

Filled with adventure, excitement, and plenty of human drama, "True Spirit" is a story about never giving up, even in the face of long odds.

"Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" might make a strong bid for the best MCU entry of 2023, but it won't be the best Marvel movie. That's because we've already gotten "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," sequel to 2018's "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse," the critically acclaimed, groundbreaking superhero saga that introduced the world to teenaged superhero Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), a Spider-Man from another dimension. Following the events of that film, "Across the Spider-Verse" reunites Morales with Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) — a middle-aged, semi-retired Spider-Man from a different reality — and Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), who's on the run in her own world.

This time, Morales and his friends meet a whole new group of Spider-heroes from various dimensions, including Miguel O'Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac), and Hobie Brown, aka Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya). A dangerous new villain called the Spot (Jason Schwartzman) threatens the multiverse — but Miles refuses to go along with his Spider-peers' morally murky plans to stop him. Suddenly, he finds himself on the wrong end of a group of powerful superheroes ... including some of his dearest friends.

Proving that sequels aren't always a letdown, "Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse" more than lives up to its predecessor. It's a lively, colorful, over-the-top superhero story that will satisfy all ages.

Over the years there have been countless screen adaptations of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan stories. Several have even become classics themselves, like the Disney animated version from 1953, and the 1991 live-action film "Hook." In 2023, Disney released a new live-action version, "Peter Pan & Wendy." Written and directed by David Lowery, it stars Alexander Molony and Ever Anderson in the title roles. These youngsters are impressive on their own, but they also play wonderfully off the rest of the cast. Academy Award-nominee Jude Law takes on the role of the dastardly Captain Hook, while Yara Shahidi plays the spritely Tinkerbell. Jim Gaffigan, Molly Parker, and Alan Tudyk round out the star-studded cast.

This time, the story puts more focus on the friendship between Peter and Wendy, while also being quite faithful to Disney's original animated version. It recreates many of that movie's iconic moments, which will have longtime fans feeling nostalgic and also wow newcomers.

Judy Blume is one of the most celebrated authors of young adult fiction in history. Several of her works have been adapted to film, but 2023's "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret." immediately established itself as the best Blume-based movie ever made.

Revolving around a young girl named Margaret Simon, this film follows the sixth grader as she deals with all the sensitive problems a girl her age must face. From anxieties related to school to the changes in her body to her burgeoning feelings towards boys, this film — like the beloved book — takes a frank look at what it means to be a young girl growing into womanhood. Its success comes straight from its dazzling cast and crew. The film was written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, who knocks it out of the park just as she did with "The Edge of Seventeen." Abby Ryder Fortson stars as Margaret, with Rachel McAdams playing her mother, Barbara, and Academy Award-winner Kathy Bates portraying her grandmother, Sylvia. 

"The Little Mermaid" proves itself a worthy successor to the animated original, thanks in large part to the star-making turn of leading lady Halle Bailey in the title role. The other stars aren't bad either: Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula all put a new spin on classic characters.

Once again, this film retells Hans Christian Andersen's beloved fairy tale — through the lens of the 1989 cartoon, of course. Bailey's Ariel is no less charming than her animated counterpart; she longs to experience the human world above the surface with just as much endearing passion. After becoming enchanted with Prince Eric, whose life she saves after a shipwreck, Ariel becomes determined to see him again. Through a deal with the sea witch Ursula, she takes human form and joins her lost love above the waves. But when the bargain goes disastrously wrong, Ariel must decide which world she truly wants to belong to.

A wonderfully imaginative remake, "The Little Mermaid" is sure to satisfy fans of the original. And if there are younger members of the family who aren't as familiar with the tale, it might just become their preferred take.

Next to nobody expected a film about a toy to be an awards contender, but thanks to the efforts of writer-director Greta Gerwig and star Margot Robbie, "Barbie" made a strong case for one of the best movies of the year. Inspired by the iconic Mattel toy, the film features a broad ensemble cast that also includes Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, and Dua Lipa as other versions of Barbie.

Set in the whimsical world of Barbie Land, the film centers on one particularly happy-go-lucky Barbie (Robbie) who becomes frustrated with her own existence. When her idyllic life begins to fall apart, this Barbie must embark on a journey into the real world, and with Ken (Ryan Gosling) by her side, she discovers that it's not always sunshine and rainbows. Barbie and Ken must track down the little girl to whom they belong if they are to cure her growing sense of ennui.

A meta story about friendship, love, loyalty, and confronting some of life's hard truths, "Barbie" is a modern classic and a timeless tale that was met with rave reviews for its humor and heart. Despite being ostensibly aimed at those who played with Barbie dolls as a kid, the film transcends its genre with action, adventure, and a message that will resonate with just about anyone who's ever been frustrated by life. 

Films based on video games have an unfortunate track record, with the notoriously terrible 1993 live-action "Super Mario Bros." being a prime example. Since 2019, however, the genre has received a boost thanks to CGI-heavy films like "Detective Pikachu" and "Sonic the Hedgehog." The animated "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" finally redeemed the franchise on the big screen with a stellar outing that's among the most fun family films of 2023.

Chris Pratt and Charlie Day step into the roles of Mario and Luigi, a pair of New York plumbers who are sucked into a magical realm. After arriving, Luigi is taken hostage by a nefarious villain called Bowser (Jack Black), who promises to destroy the nearby Mushroom Kingdom if he can't have the hand of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy). It's up to Mario to rescue his brother, win the love of Princess Peach, and save the Mushroom Kingdom from total annihilation.

Everything fans of the Mario franchise could ask for, "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" is a delightful adventure for all ages that's high on stakes and loaded with colorful characters and vibrant action. A smash hit in theaters (it amassed more than a billion dollars), it narrowly missed out on being the highest-grossing film of the year, beaten only by "Barbie."

One of two short films on this list, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" is simply too good, too charming, and too noteworthy to miss, regardless of runtime. It's written and directed by Wes Anderson, who helmed the family friendly stop-motion adaptation of "The Fantastic Mr. Fox." Like that film, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" is also adapted from a work by children's author Roald Dahl. It boasts an impressive cast headlined by Ralph Fiennes, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Ben Kingsley, with Dev Patel and Richard Ayoade supporting.

Cumberbatch plays the titular character, a compulsive gambler who learns all about a man named Imdad Khan (Kingsley). Khan supposedly possessed a kind of clairvoyant superpower. After studying Khan's methods, Sugar himself learns these techniques and uses his newfound ability to cheat at local casinos and amass a fortune. Stylish, quirky, and brilliantly directed by Anderson, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar" is a feast for cinema lovers, but it's also for anyone who wants to enter another one of Roald Dahl's fantastical worlds. It's a tale of spirituality and personal growth that also contains some of the year's best performances.

In 2023, Walt Disney continued its tradition of magical musical adventures with "Wish," a film that celebrates 100 years of Disney. It takes place in the kingdom of Rosas, ruled by a sorcerer-king called Magnifico (Chris Pine). He sometimes grants the wishes of his people and, if he cannot, promises to return their wishes for the future. Asha (Ariana DeBose) is a would-be apprentice to the king who slowly realizes that Magnifico's promise of granting wishes may be more sinister than everyone believes.

Learning that the king's promise to return ungranted wishes may be an elaborate trick, Asha seeks to expose his secret. She wishes upon a star that surprisingly comes to Rosas in the form of a ball of light, granting animals the ability to speak. Naming the light Star, Asha sets out to save her family's wishes, but when Magnifico learns what Asha and Star are up to, he turns to a twisted kind of dark magic to stop them. If he can get his hands on Star, there may be no stopping his incredible power.

A heartwarming tale told in classic Disney fashion, "Wish" is about an ordinary young girl who is thrust into the role of a hero and must battle an evil tyrant. It's a throwback that borders on direct homage to films of the past, and while it can't match all-time greats like "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," it's a worthy successor that guarantees a good time.

Best known for his comedic roles, Adam Sandler has also proven his range as an actor over the years by dabbling in dramatic films like "Reign Over Me" and "Uncut Gems." While "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" is more familiar territory for Sandler, it has its fair share of heart. The "Happy Gilmore" star is only a supporting actor in this one, and it's instead the rest of the Sandler clan that gets the spotlight: His wife, Jackie Sandler, features in the film alongside their daughters, Sadie and Sunny Sandler.

In the days leading up to her Bat Mitzvah, preteen Stacy Friedman (Sunny Sandler) is focused on nothing more than making sure it's absolutely flawless. Fearing that any mistake here will haunt her for years, she should at least be able to count on the people closest to her to make the day special, especially her best friend Lydia (Samantha Lorraine). But with the anxiety of prepping for such a big day, impending adulthood, and even a blossoming romance, Stacy winds up pushing her loved ones to the brink.

Despite a premise that at first glance may not seem to appeal to those outside of their teenage years, "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" perfectly blends relatable comedy with heartfelt moments to make it appealing to all. And while it may not be as crass as some of the projects Sandler is famous for, its PG-13 rating gives it more adult appeal than some might expect.

Another 2023 family film featuring Adam Sandler, the Netflix original CGI-animated movie "Leo" is the story of class pets Leo the lizard (Sandler) and Squirtle the turtle (Bill Burr). When a substitute teacher takes over the class, Leo is taken home by rambunctious student Summer (Sunny Sandler). Leo helps her become more popular at school and gradually turns into a confidante and mentor to various students, though he makes each of them promise not to reveal the fact that he can talk. When Squirtle becomes resentful of how much Leo is beloved by the class, he sets out to turn the kids against his fellow class pet.

"Leo" is co-directed by "Saturday Night Live" alum Robert Smigel from a story written by him and Sandler. Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Scheider, and Jo Koy are part of the cast, as are several members of the creators' families — as well as Sandler's daughters Sunny and Sadie, Smigel's sons Roey and Ethan also feature. "Leo" boasts some top-notch animation while blending Sandler's unique brand of comedy with the poignancy of classic animated family fare. It also has a lot of musical numbers, making it ideal viewing for all the family.

A sequel that was more than 25 years in the making, "Good Burger 2" continues the legacy of Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell's Nickelodeon series "All That," in which they played teenage fast food employees Dexter and Ed. In this follow-up, set decades after the first movie, Dexter is now an independent inventor who falls on hard times and must lean on his old friend Ed, who now owns a Good Burger restaurant.

Down on his luck after a series of setbacks and personal failures, Dexter crashes with Ed and eventually decides to get his old job back at the fast food joint. There he meets new employees and bubbly twins Cindy and Mindy (Emily and Elizabeth Hinkler), and Fizz (Josh Server), who is thawed out after 22 years stuck in a freezer. Together, they go on more hapless adventures while Ed tries to avoid a corporate takeover led by franchise executive Cecil McNevin (Lil Rel Howery). Released directly to Paramount+, "Good Burger 2" is some solid family fun and a continuation of the best Nickelodeon sitcom ever made. Though critical reviews were somewhat tepid, audiences ate it up.

Fans who felt let down by "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" got a chance to see the whip-wielding relic hunter end his theatrical adventures on a high note in 2023 with the series' fifth — and purportedly final — installment. "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" sees Harrison Ford returning to the title role, though original series creators Steven Spielberg and George Lucas weren't as heavily involved this time, serving only as producers while "Logan" helmer James Mangold took over directing duties.

Set in the late 1960s, "Dial of Destiny" sees a world-weary Professor Jones begrudgingly teaching a generation of young archeology students at a New York college. But when he's approached by his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) to help locate an ancient artifact he'd once hunted for in his younger days, he's thrust back into the role of adventurer. When it turns out that Helena is seeking to sell the artifact to a Nazi scientist who wants to use it to bring back Hitler's Third Reich, Jones finds himself locking horns with a Nazi madman one more time.

Though not quite on par with the original "Indiana Jones" trilogy, "Dial of Destiny" is nevertheless a rollicking PG-13 adventure that hits all the right notes. Plus, an absolutely bonkers final act tosses the entire franchise on its head in the most wondrous way possible and caps off the series with a heartfelt aplomb.