Family-friendly movies offer lighthearted, heartwarming entertainment during the holidays. Sometimes we just want to cuddle up with our kids and nephews, get some kiddie laughs in, and enjoy a high-quality movie that bonds loved ones together.
That doesn’t mean our family film recommendations shy away from heavier themes. Finch with Tom Hanks is a fascinating post-apocalyptic drama and Swan Song deals with a terminal illness. But they will resonate with a family audience because of the storylines of human resilience and fortitude and love for life, family, and friends.
Apple TV+ has a number of family-based originals you can’t see anywhere else. For $4.99 a month, Apple TV+ is a bargain, and they’re producing new content each month. We hope our family-oriented list will shorten the time you spend looking for a movie to watch your family!
Becoming You

Becoming You is a gripping docuseries narrated by the Academy Award Winner Olivia Colman, featuring the first 2.000 days on Earth of 100 children across the globe. It challenges cultural barriers by describing the children and parent’s habits of speech, thinking, walking, and their similarities.
- IMDB Rating: 8.0
- Genre: Documentary
- Stars Olivia Colman, Zoe Gandolfo, Thomas Knowles
Blush

Everything begins as the protagonist, who is a horticulturist-astronaut, crashes on a desolate dwarf planet. There, he meets an ethereal visitor that also happens to crash on the very same planet. Blush is a heart-warming short film.
- IMDB Rating: 9.1
- Genre: Animation, Short, Sci-Fi
- Stars Joe Mateo
WolfWalkers

A beautifully animated storybook tale with some of the most unique animation in the genre, Wolfwalkers is impressive. It was nominated for the 2021 Best Animated Picture Oscar, and it’s easy to see why.
- Beautiful animation
- Nominated for Best Animated Picture
- Released in 2020
Dads

Dads is a documentary that celebrates parenting. Dads share rare home footage, interviews, and the thoughts of many Hollywood celebrities, such as Will Smith, Judd Apatow, and many more. This movie is targeted at those who are interested in understanding parenting through the experience and wisdom of other dads.
- IMDB Rating: 6.7
- Genre: Documentary, Comedy, Family
- Stars Bryce Howard, Ron Howard, Judd Apatow
Snoopy in Space

A new take on the classic Snoopy and Woodstock cartoons. This show now in its second season sees the titular dog and the rest of the Peanuts gang going to- where else? Space!
- Return of classic beloved characters
- Two seasons totalling 24 episodes
- Short, eight minute episodes
Finch

Follow Tom Hanks as Finch, a sole Engineer in a world ravaged by natural disasters. Finch, his trusted dog, and a robot created by him to protect his dog begin their adventure for the sake of survival. An intriguing and absorbing post-apocalyptic film.
- Release date: November 5, 2021
- Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi
- Stars Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones, Lora Martinez-Cunningham
Ghostwriter

Four kids end up stumbling upon a ghost that haunts a neighborhood bookstore. The ghost has the ability to mingle with reality, so it brings fantasy characters into the real world. Follow the kids as they try to discover the ghost’s identity within the thin line between fantasy and reality. Ghostwriter was produced by the Sesame Workshop.
- IMDB Rating: 5.7
- Genre: Family, Fantasy, Mystery
- Stars Isaac Arellanes, Amadi Chapata, Hannah Levinson
Helpsters

Helpsters captures Cody and his crew made of monsters doing what they love the most: solving problems. Come along with the Helpsters and join their adventures. This story is short, sweet, and has good music. From the makers of Sesame Street, Helpsters is full of family fun.
- IMDB Rating: 6.5
- Genre: Short, Family, Music
- Stars Kathleen Jim, Jennifer Barnhart, Stephanie D’Abruzzo
Puppy Place

Knowing about their own love for puppies, the siblings start fostering and finding them homes. A dog-loving story about caring. A new adventure for every new puppy. Puppy Place is pure family fun.
- Release date: October 15, 2021
- Genre: Adventure
- Stars Riley Looc, Brooklynn MacKinzie, Eric Lynch, Dominique Toney
Swan Song

Follow up on the life of Cameron Turner, diagnosed with a terminal illness. Presented with an alternative way to protect his wife and son from grief, Cameron takes the opportunity to change their fates. Swan Song is a thought-inducing story about how much one would sacrifice for love.
- Release date: December 17, 2021
- Genre: Drama
- Stars Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Glenn Close
CODA

CODA is a fulfilling story about overcoming disability. While it has serious elements, it shines a lot of light on a family living with deafness and makes for an uplifting tale.
- Won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival
- Almost two hour run time
- Stars Emilia Jones and Marlee Matlin
Apple TV+ is a family-friendly streaming service that will continue to provide great content for kids as well as adults to enjoy together, so go ahead and call your family and friends over, grab the popcorn, pick a movie from the list, and enjoy some family time! For only $4.99 a month, Apple TV+ is one of the best family-friendly streaming services for the money.
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