When it comes to movies that the whole family can enjoy, there’s a plethora of options both live-action and animated on HBO Max. Home to timeless favorites such as the Harry Potter series, the works of Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, or those treasured films of your youth, Max has hours upon hours of family-friendly entertainment that’s perfect to pop in and enjoy both as an adult and as a child! Here are some of our favorite kid and family movies on HBO Max.
For more recommendations, check out our list of the best kid movies on Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video, or browse our picks for the best movies on HBO.
‘Wonka’ (2023)
Rotten Tomatoes: 82% | IMDb: 7.0/10
The third film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wonka focuses on the early days of the quirky chocolatier. Starring Timothée Chalamet in the title role, Wonka also features an impressive supporting cast, including Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key, Matt Lucas, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, and Hugh Grant. Directed by Paul King, who co-wrote the screenplay with Simon Farnaby, Wonka is a strikingly vivid feature that allows audiences to dive deeper into the background of the famous titular character. Highlighted by stunning production design and catchy musical numbers, Wonka showcases the elite star power it gathered, resulting in a visually engaging gem.
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‘Inkheart’ (2009)
Rotten Tomatoes: 38% | IMDb: 6.1/10
Inkheart
- Release Date
-
January 29, 2009
- Director
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Iain Softley
- Run Time
-
1 hr 46 min
- Actors
-
Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Eliza Hope Bennett, Rafi Gavron
Adapted from Cornelia Funke‘s German novel, Inkheart is an enchanting fantasy film geared towards audiences of all ages. Inkheart brings together Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, and Andy Serkis for an epic story brimming with action, magic, and family. Directed by Iain Softley, Inkheart centers on a teenage girl and her father as they find themselves on an amazing adventure where storybook characters come to life in the real world — as well as the real world becoming part of the storybook. Cheered for its whimsical core, Inkheart overlooks heavy messaging to provide an entertaining journey that will encourage viewers to seek out the books on which it was based.
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‘The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie’ (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes: 68% | IMDb: 7.2/10
Slather on the sunblock and dive under the sea for the full length SpongeBob Squarepants Movie from series creator Stephen Hillenburg in his hilarious feature directorial debut. In addition to the original television series voice cast, which includes Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, and Rodger Bumpass, The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie also has guest voices Alec Baldwin and Scarlett Johansson, with a live-action appearance from David Hasselhoff. Feeling like an extra special episode of the series, The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie unites all the Bikini Bottom favorites for an epic adventure filled with hijinks, shenanigans, and Krusty Krab treats.
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‘Robots’ (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes: 64% | IMDb: 6.4/10
Robots is a silly computer-animated film directed by Chris Wedge that explores themes of growing up and finding yourself. Robots follows Rodney Copperbottom, voiced by Ewan McGregor, an ambitious inventor leaving his home in a small town for the big city in hopes of finding his idol, Bigweld (Mel Brooks). Upon arrival, he meets the mischievous Fender Pinwheeler (Robin Williams), who assists in stopping an evil plot from the menacing and arrogant Phineas T. Ratchet (Greg Kinnear). Robots delightfully showcases the comedic talents of its stars with an endearing journey of self-discovery wrapped in a bundle of laughs for viewers of all ages.
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‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
Rotten Tomatoes: 96% | IMDb: 8.6/10
Without any hyperbole, Spirited Away is one of the most beautiful films ever made, and perhaps the crowning achievement of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki’s career. The story of young Chihiro Ogino as she travels to a mystical land that her parents can’t see still continues to be a delight for viewers both old and young, and for those looking to dive in Miyazaki’s filmography for the first time, there’s no better place to start. Nothing computer-generated can top the beauty of the Studio Ghibli hand drawn animation. HBO Max thankfully has a great Studio Ghibli collection, and after watching Spirited Away, you’ll surely be hooked. — Liam GaughanWatch on Max
‘Because of Winn-Dixie’ (2005)
Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 6.4/10
Based on the novel of the same name by Kate DiCamillo, Because of Winn-Dixie is the story of a friendship between a lonely young girl and a mischievous dog who changes her life. India Opal Buloni (AnnaSophia Robb) and her father (Jeff Daniels) move to a new town filled with unfriendly locals, and she wishes that she could find just one friend. Her wish is granted in the most unexpected way as she saves a stray dog from the pound and adopts it into her family — much to her father’s chagrin. This southern small-town tale is a pleasant stroll through the ways that connection and compassion can soften those around us.Watch on Max
‘Tooth Fairy’ (2010)
Rotten Tomatoes: 17% | IMDb: 5.0/10
Tooth Fairy
PG
Comedy
Family
Fantasy
- Release Date
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January 14, 2010
- Runtime
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101 minutes
- Director
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Michael Lembeck
Cast
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Dwayne Johnson
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Ashley Judd
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Stephen Merchant
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Ryan Sheckler
WHERE TO WATCH
Streaming
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Tooth Fairy is an early installment in the acting career of Dwayne Johnson (The Game Plan) and lives in a uniquely late-90s-to-early-2000s space that occupies two separate tropes: a mean and skeptical man reluctantly becomes a mythical figure and learns a lesson like in The Santa Clause and big tough guy learns to empathize with children like in The Pacifier. The story follows Johnson as a hot-shot hockey player that’s forced to become a tooth fairy in order to rid him of his curmudgeonly dream-crushing ways and show him the importance of wonder. It’s a pretty whimsical affair that’s fun for kids of all ages. – Tauri MillerWatch on Max
‘Daddy Day Care’ (2003)
Rotten Tomatoes: 27% | IMDb: 5.6/10
Eddie Murphy (Shrek) and Jeff Garlin (WALL·E) star in this wild and wacky family comedy about two dads who start a makeshift daycare after losing their jobs. Daddy Day Care is a cute film that, although it plays into the trope idea of men being incompetent caregivers, is a wonderful journey for the two main characters as they find comfort with being the homemakers and child care providers instead of the breadwinners — a message that is rarely seen in modern media. Plus, Murphy delivers a charming performance as always, making the film a must-see for any fans of his work in the family-friendly space. – Tauri MillerWatch on Max
‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 8.1/10
One of the most iconic and inventive films of all time, The Wizard of Oz is more than just a work that holds up all these decades later as it continues to be just as glorious as it was when it first came out. It centers on young Dorothy (Judy Garland) who is swept away to the magical world of Oz after a tornado descends on her home in Kansas. Seeking to return home, she will have to undertake a journey where she will meet a whole host of friends while trying to avoid the clutches of a terrifying witch. Full of vibrant colors and wondrous songs, it is a classic for a reason, as it managed to push the medium of cinema forward even with its notoriously troubled production. There is nothing quite like it, making it always worth going over the rainbow to see it once more. – Chase HutchinsonWatch on Max
‘Kiki’s Delivery Service’ (1989)
Rotten Tomatoes: 98% | IMDb: 7.8/10
Compared to some of the more emotionally grueling films in the Studio Ghibli filmography, Kiki’s Delivery Service is a heartwarming love story of magical outsiders. Hayao Miyazaki drew inspiration from the classic children’s story of the same name by author Eiko Kadono. The titular protagonist is a young witch who uses her newfound mystical abilities to land a job delivering toys, and as always Miyazaki subtly incorporates a meta-commentary about the state of capitalism. The natural beauty of the Japanese landscapes come to life in vivid detail during the flying sequences, which are among the most beautiful hand drawn visuals of the entire Studio Ghibli outlet. — Liam GaughanWatch on Max