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The best choice depends on the audience: adults should start with Apollo 101⁄2: A Space Age Childhood, I Lost My Body, or Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio; families have strong options in The Mitchells vs. the Machines, The Sea Beast, and The LEGO Movie; and younger children may prefer Leo, Trolls, or Captain Underpants.
Date warning: This is a historical list researched for September 2024, covering films Netflix was streaming in the U.S. at that time. It does not mean all 20 remain available today. Netflix catalogs vary by geography and change regularly, so verify each title in your country before watching.
Important date note: This is a historical snapshot, not a claim about Netflix’s catalog today. The list was researched for September 2024 and describes 20 animated films Netflix was streaming in the United States at that time. Netflix availability changes by country, subscription tier, licensing agreement, and date, so search for each title in your local Netflix catalog before planning a movie night.
The strongest choices depend on who is watching. Adults and animation enthusiasts may prefer Apollo 101⁄2: A Space Age Childhood, I Lost My Body, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, or Rango. Families have excellent options in The Mitchells vs. the Machines, The Sea Beast, and The LEGO Movie. Younger children may respond best to Captain Underpants, Leo, Trolls, or Over the Moon.
#1 Best Overall
- The Help (Three-Disc Combo: Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy)
Best animated movies on Netflix in the September 2024 snapshot
This is an editorial selection rather than an objective ranking. The films are organized around viewing needs, age suitability, tone, and animation style—not simply from number one to number 20.
Best for adults and animation enthusiasts
Apollo 101⁄2: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Richard Linklater’s distinctive rotoscoped film combines a child’s imagination with the historical atmosphere of the 1960s space race. A boy imagines that NASA has recruited him to help with the Apollo 11 mission, while the film also recreates the ordinary details of growing up in Houston during the period.
Its appeal is less about conventional space adventure than memory: television, school, family routines, neighborhood life, and the way childhood reshapes history. It is a particularly good recommendation for adults who enjoy reflective coming-of-age stories and unconventional animation.
I Lost My Body (2019)
This French animated drama begins with an arresting premise: a severed hand escapes a laboratory and searches for the body it once belonged to. The story gradually connects that journey with a young man’s memories, relationships, and emotional isolation.
Despite the animated format, this is not family viewing. Its melancholy tone, mature themes, and arthouse structure make it better suited to older teenagers and adults looking for intimate, unusual animation rather than a conventional comedy or adventure.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)
Guillermo del Toro and co-director Mark Gustafson reimagine the familiar story as a handcrafted stop-motion musical set in World War II-era Italy. This Pinocchio is darker and more politically aware than many versions, exploring grief, obedience, fascism, mortality, and the meaning of being human.
The tactile sets and puppets are a major reason to watch it, but the emotional writing is equally important. Netflix describes the film as Oscar-winning; it is a serious, visually rich choice for adults and older children, although parents should consider its wartime setting and darker subject matter.
Rango (2011)
Johnny Depp voices Rango, a chameleon who becomes the unlikely sheriff of a drought-stricken desert town. The film sends him into a mystery involving the town’s missing water supply, while borrowing liberally from classic Westerns.
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Best family adventures
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
A family road trip becomes a robot-apocalypse adventure when a technology uprising disrupts the world. The central conflict is not simply humans versus machines: it is also the strained relationship between aspiring filmmaker Katie Mitchell and her father, Rick.
The film balances frantic visual comedy with a thoughtful idea about family connection and dependence on phones, platforms, and devices. It works for children because of the action and jokes, while adults may recognize its anxieties about technology and changing family relationships.
Rank #2
The Sea Beast (2022)
In this seafaring adventure, an orphan joins a celebrated crew of monster hunters and begins questioning the official story that the ocean creatures are evil. The film gradually turns a traditional hunting quest into a story about propaganda, inherited assumptions, and learning to see an alleged enemy differently.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIts large-scale ships, storms, sea creatures, and battle sequences make it an easy family recommendation. Younger viewers who are sensitive to peril may find some scenes intense, but the overall story is adventurous rather than grim.
The LEGO Movie (2014)
Emmet is an ordinary minifigure who is mistaken for a prophesied hero and pulled into a rebellion against Lord Business. The film’s jokes move rapidly, but beneath the bright surfaces is a playful argument for creativity, collaboration, and making something of your own rather than following instructions without question.
It is one of the safest all-ages picks on this list: energetic enough for children, packed with wordplay for adults, and inventive enough to reward repeat viewing. Netflix categorized it as a kids-and-family comedy in the relevant catalog materials.
The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
This spin-off turns Batman’s self-seriousness into the main joke. The Caped Crusader faces comic-book villains and a threat to Gotham while struggling with his fear of emotional attachment and teamwork.
It is especially well suited to families who know superhero conventions, Batman history, or the larger LEGO film style. The parody is accessible, but some of its references and rapid-fire humor will be more rewarding for older children and adults.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Mario and Luigi are transported through a pipe into a colorful fantasy world populated by familiar characters and hazards from Nintendo’s games. The plot is straightforward, but the film’s appeal comes from its bright game-inspired environments, recognizable power-ups, music, and action.
It is a natural choice for a family with younger viewers or anyone wanting a light video-game adaptation. The story assumes no deep knowledge of the games, although longtime players will notice more visual references.
Best animated movies for younger children
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)
George and Harold are mischievous school friends who hypnotize their principal and convince him that he is the superhero Captain Underpants. Their prank becomes much harder to control when the transformation appears to have real consequences.
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Adapted from Dav Pilkey’s book series, the film leans into toilet humor, exaggerated action, and the inventive energy of children who turn school life into an adventure. It is primarily a children’s comedy, with a deliberately broad style that may not suit viewers seeking subtle storytelling.
Leo (2023)
Leo is a long-serving tuatara class pet who realizes that he has spent most of his life watching children grow up from inside a classroom. He tries to help the students with their problems while confronting questions about his own limited lifespan.
Rank #3
The premise supports a gentle story about friendship, growing up, and listening to children’s concerns. Its classroom setting and musical-comedy approach make it a particularly accessible choice for younger school-age viewers.
Trolls (2016)
Poppy and Branch belong to a cheerful community threatened by the Bergens, who believe that eating Trolls is the only way to become happy. The two characters must work together to protect their friends and challenge that belief.
With a bright palette, pop songs, dancing, and a simple friendship story, Trolls is best aimed at preschool and younger family audiences. Its energetic jukebox-musical structure is a feature for children who like songs, though it may feel noisy to viewers who prefer quieter animation.
Over the Moon (2020)
After her mother’s death, Fei Fei builds a rocket and travels to the moon in the hope of meeting the moon goddess Chang’e. The resulting fantasy includes elaborate environments, musical numbers, and a story about grief, family change, and moving forward without forgetting someone you love.
The film is visually expansive and emotionally direct. It can be a meaningful family choice, but parents should know that bereavement is central to the story and may prompt difficult questions from younger children.
Best fantasy and emotional stories
Klaus (2019)
A selfish postman is sent to a remote, hostile town and discovers that a reclusive toymaker named Klaus may help him change the community. Their arrangement develops into a fresh origin story for Santa Claus.
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Nimona (2023)
Nimona is a shapeshifting outsider who joins forces with a disgraced knight in a medieval-futurist kingdom. What begins as an unlikely partnership becomes a conspiracy story involving identity, institutional power, public reputation, and the danger of labeling people as monsters.
The film is funny and action-oriented, but it also has emotional weight and mature ideas about exclusion and self-definition. The Academy listed it as a nominee for Animated Feature Film at the 2024 ceremony; that was a nomination, not a win.
Orion and the Dark (2024)
Orion is a child overwhelmed by fears, especially fear of the dark. When the Dark appears as a character, Orion is taken on an imaginative journey through the nighttime world and begins to understand that fear does not have to dictate every decision.
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This is a useful choice for families looking for a supportive movie about facing fears, but it should not be treated as a clinical solution for anxiety. Children respond differently to frightening imagery, so parents may want to preview it or watch alongside a particularly sensitive child.
Rank #4
- Blu-ray
- Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, AC-3
- English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
- 2
- 103
A Whisker Away (2020)
This Japanese anime romance follows a girl who uses a magical cat mask to get closer to a classmate. The transformation gives her an escape from ordinary social pressures, but it also forces her to confront questions about identity, honesty, and what it means to be seen by other people.
The film is aimed more at older children and teenagers than preschool viewers. Its romantic storyline, emotional intensity, and themes of transformation make it a better fit for audiences seeking anime with a coming-of-age focus.
Best visual and animation showcases
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy face personal conflicts as well as a multiverse crisis involving the Spot. The story expands the first film’s ideas about alternate Spider-people while placing greater pressure on Miles to decide whether he must accept a predetermined fate.
Few mainstream animated films use color, line work, movement, comic-book layouts, and shifting visual styles as aggressively. The film is a sequel and ends with an ongoing story, so newcomers may get more from it after watching Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The Academy listed it as a 2024 Animated Feature Film nominee.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Wallace and his quiet, highly capable dog Gromit run a humane pest-control business before a giant rabbit threatens the crops of their town. Their investigation leads to increasingly absurd complications.
Aardman’s stop-motion craft is the attraction: tiny physical sets, expressive clay characters, visual gags, and carefully timed comic movement. It is approachable for families, while adults can appreciate the parody of horror, romance, and village comedy woven into the plot.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)
Although it already appears among the adult-oriented recommendations, it deserves a second mention as a technical showcase. The film’s stop-motion puppets, textured environments, and carefully staged camera movement make every scene feel physically built rather than digitally generic.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchNetflix identifies it as an Oscar-winning stop-motion musical. Its awards recognition and craftsmanship make it a strong recommendation for viewers who want to study what animation can express through materials, lighting, and movement—not just for those seeking a children’s fairy tale.
Apollo 101⁄2: A Space Age Childhood (2022)
Linklater’s rotoscoped approach also makes this film a standout craft choice. It uses animation to preserve the fluidity of remembered gestures while stylizing the textures and colors of a specific time and place.
The result is neither a straightforward documentary nor a conventional science-fiction adventure. It is a personal memory rendered through animation, making it particularly valuable for viewers interested in the border between lived history, nostalgia, and visual invention.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Four more films worth adding to the queue
Vivo (2021)
Vivo follows a music-loving kinkajou on a journey that begins in Havana and continues through Florida. Friendship, performance, promises, and family-like bonds drive the story, while its songs provide the main emotional engine.
It is a colorful family musical with Caribbean cultural references and a travel-adventure structure. Viewers who choose animated films primarily for music and heartfelt relationships should put it near the top of their list.
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)
This broad adaptation is worth separating from the more visually elaborate films because its strength is direct comic timing. George, Harold, and their hypnotized principal create a deliberately silly story built around imagination and resistance to overly rigid authority.
It is best for children already familiar with the books or with a taste for irreverent school comedy. Adults should expect a loud, goofy tone rather than a layered family adventure.
Leo (2023)
Leo’s perspective as a classroom pet gives the film a simple but effective way to explore children’s worries. His attempts to advise students also force him to reckon with his own uncertainty about the future.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThat combination of animal comedy, school stories, and musical numbers makes it a practical pick when several younger children need something easy to follow.
The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)
For a second family-friendly superhero option, The LEGO Batman Movie is more character-focused than a standard toy-based adventure. Its main target is Batman’s refusal to admit that he needs other people.
Choose it over a more serious superhero film when the audience wants parody, colorful action, and comic-book references without abandoning an emotional arc.
How to choose from the list
| If you want… | Start with… |
|---|---|
| A film for adults or serious animation fans | Apollo 101⁄2, I Lost My Body, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, or Rango |
| A large-scale family adventure | The Mitchells vs. the Machines, The Sea Beast, The LEGO Movie, or The Super Mario Bros. Movie |
| A movie for younger children | Captain Underpants, Leo, Trolls, or Over the Moon |
| A fantasy with emotional themes | Klaus, Nimona, Orion and the Dark, or A Whisker Away |
| Stop-motion or distinctive visual craft | Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio or Wallace & Gromit |
| A musical | Vivo, Trolls, Over the Moon, or Klaus |
| A movie about technology and family | The Mitchells vs. the Machines |
| A story about facing fears | Orion and the Dark |
What to know before watching
- Check your country: The September 2024 list was a U.S. snapshot. A title available in the United States may not appear in another country’s catalog.
- Check the date: Even a U.S. listing can change after a licensing agreement ends or a title moves between services.
- Check the age and tone: I Lost My Body is mature arthouse animation; A Whisker Away is a teen-oriented anime romance; and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio includes death, war, and frightening material despite its fairy-tale basis.
- Do not confuse awards: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is identified by Netflix as Oscar-winning. Nimona and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse were listed by the Academy as 2024 Animated Feature nominees.
The 20-title checklist
- Apollo 101⁄2: A Space Age Childhood
- Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
- Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
- I Lost My Body
- Klaus
- The LEGO Movie
- The LEGO Batman Movie
- Leo
- The Mitchells vs. the Machines
- Nimona
- Orion and the Dark
- Over the Moon
- Rango
- The Sea Beast
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Trolls
- Vivo
- Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
- A Whisker Away
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all 20 movies still on Netflix?
No. This is a historical September 2024 snapshot of films Netflix was streaming in the United States at that time. Netflix catalogs change by country, subscription tier, licensing agreement, and date, so check your local catalog before watching.
What is the best family movie on this list?
For a broad family audience, start with The Mitchells vs. the Machines, The LEGO Movie, The Sea Beast, or The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Younger children may prefer Leo, Trolls, or Captain Underpants.
Which films are not suitable for young children?
I Lost My Body is mature arthouse animation and is not intended as family viewing. A Whisker Away is better suited to older children or teenagers, while Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio includes war, death, and darker fairy-tale material.
Which movies on the list won or were nominated for awards?
Netflix identifies Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio as Oscar-winning. The Academy listed Nimona and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as nominees for Animated Feature Film at the 2024 ceremony; nominations are not wins.
The Bottom Line
For a single all-around family choice from this September 2024 Netflix snapshot, start with The Mitchells vs. the Machines or The LEGO Movie. Adults seeking more unusual animation should choose I Lost My Body or Apollo 101⁄2; viewers focused on craft should choose Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio or Wallace & Gromit. Confirm local Netflix availability before watching, because this is a dated U.S. catalog snapshot.
Quick Recap
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