10 Best Spring Movies For Kids On Netflix

With such a wide selection of movies and TV, Netflix’s U.S. catalog can be quite difficult to navigate, especially for families looking for kid-friendly offerings that the whole family can enjoy. While there are plenty of wintry, holiday-themed films on the platform for kids to stream during the winter, springtime is already in the air.

So, families with kids will be looking for something a bit less like Jingle Jangle or Klaus and a bit more like the movies on this list that are filled with the color and warmth of the season without sacrificing the familial togetherness of those aformentioned holiday movie marathons. These kid-friendly flicks are some of the best for the season on the platform.

10 The Castle Of Cagliostro

As the first feature film directed by legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki, The Castle Of Cagliostro is not only a vibrant and fun family film, but it’s also an important part of animation history. Following the adventures of the famous gentleman thief Lupin III in the titular castle, this film is full of adventure.

Families who have already been introduced to the wonders of Miyazaki like Ponyo and My Neighbor Totoro will find comfort in one of the director’s earliest worlds of adventure and charm. Kids who are new to the director’s work, though, will also find a lot to love in the warm, inviting animation and exciting action.

9 Rango

A fish-out-of-water story like no other, Rango is a visually stunning story of a pampered pet lizard named Rango who is lost and thrust into a Wild West-themed world of animals barely surviving in the wild. As Rango uses his acting skills to blend in, he meets an eclectic cast of characters and goes on some unforgettable adventures.

This film might be better-suited for the older kids, but families will be captivated by Rango’s adventures and misadventures in the town of Dirt nonetheless. Although the film’s scorching desert locales may suggest summer more than spring, the blooming of the main character from fake sheriff into an actual hero is a springtime story for the ages.

8 The Muppets (2011)

There have been plenty of iterations of these famous puppets, but the 2011 film The Muppets is a relatively recent revival of the performers that both delights longtime fans and has the potential to introduce new fans to Kermit and Co. Although a lot of Muppets media is streaming on Disney+, this movie and Muppets: Most Wanted are available on Netflix.

The Muppets is filled with celebrity cameos and metafictional nods to the franchise, as the plot revolves around the titular puppets having one last chance to save their historic theater despite being told that they aren’t popular anymore. Families will love sharing the Muppets world together, and the film’s bright colors and musical numbers bring the spring vibes.

7 Bee Movie

When dreaming of spring, many families will probably think of fields of flowers and maybe even a picnic on a sunny day, all images which are evoked in the animated oddity by DreamWorks Animation, Bee Movie. Starring Jerry Seinfeld, this movie has a unique sense of humor that both children and parents will enjoy.

Bee Movie follows Barry B. Benson, a bee who longs for more out of life after he spends some time outside of his hive and falls in love with a human woman. Although the movie makes some strange turns through rom-com and courtroom drama territory, it never loses its spring vibrancy and idiosyncratic sense of humor.

6 Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs

As both producers and directors, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are behind some of the most prolific comedy films—many of which are animated—of recent years. Their directorial debut, however, was the bright and fast-paced children’s book adaptation Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs.

This food-themed romp is an exciting adventure centered on an inventor’s quest to bring a variety of food to his hometown with a machine that makes the sky rain delicious meals. With a plot that spans a heartwarming father-son story arc to an adorable talking monkey, this film is a great springtime watch for families, especially on a rainy day.

5 A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon

The sequel to Shaun The Sheep Movie and the latest from British stop-motion production company Aardman Animations, A Shaun The Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is a sci-fi adventure perfect for spring. The Oscar-nominated movie follows Shaun and friends as they try to help a wayward alien find her way home.

The E.T.-inspired plot is charming, as is the indelible stop-motion animation, which is done in the classic Aardman claymation style. The fact that the film is set on a farm and stars several fluffy animals certainly makes it feel like spring, but families and kids will enjoy the fun hijinks of these characters regardless of the season.

4 Mirai

Japanese anime has long been a fixture in the media diets of American families, and Mirai is one of the best recent additions to the family-friendly anime canon. This magical adventure tells the story of a young boy who travels through time and meets members of his family in their youth as he becomes a big brother in his own time.

Not only is this film absolutely adorable and filled with vibrant spring colors and vibes, but it is also a great film for kids who are soon-to-be siblings. The adventure of protagonist Kun as he learns to be a better big brother to baby sister Mirai will be relatable to children dealing with the complicated feelings of having a new sibling in the house.

3 Back To The Future

This oft-referenced time travel classic may be for the older kids, but it’s still an excellent choice for family movie night, especially during the spring when its bright colors and sense of sci-fi wonder reflect the season. Back To The Future follows 1985 teen Marty McFly as he is accidentally sent back to the year 1955, where he encounters his parents as teenagers.

Kids will probably be fascinated to see this movie’s visions of the 1980s and 1950s, even if they are a little distorted by movie magic. Marty McFly still holds up as a cool teen, as well, and there’s vibrant spring magic in sequences like the Enchantment Under The Sea dance and, of course, the iconic skateboarding scene.

2 How To Train Your Dragon 2

As the second entry in the critically acclaimed DreamWorks Animation franchise How To Train Your Dragon, this film has a built-in legacy and esteem among families. Although the first film is not currently streaming on Netflix, this sequel offers plenty of beautiful animation and fantastical worldbuilding.

In How To Train Your Dragon 2, Hiccup and friends continue their adventures as their new friendly relationship with dragons is tested when they discover the mysterious Dragon Rider. Some of the film does take place in a wintry ice cave, but the film is still a spring-y family hit with its diverse array of gorgeous dragon species and heartwarming family values.

1 The Mitchells Vs. The Machines

The latest film from Sony Pictures Animation, the studio behind Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines has made a big splash on Netflix already. The film’s vibrant aesthetic and heartwarming sense of humor make it a perfect spring watch.

In this movie, Katie Mitchell’s trip to film school is interrupted by her father’s attempts to bond with her by taking a family road trip, which is further interrupted by a robot uprising that threatens the whole world. Some families may see themselves in the Mitchells, but the film’s emotional core has a mass appeal to kids and parents, regardless.

About The Author

Jason Mecchi
(96 Articles Published)

Jason Mecchi is a list writer at Screen Rant. His passions in writing are film and popular culture. He has also written for Midstory. He loves animals, watching movies, reading, and playing video games.

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