Non-stop momentum keeps the story moving as the gang trying to get back to New York and getting pursued by European animal control officers.
The funny trivia about the movie is that it’s co-written by Noah Baumbach ( Marriage Story) of all people, but the truth is that it’s also the best of the three flicks, featuring Alex (Ben Stiller), Marty (Chris Rock), Melman (David Schwimmer), and Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith). Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippo find their way to Africa. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africaīen Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, and Jada Pinkett Smith return to voice the characters from the 2005 family hit in this blockbuster sequel. Based on the manga Lupin III, this is a visually striking adventure film that crosses all cultures and demographics. This 1979 Japanese animated comedy really changed movie history in that it’s the feature film debut of the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, who would go on to found Studio Ghibli, the most important animation studio of the modern age. Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro Kung Fu Panda really launched a franchise, which include not only two sequels but short films, an animated series, several video games, and even a traveling show. The original Jack Black vehicle and its 2011 sequel are both on Netflix, and both worth the time for families in search of something to watch this weekend. It’s hard to believe that the first movie about the panda who learned kung fu came out all the way back in 2008. It doesn’t have to be Christmas to watch it. A throwback to the gorgeous days of hand-drawn animation, it’s a visually striking piece of work with an original holiday story to tell. People who had seen it were less surprised. The most shocking Oscar nomination this year came when this Netflix holiday original landed in the Best Animated Film category with much-bigger films like Toy Story 4. Check it out (and its sequel) to find out why. The love for this film has sustained while so many other ‘80s flicks have been forgotten by history.
Miyagi, unforgettably played by Pat Morita. Ralph Macchio became a household name after starring in this 1984 family film about a kid who learns the art of karate from a master named Mr. This more traditional version of the story involves a supernatural board game that comes to life and causes all kinds of family movie chaos. Long before Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart ever considered the word Jumanji, Robin Williams starred in the first adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg’s book, released way back in 1995. Original music, original storytelling, and an original vision-this is the kind of family filmmaking that should be embraced. A lavish production, it’s a musical telling of an original story about a toymaker who finds his creative drive again through his granddaughter. It feels like Netflix has developed another Christmas classic in this 2020 offering that wowed critics and viewers over the holiday season. It’s a gorgeous, moving story of family and legacy. The original is still the undeniable masterpiece, but both sequels are nearly as good, including this 2014 story of how Hiccup reunites with his mother, voiced by Cate Blanchett.
And now you can relive your youth on Netflix! How to Train Your Dragon 2Īny conversation about the best cinematic trilogies ever simply must include the DreamWorks films about Hiccup and his dragon Toothless. If you were just the right age when Hook came out in theaters, you love this movie no matter what any of the critics say. Steven Spielberg’s 1991 blockbuster reimagining of Peter Pan is one of the master director’s most controversial films. She plays the title character, the teenage sister of the famous Sherlock Holmes, who gets involved in a mystery of her own. In a year when there were too many Netflix original movies every week to watch them all, one of the few true surprises was this wonderful family action film that further proves that Millie Bobby Brown is going to be a massive star. The first film is arguably still the best, detailing the softening of a supervillain, memorably voiced by Steve Carell. No one involved in this 2010 CGI family blockbuster could have foreseen the veritable industry it would spawn, including two direct sequels, another franchise in the Minions movies, toys, video games, and more. They’re funny, smart, and as sweet as maple syrup.
There’s kind of been a weird revolving door thing wherein one of the two movies based on the beloved book Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is available on a streaming service (usually the second one), but it looks like the stars have finally aligned: Both movies and the TV series are on Netflix now! Watch ‘em while you can.