The loveliest family films for rainy weather, weekends and cosy evenings

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Sometimes you don't need a big outing at all to have a lovely time as a family. Especially on rainy days, after a full week, or on cosy weekend evenings, watching a film together can be exactly the right thing: a blanket on the sofa, popcorn in the bowl, and everyone gets to switch off for a couple of hours.

So that it's not always the same classics, here you'll find a mix of well-known family films, imaginative animated films, warm-hearted stories and a few special films that not every family may already have on their radar.

The 20 loveliest family films for cosy days

1. Zootopia

Zootopia is a modern Disney film that's fun for kids while offering plenty for adults too. The rabbit Judy Hopps wants to be taken seriously as the first rabbit police officer in the big city of Zootopia. Together with the fox Nick Wilde, she uncovers an exciting case.

The film is colourful, witty and still not shallow. It's about prejudice, courage, friendship and not judging others too quickly.

Well suited to: children from around age 6
Especially lovely for: family movie nights, weekends, older kindergarten children and primary school children

2. Zootopia 2

Zootopia 2 is the sequel to Zootopia and brings Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde back to the big screen. The film was released on 26 November 2025 and has a running time of 1 hour and 48 minutes, according to Disney. (Disney Germany)

If your children liked the first part, Zootopia 2 is a lovely choice for a current family movie night. It's especially exciting that the world of Zootopia is expanded and new characters are added.

Well suited to: families who already know Zootopia
Especially lovely for: a movie night with a sequel

3. How to Train Your Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon is one of those films that combines adventure, humour and heart really well. Hiccup lives in a Viking village where dragons are supposed to be enemies. But when he meets the injured dragon Toothless, he realises that a lot of things are different from what everyone believes.

The film is exciting, emotional and visually beautiful. The friendship between Hiccup and Toothless in particular makes it a great family film.

Well suited to: children from around age 6–7
Especially lovely for: families who enjoy adventure films

4. Matilda

Matilda tells the story of an exceptionally clever girl growing up in a family who doesn't understand her. At school she meets the kind teacher Miss Honey, but also the terrifying headmistress Miss Trunchbull.

The film is imaginative, a little quirky and very heart-warming at the same time. Children who love books, magic and strong child characters in particular could love Matilda.

Well suited to: children from around age 7
Especially lovely for: rainy days, book lovers and cosy afternoons

5. Spirited Away

Spirited Away is a special animated film from Studio Ghibli. It is quieter, more poetic and more mysterious than many classic children's films. Chihiro finds herself in a magical world full of spirits, strange creatures and trials.

The film is beautiful, but at times also a little dark and intense. That's why it suits older children better, or families who watch together and can explain things along the way.

Well suited to: children from around age 8–10
Especially lovely for: families who like imaginative, unusual films

6. The Land Before Time

The Land Before Time is an emotional dinosaur classic. At its centre is the little long-neck Littlefoot, who sets off on a long journey with other young dinosaurs.

The film is touching and at times sad, but also told very lovingly. Especially for children who like dinosaurs, it's a lovely classic – though it's worth knowing that it is more emotionally intense than many modern animated films.

Well suited to: children from around age 6
Especially lovely for: dinosaur fans and quiet movie afternoons

7. The Iron Giant

The Iron Giant is a beautiful, slightly less obvious family film. A boy befriends a huge robot from outer space. While adults see the giant as a danger, the boy realises he is actually peaceful.

The film has a lot of heart and deals with themes such as fear, friendship and prejudice. It's a great film for families who don't always want to watch just the very well-known Disney or Pixar titles.

Well suited to: children from around age 7
Especially lovely for: families who enjoy emotional adventures

8. Ernest & Celestine

Ernest & Celestine is a quiet, lovingly drawn animated film about an unusual friendship between a bear and a small mouse. In their world, bears and mice are supposed to have nothing to do with each other – yet Ernest and Celestine prove otherwise.

The film is gentle, artistic and very charming. Perfect for families looking for a film without a lot of noise and sensory overload.

Well suited to: children from around age 5
Especially lovely for: quiet afternoons and younger children

9. Kiki's Delivery Service

Kiki's Delivery Service is a loving Studio Ghibli film about a young witch girl who moves to a new town and starts her own delivery service there. The film tells, calmly and warm-heartedly, what it's like to become more independent, to doubt yourself and to find your own place.

Compared to many modern children's films, Kiki's Delivery Service is less loud and less hectic. That's exactly why it suits a cosy family evening so well, especially if you're looking for a film that's imaginative, gentle and not too exciting.

Well suited to: children from around age 5–6
Especially lovely for: quiet afternoons, fantasy fans and cosy evenings

10. Paddington

Paddington is a very warm-hearted family film about a little bear who comes from Peru to London and ends up with a family there. The film is funny, kind and full of little chaotic moments.

Paddington is especially well suited when you're after something light, cheerful and still loving. Adults can relax very well with this film too.

Well suited to: children from around age 5
Especially lovely for: Sunday afternoons and families with younger children

11. Paddington 2

Paddington 2 is even more charming than the first part. The little bear wants to buy a special gift and ends up in a big adventure along the way.

The film is colourful, witty and made with incredible warmth. A lovely choice if you're looking for a film that really puts you in a good mood.

Well suited to: children from around age 5
Especially lovely for: a friendly, cosy family evening

12. Ronja the Robber's Daughter

Ronja the Robber's Daughter is a wonderful family classic based on Astrid Lindgren. Ronja grows up in a robbers' castle and gradually discovers the world outside her family. Along the way she meets Birk, the son of the rival band of robbers.

The film is close to nature, adventurous and told calmly at the same time. The theme of friendship across family divides is especially lovely.

Well suited to: children from around age 6–7
Especially lovely for: families who like Astrid Lindgren

13. Little Nicholas

Little Nicholas is a French family film full of charm. It tells the everyday story of a boy, his friends, his family and small misunderstandings that feel huge from a child's point of view.

The film isn't loud or over the top, but rather warm, witty and nostalgic. A good choice if you want to watch something other than classic animated films.

Well suited to: children from around age 6
Especially lovely for: families who like light, humorous films

14. My Neighbor Totoro

My Neighbor Totoro is another Studio Ghibli film and especially lovely for quieter family evenings. Two sisters move to the countryside with their father and discover mysterious creatures there, including the friendly forest spirit Totoro.

The film is gentle, imaginative and less dramatic than Spirited Away. It suits children who like magical stories but don't need very exciting or loud films.

Well suited to: children from around age 5–6
Especially lovely for: quiet evenings, nature fans and younger children

15. Song of the Sea

If you don't know Song of the Sea yet, this film is especially worth it as an insider tip. It's not a typical mainstream family film, but rather a quiet, artistic fairy tale.

The story is emotional, but not frantic. Especially for families who want to watch something other than Disney, Pixar or DreamWorks now and then, this film is a lovely discovery.

Well suited to: children from around age 6–7
Especially lovely for: quiet rainy days

16. The Mitchells vs. the Machines

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a modern, fast-paced and very funny animated film. A slightly chaotic family suddenly has to save the world from a robot takeover.

The film is noticeably wilder and louder than many other films on this list, but it also has a lovely message about family, being different and sticking together.

Well suited to: children from around age 8
Especially lovely for: older children, teenagers and families who enjoy humour

17. Luca

Luca is a sunny, light Pixar film about friendship, summer, courage and the feeling of belonging. Two boys have a small adventure on the Italian coast – with a magical secret.

The film isn't too hectic and has a very warm atmosphere. Especially on grey rainy days, Luca brings a bit of summer feeling into the living room.

Well suited to: children from around age 6
Especially lovely for: cosy afternoons and summer wanderlust

18. Coco

Coco is a colourful and emotional film about family, music and memory. The boy Miguel wants to become a musician and ends up, through an adventure, in the land of the dead.

The film is beautiful, but also emotional. For sensitive children it can be sad in places, while at the same time it's told very lovingly and gives a real sense of strength.

Well suited to: children from around age 7
Especially lovely for: families who like music and emotional stories

19. The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden is a quiet, fairy-tale-like story about a girl who, after a stroke of fate, comes to live in a large house and discovers a hidden garden there.

The film is less action-packed, but atmospheric and lovely for children who enjoy nature, secrets and quieter stories.

Well suited to: children from around age 7
Especially lovely for: cosy afternoons and families looking for quiet films

20. Red Zora

Red Zora (Die rote Zora) is an adventure film that's a bit different from classic family films. It's about a group of children who stick together, stand up against injustice and find their own way.

The film suits older children better because it's more serious than many animated films. In return, it offers a nice change of pace if you don't always want to watch fantasy or animal films.

Well suited to: children from around age 8–10
Especially lovely for: families with older children

Which family films suit which age?

Especially suited to younger children:

• Paddington

• Paddington 2

• My Neighbor Totoro

• Ernest & Celestine

• Luca

Well suited to primary school children:

• Zootopia

• How to Train Your Dragon

• The Land Before Time

• Matilda

• Coco

• The Iron Giant

Especially lovely for older children and teenagers:

• Spirited Away

• The Mitchells vs. the Machines

• Red Zora

• The Secret Garden

• Zootopia 2

Ideas for a cosy family movie night

A movie night often becomes even nicer with a little preparation. It doesn't take much for that:

Popcorn, cosy blankets, warm socks, children's punch, snack plates, board games for afterwards or a little movie-night set can make the evening especially cosy.

LED lights (affiliate link) create a cosy atmosphere; for the time after the film, a HABA family game (affiliate link) is a good fit.

Also lovely: let each family member pick a film from a small shortlist. That way there's less discussion and everyone gets a turn.

Conclusion: family films don't always have to be the same classics

Whether it's rainy weather, a weekend or a quiet evening after a full day – a good family film can be a simple and lovely activity to share. It gets especially exciting when you don't always pick the best-known films, but also try quieter, international or older ones now and then.

From Zootopia to How to Train Your Dragon to Spirited Away, Ernest & Celestine or Song of the Sea, there are many films that children and adults can enjoy together.