13 Best 90s Movies to Watch With Kids
Remember when every movie you loved was on a VHS tape stored in a giant plastic clamshell? Our kids will never know how difficult it is to open one of these things to watch their favorite Disney classics. On the bright side, with streaming, you can still show them what made ’90s family movies so great—without the hassle of going to a blockbuster movie (and no need to rewind). Here are 13 ’90s family films that are still relevant today, from little-known animated masterpieces to great book adaptations.
The Mighty Ducks (1992)
It’s never too early to show your kids an inspiring sports movie. You probably already know the plot of this movie (or might have guessed it if you’ve ever seen any other sports movies): a stubborn coach teaches the league’s worst youth team the power of teamwork, helping him out with some nice montages. . What makes this movie different is that the team (which eventually inspired an actual NHL franchise) expects from their coach what he expects from them, and throws him to the wind when he doesn’t deliver.
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.
Cats Don’t Dance (1997)
Chances are you’ve missed this colorful animated gem at some point. Due to the Time Warner/Turner Broadcasting merger, the studio’s marketing department forgot about him, so he quickly came and went from theaters. But those who have seen it love it for its songs (written by Randy Newman), animated choreography (designed by the late, great Gene Kelly) and a funny story about a cat named Danny who dreams of breaking into Hollywood.
Where to watch: Tubi, The Roku Channel, digital rental.
Baby: Pig in the City (1998)
You and your kids don’t have to see the first Baby to appreciate its excellent sequel (though you won’t mind watching it either). Using the vibrant color palette and visual flair he recently brought to the Mad Max: Fury Road franchise, director George Miller builds a gritty yet dreamy metropolis that tests the optimism of his hero, a little pig trying to save his farm from bankruptcy. While this fact may not mean much to your kids, this movie is musician Tom Waits’ favorite movie , which makes it a lot cooler than your average kids movie.
Where to watch: Starz, digital rental.
Goofy Movie (1995)
The ’90s had its fair share of pop stars, but none reached the heights that “Stand Out” singer Powerline achieved when he appeared on the spin-off television series Goof Troop . The film follows the journey of the titular father and his teenage son Max and the inevitable evil eye that follows. When you show this cult classic to your kids, you can tell them how Powerline inspired Justin Bieber to become a performer (not true).
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.
Matilda (1996)
Just like today, the ’90s were filled with Roald Dahl adaptations and reboots. There was James and the Giant Peach , The Witches, and this quirky little movie about a young girl who uses her intelligence and psychic powers to get revenge on the sadistic adults around her. Director Danny Devito (who also plays Matilda’s terrible father) uses low angles to convey Matilda’s literal point of view, a trick that makes the film visually appealing to the target audience who will appreciate some fantastic jokes as Matilda plays pranks on her parents and tries to stay one step ahead his monstrous bully, the school principal. If your kids are into it, Netflix’s recent musical adaptation is a great chaser (although the plots are slightly different).
Where to watch: digital rental.
Life with Mikey (1993)
Michael J. Fox breaks WC Fields’ rule of never working “with children or animals” in this film about a former child star turned talent agent trying to find work for his new pint-sized client. Add in Broadway stars like Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski, Mandy Patinkin (in a cameo), and a young (and somewhat horny) David Krumholtz, and you have the makings of a fun family comedy.
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.
Mouse Hunt (1997)
Speaking of Nathan Lane, the actor’s physical comedy acting skills were put to the test in this classic about a pair of brothers trying to flip their father’s house to make a small fortune. There’s just one problem: the tiny mouse living within his walls won’t leave, leaving the duo with no choice but to exterminate it by any means necessary. Remember Home Alone with the rodent.
Where to watch: Prime Video, Paramount+, Fubo TV, MGM+, digital rental.
Fly Home (1996)
Before they became a couple in Noah Baumbach’s The Squid and the Whale , Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin played a father and daughter who build a goose-shaped glider so they can lead a flock of geese on their first migration south for the winter. Assuming your kids don’t like mid-2000s arthouse films, the pairing of these two actors won’t affect their enjoyment of this touching, visually stunning film.
Where to watch: digital rental.
The Parent Trap (1998)
Yes, Nancy Meyers, the creative force behind just about every romantic comedy you’ve loved since the ’90s, co-wrote and directed the remake of the Disney classic about a pair of twins (both played by Lindsay Lohan, really winning in her debut role). who plan to reunite their divorced parents. Although this version borrows heavily from the 1961 original, it stands alone and is filled with humor that will appeal to adults and children alike.
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.
Casper (1995)
Finding a ghost story that your kids will enjoy without scaring them is challenging. But somehow in the 90s they got it right. Based on the beloved comic book and cartoon, Casper focuses more on slapstick than scares, with the addition of a sweet (and innocent) teen love story: Christina Ricci plays a young teenager who moves into a dilapidated old house with her ghostbuster father, who is shocked , discovering that there are real ghosts living here, including one very friendly one.
Where to watch: digital rental.
Sandbox (1993)
I know I’ve already included one sports movie on this list, but if I had missed this one, I know it would have appeared in the comments. If you’re not familiar with this classic, the plot revolves around a group of neighborhood boys who try to retrieve a valuable Babe Ruth-autographed baseball from their neighbor’s backyard, guarded by his huge, slobbering mastiff. What makes it memorable are the vignettes scattered throughout the film, each capturing a genuine slice of childhood whimsy.
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.
Harriet the Spy (1996)
Before Mean Girls introduced the concept of “burning books” into the cultural lexicon, there was Harriet the Spy . Based on the novel by Louise Fitzhugh, the film follows schoolgirl Harriet as she writes down all her thoughts about her friends in her notebooks. But when one of her volumes is discovered by a classmate who shares all the secrets inside, her friends begin to distance themselves from her. While there is a clear moral to be drawn from Harriet’s machinations, the journey to get there is a fascinating journey.
Where to watch: Hoopla, Paramount+, Fubo TV, digital rental.
Muppet Treasure Island (1996)
Since your kids are probably not old enough to watch Clue or The Rocky Horror Picture Show , you can introduce them to the genius of Tim Curry with this wacky adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel about pirates and treasure. They won’t be disappointed.
Where to watch: Disney+, digital rental.