They’re furry. They’re friends. And they’re on your screens. Whether you and your littlest viewing companions want to sing a catchy song with a class pet, learn about the world of the kinkajou, or just find out what’s really going on inside your cat’s brain, there’s something on Netflix for you and your entire family.
We’ve rounded up 11 movies that feature animals of all sorts, from tiny critters to the larger-than-life variety. These adventures center on creatures who discover new things and learn valuable lessons about navigating the world and interacting with others — humans and animals alike.
Imagine living in a zoo with people pointing and staring at you all day long. Now imagine they’re pointing, staring, and calling you a monster. That’s the reality for the Sydney Zoo’s most feared animals: venomous snake Maddie (Isla Fisher), spider Frank (Guy Pearce), devil lizard Zoe (Miranda Tapsell), and scorpion Nigel (Angus Imrie). These wildly misunderstood creatures decide to break out of captivity on a quest to find home. This animated adventure is a reminder that beauty and goodness are more than just fur deep.
Meet Chickenhare (Jordan Tartakow), an animal that’s half chicken and half hare, but doesn’t feel like he fits in as either one. He hopes to continue his dad’s quest to find the mythical Hamster of Darkness. Along the way, he encounters his evil uncle, ghost hamsters, and an attempted volcano sacrifice. Full of heartfelt moments, the coming-of-age animated movie explores what it means to celebrate who you are and to acknowledge your own skills and talents.
Cats: The great enigma of our world. What are they thinking? Why are they staring at you like that? Why did they jump all the way up there? This is the documentary for any cat lovers in your household, or anyone who’s ever wondered what’s really going on behind those mysterious feline eyes. Interesting, informative, and packed with expert insight, it sheds light on why cats do all the strange things they do.
This animated musical comedy is about a charming but disgruntled classroom pet who is having a midlife crisis at the ripe old age of 74. He decides to share his wisdom with the quirky fifth grade students at the school. The heartfelt movie is a whole family affair: Leo is voiced by Adam Sandler, who also co-wrote the film; Sandler’s wife, Jackie, and daughters, Sunny and Sadie, also voice characters in the film.
Noah Jupe voices Peter, a determined orphan who crosses paths with a fortune teller who instructs him that he must “follow the elephant” in order to be reunited with his long lost sister. It all sets Peter off on a remarkable journey to complete three seemingly impossible tasks that magically change the face of his town forever. The delightful and inspiring movie is based on Newbery Award–winning author Kate DiCamillo’s classic novel.
Based on a true story, this heartfelt movie is proof that a hyperactive border collie and a down-on-his-luck state trooper are a match made in dog heaven. Daniel (Grant Gustin) is a young father who keeps getting rejected by his dream K-9 search and rescue training program. Enter Ruby, who has been adopted and returned to the shelter seven times. The two misfits must find a way to work together so that Daniel can pass the K-9 exam in time.
Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) is a young girl fascinated by the valiant sailors who slay dangerous beasts haunting the deep seas. She reads the lore of their triumphs with beaming pride, hoping to venture off on her own someday. But when she sneaks onto the ship of her most beloved hero, Jacob (Karl Urban), the two bond over the question of whether sea monsters are so monstrous after all. The voice cast of the Oscar-nominated movie also includes Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Dan Stevens.
Head deep inside the animal kingdom, where a tiny woodland creature named Ollie (voiced by Michael B. Jordan) and a regal bird named Ivy (voiced by Juno Temple) must swap bodies (and perspectives) to save their lush and magical wilderness. The two sworn enemies are forced to walk in each other’s feathers and fur as they embark on a wild journey together. The animated family adventure is a big-hearted story about empathy, teamwork, and protecting the world we share.
Some people might say unicorns aren’t real, but this pony would beg to differ. Thelma (Brittany Howard) has big dreams of becoming a glamorous music star, and in a glitter-filled twist of fate, she’s transformed into a sparkling pink unicorn who instantly rises to global stardom. But life at the top comes at a cost, and Thelma will have to decide if this is what she really wants. The animated comedy is based on the popular book series by Aaron Blabey.
Get ready to learn about the kinkajou — a rainforest mammal who counts raccoons as cousins, for those not up on their cute creature terminology — and have some catchy tunes stuck in your head. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the film’s original songs and voices the titular kinkajou who embarks on a journey to deliver a love song for an old friend. It’s full of lessons about how to manage grief after losing a loved one, and how to nurture creativity even when your parents don’t fully support you.
This animated film explores what having a “rich” family really means. When a working-class college student in Shanghai, Din Song (Jimmy Wong), gets his hands on a magical teapot with a wish dragon, he must use his three wishes as wisely as he can. Might it be possible to rekindle a bond with a now-wealthy childhood friend, even though they live very different lives? John Cho voices the comical request-granting creature, Long, joined by a cast including Constance Wu, Jimmy O. Yang, and Ronny Chieng.
