While waiting for spring, spend family time inside during bad weather with these 32 comedy favorites. The 32 best family comedy movies ready to stream right now While waiting for spring, spend family time inside during bad weather with these 32 comedy favorites. By Chris Snellgrove and Ilana Gordon :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ILANAGORDONHEADSHOT80577598f8ed442cacff5de184ceb9f5.jpg) Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles. EW's editorial guidelines on March 2, 2026 3:08 p.m.

While waiting for spring, spend family time inside during bad weather with these 32 comedy favorites.

The 32 best family comedy movies ready to stream right now

While waiting for spring, spend family time inside during bad weather with these 32 comedy favorites.

By Chris Snellgrove

and Ilana Gordon

Ilana Gordon is an entertainment, culture, and comedy writer originally from Connecticut. She currently lives in Los Angeles.

EW's editorial guidelines

on March 2, 2026 3:08 p.m. ET

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Moana (voice: Auli'i Cravalho) in 'Moana'; Paddington (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington'; Mirabel (voice: Stephanie Beatriz), Agustín (voice: Wilmer Valderamma), and Julieta (voice: Angie Cepeda) in 'Encanto'. Credit:

Disney; StudioCanal; Disney

Reaching a consensus on what to watch can be hard for any group, but finding something for the whole family adds another challenge — what will entertain both parents and children?

The answer: Something funny.

From the charismatic physicality of *The Princess Diaries* (2001) to the catchy songs in *Moana* (2016) and *KPop Demon Hunters* (2025), the films on this list will spark joy in audiences of any age.

Ahead, here are 32 comedies that make for a fun family movie night.**

Bend It Like Beckham (2002)

Parminder Nagra as Jess (center left) and Keira Knightley as Jules (center right) in 'Bend It Like Beckham'. Christine Parry/Fox Searchlight

This coming-of-age soccer movie (or, rather, football in England, where it's set) catapulted Keira Knightley to movie star status, but it's *Bend It Like Beckham*'s cultural perspective and commentary that truly make it special. The story follows Jess Bhamra (Parminder Nagra), a teen girl obsessed with soccer (and with David Beckham, who gave the film permission to use his name because he wanted to promote girls' soccer).

Feeling suffocated by her strict Indian parents and their hope that she'll someday become a homemaker and devoted wife, Jess secretly joins a soccer team and must juggle responsibilities for both her family and her coach (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). The film resonates with anyone who knows the acute angst of pretending around loved ones to be someone they're not. *—Ilana Gordon*

Where to watch *Bend It Like Beckham*: Disney+

**EW grade:** A

**Director: **Gurinder Chadha

**Cast:** Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Anupam Kher, Juliet Stevenson

Big (1988)

Tom Hanks as Josh in 'Big'.

20th Century Fox Film Corp./Courtesy Everett

*Big* is the ultimate "be careful what you wish for" story. When 12-year-old Josh is too short to hop on a carnival ride and woo his crush, he yearns (with prompting by a fortune-telling machine) to be "big." The boy wakes up the next morning as a grown-up Tom Hanks, whose joy at unexpectedly getting what he wanted is subdued by his new responsibilities and inability to hang with his not-so-big best friend.

Alongside a veteran cast in supporting roles — Elizabeth Perkins as the love interest, John Heard as the jerk co-worker, Robert Loggia as the toy company boss who's inspired by his mysterious new employee's childlike charms — Hanks transformed his career here, proving his dramatic chops and earning his first Oscar nomination. *—Chris Snellgrove*

Where to watch *Big*: Disney+

**Director:** Penny Marshall

**Cast:** Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, Robert Loggia, John Heard, Mercedes Ruehl

Despicable Me (2010)

Minions and Gru (voice: Steve Carell) in 'Despicable Me'.

Universal/Courtesy Everett

*Despicable Me* asks us to root not just for the bad guy, but a proud supervillain, Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), whose army of loyal Minions enthusiastically help their leader pull off his devious plans. To one-up his new villainous (if not pathetic) rival (voiced by Jason Segel), Gru adopts three young girls as part of an elaborate scheme, but they melt his heart quicker than a ray gun. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Despicable Me*: Peacock

**Directors:** Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin

**Cast:** Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Kristen Wiig

Encanto (2021)

Antonio (voice: Ravi Cabot-Conyers) and Toucan (voice: Alan Tudyk) in 'Encanto'. Disney

Like a superhero movie set in a small town, *Encanto* is the story of a Colombian family whose children are endowed with magical abilities. Well, all except Mirabel (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz), who seemingly has no special power but must save her kin anyway.

The uplifting message is perfect for a family movie night, with EW's critic calling it "a smiling tale about familial reconciliation and learning to see your relatives for who they are rather than who you wish they were..." That said, it's Lin-Manuel Miranda's songs — especially "We Don't Talk About Bruno" — that turned *Encanto* into a genuine cultural sensation. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Encanto*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Directors:** Jared Bush, Byron Howard

**Cast:** Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jessica Darrow

Finding Nemo (2003)

Marlin (voice: Albert Brooks) and Dory (voice: Ellen DeGeneres) in 'Finding Nemo'.

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett

*Finding Nemo* is as much about family as it is about fish, following a neurotic clownfish father, Marlin (Albert Brooks), and his young son, Nemo (Alexander Gould). When Nemo's curiosity gets the best of him and he's captured by a diver, his dear old dad is powerless to save him. So, Marlin teams up with a forgetful new friend (Ellen DeGeneres) to bring his son home.

Pixar populates this ocean with entertaining characters and unforgettable dangers, but the thrills won't scare young viewers about taking a dip, even with the presence of a ravenous shark. The resulting film, according to EW's critic, "sustains its own comic universe of intelligent life, a thronging biosphere of amusement simultaneously scaled for children and pitched for knowing adults." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Finding Nemo*: Disney+

**Director:** Andrew Stanton

**Cast:** Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Geoffrey Rush

Freaky Friday (1976)

Jodie Foster as Annabel and Barbara Harris as Mrs. Andrews in 'Freaky Friday'. Everett Collection

Still better than the 2003 remake, the original *Freaky Friday* should be mandatory watching for all teenagers and their parents. The story focuses on a bickering mother and daughter duo (Barbara Harris and Jodie Foster) who switch places with one another for a single day. The results are predictably hilarious, with each one learning that walking a mile in the other's shoes isn't nearly as easy as they had imagined.

Throw in performances from other old-school legends like John Astin and Dick Van Patten, and you've got a classic coming-of-age film that can bring parents and children a little closer. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Freaky Friday*: Disney+

**Director:** Gary Nelson

**Cast:** Jodie Foster, Barbara Harris, John Astin, Patsy Kelly, Dick Van Patten

Home Alone (1990)

Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister and Joe Pesci as Harry Lyme in 'Home Alone'. Everett Collection

*Home Alone* is a kid's fantasy brought to life: 8-year-old Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) is accidentally left behind during his family's overseas Christmas vacation and gets to be the man of the house for a change. When two bumbling thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) attempt to rob his home, Kevin begins an elaborately violent, slapstick battle of wits via booby traps involving a tarantula, paint buckets, and flamethrowers.

According to EW's critic, "The real reason behind *Home Alone*'s gargantuan success, of course, is the unforced, marble-mouthed performance of Macaulay Culkin, a kid whose naturalism is the obverse of every tiny prime-time wiseass from Dennis the Menace to Steve Urkel." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Home Alone*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Chris Columbus

**Cast:** Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern, Catherine O'Hara, John Heard

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

Chance (voice: Michael J. Fox), Shadow (voice: Don Ameche), and Sassy (voice: Sally Field) in 'Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey'.

There are plenty of movies chronicling the triumph of the human spirit, but what about triumphs of sheer animal will? *Homeward Bound* follows three pets temporarily left at a farm while their family moves to the city — but these pets will not be denied. Determined to find their way back to their humans, the wise Shadow, the sarcastic Sassy, and the impulsive Chance attempt to navigate their way home using only their wiles and each other.

While the film doesn't technically qualify as a nature documentary, the shots of the three pets crossing the Sierra Nevada make for some solid cinematography. And if the bickering and bantering between the animal leads doesn't win you over, the ending will take you down. (Heads-up: This is as much of a drama as it is a comedy…) *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Homeward Bound*: *The Incredible Journey*: Disney+

**Director: **Duwayne Dunham

**Cast:** Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Don Ameche

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Marcia Strassman as Diane Szalinski and Rick Moranis as Wayne Szalinski in 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids'. Everett Collection

*Honey, I Shrunk the Kids* mashes together a schlocky sci-fi premise reminiscent of the '50s with the comedic sensibilities of the '80s. Rick Moranis plays a genius inventor whose miniaturization device accidentally shrinks his children to a quarter of an inch. More accurately, the kids actually shrink themselves while messing around in Dad's makeshift lab, but hey, he shouldn't have left that dangerous technology within their reach.

Ignorant of their fate and upset about his professional failures, he destroys his invention, leaving the kids to navigate a world where even ants are major threats. Matt Frewer and Kristine Sutherland provide great supporting performances, but the biggest stars are the memorable practical effects, most of which have held up remarkably well. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids*: Disney+

**Director:** Joe Johnston

**Cast: **Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Marcia Strassman, Kristine Sutherland

The Incredibles (2004)

Dash (voice: Spencer Fox), Violet (voice: Sarah Vowell), Mr. Incredible (voice: Craig T. Nelson), and Elastigirl (voice: Holly Hunter) in 'The Incredibles'.

Walt Disney/Courtesy Everett Collection

In a world where most superhero films have become CGI slurry, *The Incredibles* remains an original genre take that gives us beautiful family dynamics instead of post-credits teasing. The titular family is in the middle of an identity crisis; the government doesn't want "supers" around anymore, so they're stuck in the suburbs and masquerade as (shudder) *normies*.

But their past eventually comes back to haunt them in the form of Syndrome, whom Mr. Incredible ran afoul of years earlier. Vengeance has been brewing ever since — along with plans for world domination, naturally. The result confidently distills the Silver Age of comics into a new Golden Age of animation. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *The Incredibles*: Disney+

**Director:** Brad Bird

**Cast:** Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox, Jason Lee

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Inside Out (2015)

(From left to right): Sadness (voice: Phyllis Smith), Anger (voice: Lewis Black), Fear (top, voice: Bill Hader), Disgust (voice: Mindy Kaling), and Joy (voice: Amy Poehler) in 'Inside Out'.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

The real brilliance of *Inside Out* is that it personifies the stresses of adolescent life. When young Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) moves from Minnesota to San Francisco, her many feelings go haywire. Those emotions get voices of their own: Amy Poehler is Joy, the head of Riley's emotional circuit board; Disgust is a diva courtesy of Mindy Kaling; Sadness is embodied by Phyllis Smith; Fear by Bill Hader; and Anger by famously irate comedian Lewis Black. It's a bold approach to portraying big ideas and even bigger feelings. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Inside Out*: Disney+

**Director:** Pete Docter

**Cast:** Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Mindy Kaling

Klaus (2019)

Jesper (voice: Jason Schwartzman) and Klaus (voice: J.K. Simmons) in 'Klaus'.

Netflix/Everett

*Klaus* is a Santa Claus origin story that's enjoyable any time of year. Starring Oscar winner J.K. Simmons as the film's eponymous hero, *Klaus *tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian lumberman who is recruited by the town's new postman, Jesper* *(Jason Schwartzman), to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his father, the postmaster general, wrong. But when Klaus' toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a community whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. A Spanish/American animated film marking the debut of director Sergio Pablos, *Klaus* offers a new perspective on the gift-giving hero of the Christmas season. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Klaus*: Netflix

**Director: **Sergio Pablos

**Cast: **Jason Schwartzman, J. K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba

KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Zoey (voice: Ji-young Yoo), Rumi (voice: Arden Cho), and Mira (voice: May Hong) in 'KPop Demon Hunters'.

Netflix earned K-Pop cred by introducing audiences to a new genre favorite: *KPop Demon Hunters*. The platform's most-watched movie *ever*, this sci-fi musical follows a group called Huntr/x, which is made up of three performers who also happen to be talented demon slayers. Their most powerful weapon is their voices, which they use to create a magical barrier that prevents demons from entering the human world and feasting on the souls inside.

Huntr/x's path toward demon eradication gets complicated when a demon boy band comes on the scene and starts attracting a fan base of their own. Add in incredible music numbers and some plot twists, and you have a golden opportunity to spend an evening falling in love with Netflix's most upbeat original movie. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *KPop Demon Hunters*: Netflix

**Directors: **Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans

**Cast:** Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim

Labyrinth (1986)

Jennifer Connelly as Sarah and David Bowie as Jareth in 'Labyrinth'.

TriStar Pictures/Courtesy Everett

*Labyrinth* is proof that, in the right director's hands, classic fantasy storytelling translates perfectly to modern viewing. Jim Henson is one such director, and his tale of a young girl (Jennifer Connelly) who must rescue her infant brother from the Goblin King's (David Bowie) Labyrinth before the little one turns into a goblin is as weirdly fascinating now as it was decades ago.

The premise has all the simplicity of a Dungeons & Dragons starter adventure, but that's okay. Its straightforward narrative helps us appreciate how the film sings, literally, thanks to the mesmerizing and earwormy songs performed by the late, great Bowie. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Labyrinth*: Peacock

**Director: **Jim Henson

**Cast:** David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

Edmund Gwenn as Santa Claus, Natalie Wood as Susan Walker, and Maureen O'Hara as Doris Walker in 'Miracle on 34th Street'.

Silver Screen Collection/Getty

A Christmas classic, *Miracle on 34th Street* uses the legal system to remind us all of the magic of Santa Claus. Natalie Wood stars as Susan Walker, a young girl who befriends a man named Kris Kringle (Edmund Gwenn), who believes himself to be the real Santa Claus. When Kringle is fired from his job as a Macy's Santa and threatened with institutionalization, Susan, her mother (Maureen O'Hara), and her mother's friend Fred Gailey (John Payne) rally to save him.

Filmed in black and white, and featuring shots from the real 1946 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, *Miracle on 34th Street* was remade for '90s kids in a project starring Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, and Dylan McDermott, but the original remains the dominant version, and a holiday favorite for all generations. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Miracle on 34th Street*: Disney+

**Director: **George Seaton

**Cast:** Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Gene Lockhart, Natalie Wood

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

Katie (voice: Abbi Jacobsen), Linda (voice: Maya Rudolph), Rick (voice: Danny McBride), and Aaron (voice: Michael Rianda) in 'The Mitchells vs. the Machines'. Sony Pictures Animation

Every family has problems, but the Mitchell family has *big* ones — like a robot apocalypse. In this animated comedy, a dysfunctional family's already messy road trip is thrown into further chaos when robots attempt to take over the world. As the only people left to fight them off, it's up to the Mitchells (voiced by Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, and director Mike Rianda) to take out the machines and save humanity. But, to do that, they'll have to ensure their family's connection to each other is stronger than their connection to their phones and iPads.

In an ironic twist, *The Mitchells vs. the Machines *— whose message warns of the dangers of relying too much on technology — employs both hand-drawn and CGI animation to create its visuals. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Mitchells vs. the Machines*: Netflix

**Director:** Mike Rianda

**Cast: **Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda, Eric André

Moana (2016)

Maui (voice: Dwayne Johnson) and Moana (voice: Auli'i Cravalho) in 'Moana'.

With *Moana 2 *also streaming on Disney+, what better time to revisit the original? Featuring one of the best soundtracks in recent Disney history, *Moana** *is set in Polynesia and tells the story of a young girl who loves the water, but is forbidden by her father from venturing beyond their island. After the ocean chooses her to return a goddess' heart, Moana must brave the sea to save her people. *Moana* features a diverse cast, with special attention paid to the Polynesian myths on which the film is based, and retains all the old Disney magic, but adds a little special something for the new generation. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Moana*: Disney+

**Directors:** John Musker, Ron Clements

**Cast:** Dwayne Johnson, Auliʻi Cravalho, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement

Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Randall Boggs (voice: Steve Buscemi), Sulley (voice: John Goodman), and Mike Wazowski (voice: Billy Crystal) in 'Monsters, Inc.'.

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett

*Monsters, Inc.* taps into the woefully unexplored idea that children may *embrace *cinematic monsters rather than cower from them. Accordingly, the antics of two "top scarers" (John Goodman and Billy Crystal) fall flat when they try to frighten a young girl, but their improbable relationship with her could completely revolutionize how the monsters interact with humanity. The ensuing film combines soul with CGI, fortifying the lofty reputation Pixar had already built by 2001, just six years into its theatrical run.

EW's critic praises the movie for striking the right balance across generations, writing, "Indeed, *Monsters, Inc.* has got that swing, that zippity, multilevel awareness of kids'-eye sensibilities and adult-pitched humor." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Monsters, Inc.*: Disney+

**Director:** Pete Docter

**Cast:** John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly

The Muppets (2011)

Fozzie Bear (voice: Eric Jacobson), Miss Piggy (voice: Eric Jacobson), and Kermit the Frog (voice: Steve Whitmire) in 'The Muppets'.

Scott Garfield/Walt Disney Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Co-writer and star Jason Segel infuses *The Muppets* with all the intense devotion of a true superfan. The story here is very slight: With the help of his girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), Segel's Gary and his Muppet friend Walter must foil a plot by an oil-hungry baddie (played by Chris Cooper, with a full-fledged maniacal laugh) to destroy the Muppet Studio for more of that liquid gold.

Though there have been countless Muppet films (and TV shows), this quality 2011 comedy revitalized the brand for a new era without sacrificing any of its classic charms. As EW's critic explains, "For adults, the movie's gentle, clever, unironic humor feels freshly, trendily retro now, enhanced by laughs provided in cameos from a very up-to-date roster of stars." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *The Muppets*: Disney+

**EW grade: **B+

**Director:** James Bobin

**Cast:** Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones

Paddington (2014)

Paddington (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington'. Everett Collection

There are few things the internet can agree on, but the undisputed dominance of the semi-animated film *Paddington**, *starring beloved children's book character Paddington Bear, just happens to be one of them. Garnering a 96 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes and hailed for its charming script, family-friendly content, and excellent voice acting courtesy of star Ben Whishaw, the movie has since amassed a following of Paddington loyalists, prompting a sequel in 2017 and a threequel released in 2025 (see below).

If you're looking for a heartwarming film, *Paddington* should be number one on your list — and if you need a topical reason to check out the movie, you should know that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced everyone's favorite bear in the film's Ukrainian release. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Paddington*: The Roku Channel

**Director:** Paul King

**Cast: **Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman

Paddington in Peru (2024)

Paddington (voice: Ben Whishaw) in 'Paddington in Peru'.

Britain's fuzziest marmalade enthusiast is back for his third adventure, and this time he's headed home to the jungle. After learning that the bear who raised him after his parents died has gone missing, Paddington convinces his adoptive family to join him on a quest to Darkest Peru to find and rescue his Aunt Lucy.

Of course, nothing on a quest is ever as it seems, and Paddington and the Brown family must contend with gold hunters and scheming villains on their journey. In times of great stress, there's nothing quite like turning on a *Paddington* movie and setting off on a well-mannered adventure. *Paddington in Peru* doesn't reinvent the franchise, but it does not disappoint. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Paddington in Peru*: Netflix

**Director: **Dougal Wilson

**Cast: **Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

The Parent Trap (1998)

Natasha Richardson as Elizabeth James, Lindsay Lohan as Annie and Hallie Parker, and Dennis Quaid as Nick Parker in 'The Parent Trap'.

Call it a tale of two Lohans. In this modern remake of *The Parent Trap*, Lindsay Lohan plays twins who live on opposite sides of the country and switch places as a gambit to reunite their divorced parents (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson). In her feature film debut, Lohan perfectly fills the shoes (all four of them) of original star Hayley Mills, delivering two memorable performances as separated sisters–turned–best friends. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *The Parent Trap*: Disney+

**Director:** Nancy Meyers

**Cast:** Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson

The Princess Bride (1987)

Robin Wright as Buttercup and Cary Elwes as Westley in 'The Princess Bride'. Everett Collection

*The Princess Bride* sounds straightforward: A farmhand (Cary Elwes) meets a princess (Robin Wright) and sparks fly, but their love falters when she's kidnapped by an evil monarch (Chris Sarandon). However, that simple description omits the colorful characters, bizarre adventures, and brilliant dialogue that have helped this film stand the test of time.

A classic sword fight, a pit of despair, a six-fingered man, a lifelong revenge plot, and several rodents of unusual size…no matter how many movies children watch with their parents, none of them quite fit *that* description. Ultimately, every performance, from André the Giant to Mandy Patinkin, is pitch-perfect, and this film is a crown jewel of Rob Reiner's royal reign in Hollywood. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *The Princess Bride*: Disney+

**Director:** Rob Reiner

**Cast:** Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest

The Princess Diaries (2001)

Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse Renaldi and Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis in 'The Princess Diaries'. Everett Collection

Serving as Anne Hathaway's movie debut and breakthrough role, *The Princess Diaries* represents the classic rags to riches story — with a top-notch makeover to boot. Mia Thermopolis (Hathaway) is a nerdy teenager whose primary aspirations in life are to fly under the radar at school and get her best friend's brother to like her back. But when her grandmother (a perfectly cast Julie Andrews) arrives in town and informs her that she's actually the princess of a small European country called Genovia, Mia's plans to remain invisible are thrown out the window.

Director Garry Marshall channels the same energy and charm he brought to *Pretty Woman *(1990), but adds a young adult-appropriate filter. Also notable for featuring Sandra Oh in one of her funniest roles to date, *The Princess Diaries* is a nostalgic modern fairy tale for all ages. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *The Princess Diaries*: Disney+

**Director: **Garry Marshall

**Cast:** Anne Hathaway, Héctor Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore, Caroline Goodall

The Sandlot (1993)

Patrick Renna as Hamilton 'Ham' Porter in 'The Sandlot'. Everett Collection

*The Sandlot*'s picture of adolescence teeters between awkward and awesome. The film follows a group of baseball-loving suburban kids who, during the summer of 1962, navigate the treacherous world of playground insults and a fearsome, ball-gobbling dog dubbed "the Beast."

EW's critic puts the film's nostalgic appeal succinctly in the review, writing, "As the gang learns to work as a team off the field, the movie never loses its quick pace or its sense of fun. Old baseball wisdom: The best teams win with strong fundamentals. So do the best movies." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *The Sandlot*: Disney+

**EW grade: **B+

**Director: **David Mickey Evans

**Cast:** Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Chauncey Leopardi, Marley Shelton

School of Rock (2003)

Rivkah Reyes as Katie and Jack Black as Dewey Finn in 'School of Rock'. Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection

*School of Rock* resonates across generations because everyone wishes they had a teacher as cool as Jack Black's substitute imposter–turned–rock & roll guardian angel, Dewey Finn. He poses as an educator for a talented group of students, but his energetic passion for music and his affection for the kids are completely genuine. And let's be honest, when you're at an uptight prep school, the only true antidote is the infectious energy of a Jack Black type.

As EW's critic notes, "When they finally get up to play at the Battle of the Bands, it's an ecstatic scene, yet you may also wipe away a tear as you realize that Dewey has become a great teacher after all, and that Jack Black, raising his goblet of rock, now rules." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *School of Rock*: Paramount+

**Director: **Richard Linklater

**Cast: **Jack Black, Joan Cusack, Miranda Cosgrove, Mike White, Sarah Silverman

Shrek (2001)

Donkey (voice: Eddie Murphy), Shrek (voice: Mike Myers), Princess Fiona (voice: Cameron Diaz), and Lord Farquaard (voice: John Lithgow) in 'Shrek'.

DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett

Don't monsters and outcasts deserve a happily ever after, too? That's the question at the heart of *Shrek*, the insanely quotable animated classic about an ogre (Mike Myers) who agrees to rescue a beautiful princess (Cameron Diaz) for an awful lord to restore peace in his own swamp. But the damsel isn't in distress, the monster isn't so bad, and some raunchy jokes may go over kids' heads (but will likely delight parents).

In short, EW's critic insists *Shrek *succeeds "because it's such a feisty but good-natured embrace of the inner ogre in everyone, and such an irreverent smackdown of the Establishment in all its 'heigh-ho' tyranny." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Shrek*: Peacock******EW grade**: A******Directors: **Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson******Cast: **Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser (2018)

Shannon Purser as Sierra Burgess and Noah Centineo as Jamey in 'Sierra Burgess Is a Loser'. Netflix

A high school rom-com based on the 19th-century French play *Cyrano de Bergerac*, *Sierra Burgess Is a Loser* is a modern love story in the style of literary adaptations like *Clueless* or *10 Things I Hate About You*. Sierra Burgess (*Stranger Things' *Shannon Purser) is an average-looking American kid, which in rom-com land, makes her worthy of ridicule. Unlike other high school movie protagonists, however, Sierra isn't looking for a glow-up or an invitation to the popular crowd. But when she lands in the middle of a romantic mix-up, Sierra finds herself pretending to be someone else for the first time in her life. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Sierra Burgess Is a Loser*: Netflix

**EW grade:** B

**Director:** Ian Samuels

**Cast: **Shannon Purser, Kristine Froseth, RJ Cyler, Noah Centineo

Toy Story (1995)

Buzz Lightyear (voice: Tim Allen) and Woody (voice: Tom Hanks) in 'Toy Story'.

Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection

*Toy Story* is literally a child's fantasy come to life, imagining a world where toys have lives of their own and reanimate whenever the kids leave the room. However, the status quo enforced by cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) is disrupted by the arrival of spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), who adamantly believes he's an actual intergalactic ranger rather than a plaything. The ensuing power struggle between Woody and Buzz threatens to put their owner's childish things away forever in Pixar's debut feature.

This story's keen sense of childhood wonder was not lost on EW's critic, who writes, "The beauty of *Toy Story* is the way it expresses the essence of child's play — that pretending is the art of dreaming when you're wide awake." *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Toy Story*: Disney+

**Director:** John Lasseter

**Cast: **Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, John Ratzenberger

WALL-E (2008)

WALL-E (voice: Ben Burtt) in 'WALL-E'. Walt Disney Studios/Pixar

If Pixar knows anything, it's how to make existentialism adorable. A film about corporate greed, overconsumption, and overreliance on technology, *WALL-E** *is the animation studio's ninth feature, and arguably one of its best.

The movie follows WALL-E, a roving trash compactor left alone on Earth to consolidate the garbage that caused humans to flee the planet. Director Andrew Stanton knows how to speak volumes with silence, and a good portion of the movie is wordless, or communicated with beeps and other electronic sounds. But a good love story doesn't require much talking, and WALL-E does eventually find a partner — and a purpose — in this beautiful, introspective film. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *WALL-E*: Disney+

**Director: **Andrew Stanton

**Cast:** Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger

Wicked (2024)

Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland and Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp in 'Wicked'.

Giles Keyte/Universal Pictures

Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp and Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland, the movie musical *Wicked* follows these two young women as they enroll in Shiz University, enter into a rivalry, and eventually become best friends — all before a life-altering encounter with the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum).

Adapted from the first act of Stephen Schwartz's long-running Broadway hit (which, itself, is an adaptation of Gregory Maguire's book), the film is visually stunning, with impeccable production design, choreography, and, of course, powerhouse vocals. *Wicked: For Good* (the movie musical version of the second act of the stage show) is now available to rent and streams on Peacock starting March 20. *—I.G.*

Where to watch *Wicked*: Amazon Prime Video

**EW grade: **B

**Director:** Jon M. Chu

**Cast: **Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang

Zootopia (2016)

Judy Hopps (voice: Ginnifer Goodwin), Nick Wilde (voice: Jason Bateman), and Flash the Sloth (voice: Raymond S. Persi) in 'Zootopia'.

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett

Move over, buddy cop films… *Zootopia* has pioneered the "buddy fox" genre. We follow an eager bunny (Ginnifer Goodwin) who has just joined the police force and her reluctant new partner, a sly con artist of a fox (Jason Bateman). Together, they work on a case whose outcome may deeply affect their world's social order, in which predators and prey work alongside each other.

As EW's critic notes, the film brings in "deep socio-political metaphors… plenty of food for thought regarding prejudice and tolerance," and "zany slapstick, zippy one-liners." Its sequel, *Zootopia 2*, is also in theaters. *—C.S.*

Where to watch *Zootopia*: Disney+

**EW grade:** B

**Directors: **Byron Howard, Rich Moore

**Cast:** Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba, Jenny Slate

- Children & Family Movies

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&34;Am I happy to have that job and does it pay very well because it's a successful franchise? Yes,&34; the actress said of the animated Disney franchise. Kristen Bell reacts to rumored $60 million salary for Frozen sequels &34;Am I happy to have that job and does it pay very well because it's a successful franchise? Yes,&34; the actress said of the animated Disney franchise. By Shania Russell :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/ShaniaRussellauthorphoto5934b684845d480caa4485648c39ef2b.jpg) Shania Russell Shania Russell is a news writer at , with five years of experience.

"Am I happy to have that job and does it pay very well because it's a successful franchise? Yes," the actress said of the animated Disney franchise.

Kristen Bell reacts to rumored $60 million salary for Frozen sequels

"Am I happy to have that job and does it pay very well because it's a successful franchise? Yes," the actress said of the animated Disney franchise.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

EW's editorial guidelines

March 2, 2026 5:21 p.m. ET

Kristen Bell and Queen Elsa in 'Frozen 2'. Credit:

Monica Schipper/Getty; Disney

Kristen Bell won't reveal how much she was paid to build a snowman as *Frozen*'s Anna — but she will shut down the internet's wild estimates.

While walking the red carpet ahead of her latest gig as host of the 2026 Actor Awards, Bell denied recent reports claiming that she earned $60 million to reprise her voice role in the upcoming Disney sequels, *Frozen 3 *and *Frozen 4*.

"I think there's been a lot misreported about that *Frozen* deal" Bell told Entertainment Tonight, alluding to the eye-watering number. "No, no, no, no, no that's somebody making a lot of things up."

The hefty figure emerged last November, following a report from TheWrap claiming that Bell and her costars, Idina Menzel and Josh Gad, were each paid $60 million for the two sequels, for a combined $180 million.

Kristen Bell attends the 32nd Annual Actor Awards in Los Angeles on March 1.

Amy Sussman/Getty

Though Bell didn't disclose her salary for the films, she also didn't deny that she has been well-compensated thanks to the worldwide phenomenon that *Frozen* has become.

"Am I happy to have that job and does it pay very well because it's a successful franchise? Yes," Bell told the outlet. "And I'm so grateful for it, and I will continue to do it for the rest of my life if they'll have me."

Afterwards, the actress couldn't help but take one more jab at the pay reports, quipping, "Didn't it sound absurd when you read it? When I read it, I was like, 'Woah, woah, what!'"

** has reached out to Walt Disney Studios for comment.

Hear Kristen Bell and Santino Fontana reunite on new song 12 years after *Frozen*

Josh Gad regrets using his own voice in *Frozen* because he was freaking kids out at the grocery store

*Frozen* has indeed become one of Disney's biggest success stories. The original 2013 film was a $1.3 billion blockbuster success that not only won two Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, but injected the catchy tune of "Let It Go" into the cultural zeitgeist. The film has since spawned a billion-dollar sequel, a Broadway stage musical, theme park attractions, and more — not to mention all the merch featuring Bell's Anna, Menzel's Elsa, and Gad's Olaf.

Sven, Kristoff (voiced by Jonathan Groff), Olaf (voiced by Josh Gad), Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell), Elsa (voiced by Idina Menzel) in 'Frozen 2'.

In 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that Disney has plans to keep the success going with *Frozen 3*, which is slated to hit theaters on November 24, 2027. That same year, Iger hinted that three movies wouldn't be enough, telling GMA, "*Frozen 3 *is in the works and there might be a *Frozen 4* in the works, too."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

While millions of kids are eagerly awaiting their next glimpse of Elsa and Anna, Bell has joked that her daughters are basically immune to the movie's charms.

"They certainly appreciate it in the fact that they can go to college because of it, but they're not part of the *Frozen* phenomenon," she joked back in 2024. "Kids are meant to make you feel grounded, and they're meant to reject things that their parents are involved in. Even if they secretly liked it a lot, they would never tell me."

- Animated Movies

- Frozen (Movie)

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They're baaaaaack. When does Scary Movie 6 come out? Inside the franchise's return (and the horror films being spoofed) They're baaaaaack. By Allison DeGrushe :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/allisondegrusheEWbiophotoe5f8e89253c84b7085a43c502a3051a4.jpg) Allison DeGrushe Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at . She has been working at since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify. EW's editorial guidelines March 2, 2026 3:12 p.m. ET :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/scarymovie6AnnaFarisReginaHall030226ccf2e105de9040939d7356a396e74a2e.

They're baaaaaack.

When does *Scary Movie 6 *come out? Inside the franchise's return (and the horror films being spoofed)

They're baaaaaack.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

EW's editorial guidelines

March 2, 2026 3:12 p.m. ET

Anna Faris as Cindy and Regina Hall as Brenda in 'Scary Movie'. Credit:

Quantrell Colbert/Paramount Pictures

- *Scary Movie 6 *is a "a rebooquel" that picks up 26 years after the original film.

- Marlon and Shawn Wayans return, along with Anna Faris, Regina Hall, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, and a mix of old favorites and new faces.

- The film hits theaters on Friday, June 12.

A sixth *Scary Movie* is fast approaching.

The upcoming film marks the first time the Wayans brothers have returned to the franchise since *Scary Movie 2*, with Marlon, Shawn, and Keenan Ivory teaming up to write the new installment. Marlon recently told ** he came back for three reasons: the end of the Weinstein era, a push from their dad, Howell Stouten Wayans, to get the brothers working together again, and God telling him, "This is what you should be doing."

"I got me and my brothers together to come back to a franchise that we were removed from," he said. "I think the assignment is to bring back the cast, bring back me and my brothers working together, and to bring back big-ass laughs. The world needs a big-ass laugh."

Here's everything you need to know about *Scary Movie 6*, including which original stars are coming back for the new chapter.

What is *Scary Movie 6 *about?

Ghostface in 'Scary Movie'.

Paramount Pictures

*Scary Movie 6 *picks up 26 years after Shorty (Marlon Wayans), Ray (Shawn Wayans), Cindy (Anna Faris), and Brenda (Regina Hall) narrowly escaped Ghostface.

"The Core Four are back in the killer's crosshairs and no horror movie IP is safe," the synopsis reads. They "reunite in *Scary Movie *alongside returning favorites and fresh faces to slash through reboots, remakes, requels, prequels, sequels, spin-offs, elevated horror, origin stories, anything with the word legacy in it, and every 'final chapter' that absolutely isn't final. Nothing is sacred. No trope survives. Every line gets crossed."

Marlon Wayans 'lost 20 lbs' for 'Scary Movie 6,' teases 'equal opportunity offenders' (exclusive)

'Scary Movie' star Regina Hall wonders if movie could be made now, says comedy has changed

Marlon told EW that *Scary Movie 6* isn't just "a complete reboot, starting back where we began the franchise in 2000." It's actually what he calls "a rebooquel."

"This movie is multi-generational. It's a conversation comedically that is needed, that needs to be had from our generation down to … Gen Alpha. And it's all inclusive," he said.

Is there a *Scary Movie 6 *trailer?

Yes, the *Scary Movie 6 *official trailer arrived on Monday, March 2. The first few seconds throw us into a New York City subway (a nod to *Scream 6*) packed with nods to iconic horror villains new and old: Jason from *Friday the 13th*, Leatherface from *Texas Chainsaw Massacre*, the titular killer from *Heart Eyes*, and the campy robot doll from *M3GAN*, to name a few.

M3GAN starts dancing toward a character played by Sydney Park before ripping off its costume to reveal (you guessed it) it's Ghostface.

Then Marlon, back as the stoner Shorty, leans into the camera and declares, "We baaaaaack!"

Olivia Rose Keegan as Sara, Cameron Scott Roberts as Jack, and Savannah Lee Nassif as Tuesday in 'Scary Movie'.

Quantrell Colbert/Paramount Pictures

Fans also see Cindy Campbell and Brenda Meeks finally reunite. Cindy, looking like a frazzled, older Laurie Strode, doesn't think it's a good idea to hug Brenda, who's decked out in an oversized cardigan and a bob that wouldn't be out of place on Octavia Spencer's Ma.

Ray, the last of the core four, finally shows up at Brenda's house during a *Sinners *parody, where a trio crash a Halloween party by spoofing Jack O'Connell's Remmick and his vampire crew.

From there, the trailer goes all-in on the chaos and laughs. Cindy gets lewd with Ghostface and hits a creepy-smiling guy straight out of *Smile*, while Shorty ends up trapped in a *Get Out*-style nightmare. A young kid also gets thrown into space in a *Weapons *parody, Hanson (Chris Elliott) channels Nicolas Cage in *Longlegs*, and in a riff on *Terrifier*, a group of kids open "presents" from Art the Clown, only to find severed body parts.

Marlon Wayans as Shorty in 'Scary Movie'.

Paramount Pictures

Marlon told EW the goal of *Scary Movie 6 *was simple: "What we're trying to do is bring back laughter. This is about bringing back comedy the way it used to be. And I think the only way to do it is you have to cancel the cancel culture," he said, adding, "We're gonna do what we always do. We're gonna make fun of everybody because we're equal opportunity offenders. … We like to be fearless. Yet still do things with kid gloves to let people laugh at themselves."

Reflecting on the shoot, Marlon said, "We laughed all the way through. We let everyone have fun, we let them improvise, and you're gonna see it all over this movie."

Who's in the cast of Scary Movie 6?

Chris Elliott as Hanson parodying Longlegs in 'Scary Movie 6'.

Paramount Pictures

Several familiar faces are back for *Scary Movie 6*.

Marlon and Shawn Wayans return as Shorty and Ray, respectively, while Faris and Hall are be back as onscreen besties Cindy and Brenda. "We can't wait to bring Brenda and Cindy back to life and be reunited with our great friends Keenen, Shawn and Marlon — three men we'd literally die for (in Brenda's case, again)," the actresses said in a statement to EW.

Other franchise vets returning include Elliott as Hanson, Lochlyn Munro as Greg Phillippe, Dave Sheridan as Doofy Gilmore, and Cheri Oteri as Gail Hailstorm.

Newcomers joining the *Scary Movie *universe include Damon Wayans Jr., Kim Wayans, Gregg Wayans, and *Saturday Night Live *alum Heidi Gardner.

Joining them are Sydney Park (*The Walking Dead*), Olivia Rose Keegan (*Days of Our Lives*), Cameron Scott Roberts (*Chicago Fire*), Savannah Lee Nassif (*Julie and the Phantoms*), Benny Zielke, and Ruby Snowber.

Is there a *Scary Movie 6 *release date?

Jon Abrahams as Bobby Prinze in 'Scary Movie 6'.

Paramount Pictures

*Scary Movie 6 *slashes its way into theaters on Friday, June 12.

Where can I watch Scary Movie?

The first three *Scary Movie* films are now streaming on Paramount+, while *Scary Movie 4 *and *5 *are available to rent or buy on Prime Video.

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

- Comedy Movies

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When does Scary Movie 6 come out? Inside the franchise's return (and the horror films being spoofed)

They're baaaaaack. When does Scary Movie 6 come out? Inside the franchise's return (and the horror films bei...

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