Movies based on children's books on Netflix
Last updated January 21, 2025
The Swan Princess
1994 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsBased on the classic tale of "Swan Lake," this animated feature tells the story of Princess Odette, a sweet girl who's turned into a graceful swan by a sorcerer. As a bird, Odette befriends the creatures of the water but hopes to become human again.
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Jumanji
1995 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsWhen two siblings discover an enchanted board game that opens the door to a magical world, they unwittingly invite into their living room a man who's been trapped inside the game for 26 years -- and whose only hope for freedom is to finish the game.
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Arthur and the Invisibles
2006 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsTen-year-old Arthur discovers a world of tiny people living in the backyard of his home, which is slated for demolition. A cryptic message leads Arthur to the mini community, where he searches for a rumored treasure in an effort to save his house.
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The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
2007 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsYoung Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel) watches in awe as the mysterious egg he found on the shores of a nearby loch hatches into something incredible. But how long can he keep his ever-growing secret from his mom (Emily Watson) -- and an increasingly concerned Scottish government? Ben Chaplin, Brian Cox and David Morrissey also star in this enchanting fantasy based on Dick King-Smith's popular children's book.
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The Secret Garden
1975 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsSent to live with her rich uncle after the death of her parents, young Mary Lennox finds much misery and mourning. But a magical outdoor discovery changes everything in this family-friendly drama based on the classic children's novel.
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Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
2011 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsFresh off a top-secret training with the Sisters of the Hood, feisty heroine Little Red teams up with intrepid reporter Wolf to investigate the disappearance of Hansel and Gretel in this animated adventure.
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
2010 | NR | 3.6 out of 5 StarsMiddle school isn't all it's cracked up to be for self-described "wimpy kid" Greg Heffley, who discovers a frightening new world teeming with boys who are taller, tougher and hairier than he is -- and decides to document it all in his diary. Directed by Thor Freudenthal, this kid-friendly comedy based on Jeff Kinney's illustrated novel cast its star by asking kids to submit their auditions online.
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Doctor Dolittle
1967 | NR | 3.5 out of 5 StarsFed up with human patients, the dogged Doctor Dolittle switches specialties -- and species. After learning to speak hundreds of animal languages, he takes to the high seas as a world-famous veterinarian in search of the Great Pink Sea Snail.
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Thomas & Friends: The Greatest Stories
2010 | NR | 3.5 out of 5 StarsThomas the Tank Engine and his friends from the Island of Sodor engine yard have had some pretty amazing adventures over the years, and this best-of collection rounds them up for one convenient viewing.
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Casper's Haunted Christmas
2000 | NR | 3.5 out of 5 StarsCasper faces getting into a heap of trouble with the king of the ghosts unless he frightens at least one person before Christmas Day. But how is such a friendly spook supposed to scare somebody during the merriest time of year?
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Inkheart
2008 | NR | 3.5 out of 5 StarsUnbeknownst to his 12-year-old daughter, Meggie, bookbinder Mo "Silvertongue" Folchart has a secret ability to bring characters to life by reading their stories out loud. But when the wicked Capricorn comes after her father, Meggie must rescue him.
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Hoodwinked
2005 | NR | 3.5 out of 5 StarsIn this nod to "Little Red Riding Hood," investigators uncover a tangled web of events when they're called to Granny's cottage to look into a domestic disturbance involving a sardonic wolf, an ax and a crimson-caped girl.
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Hoot
2006 | NR | 3.4 out of 5 StarsSoon after moving from Montana to Florida, middle schooler Roy Eberhardt (Logan Lerman) befriends Beatrice (Brie Larson), Mullet Fingers (Cody Linley) and a colony of endangered owls, which they work valiantly to protect from greedy developers. Singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett is one of the co-producers behind this family-friendly adventure, based on the Newberry Honor-winning book by Carl Hiaasen. Luke Wilson co-stars.
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Christmas Classics: Vol. 1
1952 | NR | 3.4 out of 5 StarsNine merry and high-spirited holiday cartoons are included in this family-oriented collection from the 1950s, highlighted by the perennial favorite "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and the classic verses of "The Night Before Christmas."
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Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery
2008 | NR | 3.3 out of 5 StarsAs the trains prepare for the Sodor Day celebration, Thomas gets lost in the mountains. When he returns with news that he's discovered an old town called Great Waterton, everyone pitches in to help get the little village ready for the big day.
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A Gift of Munsch
1992 | NR | 3.3 out of 5 StarsWith full theatrics, beloved children's author Robert Munsch performs his favorite stories, including "Something Good," "50 Below Zero," "Purple, Green and Yellow," "Love You Forever," "Murmel, Murmel, Murmel" and "The Paper Bag Princess." Songs from "A Bunch of Munsch" accompany the stories, which tell of a princess in search of her fiancé, a young girl in search of the perfect marker, a young boy whose father sleepwalks and more.
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The Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer
2009 | NR | 3.3 out of 5 StarsA teenage dolphin with a mind of his own sets out on a quest to explore the world beyond the safety of his family's favorite lagoon in this animated film populated by quirky underwater creatures.
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Jack and the Beanstalk
2010 | NR | 3.3 out of 5 StarsThis live-action version of the classic children's story stars Colin Ford as Jack, a student flunking out of fairy tale school who trades his computer for some beans that a pawnbroker (Wallace Shawn) swears will make him worthy of fairy tale legend. When the seeds grow into a mighty beanstalk, Jack and his pal, Jillian (Chloe Moretz), climb into the clouds where a giant guards a magic harp. Gary J. Tunnicliffe directs this family-friendly comedy.
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Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
2004 | NR | 3.3 out of 5 StarsAfter their parents are tragically killed, three orphans are taken in by the dastardly Count Olaf, who hopes to snatch their inheritance from them in director Brad Silberling's take on the best-selling series of darkly funny children's books.
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Gulliver's Travels
2010 | NR | 3.2 out of 5 StarsWhen a trip to the Bermuda Triangle inevitably goes awry, shipwrecked travel writer Lemuel Gulliver (the inimitable Jack Black) finds himself in Lilliput, land of the little people, where he's bound to discover just how much size matters. Jonathan Swift's immortal satire gets a broad comic retelling in this updated adaptation directed by Rob Letterman. Amanda Peet, Emily Blunt and Billy Connolly also star.
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Thomas and the Magic Railroad
2000 | NR | 3.2 out of 5 StarsThomas and friends ride onto the big screen in this feature film based on the series "Thomas the Tank Engine" and "Shining Time Station." The villainous engine Diesel 10 has come to Sodor, and he's stirring up plenty of trouble for its residents.
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Moonbeam Bear and His Friends
2008 | NR | 3.1 out of 5 StarsIn this animated adventure, Mr. Moon falls out of the sky, and it's up to Moonbeam Bear to find him -- which he does. But when Mr. Moon falls asleep after a night of snacks and games, Moonbeam and his pals can't wait to make him glow again.
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Shredderman Rules
2007 | NR | 3.0 out of 5 StarsIn retaliation against school bully Bubba, straight-A student Nolan constructs a cyber superhero named Shredderman using a digital camera, a computer and the Internet. Soon, Shredderman captures Bubba's misdeeds and airs them online.
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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
1987 | NR | 2.9 out of 5 StarsThe first installment of this four-part series, this animated version of the timeless L. Frank Baum tale is narrated by Margot Kidder and follows Dorothy and her friends as they journey down the Yellow Brick Road to the beautiful Emerald City.
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The Emerald City of Oz
1987 | NR | 2.9 out of 5 StarsThe tyrannical Nome King plots vengeance against the people of Oz, and his plan to take over the Emerald City and enslave its denizens may succeed -- with help from an army of monstrous confederates and an invasion specialist named Guph.
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