20 Best Family Movies on Starz 2026
Browse family-friendly Starz picks, from Nacho Libre and Good Burger to Dakota and Big Trip 2, with comedies, adventures, and more for movie night.
If you’re hunting for a movie night that keeps kids entertained and adults interested, this roundup of family-friendly picks on Starz makes the search easier. You’ll find crowd-pleasers like Nacho Libre, Zookeeper, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and Good Burger, plus more offbeat options such as The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet and Across the Great Divide. The lineup mixes comedy, sport, fantasy, and a little romance, so there’s something here for different ages and moods. We’ve also included newer titles like Dakota and Big Trip 2: Special Delivery, giving you a fresh mix alongside classics from 1976 through 2022.
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01
Zookeeper
comedy · family · fantasy · romance
Kindhearted Griffin Keyes is one of the best-loved caretakers at the Franklin Park Zoo, but he's more comfortable with the animals than with females of his own species as proven by his failed marriage proposal to the self-absorbed Stephanie several years ago. The animals have listened to Griffin pine over her for years and, after she reappears in his life, they decide to help Griffin rekindle the relationship and become the alpha male she wants him to be. They inadvertently reveal their secret ability to talk and, after Griffin's initial shock, teach him the rules of courtship, animal-style. Surprisingly, the animals' advice really works and Griffin is about to get everything he's ever dreamed of--or is he?
Directed by Frank CoraciCast Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, Ken Jeong, Donnie WahlbergAmazon Prime VideoStarz -
02
Across the Great Divide
adventure · drama · family · western
Two orphans set out to claim their inheritance - a 400 acre plot of land in Salem Oregon. To Do so they must cross the rugged snow covered Rocky Mountains in the year 1876.
Directed by Stewart RaffillCast Robert Logan, Heather Rattray, Mark Edward Hall, George 'Buck' Flower, Hal BokarStarz -
03
Paul Blart: Mall Cop
action · comedy · crime · family
When a shopping mall is taken over by a gang of organized crooks, it's up to a mild-mannered security guard to save the day.
Directed by Steve CarrCast Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell, Jayma Mays, Raini Rodriguez, Shirley KnightStarz -
04
Dakota
drama · family
Dakota, an ex-service dog, joins single mum Kate and her daughter Alex to live on their small-town family farm. Dakota quickly adjusts to her new home and becomes somewhat of a local hero, soon becoming inseparable from Alex. But when the farm’s existence is threatened by the town’s rogue sheriff, Dakota must help the family band together and save the land.
Directed by Kirk HarrisCast Abbie Cornish, William Baldwin, Patrick Muldoon, Tim Rozon, Roberto DavideStarz -
05
Big Trip 2: Special Delivery
animation · adventure · comedy · family
It has been a year since Mic Mic and Oscar returned from their incredible adventure. And now, after a diabolical plan by Vulture to sabotage the delivery of the Grizzly cub to his opponent in the American presidential elections, Mic Mic, Oscar, Panda teenager and Stork set off on another great adventure as they ride a zeppelin to return little Grizzly to its rightful parents and save the American elections and the whole continent from an erupting volcano.
Directed by Natalya Nilova, Vasiliy RovenskiyCast Daniel Medvedev, Bernard Jacobsen, Stephen Thomas Ochsner, Liza Klimova, Kate LannStarz -
06
Star Kid
adventure · family · sci-fi
Shy seventh-grader Spencer Griffith's life changes when the meteor falls into local junkyard and he finds a Cybersuit - the wise and strong robot from another galaxy. Spencer puts Cybersuit on and becomes a different kind of guy
Directed by Manny CotoCast Joseph Mazzello, Joey Simmrin, Alex Daniels, Arthur Burghardt, Brian SimpsonStarz -
07
Summertime Dropouts
comedy · family
Best friends and classmates Dave, Joe, and Danny put together a pop punk band, Summertime Dropouts. Seizing the opportunity to play at Warped Tour, the guys must prepare for the big day. Between work, school, and relationships, the band comes to the realization that the road to fame isn't an easy journey.
Directed by Jhene ChaseCast Nicholas Podany, Crystal Lake Evans, Caleb Donahoe, Melanie Brook, Takaya LloydStarz -
08
Monster Zone
animation · adventure · family · fantasy · horror
An intelligent 15-year-old high school student is unexpectedly transferred to a boarding school where he opens a portal of monsters from another dimension.
Directed by Leopoldo AguilarCast Jamie Bell, Ruby Rose, Idzi Dutkiewicz, Ellie Piercy, Terry MynottStarz -
09
Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2
action · comedy · crime · family
Security guard Paul Blart is headed to Las Vegas to attend a Security Guard Expo with his teenage daughter Maya before she departs for college. While at the convention, he inadvertently discovers a heist - and it's up to Blart to apprehend the criminals.
Directed by Andy FickmanCast Kevin James, Raini Rodriguez, Neal McDonough, Daniella Alonso, Eduardo VerásteguiStarz -
10
H is for Happiness
comedy · drama · family
A twelve-year-old girl with boundless optimism and a unique view of the world is inspired by the strange new boy at school, and sets out to mend her broken family – whatever it takes.
Directed by John SheedyCast Miriam Margolyes, Daisy Axon, Alessandra Tognini, Talissa Mansfield, Chenae WrefordStarz -
11
Oddball
adventure · family
An eccentric chicken farmer, with the help of his granddaughter, trains his mischievous dog Oddball to protect a penguin sanctuary from fox attacks in an attempt to reunite his family and save their seaside town.
Directed by Stuart McDonaldCast Shane Jacobson, Sarah Snook, Alan Tudyk, Coco Jack Gillies, Richard DaviesStarz -
12
Imagine That
comedy · drama · family · fantasy
A financial executive who can't stop his career downspiral is invited into his daughter's imaginary world, where solutions to his problems await.
Directed by Karey KirkpatrickCast Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Yara Shahidi, Ronny Cox, Stephen RannazzisiStarzParamount Plus -
13
Race To Win
drama · kids & family
After losing her father, a young women must find the strength to face her fears and compete in the race of her life or her family will lose everything.
Directed by Teddy SmithCast Danielle Campbell, Luke Perry, Aiden Flowers, Candice Michele Barley, Amy BrassetteStarz -
14
A Cowgirl's Story
drama · family
Dusty Rhodes is new at Jefferson High, and she sticks out like a... well, a cowgirl. Dusty is a real cowgirl from Texas. Her parents are in the U.S. Army: her mother a helicopter pilot and her father a Special Forces Army Ranger. At first, Dusty is an outcast, but eventually she makes friends with a group that includes Savanah, a girl whose father was killed while fighting in Iraq three years earlier. Even though Savanah is kind of Goth and Dusty is all cowgirl they have a special connection and they bond. Dusty gets the school to agree to an Equestrian Drill Team and she enlists her new city slicker friends to join the team. As Dusty and the team practice, Dusty deals with the fears that come with her mother fighting in Afghanistan.
Directed by Timothy ArmstrongCast Bailee Madison, Monica Lawson, Starla Christian, Kai Schulz, Jake DavidsonStarz -
15
Bernie The Dolphin
adventure · comedy · family
A brother and sister who befriend a badly sunburned dolphin separated from his family and uncover a secret plan that could destroy the beach and their new friend's home. The kids must devise a clever plan to stop the bad guys, protect the sea life, and, most importantly, save their best friend, Bernie.
Directed by Kirk HarrisCast Lola Sultan, Logan Allen, Kevin Sorbo, Stelio Savante, Jimel AtkinsStarz -
16
Pegasus: Pony with a Broken Wing
family
It’ll take a miracle to save the Killian family’s ranch… but miracles come in all shapes and sizes. Just as a greedy developer plans to take over their ranch, tween girl Sydney Killian and a neighbor boy find a mysterious pony with an injured wing. As they secretly heal the creature, they find the pony’s magical powers could change their fortunes forever.
Directed by Giorgio SerafiniCast Jonathan Silverman, Charisma Carpenter, Tom Arnold, Eliza Jarrett, Jordan ElsassStarz -
17
Dakota's Summer
drama · family
Cowgirls 'n Angels Dakota's Summer tells the story of Dakota Rose, a cowgirl and competitive trick rider who finds out at the age of seventeen that she was adopted. She secretly sets out to discover the truth about her adoption and meet her birth parents while visiting her grandfather, rodeo legend Austin Rose. At Austin's ranch on break from the Sweethearts of the Rodeo trick riding team, Dakota discovers that family is not defined by blood, but rather personal commitment and by the love they share. Finally at peace, Dakota trains with Austin in order to prepare to rejoin the Sweethearts for their final competition against the talented Lone Star trick riding team and become the champion trick rider she was destined to be.
Directed by Timothy ArmstrongCast Haley Ramm, Bryan Dechart, Glynn Turman, Emily Bett Rickards, Walt RobertsStarz -
18
The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature
animation · kids & family · action & adventure · comedy · crime
When the evil mayor of Oakton decides to bulldoze Liberty Park and build a dangerous amusement park in its place, Surly Squirrel and his ragtag group of animal friends need to band together to save their home, defeat the mayor, and take back the park.
Directed by Cal BrunkerCast Will Arnett, Maya Rudolph, Bobby Cannavale, Bobby Moynihan, Isabela MercedStarz -
19
Red Dog: True Blue
comedy · drama · family · romance
When eleven-year-old Mick is shipped off to his grandfather's cattle station in Western Australia, he befriends a scrappy, one-of-a-kind dog that will change his life forever.
Directed by Kriv StendersCast Jason Isaacs, Levi Miller, Bryan Brown, Hanna Mangan Lawrence, Thomas CocquerelStarz -
20
Sea Level
animation · adventure · comedy · family
Pup, a bamboo shark, discovers egg sacs while playing around the ocean with his friends. When he sees human poachers stealing the eggs from his reef, Pup makes it his mission to save his family. As he leaves the sea and enters the beautiful, yet dangerous, world of humans he'll prove he isn't too small to save his family.
Directed by Aun Hoe GohCast Maxwell Vreeland Andrew, Steven Bones, Colin Chong, Chi-Ren Choong, Jason CottomStarzFreevee
Wrapping Up
Whether you want a silly comedy, a heartfelt adventure, or a movie that works for mixed-age viewing, this Starz collection gives you plenty of solid options. From Nacho Libre and Paul Blart: Mall Cop to Good Burger and The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet, the variety makes it easy to pick something that fits the night. Bookmark this page so you can come back whenever you need an easy recommendation. We update it regularly to keep the list current and useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Starz subscription to watch these?
Yes — every title on this list is currently available on Starz. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these family movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the family titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.
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Last updated: September 9, 2026