7 New Family Films to Stream on Cozy October Nights

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1. Despicable Me 3 (Netflix)

A supervillain-turned-good guy, Gru, finds his new life of fighting crime upended when he learns he has a long-lost twin brother, Dru, who dreams of pulling off one last heist. Together, the siblings face off against a flashy former child star turned villain while Gru wrestles with family loyalties and his commitment to doing good. It’s the third film in a four-part animated series that boasts powerful themes of family, adoption, and redemption. Rated PG for action and rude humor.

2. E.T. (Netflix)

A misfit young boy discovers a stranded alien in his backyard and secretly befriends him, forming an unlikely bond that transcends worlds. As government agents close in on the duo, the boy and his friends race to help the odd creature return home before it’s too late. This 1982 Steven Spielberg classic won four Oscars but lost Best Picture to Gandhi. It’s rated PG for language and mild thematic elements -- and likely contains more cursing than you remember. Fortunately, Clearplay offers a filter. (VidAngel’s filter works for the Prime Video version.)

Photo credit: ©Universal; used with permission

3. House of David, Season 2 (Wonder)

The next chapter in the life of this biblical legend unfolds in Season 2, which picks up with the slaying of Goliath and follows several well-known Old Testament stories, including the friendship between David and Jonathan. Season 1 of House of David soared to No. 1 on Prime Video, but Season 2’s story will be even bigger, said creator Jon Erwin. “It is epic,” he told Crosswalk. “It really is much more of an action-adventure season as David becomes the warrior he's destined to be.” Season 2 launches Oct. 5 exclusively on the Wonder Project add-on for Prime Video.

4. The Chosen Adventures (Prime Video)

A young girl named Abby and her friend Joshua embark on adventures in ancient Capernaum, where their ordinary days are transformed after meeting Jesus. This charming animated series was produced by the same company (5&2 Studios) behind The Chosen and even has some of the same cast and crew. Dallas Jenkins is an executive producer, while Ryan Swanson -- a co-writer on The Chosen -- is the showrunner. Jonathan Roumie voices Jesus. Oct. 17.  

5. The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Home Video)

Husband-and-wife heroes Reed Richards and Sue Storm face their greatest challenge yet when the arrival of their newborn draws the attention of a cosmic villain determined to claim the child’s extraordinary potential. This Marvel film reached blockbuster status during the summer of 2025 and drew praise from the pro-life community for the film’s many life-affirming themes. Rated PG-13 for action/violence and some language. Check Clearplay for filters. Oct. 14. (It launched on digital home video in September.) 

6. Sketch (Home Video)

A 10-year-old girl named Amber, coping with loss, discovers her drawings have the terrifying ability to come alive when touched by a strange pond. As the creatures from her imagination wreak havoc on the town, she and her brother must find a way to confront both the monsters and their own fears before it’s too late. This creative Angel Studios film draws you in with its thrills and leaves you with an unexpected lesson in the closing minutes. Rated PG for scary action, some violence, thematic elements, language and rude humor. Oct. 14. Clearplay offers a filter. (It launched on digital home video in September.)

10. Great American Christmas (Great American Family)

Great American Family’s fifth-annual holiday celebration launches Oct. 11 and runs through Christmas, giving viewers a movie each week celebrating not only romance, but the season. The first film, A Wisconsin Christmas Pie (Oct. 11), follows the story of a woman who travels from Chicago to her family’s small town in Door County, where she sets out to save the family cherry orchard. Of course, she also encounters love. It stars Katie LeClerc and Ryan Carnes.