6 Best Nanny and Childcare Movies

By Vlad Zakh · June 22, 2026

A nanny trusted with someone else’s children is irresistible movie material, whether magical, menacing or reluctant. Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee are the magical ones, Mrs. Doubtfire has a dad in disguise, and The Hand That Rocks the Cradle has a vengeful widow infiltrating a family. The Nanny Diaries and Uncle Buck round out the six.

The Nanny Diaries (2007)

TMDB ★ 6.0

A recent college graduate takes a nanny job with a wealthy Manhattan family with a dysfunctional home life.

Directed by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini · 1h 45m · Rated PG-13

Where to watch

Stream: Lionsgate+ Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Nanny McPhee (2005)

IMDb ★ 6.6 RT 74% Metacritic 59

A magical nanny disciplines seven unruly children with a walking stick and hard lessons.

Directed by Kirk Jones · 1h 37m · Rated PG

3 wins & 4 nominations

Where to watch

Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

IMDb ★ 7.1 RT 71% Metacritic 54

A father disguises himself as an elderly nanny just to stay close to his own kids.

Directed by Chris Columbus · 2h 05m · Rated PG-13

Won 1 Oscar11 wins & 10 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, Hulu, FXNow · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A vengeful widow infiltrates a family as their nanny, secretly plotting to destroy them.

Directed by Curtis Hanson · 1h 50m · Rated R

Where to watch

Stream: Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Uncle Buck (1989)

TMDB ★ 6.6

A slovenly, irresponsible uncle is unexpectedly left in charge of his brother's three unruly children.

Directed by John Hughes · 1h 40m · Rated PG

Where to watch

Stream: Netflix, YouTube TV, Netflix Standard with Ads · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Mary Poppins (1964)

IMDb ★ 7.8 RT 95% Metacritic 88

A magical nanny transforms a stiff London household through song and a little bit of nonsense.

Directed by Robert Stevenson · 2h 19m · Rated G

Won 5 Oscars23 wins & 17 nominations

Where to watch

Stream: Disney Plus, BroadwayHD, Broadway HD Amazon Channel · Rent or buy: Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home

▶ Trailer Letterboxd

Streaming availability data from JustWatch, via TMDB. Availability changes often, so check the service before you plan a movie night.

Vlad Zakh

Founder, Movieix

Founder of Movieix. He started the site because most recommendation pages felt like noise. Here, lists are sorted by who's in the film, where it's from and what mood you're in tonight.

6 Best Nanny and Childcare Movies

The Nanny Diaries (2007)

Nanny McPhee (2005)

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992)

Uncle Buck (1989)

Mary Poppins (1964)

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