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Question
We have two young kids and enjoy a family movie night on a weekly basis. I do not mind the occasional animated movie, but I am getting bored with what we’re watching. Do you have any other good family movies that the whole family can enjoy?
Answer
Family movie night is so much fun! I can understand, however, that animated movies can feel like they are more for the kids than for you. Here is a list of non-animated, live-action movies that are fun for the whole family, as well as some animated movies that are also fun for adults. Some listed here may be nostalgic as well, which might make it really fun for you!
Live-Action Family Movies
Here are some favorite non-animated, live-action family movies. Pick your favorites and have a great movie night!
- The Princess Bride (PG, 1987)
- Spellbound (G, 2002)
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (PG, 2001)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PG, 2002)
- Hook (PG, 1991)
- The Parent Trap – Either version! (PG, 1961 and 1998)
- Matilda (PG, 1996)—This is a great one to watch after you read the book!
- Pete’s Dragon (PG, 1977)
- Honey I Shrunk the Kids (PG, 1989)
- Cool Runnings (PG, 1993)
- Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (G, 1993)
- Bedknobs and Broomsticks (G, 1971)
- Mary Poppins (G, 1964)
- Mary Poppins Returns (PG, 2018)
- ET (PG, 1982)
- Babe (G, 1995)
- Freaky Friday (G, 1976)
- Because of Winn Dixie (PG, 2005)—Also a great book!
- Jumanji (PG, 1995)
Animated Movies
For families looking for animated family films, here are several great options.
- Soul (PG, 2020)
- Spirited Away (PG, 2001)
- Inside Out (PG, 2015)
- Coco (PG, 2017)
- Up (PG, 2009)
- Space Jam (PG, 1996)
- Monsters, Inc. (G, 2001)
- Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse (PG, 2018)
- The LEGO Movie (PG, 2014)
- My Neighbor Totoro (G, 1988)
- Toy Story (G, 1995)
Sometimes it’s difficult to pick a movie for family movie night—everyone has their own opinions! If you’re struggling to pick the perfect movie, make a Movie Night Jar. Work with your children to write each movie title on a slip of paper and place in a jar. The movie titles above are a great start, but ask your children to think of more movies they’d like to see or rewatch. And have your children decorate the jar if they are feeling creative. When movie night rolls around, have one family member draw a slip of paper from the jar, and that’s the movie you’re watching that night. So that everyone has a role on movie night, have your other children or family members choose the snack or assign seats. Then, be sure the roles change with future movie nights so that over a period of time, all members of the family can select a movie—even you! It might also be useful to establish a set of rules for the family on these special nights—the most important one is no complaining about the movies that are selected.
We hope you add these to your list for family movie night, and please share others that you and your children enjoy! Have fun!
