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Best-Reviewed Kids & Family Movies 2020

Parents were desperate to find movies to entertain the stuck-at-home kids in 2020, and Hollywood delivered. Unsurprisingly, Disney+ dominates the top 10 Kids and Family Movies of the last year, with five entries here – among them the inspiring sports drama Safety and chatty-animals flick The One and Only Ivan . But it’s Netflix’s Christmas musical, Jingle Jangle , that comes out on top, with its catchy songs, showstopping numbers, elaborate production design, and heartfelt performances winning over even the Grinchiest of critics.

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The 83 Best Family Movies of All Time

Stream these for your next family movie night with the kids.

Snuggling up together on the couch with the kids, an entertaining family movie and a giant bowl of popcorn is hands down one of the best ways to enjoy some quality family time (at least in my humble opinion). But deciding on a film that everybody wants to watch isn’t easy (cue the sibling bickering ).

As an aunt of three very picky young nephews and a teenage niece, I know a thing or two about selecting movies that cater to diverse age groups. So, whether you’re looking for a classic flick (like The Goonies ) or an upbeat musical (like The Greatest Showman or Coco ), there’s something for everyone on this list. And if you prefer to keep your movie night short and sweet, we've got run times, in addition to casting details and where to watch (like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and more). From Moana to Toy Story , here are 83 family movies that all generations will love, including throwbacks from your own childhood. Dim the lights, prepare your snacks and enjoy.

The 57 Best Teen Movies of All Time

1. The Goonies (1985)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 10+
• Who's in it: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Corey Feldman
• Run time: 114 minutes

This coming-of-age ’80s classic has got it all: hidden treasure, everlasting friendship, edge-of-your-seat thrills and a young Josh Brolin. The bad guys (the thieving Fratellis) are a little scary, which is why I recommend saving this one for kiddies ten years and up.

If you're still having doubts about this one, then take it from PureWow's VP of News & Entertainment, Philip Mutz , who considers it a childhood favorite. He said, "I still remember watching The Goonies with my parents and younger brother as a kid (obviously both of us wished we could be one of the Goonies—honestly, I probably still do). Goonies never say die!"

2. The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

• Suitable for:  Kids ages 8+
• Who's in it : Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black
• Run time:  92 minutes

If you love the classic video game, you'll want to tune in to this nostalgic film that follows Mario and his friends as they battle the one and only Bowser. It features an all-star voiceover cast, including Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen and more.

While Quint isn't a big fan of the film, it's a favorite for her kids. She said, "This movie is objectively terrible, but for some reason kids love it (I have been forced to see it twice in the movie theater) and there's something oddly hypnotic about Jack Black singing about Princess Peach."

3. The Greatest Showman (2017)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 8+
• Who's in it : Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya
• Run time: 105 minutes

Get into your comfy clothes and bring out the popcorn because this family-friendly musical will keep everyone entertained—for at least an hour and 45 minutes. Hugh Jackman plays legendary Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus showman P.T. Barnum, in this film that follows his rise into showbiz and worldwide fame.

PureWow Associate Editor Chelsea Candelario said, "I'm  a BIG musicals fan  and this one is on the top of my must-watch list. The entire cast is phenomenal. (Um, hello Zendaya and Zac Efron's duet!) And it's such a catchy film to watch with the whole fam."

4. Moana (2016)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 5+
• Who's in it : Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison
• Run time: 103 minutes

The first of many Disney flicks on our list, this musical adventure earns extra points for its killer soundtrack (courtesy of Lin-Manuel Miranda) and total badass heroine (no prince swooping in to rescue her). Follow brave Moana as she sets out to explore the Polynesian seas with the help of demigod sidekick Maui in order to save her island. (Note: There’s a scary-ish scene at the end with a sputtering volcano that you may want to fast-forward for younger viewers.)

PureWow Associate SEO Editor Marissa Wu said, "Dwayne Johnson as Maui was hilarious (like, his theme song is 'You're Welcome,' how can you not laugh?!). But honestly, I stayed for the compelling story of a young woman searching for her identity while trying to save her people."

5. Annie (2014)

• Who's in it : Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Rose Byrne
• Run time: 118 minutes

If your kids like to complain about doing their chores, wait until they see what Annie has to put up with. There have been a few versions of this musical rags-to-riches story, including John Huston's 1982 classic. But I think this 2014 rendition, with its unforgettable characters and catchy tunes, is the best.

PureWow Associate Sales & Deals Editor Destinee Scott says, " Annie is my favorite, and it's not only because I have a small crush on Jamie Foxx...The movie is funny, uplifting and just so inspiring. I always feel warm and fuzzy after watching it, and everyone knows the plot, but for me, it's all about finding love in the places you least expect it."

6. The Lego Movie (2014)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 6+
• Who's in it : Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett
• Run time: 100 minutes

Everything is awesome in this animated movie inspired by the popular toys, especially the stellar cast. Will ordinary construction worker Emmet Brickowski be able to defeat the evil Lord Business from Kragling (i.e., gluing) the Lego universe? Guess you'll have to watch to find out.

According to PureWow Editor-in-Chief Jillian Quint , "This movie is so subversive and weird—full disclosure—my husband and I first saw it in the theater without our kids. But kids also love the bananas plotlines and lessons about creative play. And my kids are ALWAYS singing the 'Everything is Awesome' song."

7. Princess and the Frog (2009)

• Who's in it : Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Michael-Leon Wooley
• Run time: 97 minutes

Tiana’s dream of opening a restaurant is put on hold when she meets Prince Naveen, who was turned into a frog by the evil villain, Dr. Facilier. From gorgeous animation to well-rounded characters, what's not to love?

Assistant Editor Delia Curtis said, "As someone who doesn’t always gravitate toward animated movies, The Princess and the Frog had me hooked!! I loved the jazzy, Southern flare that this film had. The strong, belt-it-out lyrics are fun for the whole family. It’s also a film that adults can appreciate too, with some of those silly sly jokes that only adults will pick up."

8. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

• Rating: PG-13
• Who's in it : Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote
• Run time: 115 minutes

Steven Spielberg's classic sci-fi story of an extraterrestrial stranded on planet Earth is pure movie magic. Parents will love the nostalgia throwback (baby-faced Drew Barrymore) and little ones will love the adorable E.T. and his friendship with his earthling family (although keep in mind that there is some light swearing and a few sad moments). Oh, and Reese’s Pieces are a must while watching.

"I fully believe there is no greater children's movie," said Quint. "I've watched with my 7 and 9-year-old, who are really the perfect ages for appreciating the magic while also understanding the gravity."

9. Elemental (2023)

• Who's in it : Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi
• Run time:  103 minutes

The film is set in a world where elements of nature—fire, water, land and air—coexist as one community. Everything changes when Ember Lumen, a fire element, befriends Wade Ripple, a water element, and discovers their commonalities.

Rachel Gulmi , Director of Special Projects, said, "It is visually so beautiful and enticing with all the colors and how everything comes together, but I love the message behind it and it actually made me tear up."

10. Luca (2021)

• Who's in it : Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo
• Run time: 95 minutes

Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, this recently-released Disney and Pixar flick tells the story of a young boy, Luca, who is having the best summer of his life eating gelato and riding on a scooter with his new best friend, Alberto. There’s just one problem...the duo are sea monsters from another world below water.

Quint calls it a "charming movie with a great message," adding, "My kids love the naughty boyhood hi-jinx, and I love feeling transported to the Amalfi coast."

11. Daddy Day Care (2003)

• Who's in it : Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin, Steve Zahn, Regina King
• Run time: 92 minutes

When Charlie and his friend lose their jobs, they make the drastic decision of turning Charlie's home into a daycare center. Chaos ensues, however, when a rival daycare tries to shut them down.

Curtis, who rewatched the film as an adult, said, "The jokes hit different as an adult because they most definitely have some hidden meaning. I also loved that the story revolves around expectations around gender roles and undoing the stereotypes that women are the only capable caretakers. Plus, I will never get over the scene of Eddie Murphy and Jeff Garlin having a boxing match dressed as a carrot and a broccoli."

12. Stand By Me (1986)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 12+
• Who's in it : Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman
• Run time: 89 minutes

This coming-of-age story about four 12-year-old boys in 1950s Oregon is an inspiring tale of friendship, growing up and doing the right thing. Featuring some darker themes (making this film best for teens and up), this moving film strikes the right balance of childhood adventure, grown-up drama and a cute Jerry O’Connell.

13. Toy Story (1995)

• Who's in it : Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney
• Run time: 81 minutes

With enough inside jokes for adults, this animated film of toys coming to life is perfect for family movie night. It’s so good, it spawned three sequels and numerous spin-offs, setting you up for the next couple of weekends.

Quint said, "It's hard to believe this movie is from 1995—it feels so current, both in look and in message. When my kids were little, we watched it approximately 1,000 times, and it's still a favorite."

14. The Karate Kid (1984)

• Who's in it : Ralph Macchio, Noriyuki "Pat" Morita, Elisabeth Shue
• Run time: 126 minutes

Confession: Mr. Miyagi's iconic "Wax on, wax off" scene still lives rent-free in my head. And LaRusso's final match against Lawrence? Arguably one of the best moments in cinematic history. When Daniel LaRusso enrolls at a new school, he tries to defend himself from bullies and enlists the help of Mr. Miyagi—a repairman who also happens to be a martial arts master.

15. Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)

• Who's in it : Paul Briggs, Don Hall, Adele Lim, Carlos López Estrada
• Run time: 117 minutes

This animated film introduces viewers to a warrior named Raya, who tries to find the last dragon in an ancient civilization. To top it off, the magical creature is voiced by Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina.

Executive Editor Alexia Dellner 's son is just one of many who enjoyed the film. She said, "My 4-year-old was definitely scared during quite a few parts of this one BUT, he ultimately loved it. The plot is really interesting (I thought so too!), the characters feel fresh and the takeaways are very sweet without being saccharine. Just maybe wait until your kid is 5 or 6 to show it to them."

16. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005)

• Who's in it : America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel
• Run time: 119 minutes

A group of best friends are preparing to spend their first summer apart. In an attempt to stay connected, they create a custody schedule…for a pair of jeans.

Curtis, who grew up watching the comedy-drama, said, "When I was a kid, finding confidence in the shape of my body was a tough thing to do in the early '00s. Magazines and TV shows glorified skinny bodies, but I’ll never forget the moment when America Ferrera, the curviest girl in the friend group, tried on the magic pants and they fit her like a glove. It made me feel seen and beautiful. A great film about friendship, connection and self-acceptance."

17. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

• Who's in it : Lauren Ambrose, Chris Cooper, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara
• Run time: 101 minutes

Where the Wild Things Are tells the story of a boy named Max, who travels to a magical island inhabited by creatures called the "Wild Things." Exploring themes of loneliness and insecurity, director Spike Jonze revisits the classic children’s story in a dreamlike atmosphere. Read the book to your 5-year-old, but save the film for your tween.

18. Enchanted (2007)

• Who's in it : Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall
• Run time: 107 minutes

Amy Adams shines in this sweet musical comedy in which she plays a fairy-tale princess trying to live happily ever after in Andalasia. That is, until her evil mother-in-law banishes her to real-life New York City. She sings, she dances—is there anything Adams can’t do? (Fun fact: the movie is based on Gail Carson Levine's fantasy novel, Ella Enchanted , which is a retelling of Cinderella.)

19. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (1993)

• Who's in it : Michael J. Fox, Don Ameche, Sally Field
• Run time: 84 minutes

Craving a feel-good flick that centers on animals? Make room on the couch and let your furry friends watch this uplifting adventure film with you as lovable pups Shadow and Chance and kitty cat Sassy journey across the country to be reunited with their humans. Based on Sheila Burnford's novel of the same name, this movie—which marked Duwayne Dunham's feature film debut—is so charming and funny. Plus, it boasts an incredible voice cast.

20. The Hunger Games (2012)

• Who's in it : Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth
• Run time: 144 minutes

In this film based on Suzanne Collins's hugely popular YA series, plucky Katniss Everdeen (played by the brilliant Lawrence) is the perfect role model for teenage girls. After volunteering as tribute to compete in the deadly Hunger Games, Katniss bravely fights against the evil Panem nation. (And there's a budding romance between her and fellow volunteer, Peeta.)

21. Finding Nemo (2003)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 4+
• Who's in it : Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould

Dive into this adorable underwater flick that’s got plenty of giggles and morals for younger viewers (and adults) including the importance of teamwork, embracing what makes you unique and how a little bit of determination goes a long way.

PureWow Senior Director of Special Projects & Royals, Rachel Bowie , said, "This one is such a hit in our fam! My son is ocean-obsessed and he loves to watch and call out all the sea creatures he knows. Bruce is of course his favorite, being a Great White Shark and all. My six-year-old loves to gloat about how 'not scared' he is during those scenes!"

22. Inside Out (2015)

• Who's in it : Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader, Lewis Black
• Run time: 102 minutes

In this feel-good Pixar flick, we follow young Riley as she’s uprooted from her childhood home and forced to move to a new city. Her emotions (Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust) try to guide her through this difficult transition but it’s not easy being an 11-year-old girl in a new place.

"If there's a better explanation of pre-adolescent emotions, I don't want to see it," said Quint. "I weep every time I watch, and I honestly think it helps my kids talk about their feelings."

23. All The Harry Potter Films (2001 - 2010)

• Who's in it : Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson

Revisiting J.K. Rowling’s magical story of a young wizard fighting against evil Voldemort is one of the best parts of having children. Just kidding (sort of). Read the books first, then snuggle up for multiple weekends of world-class entertainment (there are eight films, plus numerous spin-offs in the works).

Candelario, an avid fan of the franchise, said, "I still remember getting the books as a child and then falling in love with the movies as a teen. I've been hooked on the films ever since and still watch them whenever it's on TV. I'll probably be in my 80s still mouthing the words like the true Ravenclaw I am!"

24. Elf (2003)

• Who's in it : James Caan, Zooey Deschanel, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner
• Run time: 90 minutes

Is Elf the best Christmas movie of all time? Quite possibly. Meet Buddy, a man who was raised as an elf in Santa’s workshop. When he ventures away from the North Pole and down to New York City in search of his real father, he’s soon confronted with a harsh reality: His dad is on the naughty list.

Curtis said, "If you ever need a silly, festive pick me up, this will do the trick. Will Ferrell running loose through the streets of Manhattan dressed as an elf, a sassy and unbothered blonde Zooey Deschanel and Christmas decorations galore?! What’s not to love? Not to mention learning about the 4 main food groups: Candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup."

25. Home Alone (1990)

• Who's in it : Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern

While the thought of going on vacation and leaving your eight-year-old child behind is totally inconceivable, you’ll be happy the McAllisters accidentally did. This holiday classic (that makes for great viewing all year round) has got plenty of hilarious hijinks to keep the whole family entertained.

Mutz said, "Watching Home Alone with my dad is still one of my favorite childhood memories. Obviously, I remember enjoying it, but the memory of my dad cackling at Harry and Marv getting utterly destroyed by Kevin still makes me smile."

26. Matilda (1996)

• Who's in it : Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz
• Run time: 98 minutes

This classic revolves around a telekinetic young girl who uses her newfound powers to defend herself and her pals from the cold-hearted Miss Trunchbull. Meanwhile, she develops a bond with a kind-hearted teacher named Miss Honey. Based on the Roald Dahl book of the same title, this story will teach your kids that with a little encouragement (and a lot of reading), they can accomplish whatever they set their minds to. And who doesn’t want to teach their kids that?

27. Minions (2015)

• Who's in it : Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Taraji P. Henson, Lucy Lawless
• Run time: 91 minutes

How did the Minions originate? Where did they come from? And how did they first cross paths with Gru? If you've seen Despicable Me , I can assure you, this prequel has loads of answers (and laughs!). Fun fact: Minions was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2015 and the tenth-highest-grossing film of all time.

28. Spirited Away (2001)

• Who's in it : Rumi Hiiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki
• Run time: 125 minutes

Studio Ghibli’s beautiful and surreal animation about a young girl trying to save her family after they’ve all been turned into pigs by an evil witch will captivate young audiences. In fact, you might even enjoy it more than your kids. Believe it or not, Spirited Away made history as Japan’s highest-grossing film of all time, and it held the record for 19 years. Per Time magazine, it surpassed $300 million at the local box office after it was re-released in 2021.

29. Akeelah and the Bee (2006)

• Who's in it : Laurence Fishburne, Angela Bassett, Keke Palmer
• Run time: 112 minutes

Akeelah and the Bee follows 11-year-old Akeelah as she tries to compete in the National Spelling Bee. This movie is super c-u-t-e and chock-full of important lessons for kids, including how to stand up to peer pressure and how to work hard to achieve your goals. (Not to mention how much it’ll help them with their spelling.)

30. Frozen (2013)

• Who's in it : Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad, Jonathan Groff

Fact: Every child loves this movie. The sweet story of two sisters living in a perpetual winter, plus the ridiculously catchy songs, will warm your grown-up heart. But the real star of the movie? My favorite snowman, Olaf.

Quint says, "For better or worse, I know every word of every song, having watched this preschool favorite something like 100 times. And you know what? I don't hate that about myself."

31. The Princess Bride (1987)

• Who's in it : Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon

Before she ruled on Capitol Hill, Robin Wright starred in this fantasy adventure comedy about a farm girl (Buttercup), her one true love (Westley) and their quest to be together, despite the odds. It’s inconceivable that your family won’t totally love it. (See what I did there?)

While speaking with NPR , Cary Elwes, who plays Wesley, explained that the classic was a sleeper hit. He said, "The film came and did some modest business—respectable, modest, but not the kind of money that they hoped. It wasn't until about almost a decade later when VHS came out that the film found its legs again—from a film that had been mostly dead, it was suddenly alive again. And then it became this huge hit."

32. Coco (2017)

• Who's in it : Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach

This Oscar-winning film follows Miguel on his quest to become an accomplished musician, despite his family’s ban on music. Through a series of unfortunate events, he finds himself in the Land of the Dead where he meets some interesting characters and learns about his family's mysterious past. A thoughtful film that tackles a difficult subject matter beautifully.

33. Paddington (2015)

• Who's in it : Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent

Follow this adventurous (and not to mention, totally adorable) Peruvian bear as he travels to London in search of a home. After finding himself lost in Paddington Station, his luck begins to change when he meets the kind Brown family. For a fun-filled weekend, watch the first movie on Friday night and then enjoy the just-as-good sequel on Saturday . Don't forget the popcorn.

34. Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

• Who's in it : John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer
• Run time: 108 minutes

Youngsters who can’t get enough of video games will love this sci-fi comedy about an arcade game villain who decides to rebel against his role and fulfill his lifelong dream of being a hero instead. But things don’t go quite according to plan, and Ralph has to save the arcade world from his own mess. Hilarity ensues, of course.

35. The Land Before Time (1989)

• Who's in it : Gabriel Damon, Candace Hutson, Judith Barsi
• Run time: 69 minutes

Bring out the tissues for this sweet flick, which follows orphaned Brontosaurus Littlefoot (sob!) and his dino pals as they journey to the Great Valley to reunite with their families. (No really, you will need tissues.)

According to film director Don Bluth, the most heartbreaking scene almost didn't make it into the film. He told Vulture , “I remember we came to that moment in The Land Before Time , and everyone said, ‘Oh, this is too hard—no, no, we don’t want kids to see this. It was Steven Spielberg who said, ‘Wait a minute. We all are born, we all live to a certain age, and then we all go. And someday we come back again. Everyone has to go through it. This is a moment called the great circle of life.’”

36. The Secret Life of Pets (2016)

• Who's in it : Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Jenny Slate, Kevin Hart

From the creators of Despicable Me, this adorable family film gives audiences a behind-the-scenes look at exactly what pets do when their owners aren’t home. (Ahem, eat all of your food and get totally lost roaming around the city.)

Quint said, "We watched this one as a family when my kids were little, and it was one of the first examples of all four of us truly enjoying a film. Silly, exciting and great, memorable characters."

37. Jurassic Park (1993)

• Who's in it : Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum
• Run time: 127 minutes

You probably remember the story of a remote island where real dinosaurs come to life thanks to dormant DNA, but you’ll be surprised at how the special effects and suspense still hold up.

Quint said, "I may not win mom of year for showing this one to my 6 year-old. But you know what? She loved it. And still talks about getting eaten off a toilet seat."

38. Jumanji (1995)

• Who's in it : Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier
• Run time: 104 minutes

Forget the reboot, the original movie is guaranteed fun for the whole family. When two youngsters find a magical board game, they release a world full of excitement (including Alan Parrish, who’s been trapped inside the game for decades) and dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.

39. The Incredibles (2004)

• Who's in it : Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Spencer Fox

In this 2004 animated film, the Parrs are just trying to live a normal, quiet suburban life. But that’s not exactly easy when you’re a family of undercover superheroes. Kids of all ages will love watching to find out if these guys manage to save the world from a superhero wannabe.

Easily one of the best superhero movies of all time, The Incredibles scored two Academy Awards (including Best Animated Feature). It also spawned a sequel, The Incredibles 2 , which grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide.

40. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 9+
• Who's in it : Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei

Featuring an A-list voiceover cast and seriously impressive animation, this stop-motion action-adventure follows a young boy, Kubo, as he sets out to locate a magical suit of armor that once belonged to his father. With some dark and scary themes, this one's better to watch with older kids.

While chatting with Deadline , director Travis Knight revealed that the film's core message is "the sustaining love of family." He added, "It offered us an opportunity to pay homage to a beautiful cultural tradition and art style that we typically don’t see on the big screen, and that’s something that’s rooted in Japan."

41. The Kissing Booth (2018)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 14+
• Rating: TV-14
• Who's in it : Joey King, Jacob Elordi, Joel Courtney

Tweens and teens will appreciate this fun adaptation of Beth Reekles's book . In the film, Elle and Lee created a list of friendship rules when they were kids, and they still abide by them today. However, when Elle goes behind Lee’s back to pursue a romantic relationship with his off-limits older brother, Noah, Elle is forced to choose between friendship and love.

42. A Bug's Life (1998)

• Who's in it : Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Flik is a misfit ant and inventor who really wants to make a difference. However, his inventions are always causing problems for his ant colony. When he accidentally destroys their hard-earned food storage, they’re forced to distract Hopper while they fix the problem. I love that this film tackles real-life issues (like colonialism and violence) without losing its humor and charm. It'll appeal to fans of all ages.

43. The Addams Family (1991)

• Who's in it : Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christopher Lloyd
• Run time: 99 minutes

The Addams Family is thrilled when Gomez’s missing brother, Fester, suddenly reappears. That is, until Morticia realizes that something about his sudden arrival is...off.

BTW, Huston's performance was inspired by a longtime friend of hers. She told The Guardian , "I based Morticia on  Jerry Hall . With the Addams Family everything white is black and everything good is bad, but Morticia is the most lenient, understanding and wonderful mother. I’ve always seen Jerry as a perfect example of motherhood." Fortunately, Huston received not one, but two Golden Globe nominations for her role.

44. Brave (2012)

• Who's in it : Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters
• Run time: 93 minutes

Meet Merida, the daughter of Scottish King Fergus and Queen Elinor. When she receives an ill-fated wish from a witch (voiced by the brilliant Julie Walters), she must undo the curse before it’s too late. Brave was the first Pixar movie to be released with a female protagonist, and it was originally called The Bear and the Bow . Plus, it scored the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature Film.

45. Over the Moon (2020)

• Who's in it : Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho

This is the story of a young dreamer named Fei Fei, who is mesmerized by the legend of the moon goddess, Chang’e. Directed by Glen Keane, the musical fantasy was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and won a Golden Globe. Also, it only took one week for Over the Moon to become Netflix’s most-watched movie .

46. Maleficent (2014)

• Who's in it : Angelina Jolie, Sharlto Copley, Elle Fanning, Sam Riley

In this dark retelling of Sleeping Beauty , Maleficent is shocked when an invading army threatens her idyllic life. After engaging in an epic battle, Maleficent places a curse on the king’s newborn daughter, only to realize it was a mistake. Fans of the original fairy tale are in for a treat, and Jolie delivers an unforgettable performance as the iconic villain.

47. The Willoughbys (2020)

• Who's in it : Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews

Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby used to be an adventurous couple, but they’re too caught up in everyday life to spend time with their four children. This prompts the neglected kids to take their nanny on a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the modern world. With stunning animation, great dialogue and fascinating characters, it's impossible not to enjoy this gem. Oh, and did I mention that it features the best soundtrack?

48. Beauty and the Beast (2017)

• Who's in it : Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Luke Evans, Kevin Kline
• Run time: 139 minutes

In this live-action version of the Disney classic, Belle switches places with her father, who was locked up in a dungeon by an arrogant prince. With the help of the mansion’s enchanted servants, Belle discovers the Beast isn’t as tough as he seems.

While speaking with CNN , Watson, who plays Belle, revealed she wanted to bring authenticity to the role. She said, “My Belle wears riding boots, and she’s got mud on her, and she has bloomers underneath her dress so she can kick her legs over a horse, and she’s got these big pockets we created for her so she can carry books around with her all the time. And you see a very tender side of Belle in this film.”

49. Despicable Me (2010)

• Who's in it : Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove, Kristen Wiig

Gru (voiced by Carell) is on a mission to steal the moon, so he adopts three orphan girls as a means of furthering his plan. When he starts to feel parental love for his adopted brood, he soon realizes family isn’t so bad after all.

"I kinda think there's no greater children's movie franchise," said Quint. "My kids have loved those damn minions from the moment they first saw them. And Steve Carrell as an evil genius with a heart of gold is pretty great for grownups too."

50. The Red Balloon (1956)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 2+
• Rating: TV-G
• Who's in it : Pascal Lamorisse
• Run time: 34 minutes

Inspire your child’s inner cinephile with this 34-minute French film from 1956. The fantasy comedy-drama follows a young child named Pascal who traipses around Paris with, yep, a red balloon. Fun fact: Albert Lamorisse, who wrote, produced and directed the film, selected his real-life son, Pascal, for the main role. His daughter, Sabine, also appears as a young girl. Très cute.

51. Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022)

• Run time:  87 minutes

Minions: The Rise of Gru (also known as  Minions 2 ) takes place in the ’70s, when Gru is considering joining the Vicious 6 supervillains. Of course, things don’t go according to plan.

According to Quint, "The coming attraction for this movie got my family through the pandemic. And we were the first in the theater when it came out. Spoiler: the historical romp through Gru's childhood did not disappoint."

52. Soul (2020)

• Who's in it : Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton, Rachel House

We’re total suckers for a good Disney-Pixar movie, but this flick is especially good. Soul tells the story of a musician who has lost his passion for music. When he’s transported out of his body, he must find his way back with the help of an infant soul. (Bonus points: The characters are voiced by Fey and Foxx.)

53. Aladdin (1992)

• Who's in it : Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin

Introducing another Disney classic. Who doesn’t love this Arabian nights musical featuring Robin Williams in one of the most iconic roles of his career? Clear your living room carpet and have a family sing-along to “A Whole New World” as Aladdin tries to win the heart of Princess Jasmine.

54. Mulan (2020)

• Who's in it : Yifei Liu, Donnie Yen, Tzi Ma, Jason Scott Lee

This live-action version of the Disney classic features Yifei Liu as a brave girl named Mulan, who disguises herself as a man so she can serve in the Rouran army in Imperial China. Unfortunately for fans of the animated version, none of the original songs were used. Still, it features a remake of "Reflection," and a not-so-subtle not to "I'll Make a Man Out of You."

55. To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)

• Who's in it : Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac

Lara Jean is content with her life as a nearly invisible high school junior. Everything changes when five of her secret love letters accidentally get mailed out to their recipients—including her friend Josh, who happens to be dating her older sister, Margot. In an attempt to convince him it meant nothing, she quickly enlists the help of Peter Kavinsky to fake a romance.

56. Upside-Down Magic (2020)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 7+
• Rating: TV-PG
• Who's in it : Izabela Rose, Siena Agudong
• Run time: 96 minutes

When two best friends enroll in Sage Academy (a prestigious magic school), they must learn to utilize their special powers against the forces of evil. If the title sounds familiar, it's probably because the movie is based on the fantasy book series by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins. Also, it was directed by Joe Nussbaum, best known for titles like Sleepover and Sydney White .

57. Secret Magic Control Agency (2021)

• Who's in it : Nicholas Corda, Sylvana Joyce, Alyson Rosenfeld

Remember Hansel and Gretel? Well, they’re now acting as secret agents in this family-friendly film. The animated flick, directed by Aleksey Tsitsilin, documents the duo as they use their magic to find a missing king, demonstrating teamwork along the way. Tsitsilin said in an interview , "We wanted not to remake [the original], but to rethink. Leave the logic of the narrative and string some additional details. The story begins to play with new colors, it becomes different, but at the same time you realize that it is all the same  Hansel and Gretel ."

58. We Can Be Heroes (2020)

• Who's in it : YaYa Gosselin, Lyon Daniels, Andy Walken, Hala Finley
• Run time: 110 minutes

When Earth’s superheroes are kidnapped by alien invaders, the government takes in all their children to protect them against evil forces. Everything changes when Missy Moreno devises a plan to use all of the kids’ powers to escape the safe house and save their parents. FYI, according to Variety , Netflix has already confirmed that a sequel is in the works, thanks to the first film's success.

59. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

• Who's in it : Will Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Jaden Smith

When Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman, is evicted from his apartment, he and his young son embark on a challenging and life-changing journey. Inspired by true events, this poignant flick is bound to make you smile, but it will also make you reach for the tissue box.

PureWow Assistant Editor of News and Entertainment, Karelle McKay , said, "Will Smith's character truly cared about his son, who was played by the actor's actual son, Jaden Smith. Despite the adversity they faced throughout the film, there were some sweet, tender moments that you can't help but smile at. This movie really showed the unconditional love between a father and son."

60. Little (2019)

• Who's in it : Regina Hall, Issa Rae, Marsai Martin

Regina Hall stars as Jordan, a woman whose life gets flip-turned upside-down when she magically turns into her younger self. Luckily, her faithful assistant April is more than happy to step up in her absence. BTW, did you know that Martin served as an executive producer for the film at just 14 years old? This made her the youngest person to ever hold the title on a Hollywood production.

61. Queen of Katwe (2016)

• Who's in it : David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong'o, Madina Nalwanga
• Run time: 124 minutes

This feel-good flick is based on a true story and is sure to inspire some interesting family discussions after viewing. Katwe (pronounced Kah-tway) is from one of Uganda's poorest slums but manages to overcome impossible hurdles to become a teenage chess champion. (And don’t worry—this film is in English and no knowledge of chess is required.)

62. Mary Poppins (1964)

• Who's in it : Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson

From the catchy tunes to the formidable cast...there’s a reason why this fantastical technicolor movie is a classic. I'd even go as far as to say that this story of a magical nanny who sweeps into the Banks home to take charge of the children is “practically perfect in every way.”

Bowie said, "We're just introducing this one to our six-year-old, but he cannot stop laughing at some of the scenes—like when Mary Poppins gets the kids to clean the nursery or when Bert (all hail Dick Van Dyke) dances with the penguins who are all trying to impress Mary. We sometimes skip around, but it is a delight that still feels totally timeless!"

63. Remember the Titans (2000)

• Who's in it : Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Wood Harris
• Run time: 113 minutes

This is the ultimate sports movie (inspired by a true story) about a newly integrated high school football team in 1971 Alexandria, Virginia. Full of ups and downs, this all-star flick (yep, that’s a young Ryan Gosling singing in the changing room) gives parents an opportunity to talk to kids about race and prejudice. Plus, the film—directed by Boaz Yakin—boasts an amazing soundtrack, including songs by Bob Dylan, The Hollies, Marvin Gaye, James Taylor and The Temptations.

64. Hidden Figures (2016)

• Who's in it : Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner

This Academy Award-nominated film tells the story of the unsung heroes of NASA’s early days: three brilliant African American women who played pivotal roles in launching the manned spaceflight program. Based on an inspiring true story, this family film will teach young minds about perseverance and teamwork, as well as give them an important look at the racial tensions of the Civil Rights era. Henson, Spencer and Janelle give Oscar-worthy performances here.

65. Hugo (2011)

• Who's in it : Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Asa Butterfield

Your kids may be too young for Goodfellas , but this kid-friendly Martin Scorsese flick is just as entertaining. The ode to cinema is set in a romantic Parisian atmosphere and follows the adventures of Hugo Cabret, a young orphan who tries to solve an important mystery and find a new home. It has enough adventure and laughs to keep kids of all ages enthralled. Fun fact: Hugo received 11 Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Picture, and it won a total of five Oscars: Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects.

66. Encanto (2021)

• Who's in it : Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo
• Run time: 109 minutes

Meet Mirabel Madrigal, a Colombian girl who’s dealing with the fact that she’s the only one in her family who was born without powers. But when her magical home comes under threat, she discovers that she could be the key to saving it. The musical fantasy, which grossed $256 million worldwide, won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. I can see why, given how the film tackles important issues like family dynamics and generational trauma.

67. The Adam Project (2022)

• Who's in it : Ryan Reynolds, Walker Scobell, Addison Tusing, Mark Ruffalo
• Run time: 106 minutes

The story follows Adam as he travels back in time to reunite with his younger self. Together, they must eliminate time travel…before it’s too late.

In her honest review , PureWow Senior Editor Greta Heggeness said, "The story is as silly as it sounds, resembling more of a family flick than an edge-of-your-seat thriller. (Disclaimer: It has some action scenes and language references that might be inappropriate for young audiences.) Still, the movie is loaded with nostalgic references that will delight every millennial."

68. Sing (2016)

• Who's in it : Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Seth MacFarlane

Prepare to sing along as this talented group of animal performers rehearse for their next musical extravaganza. The question is: Can Buster Moon convince a busy rock star to join the cast?

Quint said, "When I first showed this to my son (age 5) he freaked out because the animals were 'scary.' But a few years later and upon a rewatch, it's become a family favorite. The songs—ranging from a heart-filled 'I'm Still Standing' to a cheeky 'Shake it Off" are in constant rotation on the family playlist."

69. Shrek (2001)

• Who's in it : Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz

Shrek’s isolated lifestyle is turned upside-down thanks to Lord Farquaad. When the ogre cuts a deal with the dictator, he’s tasked with rescuing Princess Fiona. The problem? She’s hiding a deep, dark secret. (Psst, after this, do yourself a favor and watch the sequels: Shrek 2 , Shrek the Third and Shrek Forever After .)

70. Vivo (2021)

• Who's in it : Zoe Saldana, Juan de Marcos, Brian Tyree Henry

The movie highlights a musically gifted duo: Andrés Hernández and his kinkajou—a tropical rainforest mammal—named Vivo. After a tragic event, Vivo embarks on a dangerous journey to fulfill Andrés’s last wishes.

Quint said, "I've always maintained that this movie didn't get the attention it deserved. The songs are so catchy, and my kids love the message of 'marching to the beat of your own drum.'"

71. Turning Red (2022)

• Who's in it : Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse

In this Oscar-nominated coming-of-age comedy, Mei Lee is a confident 13-year-old who struggles to balance school and adolescence with her overbearing mom. Not only that, but whenever she gets a little too excited, she morphs into a giant red panda.

Director Domee Shi told Deadline , "This film is one of the first, if not the first film, at least from Pixar, that really shines a light on and highlights the Chinese Canadian community. The protagonist is this Chinese girl struggling with this very specific yet universal issue of her mom being super protective. It’s so important and amazing to see that this film...has been embraced globally."

72. Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)

• Who's in it : Brandy Norwood, Whitney Houston, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg
• Run time: 85 minutes

From Whitney Houston’s dazzling golden ensemble to Brandy Norwood’s catchy musical numbers, this fairytale remake still stands as one of the best (and most diverse) Cinderella adaptations ever made. I can still vividly recall singing along to "Impossible" and "In My Own Little Corner" while watching it as a kid.

In a previous review , I wrote, "Cinderella is a bit more complex. She's got an active imagination and a knack for bringing out the good in people. But more importantly, she has hopes and dreams that go far beyond attending a lavish ball, as evidenced in her rendition of 'In My Own Little Corner.'"

73. Good Burger (1997)

• Who's in it : Kenan Thompson, Kel Mitchell, Abe Vigod

Who knew that a simple comedy sketch from All That could inspire this timeless cult classic? In Good Burger , Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell steal the show as two employees who go out of their way to save the popular fast-food joint from crumbling. The movie spawned a sequel, Good Burger 2 , which follows Dexter and Ed reuniting at their old workplace and unveiling a major secret.

74. Clifford the Big Red Dog (2021)

• Who's in it : Jack Whitehall, Darby Camp, Tony Hale, Sienna Guillory

I love a feel-good film that takes me back to my childhood. Inspired by Norman Bridwell’s classic book series, this adaptation is about a young girl who receives a tiny red puppy. But little does she know that her furry friend will turn into a giant ten-foot dog.

FYI, if you need a compelling movie to keep the kids distracted, then this is your best bet. Quint said, "This is the movie I put on for my daughter while administering a two-hour lice comb-out. That's all you need to know."

75. Up (2009)

• Who's in it : Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai

Carl Fredricksen is a 78-year-old widower who has always dreamed of traveling to South America and finding the mysterious Paradise Falls. To fulfill his promise to his late wife, he attaches thousands of balloons to his house and embarks on his biggest adventure, along with his new friend and young Boy Scout, Russell. The Pete Docter film was originally called Heliums, and it spawned a Diesny+ sequel series called Dug Days .

76. Anastasia (1997)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 3+
• Who's in it : Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
• Run time: 94 minutes

Anastasia is the last surviving member of the Russian royal family—but she doesn't know it. Determined to learn more about her history, she teams up with two mischievous con men and heads back to Paris, while the evil Rasputin sets out to destroy her. The Oscar-nominated film spawned multiple adaptations, including a stage musical and a spin-off film called Bartok the Magnificent .

77. The Parent Trap (1998)

• Who's in it : Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Lindsay Lohan
• Run time: 128 minutes

After being separated at birth and raised by just one of their parents, siblings Annie and Hallie wind up attending the same summer camp and are stunned to find out that they're identical twins. Before heading back home, the sisters hatch a plan to switch places so they can get their parents back together. But unfortunately, something is standing in their way: their father's new gold-digging girlfriend.

78. Alvin & The Chipmunks (2007)

• Who's in it : Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson

The movie follows a businessman and aspiring composer who becomes fast friends with three talented chipmunks and then adopts them as his own. These lovable furry creatures will totally appeal to kids and adults alike. The musical comedy made a whopping $361.3 million worldwide and led to three sequels: Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel , Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip .

79. Dr. Dolittle (1998)

• Who's in it : Eddie Murphy, Ossie Davis, Oliver Platt, Norm MacDonald

Meet Dr. John Dolittle, an eccentric veterinarian who can communicate with a variety of exotic animals. His ability, however, causes his wife to suspect that he's going insane, landing him in a mental institution. Can his animal friends rescue him?

Quint watched the movie with her family and said, "It has an awful Rotten Tomato rating, but I watched it last week with my kids and aside from having an all-star cast, it has a lot of jokes that truly land. Well…at least with the under 10 set."

80. Bend It Like Beckham (2003)

• Who's in it : Parminder Nagra, Keira Knightley, Jonathan Rhys Meyers

Jess is extremely passionate about football (soccer to us Americans). Unfortunately, her strict conservative family refuses to let her play because of her gender. So, Jess steps out of her comfort zone and secretly joins the local women’s football team. BTW, did you know that the film's title refers to David Beckham's curling free kick technique, which is also called bending?

81. The Secret Life of Bees (2008)

• Suitable for: Kids ages 13+
• Who's in it : Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys

In an attempt to learn more about her late mother, Lily Owens travels to a small South Carolina town. While there, she meets the Boatwright sisters, who take her in and teach her about beekeeping. Based on Sue Monk Kidd's equally compelling novel of the same name, this coming-of-age story deftly tackles racism, religion, loss and forgiveness.

82. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022)

• Who's in it : Shawn Mendes, Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley
• Run time:  106 minutes

Meet Josh, a young boy who’s struggling to fit in after moving to New York City. Everything changes, however, when he befriends a singing crocodile named Lyle. Aside from the star-studded cast, this musical fantasy is heart-warming and funny enough to make any kid smile. Plus, adults will appreciate the solid storytelling and catchy tunes.

83. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

• Who's in it: Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning, Tim Daly
• Run time: 86 minutes

Miyazaki’s breakthrough film has stood the test of time—namely because of the beautiful animation and the low-key storyline, which brings the children's emotions to light in the most magical way and boasts positive messages about siblings and friendship. This poignant fantasy is sure to stir the hearts and minds of viewers of all ages.

The Best Movies on Netflix for Families

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85 of the best family movies to watch all together

Grab that blanket and pop that popcorn — it’s family movie time. Between eye-rolling teenagers, cartwheeling young kids and parents fighting to stay awake, it can be hard to pick a movie that the whole family will enjoy.

Save the drama for the screen with TODAY.com’s selection of 85 of the best movies to watch as a family.

Classics, such as “Freaky Friday” and “Home Alone,” round out newer movies, like “Barbie” and “Wonka.”

We must warn you, though — some of the movies may lead to tears. TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager watched “Barbie” with her youngest daughter, Poppy, who was 7 at the time, and said she was “weeping.”

“I cried, and I know I’m an easy crier,” Jenna said on “TODAY on Hoda and Jenna” in July 2023 , adding that she, “cried multiple times.” “It’s beautiful.”

Although it’s rated PG-13, Jenna said the movie would have been suitable for Hoda’s daughter, Haley, who was 6 at the time of its release.

“There is a lot of talk about what is underneath the Barbie skirt,” she said. “I've always wondered about that, but most of that goes over her head, so it doesn’t matter.”

Continue reading for more tearjerkers — and other options that are less likely to make you cry.

Movies for families with teenagers

'school of rock' (2003).

“School of Rock” features Jack Black as Dewey Finn, a down-on-his-luck musician who poses as a substitute teacher at an elite preparatory school after being ousted from his own rock band. Under the guise of Mr. Schneebly, Dewey forms a band with his students to compete in a Battle of the Bands, planning to use the prize money to cover his rent.

Rating: PG-13

'Barbie' (2023)

“Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie in the title role, is a sharp-witted musical comedy that explores Barbie’s existential crisis as she ventures into the human world to discover her purpose and identity. And Ken, portrayed by Ryan Gosling, is there, too. As the saying goes, “She’s everything. He’s just Ken.”

'Mean Girls' (2004)

The Plastics — Regina George, Gretchen Wieners and Karen Smith — recruit newbie Cady Heron into their clique at school. On the surface, they're friends. But underneath, they secretly plot against each other.

'Miss Juneteenth' (2020)

In this drama, a former beauty pageant winner and single mom prepares her rebellious daughter for her first pageant. “Miss Juneteenth” shows the joys and sorrows of Black motherhood and girlhood in a new and refreshing way.

Rating: TV-MA

'Fighting With My Family' (2019)

Perfect for watching with teenagers, “Fighting With My Family” is the story of an English family who lives and breathes wrestling, and what happens when two of the children are invited to try out to be part of WWE.

'Thor: Love and Thunder' (2022)

Thor is one of the few remaining original Avengers and in the last ensemble movie, “Avengers: Endgame,” Thor struggles with maintaining his mental health and aimlessly joins the Guardians of the Galaxy due to lack of other options. “Thor: Love and Thunder” picks up here, and apparently Thor has turned things around and is working on something big.

'The Fabelmans' (2022)

It only takes one inspirational experience to completely change the direction of a kid’s life. Director Steven Spielberg had that moment in “The Fabelmans,” an award-winning film that shows how he first fell in love with movies and how, step-by-step, he became the beloved director he is today. The Oscar nominated movie may inspire the young people in your life to follow their dreams.

'Good Will Hunting' (1997)

“Good Will Hunting” is a classic starring Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Robin Williams. Will (Damon) and Chuckie (Affleck) are bootstrapping their way through life in a run down Boston neighborhood, often fighting their way through troubles. Will works as a janitor at MIT and a professor discovers Will is a young prodigy who should be in college, not on the streets. The movie follows Will as he tries to reach his potential while also figuring out what he wants to do, not what the professor is forcing on him.

'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' (2023)

“Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” finally answers the questions that previous Marvel movies have teased regarding what’s actually in the quantum realm and how did Ant-Man’s mother-in-law survive down there for 30 years. In the movie, the superhero’s teenage daughter gets them, Hope (her dad’s wife) and her grandparents all sucked into the quantum realm, which leads to a lot of arguments. But throughout the movie, they find common ground and she ends up saving the day.

'Elf' (2003)

“Elf” is a classic starring Will Ferrell (Buddy), who plays a human raised by Santa’s elves before journeying to New York City to meet his biological father. Leaving the North Pole is hard, but so is bringing its culture to the big apple, so Buddy has to decide who he is in this new city.

'Jerry Maguire' (1996)

The title character in “Jerry Maguire” is a knuckle-busting sports agent who suddenly has a change of heart and wants to do things the right way. He’s fired over it, and only one person at the company, a single mother, leaves with him and they start a new company together. They somehow manage to fall in love despite losing clients, money and Jerry’s less than warm words at times.

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' (2023)

Multiverses is the name of the game in Marvel's world these days. In "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," Miles Morales, who is Spider-Man in the comic book, is thrown to the multiverse. Shameik Moore stars as Miles; Daniel Kaluuya and Issa Rae also star.

'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' (2022)

"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" is a eulogy to King T'Challa and his original actor, Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020. It's also a celebration of Wakandans coming together and finding their new leader as they thwart off new attacks.

'Flamin' Hot' (2023)

Is "Flamin' Hot" based on a true story ? The movie supposedly tells the tale of how a janitor created the Flamin' Hot Cheetos flavor, which is disputed by Frito-Lay. But the movie still has lessons to share .

Rating: PG-3

'Draft Day' (2014)

Kevin Costner and the last Chadwick Boseman star in "Draft Day," the story of how Costner's character, Sonny Weaver Jr., landed the No. 1 draft pick for the NFL's Cleveland Browns in a true uphill battle. Boseman plays Vontae Mack, who Sonny wants to draft, but he has no support from his team to do it since they think there are better players available.

'Freaky Friday' (2003)

"Freaky Friday" is a classic starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis as mother and daughter who just are not seeing eye-to-eye. They literally have to walk in each other's shoes to have empathy and more respect for each other.

'Coach Carter' (2005)

Samuel L. Jackson plays the title character in “Coach Carter,” a classic film that shows what a high school basketball team can do when their coach believes in them and is a great teacher. Their city, Richmond, California, needs something to believe in and some good news to share. The high school’s potential boy’s basketball championship would be perfect.

'Honk for Jesus' (2022)

Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall shine in “Honk For Jesus,” a parody that points out double standards related to the institution of the church and the pros and cons of being a part of mega churches or smaller, local churches.

'Unchartered' (2020)

“Uncharted” is a modern day treasure hunt. Two orphaned brothers (Tom Holland and Mark Walhberg) join forces to stop a corrupt billionaire from finding the treasure before they do. But the treasure is hidden and most people don’t think it exist at all, so the friends have their work cut out for them.

Movies for families with middle grade kids

'wonka' (2023).

Drawing from the character in Roald Dahl's 1964 children’s novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” “Wonka” serves as the origin story for eccentric chocolatier Willy Wonka, played by Timothée Chalamet. It chronicles the journey of a young Willy Wonka, who attempts to establish his first chocolate shop amidst competition from rival chocolatiers.

'Sky High' (2005)

Every student in “Sky High” has super powers. Their high school trains them to use their skills — an investment that proves useful when their school comes under attack.

'Akeelah and the Bee' (2006)

Keke Palmer, Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishbourne star in this classic about students from different socioeconomic backgrounds and high schools competing in spelling bees. It’s a lighthearted story with some heavier moments sprinkled in (not to mention oodles of star talent).

'High School Musical' (2006)

The original “High School Musical” set the foundation for all the spinoffs that have since happened (and are available on Disney+). Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) fall in love as he reconciles being a basketball player who wants to perform theatre and she prepares for a big science competition.

Rating: TV-G

'The Greatest Showman' (2017)

Ideal for families with older kids, “The Greatest Showman” is an irresistible musical starring Hugh Jackman, consummate showman himself, as circus maestro P.T. Barnum. The musical takes its liberties with Barnum’s life story, but — featuring music by duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul — is likely more entertaining for the editorializing.

'Holes' (2003)

“Holes” has a dark premise — but kids will enjoy the movie’s twists nevertheless. The movie is set at a brutal boot camp where teens in need of “straightening out” are sent. There, they dig holes. All day. eventually, they find out what their days of toil are for, but it takes some ... digging.

'Mrs. Doubtfire' (1993)

In one of his most enduring roles, the late Robin Williams plays Daniel Hillard, a dad who, amid a divorce, goes to great lengths to get more time with his kids. He dresses up as a nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire, in the hopes that he can remain a caregiver — and his ex-wife hires him, not knowing who’s really behind that prosthetic nose. As Mrs. Doubtfire, he learns what’s really going on with his family, and how to fix it. The movie’s legacy is continued in a Broadway show .

'Inside Out' (2015)

Feel every feeling through this Pixar movie, which alternates between showing a teenage girl’s perspective and the viewpoints of the five main emotions in her brain. “Inside Out” shows how to balance the voices of joy, sadness, anger, fear and disgust — for we all have them inside us.

'Spy Kids' (2001)

Carmen (Alexa PenaVega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara) are roped into their parents’ gadget-filled life as spies. All four “Spy Kids” movies are a blend of “James Bond” and kid-friendly hijinks.

'The Princess Bride' (1987)

As you wish. With its blend of adventure, comedy and romance, “The Princess Bride” is likely to appeal to everyone in the family. Based on the novel by William Goldman, “The Princess Bride” is about a couple wrenched apart by a king — but the side characters, from Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) to Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), are largely what render the spoof film a cult classic.

'Elemental' (2023)

People are fire, water, earth or air in "Elemental" and have to figure out how to live together even though they are complete opposites. The experimental movie is a great followup to "Inside Out," prompting questions as it elicits laughs.

'The Little Mermaid' (2023)

The live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid" is spectacular in its emotion, visual effects and storyline. The plot is the same as the original: Ariel the mermaid wants to live on land and trades her voice to the sea witch Ursula for legs. While on land, Ariel falls in love, but has to figure out a way to get her voice back and keep her new legs. But the vivid visuals are more dramatic (and scary!) in live-action form, making it appeal to older kids as well as younger.

'Queen of Katwe' (2016)

A 10-year-old chess prodigy (played by the late Nikita Pearl Waligwa) from the slums of Kampala, Uganda becomes a widely recognized chess player and uses the opportunity to escape her impoverished lifestyle. Lupita Nyong’o and David Oyelowo star in this family drama, based on the true story of Phiona Mutesi.

'Turning Red' (2022)

“Turning Red” sparked conversation between parents when it premiered on Disney+ in 2022. For all its use of fantasy plot lines — our protagonist is from a line of women who turn into red panda bears — the animated movie takes a real look at what it’s like to be a preteen girl, marked by unabashed enthusiasm, intense feelings and forever friendship.

'National Treasure' (2004)

“National Treasure” is the first in a three movie series in which Benjamin Gates (Nicolas Cage) uses U.S. history facts to uncover clues that lead to a treasure. Along the way, he falls in love and grows even closer to his aging father.

'The Game Plan' (2007)

Football star Joe Kingman (Dwyane Johnson) is enjoying his bachelor years after previously getting a divorce only to find out he actually has a young daughter with his ex-wife. Joe ends up taking in his daughter to live with him. His life is shaken up for the worst before he realizes it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

Movies for families with elementary schoolers

'trolls' (2016).

“Trolls” is an animated musical comedy starring Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake as the optimistic Poppy and cautious Branch. When the Bergens invade Troll Village, Poppy and Branch set off on a mission to rescue fellow trolls before they are eaten.

'Bee Movie' (2007)

In “Bee Movie,” Jerry Seinfeld voices fresh-out-of-college honeybee Barry B. Benson. On a rare trip outside the hive, Barry is saved by a florist named Vanessa, played by Renée Zellweger. As their friendship develops, Barry learns that humans have been exploiting bees for honey and decides to sue the human race.

'Kung Fu Panda' (2008)

Po, a worker in his father's noodle shop, dreams of being a kung fu warrior alongside the Furious Five — Tigress, Monkey, Crane, Viper and Mantis — but thinks it'll never happen. His dream becomes a reality when a supervillain threatens all of their livelihoods.

'The Family Switch' (2023)

Jess and Bill Walker and their two pre-teens are just not seeing eye-to-eye. When they unknowingly encounter an astrology reader who switches Jess into her daughter's body and Bill into his son's. Living as each other for a day sure brings some perspective, to say the least. Jennifer Garner, Ed Helms, Emma Myers and Brady Noon star.

'Yes Day' (2001)

Parents (played by Jennifer Garner and Edgar Ramirez) say yes to anything their kids want in “Yes Day” for 24 hours and the three Torres kids do not hold back.

'Daddy Day Care' (2003)

Forced into being a stay-at-home dad, Charlie (Eddie Murphy) ends up starting a day care that becomes quite popular. As attendance surges, Charlie has to find a way to bring the center up to code and stay open for the rambunctious kids who love his day care.

'Wish' (2023)

It’s time to believe in “Wish” when teenager Asha asks for help and gets a response from a ball of energy called Star. They team up to help save Asha’s kingdom from its corrupt ruler who intentionally keeps the townspeople under his powerful thumb.

'Dr. Dolittle' (1998)

Eddie Murphy can talk to animals in “Dr. Dolittle” and his kids don’t know what to think. He tries to bond with them while also helping as many animals as he can.

'Over the Hedge' (2006)

Scrappy woodland friends uncharacteristically wake up in the middle of their hibernation season and have to band together to withstand the bounty that humans in their neighborhood put on their heads.

'Stuart Little' (1999)

"Stuart Little," an adaptation of E.B. White's novel of the same name, is a spin on pet adoption. The Little family adopts an anthropomorphic mouse, Stuart, and expects their son, George, to treat him like his real brother. It takes time, as you might expect.

'Brave' (2012)

This Scotland-set animated film tells the story of Merida, a teenager set on defying a patriarchal tradition her village follows, and Queen Elinor, her mother who tries at all cost to prevent Merida from achieving her goal. Even though it’s a kid’s movie, the mother and daughter’s rocky relationship is likely to resonate with adults, too.

'Vivo' (2021)

Young Andres and his cute pet kinkajou, straight out of the local Cuban rainforest, off to find Andres’ best friend in an eventful road trip adventure. The musical.

'Horton Hears a Who!' (2008)

Jim Carrey played the Grinch in one Dr. Seuss adaptation; here, he plays an animated elephant named Horton who, oddly enough, hears sounds coming from a tiny speck of dust. Turns out these the speck of dust is home to Whos of Whoville (where “The Grinch” takes place). Horton mounts a campaign to convince others what he hears is real.

'Despicable Me' (2010)

Gru (Steve Carrell) is a proud supervillain, and with good reason — he’s good at it. When he ends up getting custody of three orphaned sisters, though, he has to get a whole new skill set. “Despicable Me” will open up a universe of movies, including sequels and movies based on the minion side characters.

'The Princess and the Frog' (2009)

“The Princess and the Frog” uses Disney’s classic style of animation for a new story. In this New Orleans-set story, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) kisses a frog and becomes one herself. There go her dreams of starting a restaurant — or so she thinks.

'The Sandlot' (1993)

“The Sandlot” captures the feeling of childhood, especially for those ‘90s kids who grew up watching it over and over. Set in the ‘60s, the movie follows a group of baseball-loving kids over the course of one pivotal summer.

'Finding Dory' (2016)

In the "Finding Nemo" sequel, all the questions surrounding Dory’s parents and short attentions pan are finally answered, and she’s reunited with her family, at last.

'Shark Tale' (2004)

The ocean is literally full of loan sharks and indebted fish in "Shark Tale." Lenny the shark decides he doesn't want to be a part of his family's shady business — but how does he get out? He meets Oscar the fish, who owes Lenny's family a lot of money. The two hatch a plan that's supposed to solve both their problems. But, of course, it just creates more. These two are in deep .

'Jumanji' (1995)

A family game night goes completely wrong in "Jumanji" when the kids find an old, sketchy looking board game in the attic. Turns out, the game is magical and as they play, random people emerge from the board and the family has to figure out how to help them, if they can. Robin Williams stars. The 2017 and 2019 remakes star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black.

'The Wizard of Oz' (1939)

Follow the yellow brick road through a spirited journey in "Wizard of Oz." This classic musical's favorite characters are Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, who each lack something and travel to the Wizard of Oz hoping he can fulfill their requests. Unfortunately, the wizard turns out to be a complete sham and the quartet realizes they already had what they were seeking.

'How to Train Your Dragon' (2010)

It's already hard being the chief's son, but it's doubly difficult when Hiccup disagrees with some of the clan's ways of life, such as hunting and killing dragons. Forced into dragon-fighting school, Hiccup actually befriends a dragon and creates a new possibility for his clan: How to train dragons and co-exist.

'Aliens in the Attic' (2009)

"Aliens in the Attic" is exactly what the title suggests. So much for a peaceful family vacation! When a few kids find aliens in their attic, they concoct a plan to drive them out. Piecing clues together, they learn that the aliens can only control adults. So, for the plan to work, the kids must ban together and keep the adults completely in the dark.

'Ella Enchanted' (2004)

Parents who have wished their kids always did as they were told may rethink that after watching "Ella Enchanted." In the movie, Ella (Anne Hathaway) has a spell cast on her that makes her obey every command. People later use it against her and she internally struggles to find a way to break the spell.

'Lightyear' (2022)

"Toy Story" fans already know Buzz Lightyear. Or, do they? In "Lightyear," fans finally get the back story how how Buzz ended up on Earth and what he wanted to do before becoming one of Andy's toys.

'Me Time' (2022)

Finally! One dad managed to stumble into some free time when his wife and kids are away with her family. So he meets up with an old childhood friend for a hilarious adventure while his wife and kids have one of their own. The movie stars Mark Wahlberg, Regina Hall and Kevin Hart.

'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial' (1982)

"E.T." is all about letting possibility into your universe. Oh, and it's also about aliens. This Steven Spielberg classic follows what happens when a boy (Henry Thomas) discovers a friendly alien and tries to help him find his way home.

'Paddington' (2014)

Paddington the Bear, the classic character from children's literature, was revived for a new generation through these charming movies featuring just about every famous English actor. You might even like the sequel more than the first one.

'The Goonies' (1985)

"The Goonies" was a classic children's movie for one generation, and still holds up. An old pirate map found in an attic leads to real-life treasure. This movie will have kids looking for avenues for magic in their own lives.

'Luca' (2021)

Travel to the coast of Italy in this Pixar movie about a pre-teen sea monster who explores the land, and finds there's a lot to love (including gelato).

'Sing' (2016)

This animated movie takes place in a world where anthropomorphic animals live side-by-side, and follows a particularly talented bunch. Matthew McConaughey is a koala bear theater owner who launches a singing contest to save his theater. Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson and Taron Egerton are among the animals shooting for stardom. "Sing 2," out in 2022, is just as song-filled (and might even be your favorite of the two).

'Are We There Yet?' (2005)

Suzanne Kingston's (Nia Long) two kids are determined to keep her from finding a romantic connection. And while Nick Persons (Ice Cube) has a crush on Suzanne, he's not interested in raising anyone's kids. Nick offers Suzanne and her kids a ride to the airport — but ends up driving them all the way from Oregon to Canada. The road trip is long, not only in miles, but teaches everyone a few lessons along the way. This family comedy has a sequel, "Are We Done Yet" (2007), that's worth watching next.

'Encanto' (2021)

The Madrigal family, the family at the center of this Pixar move, captivated viewers with their array of powers, their enchanted magic house, and their original songs written by Lin-Manuel. One family member, Mirabel, doesn't have any powers but ends up being the key to solving a family dilemma. We all ended up talking about Bruno , thanks to this movie.

'Cheaper by the Dozen' (2003)

"Cheaper by the Dozen" features Steve Martin and Kate Baker as parents who've put their career and dreams on the back burner to raise 12 rambunctious kids. The 2022 remake starring Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff puts a new age spin on the classic movie.

'Ice Age' (2002)

For parents who can handle talking animals (and we know that some simply cannot), "Ice Age" is for you. In the movie, animals across species band together to survive in a changing environment. Ray Ramano and Queen Latifah lead this four-movie series that, despite its name, is nothing if not warm.

'The Parent Trap' (1998)

Imagine Hallie and Annie's surprise when they learn they are each other's twin while at summer camp. Their parents, they realize, split them up as kids. At the end of the summer, the twins go home with the unknown parent to get their questions answered and reunite their family. This classic stars Lindsey Lohan as both the twins.

'Finding Nemo' (2003)

"Finding Nemo" might cause tears before laughter, and that's thanks to the sad opening scene. In this classic Pixar movie, a clownfish named Marlin tragically loses his wife in an accident that destroyed all their unhatched babies — except one, Nemo. When Nemo goes missing, Marlin has to face his agoraphobic tendencies and venture out into the ocean.

'Matilda' (1996)

Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is a genius — but hardly anyone seems to acknowledge this. The only bright spots in her life are her beloved books and her teacher, Mrs. Honey (Embeth Davidtz), who's sympathetic to her situation. Matilda's unused brainpower leads her to develop powers that surprise her family and delight the rest of us. The musical adaptation on Netflix is equally memorable.

'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids' (1989)

This classic family comedy is a whirlwind of adventure. A scientist (Rick Moranis) accidentally shrinks his four kids with a shrink ray he thought didn't work. When he throws it out, his quarter-of-an-inch-sized kids have to get from the garbage can in the yard back to the house while combatting now-dangerous sprinkler systems and stampedes of ants.

'The Lion King' (1994)

Sing along in this coming-of-age classic as Simba rediscovers who he is after tragically losing his dad, Mufasa, and learns to inherit his birthright.

'Home Alone' (1990)

As his family prepares for a Christmas vacation to Paris, Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) gets accidentally left behind. While home alone, hence the title, Kevin tries to outsmart the two criminals trying to ransack his family's house. Kevin is initially criticized for his mischievousness — but that quality ultimately saves the day.

'The Incredibles' (2004)

When they're not suiting up and saving the world, the family in "The Incredibles" are doing laundry and homework. They're almost normal — but not quite, and that's why they've been tasked with taking down villains. This classic movie and its sequel feature America's favorite superhero family.

'Johnson Family Vacation' (2004)

This road trip movie stars Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams, Bow Wow, Solange Knowles and Steve Harvey as estranged family members heading on a road trip from California to Missouri for a reunion.

Rating: PG-13

'Moana' (2016)

Moana (Auli'i Cravalho) is a princess of a Pacific island that no one ever leaves — but she wants to. The daring teenager hopes to save her community by sailing away and embarking on an ancestral quest. Music by Lin-Manuel Miranda punctuates her journey. After seeing this movie, which co-stars Dwyane Johnson as a demigod, you'll say, "You're welcome ."

'Shrek' (2001)

Journey into Shrek's swamp — actually, on second thought, best not to. This Scottish ogre, voiced by Mike Meyers, hates visitors on his land. Follow, instead, as Shrek falls in love with the princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz).

'Ramona and Beezus' (2010)

Joey King and Selena Gomez star as sisters (and total opposites) trying to save their family home. Ramona (King) is a rambunctious grade schooler who uses her imagination to make sense of her changing reality. Beezus (Gomez) is an older sister just trying to keep up with all Ramona's shenanigans, all the while trying to secure their family home. The movies is based on a children's book series by Beverly Cleary .

'Bridge to Terabithia' (2007)

In this classic book adaptation, two teenagers (AnnaSophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson) create an imaginary world that magical creatures inhabit. The young adults find freedom and empowerment in this world, a stark contrast to the their home lives. "Bridge to Terabithia" has a notoriously tear-jerking ending — you've been warned.

'The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl' (2005)

What's a lonely boy to do? Create an imaginary world filled with superheroes, of course. In this film, a kid with an overactive imagination is drawn into the world that might be more real than he originally thought.

'Because of Winn-Dixie' (2005)

Families with pets will appreciate "Because of Winn-Dixie," the story of Opal Buloni (AnnaSophia Robb), a 10-year-old girl who finds companionship in a stray dog she encounters outside of a Winn-Dixie supermarket. Through the relationship she has with Winn-Dixie and new friends in the community, Opal helps come to terms with the mom who abandoned her, and connect with the preacher father who she's suddenly living with.

'Up' (2009)

Since "Up" celebrates intergenerational friendships, it's a great pick for grandparents to watch with their grandkids. In "Up," 78-year-old widower Carl Fredricksen (Edward Asner) is about to fulfill his and his wife's lifelong dream of flying, via balloon, to a vista in South America. To his surprise, a kid named Russell (Jordan Nagai) and his dog are in the house when he takes off, disrupting his plans of a solitary, contemplative journey.

'The Lorax' (2012)

12-year-old Ted (Zac Efron) is on a mission: He wants to win over his crush, Audrey (Taylor Swift), and she loves Truffula trees. Unfortunately, that simple gift is impossible to get in their town, which completely lacks vegetation. His efforts to find a tree lead him closer to an explanation of why all the plants disappeared.

Randi Richardson is a reporter for NBC News' TODAY.com based in Brooklyn.

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Find Family Movies, Movie Ratings and Movie Reviews

The Forge PG

An answer to prayer, a friend for life.

True love never dies.

Blink Twice R

Overall: d+.

A party to forget.

Overall: D-

Who invited the freshmen?

The Union PG-13

A new mission with an old flame.

My Penguin Friend PG

An unexpected friendship.

Ryan’s World the Movie: Titan Universe Adventure PG

Big brother, big hero.

Alien: Romulus R

Only it can hear you scream.

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41 best family movies on Netflix in 2024

These are the best family movies on Netflix right now

Choosing from the best family movies on Netflix isn't easy, even with a new addition here and there. Netflix's always losing licensed movies, giving us reasons to update this list to make sure it reflects the current options. Making matters worse, Netflix's Children & Family Movies section is packed with films of questionable quality, and it takes a lot of time to sift through all of them to find something that works for you and your crew. 

We consider ratings from both Common Sense Media and Rotten Tomatoes, but neither is exactly the end-all-be-all for deciding what's truly one of the best family movies on Netflix. Trying to keep your kids away from inappropriate content? Check out our guide on how to set up Netflix parental controls . 

The best family movies on Netflix right now

'the imaginary'.

Studio Ponoc's whimsical animated tale follows a young girl named Amanda (Evie Kiszel) and her invisible friend Rudger (Louie Rudge-Buchanan). Amanda and Rudger head off on fun adventures in a world of make-believe. But when circumstances find Rudger alone, he ends up in the Town of Imaginaries, a place where forgotten imaginary friends are left to languish. There, Rudger encounters an ominous threat that challenges his very existence. 

91% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 11 and up Watch now

'Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie'

When the entire undersea city of Bikini Bottom and its colorful inhabitants find themselves uprooted from their aquatic home, they need a hero. But not just any hero. A squirrelly one, from Texas. Determined to rescue their beloved community, Sandy Cheeks (Carolyn Lawrence) and SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) set off for the Lone Star State, where they must confront the mastermind behind this sinister plan and restore Bikini Bottom to its rightful place beneath the waves.

40% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up Watch now

'Thelma the Unicorn'

"Thelma the Unicorn" centers on Thelma, a plain pony who dreams of becoming a glamorous unicorn. When an accidental transformation turns her into a sparkling pink unicorn, Thelma skyrockets to fame and experiences the highs and lows of celebrity life. As she navigates her new world of glitz and adoration, Thelma learns important lessons about identity, self-acceptance, and the true meaning of happiness. With catchy songs and emotional moments, this movie makes for a meaningful watch for both children and adults. — AB

63% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up Watch now

'Orion and the Dark'

"Orion and the Dark" is an animated adventure comedy movie based on the children's book by Emma Yarlett. The story follows Orion, a young boy who is afraid of the dark. One night, the Dark itself comes to life and takes Orion on a journey to help him confront and overcome his fears. Through their adventures, Orion discovers the wonders and secrets hidden in the darkness, learning that it isn't as frightening as he once thought. This story combines humor, heartwarming moments, and imaginative visuals to deliver a message about facing fears and finding friendship in unexpected places. — AB 

91% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'True Spirit'

True Spirit tells the true story of teenager Jessica Watson (Teagan Croft), who became the youngest person to sail around the world on her own. Watson sets out on the daring voyage at just 16 years old. Anna Paquin stars as her mother, who supports Jessica's ambitious dream despite its dangers, and Cliff Curtis gives a standout performance as the gruff but dedicated sailing mentor who trains Watson for the treacherous journey ahead. It's an uplifting story about never giving up, even when facing the impossible, that will likely resonate with the entire family or anyone who needs a little encouragement here and there. 

75% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up Watch now

'Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken'

Ruby Gillman (Lana Condor) is a 16-year-old kraken who desperately wants to fit in at school with her peers. But that's hard to do when you have an overprotective mom who won't let you in the water. When Ruby breaks her rules and figures out she's part of a line of powerful kraken queens and is next in line for the throne from her grandmother, her life if being an invisible nobody ends as she must face off against a group of evil mermaids set on taking over the world's oceans. 

65% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up Watch now

'Marcel the Shell with Shoes On'

Marcel (Jenny Slate) is a tiny shell who lives with his grandmother, and yes, he has shoes on. The pair are the only ones who live in their town, though they once had a neighbor who mysteriously disappeared. After someone finds a film posted by the neighbor, the world discovers Marcel and millions fall in love with him and look to help him on his journey to reconnect with his long-lost family. 

98% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse'

Following the events of the first “ Spider-Man : Into the Spider-Verse” film, Miles Morales is attempting to balance his life as a normal teenager with his identity as Spider-Man. However, after a fateful encounter with a villain known as “The Spot” and a reunion with his friend Gwen Stacy, Morales gets sucked back into the multiverse where he finds out that not all Spider-People have good intentions, and not all heroes want to save the world. 

This second entry in this blockbuster series garnered universal acclaim from critics and audiences and showcased a complex hero’s journey for Miles Morales. Filled with action, heart, and one of the best scores for an animated film in recent memory, this is definitely a trip into the multiverse that families will love taking. 

95% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 9 and up Watch now

'A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon'

Shaun goes sci-fi in “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon,” a slapstick stop-motion movie with a surprisingly heartwarming message about friendship, helping others, and the importance of home.

The film kicks off with a crash-landing near Mossy Bottom Farm, which leaves a strange alien stranded. Shaun decides to help, but soon finds out that this unearthly visitor is being pursued by a mysterious organization. While kids will enjoy the film’s close calls and over-the-top humor, there is plenty here for adults as well, including some smart callbacks to sci-fi classics like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “E.T.” and “2001: A Space Odyssey”

96% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 5 and up Watch now

'Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget'

Over two decades after their original daring escape in “Chicken Run”, soft-spoken and friendly hen Ginger (Thandiwe Newton) and brash American rooster Rocky (Zachary Levi) find themselves having to protect their newfound flock from an all-too-familiar menace. This time, the chickens won't be breaking out of the farm they live on, but breaking in – are their infiltration skills as good as their escape prowess all these years later? You bet – and the silly, family-friendly jokes make for a clucking good time, too. 

81% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 7 and up Watch now

'Over the Moon'

Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) is a young girl on a quest to validate the legendary tale of Chang’e (Phillipa Soo), the moon goddess who chose immortality over love with Houyi (Conrad Ricamora). To do that, Fei Fei builds a rocket to the moon, determined to prove the existence of the deity that she sees come to life in vibrant color, dancing across the print of a decorative scarf. This out-of-this-world adventure has a show-stopping pop number from Soo and absolutely gorgeous animation that you’ll want to rewind over and over to see again. 

82% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up Watch now

Leo (Adam Sandler) is an old lizard who still has a zest for life. After spending every day of his life as a class pet, eventually discovers his days are numbered, with just one year left to make his dreams of freedom from the school he lives in a reality. But when a notoriously mean substitute teacher takes over his class, Leo's escape plan takes an unexpected turn. He soon finds himself far away from his best friend and fellow school pet Squirtle (Bill Burr), in a new role where he acts as support and a confidant for frustrated students. 

82% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio'

Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio reimagines the classic tale as a post-World War I story with many darker elements. Woodcarver Geppetto (David Bradley), still grieving the loss of his son Carlo (Gregory Mann), crafts a puppet from a pine tree planted at his son's grave. The puppet, named Pinocchio (Mann), comes to life as a mischievous little boy, leading to chaos in his small village. Guiding Pinocchio is Sebastian J. Cricket (Ewan McGregor). Pinocchio struggles with his identity while wishing for immortality, and gets caught up in several mishaps, including being exploited in a circus lead by Count Volpe (Christoph Waltz) and coming face to face with a terrifying sea creature. It’s a sight darker than the Disney version, but well worth the journey. 

96% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 11 and up Watch now  

'Rescued by Ruby'

Daniel O'Neil (Grant Gustin) is a Rhode Island state trooper who wants to join the K-9 search and rescue team. Despite repeated rejections, he keeps trying even harder after learning his wife is pregnant. In a twist of fate, Daniel crosses paths with Ruby, a hyperactive half-border collie with a history of failed adoptions from the local shelter. Recognizing a kindred spirit in Ruby, Daniel takes a leap of faith, adopting her to train as his search and rescue partner. Together, the pair overcome all odds to become who they were truly meant to be. - BV

100% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now  

'The Sleepover'

Clancy Finch (Sadie Stanley) is a teenager with a crush and a rebellious streak. She finds her world turned upside down when her mother Margot's (Malin Akerman) past catches up with them. Margot, a former member of a crime syndicate now in witness protection, is forced to confront her old life when a viral video blows her cover. The Finch children, along with Clancy's friend Mim (Cree Cicchino) and brother Kevin's (Maxwell Simkins) friend Lewis (Lewis Jaye), become accidental heroes as they embark on a mission to save their parents. 

67% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

This luxuriously-animated movie is all about odd allegiances. Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz) is a shape-shifter whose people have been targeted by the knights of the kingdom.  But, then, knight Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) is framed for the murder of the queen of this futuristic world — and needs Nimona's help to clear his name.

Critics praise Nimona for its positive messages, but also note that it may be a little too violent for some. Others, demand a sequel.

97% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 11 and up Watch now

'Enola Holmes 2'

Sequels, often, benefit from having their predecessor done the heavy-lifting needed to establish a world that characters (and audiences) can have fun in. So, now that young Enola (Millie Bobby Brown) Holmes is ready to break out of the shadow of her famous brother (Henry Cavill) and start her own agency, she's also old enough to learn that the world won't take a young girl seriously as a detective. 

Fortunately, she meets Bessie (Serrana Su-Ling Bliss), a factory girl in desperate need of help finding her missing sister. So, while audiences are entertained, they'll actually also get an education about the 1888 matchgirls' strike.

94% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 12 and up Watch now

'Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical'

Not every child is raised by parents who care about their education, and not every family can make it to a Royal Shakespeare Company performance. And so we talk about Netflix's new adaptation of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical. Applauded for solid performances all-around — Emma Thomson and Lashana Lynch were expectedly fantastic, while newcomer Alisha Weir also dazzles — this film is proof that Netflix can make some of the best family movies, period. And credit to director Matthew Warchus and screenwriter Dennis Kelly for sprinkling in the appropriately small amount of risk and danger on top. 

92% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'The Sea Beast'

Netflix is slowly hitting its stride again when it comes to family-friendly animated movies, and The Sea Beast is the latest piece of proof in that favor. This aquatic adventure finds the orphaned Maisie (voiced by Zaris-Angel Hator) stow away on a pirate ship run by monster hunters, led by Captain Crow (Jared Harris). But there's a beast known as The Red Bluster that's terrorizing the seas and causing trouble for the crew. Soon, Maisie and the captain's adopted son Jacob Holland (Karl Urban) are separated from the rest of the crew, and need to survive on their own.

94% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood'

Netflix's original animated kids movies typically go CGI and neon, so color us surprised and delighted to find that Richard Linklater is at the helm for Netflix's latest great movie for families. This time, Linklater is using his love of rotoscope animation to recreate what it was like to be a child during the space race. The film is told through two perspective, a child named Stan who dreams of being in space, and the astronauts and mission control team working during the first moon landing.

92% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up Watch now

'Hilda and the Mountain King'

If your family hasn't watched Netflix's excellent animated series Hilda yet, now's the right time — as its sequel movie just came out. This wonderful show has a brilliant wholesome energy to it, with charm and emotional resonance. This feature-length episode looks at one of the show's biggest questions, "what's up with the human/troll conflict?" and does so with a traditional manner: a fish out of water story. The plot is simple, the titular Hilda wakes up with the body of a troll, and is now tasked with two missions: regain her human form and save the city of Trolberg. 

97% Rotten Tomatoes (audience score) Common Sense Media says: Not reviewed yet Watch now

Don't think we need a Santa origin story? Sorry, while the movie industry has made many of us grinches when it comes to films that explain where long-loved characters come from, Klaus breaks the mold. This gorgeous animated film tells a tale set in the fictional town of Smeerensburg, Jesper (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) is a spoiled postman who somehow makes friends with — you guessed it — Klaus (voiced by J.K. Simmons), the local toymaker. Older audiences will appreciate veteran actors including Joan Cusack and the late Norm Macdonald.

94% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote eight original songs for the movie, which fuses his Broadway rapping style with the sounds of Cuba. Vivo follows the titular kinkajou (Miranda), a talented musician who busks in the streets of Havana with owner Andrés (Juan de Marcos). After a tragedy, Vivo journeys to Florida to deliver a love song to the famous singer Marta Sandoval (Gloria Estefan). Along the way, he makes some unlikely friends and connects in his grief with Andrés’ grandniece Gabi (Ynairaly Simo).

86% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 6 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

'Escape The Undertaker'

OK, this one may be best for kids who are a little older (CSM ranks it for ages 9 and up), but this digital choose-your-own adventure movie offers something your kids may not have seen in a while. You make the decisions for WWE Superstars The New Day, who have decided to stop by The Undertaker's creepy mansion. The chemistry between the trio (Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) is hilarious, and it's perfect for younger and older children alike. Having trouble with inputting your selection? Netflix customer service might be able to help.

No Rotten Tomatoes score Common Sense Media says: ages 9 and up Watch now

'The Mitchells vs. The Machines'

The latest addition to this list of the best family movies on Netflix, The Mitchells vs. The Machines is an animated film that has something for everyone. Its visuals astound (as we expected from the team behind Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse), and its cast is filled to the brim with top players including Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre and Olivia Colman. 

And the story is simple until it's chaos: the Mitchell family is out for a road trip right before daughter Katie starts film school. But, then, the robot uprising begins. You know, all our smart tech has finally had enough of us, and is going to take over. It's the inevitable moment we all saw coming, and the exact last thing a family would want when they're on the road and reliant on technology. Too fantastic? Check out our guide to the best Netflix documentaries .

97% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'My Octopus Teacher'

Tired of zany and too-wacky Netflix animated movies filled with animals who talk and prattle on too long? Looking to give your kids a completely different kind of movie night? Audiences 8 and up (according to Common Sense Media) will enjoy this documentary about a filmmaker who needs to get away from it all — and retreats to the shores of South Africa. 

Diving in the local kelp forest, he meets an octopus who becomes his new friend. The two spend nearly a year together, and their connection is genuine and powerful. 

95% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

'Wish Dragon'

Kids will flock to Sony Pictures Animation's Wish Dragon for the colorful designs and zany antics, but their parents will keep paying attention because of a stellar cast of voice actors. The likes of John Cho, Constance Wu, Bobby Lee and Jimmy O. Yang lend their voices to project that will surely speak to younger audiences. 

Din (voiced by Jimmy Wong) is a college student with large dreams and a small budget, who is helped by Long (Cho) a wish-granting dragon. Think Aladdin, but slightly more relevant. Oh, and one more item for its credibility: Jackie Chan produced Wish Dragon. 

68% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up (plus, a Common Sense Selection pick for Families) Watch now

'Enola Holmes'

Families looking for a fun and lively action-filled mystery should stream Enola Holmes. The film stars Stranger Things' Millie Bobby Brown, who brings modern sensibilities to days of yore. And, yes, Enola is from that Holmes family. But her brothers Sherlock (Henry Cavill) and Mycroft (Sam Clafin) are among those who don't know quite what to make of how their little sister is remarkably free-spirited for her time. Brown thrives in the role, mixing the fourth-wall breaking fun that seems to only make it to older female characters such as Fleabag. But parents don't need to worry about the show being too adult, aside from some fight scenes employing knives and guns. For movies from a different historical era, check out our guide to the best Presidents' Day movies . Also, Enola Holmes 2 is almost here!

91% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up Watch now

'Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey'

Seemingly a near-instant classic, Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey is the unexpected holiday season hit is one of the best family movies on Netflix — especially during the holiday season. A gigantic musical film, filled with joy and excitement — plus a top-tier cast — this John Legend-produced film has won applause all over, from critics to fans. We'll keep plot details minimal, but the film centers around a toymaker who's lost his smile, but may get his exuberance back when he's reunited with his intelligent granddaughter. Want more holiday cheer? Here's how to watch Elf online .

'John Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch'

Are your kids not exactly traditional? Parents of kids with particularly unique and slightly mature tastes in TV and movies should consider John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch for the next movie night. In this film, the titular comedian (who is also great on HBO Max's The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo ) runs through all of the standard kids content tropes with a sly wit and a lot of kindness. Younger kids may not "get" it, but parents who are fans of Mulaney's will likely wonder why all kids-friendly content can't be this intelligent. It's also got musical numbers, to keep the especially young crowd from getting bored.

96% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up Watch now

'Pokemon Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution'

A CGI remake of the original Pokemon film, Mewtwo Strikes Back: Evolution is both familiar but new. It focuses on what happens when the iconic Pokemon trainer Ash (and his fellow trainers) discover the massively powerful Mewtwo, a psychic Pokemon who is a massive threat. While it's not high art, it's still a decent choice for family movie night if and when your kid just got into the Pokemon world. Especially since the original is not on Netflix. Mewtwo will also teach kids about when you shouldn't judge others. 

44% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up. Watch now

'Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus'

Netflix rebooted the Nicktoon classic Invader Zim with this 71-minute film that's easily one of the best family movies on Netflix — especially for younger parents. Just like the classic show, Florpus offers a wild manic energy with some jokes that kids won't get and parents will chuckle at. Reviews point to the film's amazing eye candy and endearing energy levels, and small nods to other classic animated shows. If your kids love this film, maybe it's time to dig up the original series or get them started on Adventure Time. 

100% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up. Watch now

'The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind'

This inspiring film — set in a small farming village in Malawi — will pull audiences in with the presence of lead actor (and director) Chiwetel Ejiofor. The award-winning actor doesn't take up too much of the film, though, giving proper time to lead Maxwell Simba, who plays a 13-year-old boy named William. While William's story may read like a middle-school assignment, his education is taken away before he conceives a windmill-power generator to solve his town's problems, it's the kind of motivational story that science-obsessed kids might love.

85% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 12 and up. Watch now

'Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling'

For slightly older kids and parents on the younger end, Rocko's Modern Life: Static Cling is both proudly progressive and delightfully nostalgic. Not only does the series match the original Nicktoon's vibe, but its approach to identity and transgender roles should be inspiring to other family programming looking to take the leap. And at only 45 minutes, this special won't take a huge bite out of your night. 

91% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up. Watch now

'White Fang'

Inspired by Jack London's novel, White Fang will capture the imaginations of those who love pets and nature. Tracing the story of a wolfdog's life, as he moves between three masters, this wonderful animated movie comes to us from France, where it was originally titled Croc-Blanc. Voice acting work comes from beloved names such as Parks and Recreation stars Rashida Jones and Nick Offerman, as well as Paul Giamatti.

88% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 10 and up. Watch now

Parents looking for a futuristic animated film for their middle-school-aged (and up) kids that successfully manages to be appropriate and entertaining should check out Netflix's Next Gen. Featuring voice acting from John Krasinski (The Office) and Charlene Yi (Paper Heart), who play an AI and a young girl, respectively, who unite to stop a baddie. Next Gen is a sci-fi adventure movie that keeps its action scenes kid-friendly with laser blasts and explosions, while staying away from the more grizzly stuff.

60% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 8 and up. Watch now

'Pee-wee's Big Holiday'

Parents of a certain age, who would be eager to introduce their kids to Pee-wee Herman and his manic energy, will find Pee-wee's Big Holiday to be one of the best family movies on Netflix. It may not provide as many laughs per minute as previous capers, reviews noted it offers a sweetness that will delight existing fans and kids who can handle some surreal humor. 

80% Rotten Tomatoes Common Sense Media says: ages 11 and up. Watch now

Allison (Jennifer Garner) and Carlos Torres (Édgar Ramírez) have always said yes to everything. Now that they have kids (Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner, and Everly Carganilla), they've changed their tune. They have to say no to keep their sanity with all three children to keep the peace, or so they think. When they get wind of a "yes day" where parents can't decline any request, the Torres family jumps in to try and rebuild the growing rift between them and their kids. But as they keep giving in to more outlandish requests, the Torres clan discovers that you need those "no" answers to temper the yesses, but that doesn't mean you can't still enjoy time as a family. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 52% Common Sense Media says: Ages 8 and up Watch now

'Paddington'

In the heart of London, an unexpected visitor from the Peruvian rainforest finds himself far from home. Dubbed "Paddington" (Ben Whishaw) after the train station where he's discovered, this young bear quickly charms the kind-hearted Brown family: Henry (Hugh Bonneville) and Mary (Sally Hawkins). But as Paddington tries to adapt to city life and its challenges, he catches the eye of Millicent Clyde (Nicole Kidman), a taxidermist who wants him on her wall. The Browns must work together to protect their furry family member from a terrible fate, all the while learning a thing or two about each other along the way. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 97% Common Sense Media says: Ages 6 and up Watch now

'We Can Be Heroes'

This standalone flick, set in the same universe as The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, is all camp, but perfect for the whole family. When the world's mightiest heroes are captured in an epic battle, it's up to their kids to rise to the occasion. Led by Missy Moreno (YaYa Gosselin), who's joined by an ensemble of super-powered kids, this plucky team finds themselves on a mission to stop an alien "takeover." As they venture into the heart of the alien mothership, under the guidance of trainer Grandma Anita (Adriana Barraza), this next generation of heroes proves that sometimes, you need a set of younger hands to save the day.  

Rotten Tomatoes score: 74% Common Sense Media says: Ages 8 and up Watch now

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Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over 13 years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Popular Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She's also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX East and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she's not writing or gaming, she's looking for the next great visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.

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The 95 Best Family Movies Ever

In my home, family movie night is a weekly tradition. It's a shared experience that safely introduces my children to new ideas, places, cultures, people, and emotions. It reinforces qualities like humility, persistence, and kindness. And, of course, it's fun to snuggle up on a couch to laugh, cry, and scream together.

Movie night doesn't require conversation, though it might spark one after you watch a film that challenges viewers' perceptions of reality. And unlike in the theater, you can sit wherever you want, too, though a small couch will help keep young ones within a hug's reach during tense moments. Don't worry about snacks or bathroom breaks, either; both are only a quick pause and short walk away.

To help you find the best films for the event, I put together a list of the 95 best family films you can watch today. They will make family movie night (or morning, or afternoon) memorable for the entire clan, from the kindergarten-aged on up. Some films feature innovative artistic techniques, kicking open doors to new universes of creative discovery. Some films sneak in a moral lesson, the medicine the cinematic spoonful of sugar helps go down. Some may inspire impromptu dance parties, especially during the end credits. And all 95 of these movies are perfect for film-loving families, including mine.

The 7th Voyage of Sinbad

Don't be scared off by the 1958 release date. "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad" is a landmark fantasy epic that remains a blast today. The story involves Sinbad's impending (but not forced) marriage, which will ensure peace until a manipulative, power-hungry magician interferes. Yes, the overdubbed voices, fight scenes, and (ahem) creative casting feel centuries old compared to today's digitally-polished adventures, but "Sinbad" has a few tricks up its sleeve. Ray Harryhausen is an effects wizard, and his stop-motion beasts look like action figures come to life. The film also features an eye-popping Technicolor palette and vibrant score composed by Bernard Herrmann ("Psycho" and "Vertigo").

• Starring: Kerwin Mathews, Kathryn Grant, Torin Thatcher
• Director: Nathan Juran
• Runtime: 89 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%

April and the Extraordinary World

This world is certainly extraordinary. "April and the Extraordinary World" takes place in a steampunk reimagining of Earth that's drawn in a stark 2D style, keeping every moment grounded — even the slapstick and moments that require a suspension of disbelief. The story unfolds in an alternate timeline where scientists are abducted to work for a mysterious fascist regime. April (Angela Galuppo) and her talking cat, Darwin (Tony Hale), work to uncover her missing parents' scientific breakthrough as powerful beings from several factions try to stop her.

"April and the Extraordinary World" feels like a French-Belgian attempt at a Studio Ghibli movie. The world-building is complex, but playful and fun. The characters have depth; no one is truly evil. The twists successfully surprise. The only thing that's missing are the meditative pauses in Hayao Miyazaki's films. Instead, "April and the Extraordinary World" fills those moments with frenetic action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. You don't know what's coming next, and you'll be caught off guard by many of the film's reveals.

• Starring: Angela Galuppo, Tony Hale, Paul Giamatti
• Directors: Christian Desmares, Franck Ekinci
• Runtime: 105 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

"Babe" is a positive, bright film that shows us that farm animals are more than meat for humans to consume. The animals in "Babe" are brought to life via Academy Award-winning visual effects; the VFX team used CGI to make real animals look like they're speaking, or showing human-like facial expressions. These graphically-enhanced creatures are accompanied by animatronics, and neither ever look or feel out of place.

As a character, Babe, a pig who shakes up a farm's hierarchy by herding sheep, is persistently charming — so charming, in fact, that one viewing could spark some changes around dinnertime. "Babe" inspired so many moviegoers to become vegetarian that it impacted pork sales . If you're hungry for seconds, the sequel, "Babe: Pig in the City," is packed with charm and spectacle, although it's a little short on substance.

• Starring: Christine Cavanaugh, James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski
• Director: Chris Noonan
• Runtime: 94 minutes

Back to the Future

"Back to the Future" is airy as a hoverboard, timeless as an orange puffer vest, and as earnest as thinking someone stitched Calvin Klein's name into their underwear. It's so breezy that, while watching, you'll forget it's about a teenager who travels through time to fend off his mother's seductions and push his dad to save mom from sexual assault to preserve her virginity. Yes, it's bonkers, but it's also incredible. Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale wrote a flawless script. There are no wasted words. There are no wasted moments. The time travel rules are clearly established and perfectly followed. The climax builds to an electrifying conclusion.

The greatest thing about "Back to the Future" is its rewatchability. You've seen it and know it's great, but it's still better than you're expecting, even on viewing number 20. The sequels do not quite match the first film's quality, but watched consecutively they make for a string of fantastic movie nights.

• Starring: Michael J. Fox, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd
• Director: Robert Zemeckis
• Runtime: 116 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Beauty and the Beast

"Beauty and the Beast" is like an intimate, hand-painted Broadway show put on just for you and your family — and that's intentional. At one point, lyricist and frequent Disney collaborator Howard Ashman taught the company's animation staff about how Broadway musicals and American animation influenced one another, and changed the course of Disney's features in the process. As "Beauty and the Beast" co-director Kirk Wise said, "If you had to point to one person responsible for the Disney Renaissance, I would say it was Howard." Ashman died of AIDS before "Beauty and the Beast" came out, so while your kids laugh along to Lumiere's singing, take a moment to bask in the luminous lyricism and melodies of a master songwriter's final work (which, of course, earned him a posthumous Oscar for best original song).

• Starring: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White
• Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
• Runtime: 84 minutes

Beetlejuice

Thank you, Warner Bros. for trusting Tim Burton to summon "Beetlejuice" into our lives. Of course, Warner Bros probably would've been out a few million if not for Michael Keaton, whose grotesque but hilarious portrayal of the bio-exorcist serves as the heart of the film. He's like Robin Williams on a demonic slurry bender. Can you imagine what it would've been like if Burton had actually landed Sammy Davis Jr. for the lead role?

"Beetlejuice" is dark. It's about a dead couple (played by Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin) who don't want their dream home to turn into a mod nightmare, so they call forth Beetlejuice to help evict the house's living tenants. The movie is unlike anything else in cinema, aside from other Burton films. It's cartoony, hilarious, off-beat, and often bonkers. "Beetlejuice" has some strong language and adult references, but that shouldn't dissuade you from showing your kids this surreal supernatural comedy. Kick back with some popcorn, hit play, and scream out — in your best Beetlejuice voice — "It's showtime!"

• Starring: Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin
• Director: Tim Burton
• Runtime: 92 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

"I want to be big" is a universal childhood desire — but, as "Big" teaches us, adulthood isn't all it's cracked up to be. Tom Hanks is charming as ever here, playing a 13-year-old in a 30-year-old's body while he navigates work and other social challenges. The film breaches some topics that may be too mature for the smallest members of your clan, but it keeps those moments family friendly. In fact, some of antics are a little too childish. I mean, honestly, what 13-year-old spits out food at a party or chooses the lonely top bunk? Well, Josh Baskin, for one. He's a good kid, and he makes the decisions that every mom and dad hopes their 13-year-old will make.

Baskin (Hanks and David Moscow) is written as fresh-faced, bright-eyed, and pre-pubescent, which is what makes the movie work. The ever-talented Hanks channels Josh's innocence to give some emotional heft to Josh's fearful first night in the hotel, his heartbreaking phone call with his mom, and his joyful tap-dance duet, while the ending proves that, by finding the joy in every small step forward, Josh is more mature than most adults.

• Starring: Tom Hanks, Elizabeth Perkins, John Heard
• Director: Penny Marshall
• Runtime: 104 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

Few films handle recovery from a tragic loss like "Big Hero 6." Yes, it's a rambunctious, sometimes ridiculous, robot-centric movie about super-genius youngsters who become high-tech superheroes. It's also a heart-warming story about a teenager who, despite his pain, learns to accept the help of the people who care for him in order to carry on the entrepreneurial and altruistic spirit of his late brother.

Directors Don Hall and Chris Williams create a balance that keeps the film level, layering on humor as heavily as heartbreak. The heroes are super, but they're also normal people. San Fransokyo is cartoonish, but the effects team's innovative techniques emulate real city lighting and make it feel lived in. This kind of care makes the film's heavier content approachable for young audiences. "Big Hero 6" essentially puts itself on your kids' level, tells them that they will face tough moments in life, then shows them they're going to be okay.

• Starring: Ryan Potter, Scott Adsit, Jamie Chung
• Directors: Don Hall, Chris Williams
• Runtime:  102 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 90%

The Black Stallion (1979)

"The Black Stallion" is more about the moments than the finish line. Yes, there's a feel-good finale, but it's the first half that makes it a cinema classic. A young boy loses his father when their ship sinks off the coast of North Africa, only to be saved by a large black stallion. Both wash up on a deserted island and come to rely on each other for survival and comfort. There's no dialogue on the island, just Carmine Coppola's beautiful score, which grows more complex as the two learn to trust each other. Caleb Deschanel's cinematography uses natural light and the breathtaking setting to create one incredible shot after another. Director Carroll Ballard's sequencing and pacing makes it feel like the horse and the boy fully understand each other. It's thrilling to watch them bond.

The second half of "Black Beauty" is about training the horse to race. There's more dialogue, but still not much, and every word has a purpose. "Black Beauty" is lean, beautiful, and guaranteed to leave your family's hearts pounding as it heads down that final stretch.

• Starring: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr
• Director: Carroll Ballard
• Runtime: 118 minutes

The Breadwinner

While watching "The Breadwinner," be ready to hit the pause button. The film's unflinching realism will likely invite a few conversations. Like the Deborah Ellis novel it's based on, "The Breadwinner" follows a young girl in 2001 Afghanistan named Parvana (Saara Chaudry), who cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy to put food on the table for her family and help rescue her father from a Taliban prison. As such, it doesn't shy away from depicting the impacts of oppression, hatred, and social violence.

"The Breadwinner" doesn't feature the abstract style of Cartoon Saloon's other features. Thankfully, the animation and art direction create a beautiful realism that rarely overwhelms you despite the film's heavy content. It's actually heartwarming to see people in the community stick their necks out for each other during tough times. Paarvana's boldness isn't an accident, either. Her father is a teacher and her mother is a storyteller, and when she's met with challenges, she relies on the lessons they taught her to succeed. "The Breadwinner" is ultimately about the power of storytelling and how important it is to pass on our knowledge to the next generation. It's challenging, but worth it.

• Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Bhatia, Ali Badshah
• Director: Nora Twomey
• Rating: PG-13
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%

Chicken Run

Call Grandpa. He'll want to join this movie night.For the British comedy "Chicken Run," directors Peter Lord and Nick Park borrowed heavily from classic war movies "The Great Escape" and "Stalag 17." The stop-motion animation is fun and lively, which keeps the film's darker allusions palatable for the younger crowd. It doesn't look complex, but the production was massive, with up to 30 units shooting at various times.

"Chicken Run" brims with British wit. Its many dry one-liners and clever colloquialisms would be right at home in an '80s BBC sitcom. The coop is filled with charming characters like crotchety veteran rooster Fowler (Benjamin Whitrow), who clucks out lines like "Pushy Americans, always showing up late for every war." The lead characters, Rocky (Mel Gibson) and Ginger (Julia Sawalha), develop a strong chemistry that leads to a satisfying emotional payoff during the climax. It's the kind of movie that will make your spirits soar by the end; even the quick post-credits bit will make you chuckle.

• Starring: Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Miranda Richardson
• Directors: Peter Lord, Nick Park
• Runtime: 85 minutes

A Christmas Story

Great storytelling can make a movie feel universal even when it's about a very specific time and place. "A Christmas Story" is set in a fictional Midwest town during the 1940s Christmas season. However, the movie is relatable (and hilarious) no matter where you live or what holidays you celebrate. At its core, "A Christmas Story" is about a nine-year-old who wants something just outside his reach — in this case, a Red Ryder, carbine action, 200-shot, range model air rifle — but obstacles block him at every turn.

"A Christmas Story" wonderfully encapsulates the culture and spirit of the Midwest before the Rust Belt era. But the story doesn't rely solely on classic cars and old-timey radios to establish its setting. Middle-aged Ralphie (the boy) narrates the story as if in remembrance, which adds a soft glow to the nostalgia. It's also filled with relatable laugh-out-loud moments of fatherly pride ("It's a major award!"), crushed expectations ("Ovaltine?"), and ill-fitting snowsuits ("I can't put my arms down!").

• Starring: Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin
• Director: Bob Clark
• Runtime:  93 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 89%

"Coco" brilliantly begins conversations about death and the afterlife that aren't overwhelming for either parents or children. The film follows a young boy in Mexico named Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) who, against his family's wishes, dreams of being a musician and runs off to the world of the dead to discover his past. But in "Coco," the Land of the Dead is not dark and scary. It's dazzling and vibrant. To bring it to life, Pixar's animation team developed a computer graphics system that makes sources of illumination out of everything from fireflies to marigold petals; some shots had over a million lights.

While that's impressive, the story is the film's brightest spot. Miguel meets his recent ancestors in the Land of the Dead because they're remembered by the living, and makes emotional discoveries about who he is, what family means, and why tradition is important. The film reflects Mexican culture in a way few American films ever have; on Autostraddle , Mexican-American film critic Mey Rude called "Coco" the "clearest mirror" she's ever looked into. Its inspirational story, vivid beauty, and accessible introduction to the concept of life after death make "Coco" a must-see for all families.

• Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt
• Director: Lee Unkrich
• Runtime: 109 minutes

Neil Gaiman's worlds are dreamily fantastic, and recreating them in a visual medium is no easy task. Luckily for us, Henry Selick and the team at Laika were up to the challenge for the children's fantasy-horror film "Coraline." In it, Coraline finds a door to another world that's a mirror of her own, offering her all the excitement she dreams of in her mundane reality. It's delightfully eerie and playfully bizarre, dancing at the edge of horror but never fully jumping in, much like a Grimm fairytale.

Despite the tone, there are moments of joy in "Coraline." The characters are quirky. The magic of the other world is fun (at first). Coraline herself is an inquisitive and sometimes fearless kid with a good heart. The emotional range she displays as a stop-motion figure is unparalleled thanks to the hardworking team at Laika, who designed and printed hundreds of faces to match her many moods. Tip: Stay seated for the quick but incredible animated sequence that follows the credits.

• Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman
• Director: Henry Selick
• Runtime: 100 minutes

The Dark Crystal

The story in "The Dark Crystal" moves no faster than the film's urRu Mystics, but there's still plenty going on. Jim Henson and his team of puppeteers and effects wizards used a combination of choreographed puppetry and animatronics to bring the planet Thra and its inhabitants to life. The swamps and forests undulate with activity. The villages and castles bustle with distinct characters. One of them, Jen, sets out to restore harmony to the world, taking you on a fantastic journey full of magic and political intrigue.

It's clear that "The Dark Crystal" is cut from a different cloth than most family films. There are no snappy songs that double as exposition dumps. You won't meet any amicable animal sidekicks who operate as the protagonist's conscience. An evil matriarch isn't trying to suppress anyone's happiness. "The Dark Crystal" is basically Henson and Frank Oz playing with their toys for 95 minutes while telling an epic fantasy story, which is fantastic fun. Just kick back and enjoy watching these masters at work.

• Starring: Stephen Garlick, Lisa Maxwell, Barry Dennen
• Directors: Frank Oz, Jim Henson
• Runtime: 95 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 77%

The Marx Brothers are at their best when operating amid chaos. In "Duck Soup," they hijack a story about the tentative relationship between two neighboring countries and make themselves integral pieces of the proceedings, then drive the countries to war with insults, physical gags, and forced misunderstandings. It works because the other characters don't realize they're the butt of the jokes. Groucho's punchlines are relentless. He delivers zingers with perfect timing and cleverly structures long-form jokes that have him running circles around other characters. It's still funny today, nearly a century after "Duck Soup" hit theaters.

It's not just Groucho, though. Harpo and Chico are hilarious doing vaudevillian slapstick. In one particularly notable scene, they're running around dressed like Groucho in pajamas when Harpo pretends to be a mirror image of his brother. And behind all the jokes, there's also a prescient theme (for 1933) about how ridiculous warmongering dictators can be. "Duck Soup" is a great jumping off point for your family's exploration of Hollywood's Golden Age.

• Starring: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx
• Director: Leo McCarey
• Runtime: 70 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

"E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" may be cinema's greatest family experience. It's about a homesick alien who brings a dysfunctional family together by inspiring loyalty, bravery, and rebellion — all delivered with Steven Spielberg's signature polish. The family's neighborhood feels bustling and alive, which is one of Spielberg's great tricks. He fills the screen with fully developed characters, realistic props, little moments that lift you like a wilted flower, and big moments that send you soaring.

You start the movie leaning forward, waiting to see what'll come out of that cornfield. You scream when Gertie (Drew Barrymore) first spots the alien. You swoon when Elliot (Henry Thomas) delivers a drunken kiss. You cry when E.T. is found in the creek. Your pulse pounds with each cycle of a BMX pedal, and your heart soars as the gang lifts off to John Williams' rousing score. Now, imagine sitting next to the little person you care about most in this world and experiencing it all again for the first time. If this list was ranked, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial" would almost certainly be in the top spot. It's still that good.

• Starring: Henry Thomas, Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace
• Director: Steven Spielberg
• Runtime: 115 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 99%

Will Ferrell's Buddy is like the fifth food group in "Elf": sugar-coated, with a sweet innocence that plays well in this classic Swedish-Fish-out-of-water story. Buddy, a human raised by Santa's elves, heads to New York to find his biological dad. Director John Favreau taps into Rankin/Bass' signature style to represent the North Pole, which is full of costumes, colors, and stop-motion animation. Ferrell then pulls off a miraculous feat, inserting this nostalgic charm into a much more grounded journey through Manhattan, which moves at a in-a-New York-minute pace.

Even though Buddy is a mediocre elf, he's an almost super-powered human, able to fire off snowballs like they're being shot from a Gatling gun, draw masterpieces on an Etch A Sketch, and fill people with enough Christmas spirit to save Santa Claus (Ed Asner) and the holiday. Many Christmas movies are unwatchable when it's not the right season, but you can enjoy "Elf" year-round thanks to a strong cast, funny moments, and Buddy's insatiable optimism.

• Starring: Will Ferrell, James Cana, Zooey Deschanel
• Director: Jon Favreau
• Runtime: 97 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 85%

Change is inevitable, so you need to be flexible when it arrives, or you could face disastrous consequences. "Encanto" pulls off a miracle by hitting you over the head with that harsh inevitability while remaining funny, beautiful, and a joy to sing along to. Everything in this movie is about change and transformation, including the Madrigal family's superpowers. The only thing that won't change is Abuela (María Cecilia Botero), the Madrigal matriarch — not until the miracle of youth steps in, anyway.

Abuela forces every Madrigal to use their powers to make the world fit her unwavering, "perfect" vision. That pressure is choking the youngest generation of Madrigals and endangering the magic flame that saved the family during an armed conflict two generations earlier. Her youngest granddaughter, Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), understands that all flames eventually burn out unless you transfer them to new candles, but must convince Abuela of this difficult lesson — after listening to (and participating in) some of the most memorable earworms in a modern Disney film.

• Starring: Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo
• Directors: Jared Bush, Byron Howard
• Runtime: 99 minutes

With its fish-out-of-water story, "Enchanted" feels a bit like Disney ripped the green leotard off "Elf" and strapped on a princess gown. And yet, it works because "Enchanted" is the Disney-est thing you'll ever see. The studio hadn't introduced a new Disney princess in two decades. After announcing it would start making animated features again, Disney transitioned from the helpless princesses of yore (Aurora and Snow White) to more independent and capable royals (Tiana and Moana). "Enchanted" opens with the look, sound, and script of a classic Disney animated feature. Then, Giselle (Amy Adams) is banished from her kingdom by her evil stepmother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon), and crash-lands in modern, live-action New York.

At first, Giselle's wide-eyed wonder is a little much. She's too naïve and doesn't connect with you like Buddy does in "Elf." However, she, and the movie, start to grow on you. Amy Adams wields enough acting magic that you'll be drawn to her like a woodland creature. Several characters rediscover themselves in their own story arcs — especially Giselle, who grows from a helpless princess of yore to a capable anti-princess of today, all of which come together in a satisfying conclusion.

• Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden
• Director: Kevin Lima
• Runtime: 108 minutes

Ernest & Célestine

"Ernest & Célestine" is minimalist in every aspect except for heart and charm. The animation combines both hand-drawn and computer-generated art with soothing watercolors that only fill the parts of the screen that the story requires. It's about a mouse and a bear, both outcasts in their societies, who become friends after they rob a tooth shop. Trust me, it'll make more sense when you watch.

The film begins a little aimlessly, but eventually settles in when Célestine meets Ernest and sets off this unexpected friendship, which is like a kid's version of "Harold and Maude." Your kids will chuckle at the clumsy bear's antics, and they'll pause to take in the movie's cleverer moments, like when the characters paint a van to blend in with a forest or stick a stove pipe through a mound of snow to see what's on the other side. Everything is offbeat but sweet, including Forest Whitaker's mumbly bear voice. Your family won't see many movies like "Célestine and Ernest," but they may want to watch it repeatedly to see what clever treasures they can uncover on a second (or third, or fourth) viewing.

• Starring: Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall
• Director: Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner
• Runtime: 80 minutes

There aren't many films like "Fantasia." It's an avant-garde collection of animated shorts set to orchestral performances, all separated by introductions from Walt Disney himself. The famous innovator predicted that "Fantasia" would change the history of motion pictures, and it did ... eventually. It took until the psychedelic '60s for the film to turn a profit and become recognized as landmark cinema. The content may have been too much for crowds in 1940, who just wanted to see Mickey Mouse's usual antics, not an art film that shows the dawn of Earth, the process of evolution, and Chernabog, the god of evil (played by none other than Bela Lugosi).

"Fantasia" remains wondrous today thanks to its innovative animation techniques. In fact, it may be the closest representation of fine art ever committed to film. You may have to bribe your kids with popcorn to sit through the first 20 minutes, but once the animation begins, it's like a trip to a museum that isn't peppered with questions like "Can we go home yet?"

• Starring: Deems Taylor, Leopold Stokowski, Walt Disney
• Directors: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe, Norman Ferguson, Jim Handley, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield
• Runtime: 120 minutes

Fantastic Mr. Fox

"Fantastic Mr. Fox" wasn't made for kids. It wasn't made for adults. It was made for Wes Anderson. His interests just happen to align with everything we're looking for in a family film. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is brimming with creativity and charm. The realistic designs and stop-motion animation make the characters feel like taxidermy come to life. The soundtrack is fun and folksy, keeping the tone light even as the protagonists are hunted by humans, or have their tails shot off for maximum narrative (and comedic) effect.

The story in "Fantastic Mr. Fox" mixes tropes, blot beats, and tones from Westerns, heist films, coming-of-age stories, and British gangster flicks. Then, Anderson stirs in a dose of surrealism, and some goofiness to cut the more mature story elements. The visuals are not dark, of course. Anderson loves coordinated color palettes, and his fall harvest setting is warm and friendly. The plot goes a little off the rails as Anderson tries to balance anthropomorphism with wild animal instincts, but the fantastic cast, which includes George Clooney and Meryl Streep, keeps everything relatable.

• Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray
• Director: Wes Anderson
• Runtime:  88 minutes

Forbidden Planet

"Forbidden Planet" is a sci-fi classic that's beloved by generations of film nerds — including the creators of "Star Wars" and "Star Trek." Gene Roddenberry borrowed the film's phaser and transporter designs for his epic space series. You'll see designs here that would look at home on Tatooine, too, including Robby the Robot. He's exactly what you think of when someone asks you to imagine a classic sci-fi robot. The set is exotic; it seems like a place that could exist millions of miles from Earth (or in a galaxy far, far away). The effects come to life via animated drawings and camera tricks, but don't feel grossly outdated, even though the film debuted in 1956. The score is spooky and otherworldly, and for good reason; it's the first completely electronic film score.

The film's script is smart, too. It's structured like "The Tempest" in space, but explores how technology and power manipulate humans, even those with good intentions. The payoff in the final act is fantastic. Some of the film's science is dated and the treatment of the lone woman on the planet is off-putting, but "Forbidden Planet" is still an engrossing outer space adventure with a creative flair that remains fun nearly seven decades later.

• Starring: Walter Pidgeon, Anne Francis, Leslie Nielsen
• Director: Fred M. Wilcox
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 96%

Hearing "Let It Go" hundreds of times may have kept you from watching "Frozen," but you should heed the song title, because the movie is surprisingly charming and its story is as deep as a snow bank. At first, you think you're seeing a movie full of Disney cliches: princesses with dead parents, a quest for love, and lame songs that go nowhere. Then, "Frozen" turns those tropes upside down. The princesses are not damsels in distress. They're vulnerable, but still capable. The love story doesn't end with a man kissing a woman. It's actually about the love between sisters. The songs aren't Peabo Bryson ballads. They move the story and make you laugh.

And let's not forget the animation — it's beautiful. The kingdom of Arendelle feels authentic, and it should; the art team based its look on Nordic designs and architecture . The animators developed a custom system that made every snowflake unique, and ensured that the snow was impacted by characters' footsteps and digital wind in a natural way. You may be surprised, but "Frozen" will almost certainly make an impact on you.

• Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad
• Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

Galaxy Quest

"Galaxy Quest" is a parody of sci-fi conventions (both kinds). Unlike other send-ups, though, this one doesn't make fun of its source material. "Star Trek" fans aren't the butts of demeaning jokes. Instead, they're the targets of an ion nebulizer charged full of love. The cast, which is too long to list, is phenomenal, and fully embraces the roles they're playing. The pace will keep you on the edge of your seat, too. "Galaxy Quest" delivers big action sequences that are tempered with good silliness and deadpan humor. It's also full of heartwarming moments, like when Sir Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) realizes the importance of his role as Dr. Lazarus. Finally, the digital and practical effects in "Galaxy Quest" surpass those in other '90s sci-fi films and television shows. During production, CGI couldn't handle everything , forcing the VFX team to rely on models, miniatures, and animatronic creature effects. You'll be happy they did.

• Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman
• Director: Dean Parisot

Ghostbusters

"Ghostbusters" can be a lot, especially for young viewers. The library specter terrifies. Bill Murray womanizes. Sigourney Weaver writhes suggestively. "Ghostbusters" pushes the boundaries of what some parents will want to show their children, but if you thought I'd leave this classic off a list of the best family movies, you may have taken a proton blast to the head. "Ghostbusters" is a fantastic family film that will make your entire crew laugh, jump, and cheer.

The film's VFX are good enough that your "Gen CG" kids will accept them, but let's face it: Murray is the best special effect in the movie. He's zany and charming, rattling off another instantly-quotable line every couple of minutes. "Ghostbusters" has some light kindertrauma and a smidge of inappropriate humor, but it never goes too far. It's the perfect gateway film for kids who want something a little scarier than "Hocus Pocus."

• Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Sigourney Weaver
• Director: Ivan Reitman
• Runtime: 107 minutes

The Goonies

When you're a kid, you're rarely in control. You're told to stay home with an adult, and to keep out of the way when your neighborhood is in danger of being torn down. But it's hard to do nothing when you have a treasure map, bikes, and friends ready to join you on an adventure. "The Goonies" is like a swashbuckling saga, though it all takes place along a stretch of Oregon coast. The rain-soaked small-town setting feels lived in and of our world. And yet, it's the jumping-off point for an adventure that resembles a fantasy epic, albeit a fairly down-to-earth one.

"Indiana Jones" may be a little too mature for some families. If so, let this underdog squad from the Goon Docks fill that void on movie night. The kids are resourceful, optimistic, loyal, and persistent as they solve a centuries-old mystery and try to save their homes. This is one of the lowest-rated movies on this list, but only according to critics. Audiences love the heart and spirit of "The Goonies," and so will your family.

• Starring: Sean Astin, Kerri Green, Ke Huy Quan
• Director: Richard Donner
• Runtime: 111 minutes

A Hard Day's Night

All smiles, no egos. "A Hard Day's Night" humanizes the 20th century's most popular band just on the cusp of its U.S. invasion. The Beatles' story is told through a series of music videos, mockumentary interviews, and Marx Brothers-like skits. It may have been brilliant marketing at the time, but more than a half-century later, "A Hard Day's Night" is so much more than an advertisement.

We see the Beatles pampered as they're churned through the music-making machine. They're rushed from the studio to events to bars to hotels, never having a moment for themselves. At upper-crust parties, they can't seem to get a bite or something to drink — they're rich, but they still can't win. Everyone they meet, though, is charmed by the Beatles' wit, humor, and easy-breezy reaction to their sudden fame. "A Hard Day's Night" is a time capsule for '60s mod culture, but isn't dated. Its humor is sharp and slapstick, its tone playful, and its music iconic.

• Starring: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
• Director: Richard Lester
• Runtime: 83 minutes

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

The Potterverse is not owned by one person . It's a community of people who see wonder in the world around them, and who believe that every person is capable of greatness. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (or "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," if you live in the U.K.) zips in light as a Nimbus 2000 to capture that spirit. It's not the best movie in the Harry Potter franchise, but it is the franchise's best family film. Daniel Radcliffe's ability to elicit so much empathy at such a young age is magic unto itself.

Harry Potter is an underdog, yet the weight of the world rests on his shoulders, which is something we can all relate to. At least he's not alone in this fight. Hermione, Ron, Hagrid, and all of the others come to feel like allies as you wrestle control of the Wizarding World away from the dark forces who want to control it. Once you've seen "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," you should be able to gauge whether your kids are ready for the series' other movies, which get progressively darker.

• Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
• Director: Chris Columbus
• Runtime:  152 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 81%

Hidden Figures

"Hidden Figures" is all about breaking down barriers in space and on Earth. It tells the story of three Black women whose mathematics, engineering, and mechanics expertise helped NASA rise into the stratosphere and win the Space Race. The movie is frank in its depiction of the subtle and not-so-subtle racism of the '60s and its impact on these brilliant women as they fought to do the jobs they were more than capable of doing.

The film is a way for families to introduce their children to both the space program and the civil rights movement. "Hidden Figures" is not just about Black women who broke barriers; it's also about how those in power can elevate others by speaking up (we salute you, John Glenn). That said, be aware that the film has been accused o f whitewashing several scenes for dramatic effect. Outside of the emotionally charged cultural components, "Hidden Figures" also makes you care about the characters enough to celebrate their breakthroughs.

• Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe
• Director: Theodore Melfi
• Runtime: 127 minutes

Implausible. Crass. Sadistic. "Home Alone" is a Christmas classic for all of those reasons, and more. Yes, Mr. Ebert , it is "implausible" that an 8-year-old would be able to fend off two seasoned thugs using MicroMachines and roof tar, but Christmas is a time for miracles. Yes, Ms. Cooper , some of the movie's dialogue and situations are "crass," but the story is still wholesome with a good moral. Yes, Mr. Gleiberman , the entire movie is "sadistic," but boy oh boy is it fun.

"Home Alone" is fantasy fulfillment for every kid who wished their family away and dreamed about how successful they'd be roleplaying at adulthood. The cast is excellent, especially Macaulay Culkin and Catherine O'Hara. The cinematography is better than it should be. John Williams' score is — wait, John Williams wrote the score? And was nominated for an Oscar for it? I'm not surprised — the score is delightful. And let's not forget Daniel Stern's octave-soaring scream. He and Joe Pesci place charming menaces who take burned scalps, sliced feet, and paint cans to the head like champs. What's really implausible is that, decades later, this crass and sadistic film has become a Christmas classic. Yet here we are, you trout sniffers.

• Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Catherine O'Hara, Joe Pesci
• Runtime: 102 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%

How to Train Your Dragon

"How to Train Your Dragon" is a high-energy blockbuster about a violent multi-generational war between men and dragons. How is it a family film? Well, primarily, directors Christopher Sanders and Dean DeBlois fill each scene with so much warmth and heart that the story, setting, and characters are accessible to audiences of all ages.

"How to Train Your Dragon" is based on a beloved children's book. When Sanders and DeBlois took over production, they decided the book was too soft and whimsical ; the movie's tone should be dark and grand, they decided, like dragons themselves. So, they enlisted legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins, known for "Shawshank Redemption," "No Country for Old Men," "Blade Runner 2049," and "1917" to develop an elevated aesthetic. With Deakin's guidance, Sanders and DeBlois ensure each action sequence serves a purpose, and that the lighting matches the movie's pseudo-historical setting. When the technical elements are grounded, our imaginations can take off — and rest assured, your family will soar through the captivating world of "How to Train Your Dragon."

• Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera
• Directors: Christopher Sanders, Dean DeBlois

The Incredibles

The best family films take the everyday parts of our lives, like jobs and crushes, and put them into fantastic settings and situations. In "The Incredibles," the Parrs toil through the same mundane social and professional muck we all do, but they're not your average family — they wear tights. Unfortunately for the Parrs, they cannot be super anymore. Due to government mandates, they're forced to hide their powers and live boring, un-super lives. Watching them break free from those constraints is a blast.

Bob (Craig T. Nelson) and Helen (Holly Hunter) are accustomed to being superpowered superstars. They fell in love while saving the world, and there's a competitiveness behind their charming banter. In fact, their relationship is so well-realized that you almost forget this is a superhero movie until the action kicks in. That's when you realize "The Incredibles" is one of the best films in the entire genre. With each punch, blast, and power surge, the characters grow and the story expands. "The Incredibles" culminates with a dynamic finale that showcases the family's growth as individuals and as a team. It's a perfect family movie.

• Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson
• Director: Brad Bird

It took two viewings of "Inside Out" for me to realize how incredible this movie is. Its intricate (but accessible) story inspired a few revelations about my own emotional development. Then I had my first child, and "Inside Out" reached a whole other level. It's about a family who moves to San Francisco from Minnesota. The daughter, Riley (Kaitlyn Dias), struggles to assimilate, and we get a peek inside her head as her anthropomorphized emotions navigate new challenges and deal with the trauma of leaving her old life behind.

The emotions are brilliantly cast, especially Amy Poehler as Joy and Phyllis Smith as Sadness. Joy dominates the other emotions, putting on a happy face that masks Riley's true feelings. As things go haywire inside her head, Riley responds by acting differently on the outside. Seeing the impact of her decisions offers a clarity that a college psychology course never could. "Inside Out" will entertain you, teach you, and help you assess your own emotional balance. If Pixar feels like it's been going downhill the last few years, it's only because, in 2015, the studio reached the pinnacle of smart storytelling.

• Starring: Kaitlyn Dias, Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith
• Director: Pete Docter

The Iron Giant

What if a gun had a soul? "The Iron Giant" writer and director Brad Bird pitched that very concept to Warner Bros. and, surprisingly, the suits loved it. Bird felt that most animated movies were patronizing to children. "The Iron Giant" is not. It's about a child who befriends a lost alien war machine that's forgotten its purpose, and who guides his mechanical companion on a journey of rediscovery with optimism and empathy, even if that means rejecting the Iron Giant's original programming.

It's not just the allegory that makes this movie incredible. The action scenes are exhilarating, and the story will make you both laugh and cry. Brad Bird later merged his sensibilities with the Pixar formula, but with "The Iron Giant," you're getting pure, uncut Bird. It's full-on '50s B-movie schlock, but delivered with a cinematic sheen that recalls classic Disney fil,s. Bird credits Warner Bros. for keeping its mitts out of the production; his animation team oversaw the entire process. Of course, the movie flopped at the box office, but has since found a following thanks to strong word of mouth and "best of" lists like this.

• Starring: Eli Marienthal, Jennifer Aniston, Vin Diesel
• Runtime: 86 minutes

In the age of color, sound, and visual effects, it's difficult to keep a kindergartener sitting through a silent, black-and-white film. Somehow, though, Charlie Chaplin makes it happen. "The Kid" has a slightly disturbing premise: A mother doesn't want her child and leaves it in a car outside a mansion, but the car is stolen and the kid abandoned. That's when the Tramp (Chaplin) finds him.

Chaplin doesn't shy away from difficult subject matter, including abuse and poverty, but his honey-sweet storytelling keeps the film's social observations palatable for everyone. The Tramp's relationship with the boy is endearing even as they get into mischief because it's always in service of the comedy. Near the end, Chaplin leans into the movie's themes in an abstract dream sequence, during which the Tramp realizes that his struggles to fit into society are now impacting someone he loves. "The Kid" is much like the Tramp: a bit dusty, but clever and never boring.

• Starring: Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Coogan, Edna Purviance
• Director: Charlie Chaplin
• Runtime:  60 minutes

Kiki's Delivery Service

Hayao Miyazaki is known for inserting moments of "ma," or empty, motionless silence, into his movies, keeping the pace light and airy. Well, "Kiki's Delivery Service" is a deep inhale of "ma," filling you with an almost meditative peacefulness. The ambient sounds that accompany Kiki on her flights add a texture that caresses the back of your mind. Taking them in while admiring Studio Ghibli's hand-drawn art makes "Kiki's Delivery Service" like a leisurely afternoon stroll through an outdoor art exhibit.

"Kiki's Delivery Service" is about 13-year-old witch-in-training Kiki (Kirsten Dunst), who's unsure of her abilities. She opens a delivery service and, as a result of her exploration of the world and her interactions with the people in her life, her confidence returns. It's a coming-of-age story, but it's told like nothing else in film. There's almost no conflict, just charm. Oh, and did I mention that Phil Hartman plays a delightfully sarcastic talking cat? I encourage you to return to "Kiki's Delivery Service" again and again to breathe in — and out — its wonderful "ma."

• Starring : Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds
• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Runtime: 103 minutes

Kubo and the Two Strings

"Kubo and the Two Strings" is about the power of storytelling — specifically, how your story can be your strength, and how it's never too late to rewrite it. Kubo (Art Parkinson) takes care of his mother, who has been in a mostly subdued state since she lost the love of her life. When Kubo's family comes to claim him and his remaining eye, his mother dies protecting him, only to return in another form to guide Kubo on a journey of discovery. Kubo uses his magical gift of music to tell stories, create allies, and protect those around him.

It's a fun and unique magic system that required a little magic from the animators to pull off. First, the Laika team created CGI-enhanced backgrounds that complement the studio's signature stop-motion animation. Next, 3D printers gave the animators unlimited creative options — and they explored that freedom to its fullest. Kubo's allies include a talking baboon, a small origami soldier, and a beetle-shelled samurai. Their designs are inventive and their emotive animation somewhat miraculous, given the medium. But "Kubo and the Two Strings" isn't just a spectacle; the narrative is moving as well.

• Starring: Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey
• Director: Travis Knight

Kung Fu Panda

The release of "Kung Fu Panda" in China sent a Silken Moon Touch blast through the nation's cultural and arts communities. Some artists denounced the improper use of a national symbol (the panda). Others wondered why a film with such rich cultural representation couldn't be made in China itself. "Kung Fu Panda" stirs emotions like this because it's made with care and thoughtfulness. Chinese audiences and critics lauded its attention to detail in referencing Chinese mythology, history, culture, architecture, design, and martial arts. It's also a delightful film no matter where you happen to live.

"Kung Fu Panda" is about an orphaned panda who doesn't fit the classical mold of a kung fu master, yet he perseveres to become one anyway. Po's (Jack Black) journey is one hilarious failure after another. His adoptive father, a goose named Mr. Ping (James Hong), constantly believes in Po, and his big revelation is one of the several sweet moments that make "Kung Fu Panda" about more than just kicks and giggles.

• Starring: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong
• Directors: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne
• Runtime: 91 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%

"Labyrinth" is full of things '80s kids love: Muppets, dark fairy tales, M.C. Escher, and David Bowie. It starts a little melodramatic as our main protagonist, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), wishes that the Goblin King (Bowie) would take away her brother. During that moment, though, you start to see the Hensonness of it all when goblins stop to listen to her exact words. After the Goblin King sweeps away baby bro, Sarah follows them into his labyrinthian world, a setting so sweetly dark fantasy that countless pre-teen goths have dreamt of absconding to its depths between puffs of cloves.

The world of "Labyrinth" is filled with the kind of creativity you'd expect from a collaboration between Jim Henson, Monty Python's Terry Jones, George Lucas, and illustrator David Froud. Despite the Goblin King's questionable motivations, your family will dance to the film's catchy songs, laugh along with Sarah's friendly allies, and get lost in this dark but dreamy world.

• Starring: Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie
• Director: Jim Henson
• Runtime:  101 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75%

A League of Their Own

It's a little bawdy. It's a little crude. It's a little rude. It's entirely fantastic. "A League of Their Own" is a feel-good movie that earns its feel-good moments and is much more than a vehicle for a classic Tom Hanks one-liner . It's about the women who filled stadiums playing baseball while the men were at war. As you may expect, these ladies face a constant barrage of sexism, both from individuals and society at large. It makes it feel like each character is an underdog, leading to plenty of joy when they succeed.

"A League of Their Own" is one of the best sports movies ever made because it touches on the nostalgia of playing baseball and has the same pace — exciting, but not overwhelming — as a live game at the ballpark. It works as a family film because of the fantastic cast. Each player on the Rockford Peaches has a distinct personality, particularly Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis), a woman who knows her place in the world and helps her teammates (and their manager) become their best selves.

• Starring: Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna
• Runtime: 126 minutes

The LEGO Movie

Everything is awesome about "The LEGO Movie." It's about an average LEGO figure who's destined to save the world, but can only do so by believing in himself. Writer-directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller pulled off a minor miracle by putting so much heart into the toy's hollow plastic chest. The film's jokes and references are clever. The actors sound like they're having fun. The animation looks like it's stop-motion, although it's 100% computer created , which allows Lord and Miller to use live-action-style lighting, pacing, and camera techniques.

The filmmakers' attention to detail is incredible. Animators included the smudges and other imperfections you would find on LEGO toys, including the defective space helmet worn by Benny, which was based on a 1980s toy that Miller played with as a child. The animators utilized the LEGO digital designer when creating the environments, making sure that every vehicle, character, and set can actually be built. Shockingly, "The LEGO Movie" did not receive an Oscar nomination — a snub mentioned during the ceremony — but this movie will get a standing ovation from your entire crew.

• Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Morgan Freeman
• Directors: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
• Runtime:  95 minutes

The Lion King

"The Lion King" is the apex of the Disney Renaissance. It follows a young lion who returns to his homeland to avenge his father and take back control from his usurping uncle. You know, typical kids' stuff. However, despite several intense moments, "The Lion King" is mostly about hope and family bonds. There's not a lot of humor, but the story is fun, and most of the jokes that are there land well. The art is beautiful, too, even if it marks a seismic shift in the animation industry.

"The Lion King" is the last blockbuster animated film that used mostly hand-drawn art, and even it isn't entirely CGI-free. You can see the results of Disney's computer animation production system (CAPS) during the wildebeest stampede. Animators developed a system that made the computer-drawn wildebeests fit seamlessly into the hand-drawn environment. Yes, "The Lion King" represents the end of an era, but its passing opened up new opportunities and new ways to tell stories. It's the circle of life.

• Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
• Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
• Runtime: 87 minutes

A Little Princess

Our lives are full of magic moments that, upon reflection, make our individual stories feel both unique and somehow predestined. "A Little Princess" celebrates those moments. Sara (Liesel Matthews) grows up in India until her widowed father is called away to fight in World War I. She's sent to a strict private school in New York City, where her dad's elevated station has perks. Sara leverages her status to empower her classmates. However, when her father is reported dead in combat, she loses everything and we find out that her power doesn't derive from her dad's station or money, but rather her resilient compassion.

"A Little Princess" is a period piece with fairytale moments. The movie remains grounded because the story taps into our own empathy, reminding us that the special moments in our lives have magic of their own.

• Starring: Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham
• Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Long Way North

A young explorer comes of age on the high seas. It sounds like "Moana," but "Long Way North" is no Disney film. In fact, the movie charts a course in the opposite direction of Disney's style, offering a somewhat realistic look at the effort to explore the Northwest Territory and discover the North Pole. It all unfolds from the point-of-view of a Russian aristocrat who defies her parents to find her grandfather's lost ship and restore her family name.

"Long Way North" features beautiful 2D animation and a style that resembles a young art student's Crayola oil-drawn masterpiece. You could pause any frame and hang the picture on your wall. The approachable animation introduces children to a challenging story with few laughs but a lot of heart. The girl persists by learning, adapting, and working hard. A wonderful montage displays her resilience as she works at a seaside inn to pay for her new life, and while the movie ends before she returns home, a delightful medley during the end credits shows us her triumphant moment.

• Starring: Christa Théret, Féodor Atkine
• Director: Rémi Chayé
• Runtime:  81 minutes

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

What exactly is Marcel? Charming, that's what he is. "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" is a mockumentary about a googly-eyed mollusk shell who's trying to find his family. Marcel (Jenny Slate) shares his home with Nana Connie, whose health is failing. Random Airbnb guests who stay at Marcel's abode post videos of Marcel, which makes him internet famous and help him reconnect with his family.

What makes "Marcel" so sweet is his can-do attitude. He fearlessly navigates the home using whatever objects he has access to, from a hang glider made out of a Dorito to a kitchen mixer that he employs to shake fresh fruit loose from a tree. His inventiveness is clever as are his insights into life, such as "Guess why I smile a lot? Uh, 'cause it's worth it." It's amazing that the story of this unlikely hero and philosopher came together in a weekend . What's even more amazing is that stop-motion experts The Chiodo Bros. brought this unique being to life, and that A24 put him on the big screen. Be happy they did. This little charmer will win over filmgoers of all ages.

• Starring: Jenny Slate, Isabella Rossellini
• Director: Dean Fleischer-Camp

March of the Penguins

Animals are fantastic vessels for storytelling because anthropomorphism helps kids see themselves in the characters and makes abstract concepts more accessible. Also, they're cute and do funny things. Nature documentaries are easy crowd-pleasers, though few have a cinematic narrative as engaging as "March of the Penguins." Narrator Morgan Freeman takes us on a journey along the circle of life, showing us the devotion, hard work, and care it takes to be a parent — especially in harsh Antarctica. The editing and music drive the slow action forward. Clever writing gives weight to pivotal moments. The star of the film, though, is the photography, which takes us to a place where most humans couldn't survive for more than a few seconds.

The conditions the crew endured while filming "March of the Penguins" were hostile at best, and life-threatening at worst. There aren't many people who can spend 13 months shooting in 40-below-zero weather and 100-mile-per-hour winds. Yet this devoted crew, led by director Luc Jacquet, captured 120 hours' worth of intimate and loving moments that help you understand why these Emperor penguins keep marching despite overwhelming odds against their survival.

• Starring: Morgan Freeman, penguins
• Director: Luc Jacquet
• Runtime:  80 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%

March of the Wooden Soldiers

Many Laurel and Hardy films are cinema relics, but don't overlook the duo's comedic chops. The two packed theaters for a half-century for a reason. One of their funniest productions, "March of the Wooden Soldiers," is about life in a village filled with nursery rhyme and fairytale characters. The sets, costumes, and musical numbers carry a small-town theater vibe, but that's part of their charm. Like many comedies of the early 20th century, it all serves as a backdrop that allows the stars to shine.

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy are masters of vaudevillian slapstick. It played well in silent films, and still worked in the talkie era because of Laurel's earnest delivery and Hardy's throaty reactions. In "March of the Wooden Soldiers," the pair are trying to foil the unwholesome plans of a villain who's one part Wicked Witch, and one part Ebenezer Scrooge. Make sure you watch the HD version of the film, though; your family may struggle with lesser-quality copies. Laurel and Hardy have a deep catalog full of gems worth discovering — the classic "Big Business" would easily make a list of the "95 Best Family Shorts."

• Starring: Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charlotte Henry
• Directors: Gus Meins, Charley Rogers
• Runtime:  73 minutes

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) is the original manic pixie dream girl, though this MPDG refuses to be tamed by the bland men of her world. Instead, she upends the meticulously outlined lives of a well-to-do 1910 London family. Poppins employs a little nanny magic that makes you wonder if she's an angel, fairy, or Hufflepuff. Don't look too deeply under Poppins' beflowered boating hat for answers. This is Disney. You have to assume there's going to be a little magic in this world.

Director Robert Stevenson and crew show employ some cinematic wizardry of their own, using camera and editing tricks to conjure on-screen illusions. But Poppins and her cockney-churning chum Bert (Dick Van Dyke) don't require any lens tricks to draw a crowd. They enthusiastically manipulate the city and people around them, usually through song and dance. "Mary Poppins" has a frenetic energy that matches its vibrant technicolor sets and costumes. Some of the jokes and story elements will go right over your kids' heads, but there's nothing a little spoonful of sugar won't cure — and "Mary Poppins" isn't shy about doling out doses of sweetness.

• Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns
• Director: Robert Stevenson
• Runtime:  140 minutes

"Matilda" is a kitschy family classic that doesn't shy away from the surreal. It's like an early Tim Burton film with its quirky music, a playful palette, cartoonish characters, and whimsically dramatic camera shots. It's no surprise that director Danny DeVito hired cinematographer Stefan Czapsky , who frequently collaborated with Burton, to lens "Matilda." The story about a girl who doesn't feel at home with her family because they disapprove of her thirst for knowledge and growing telekinetic abilities feels like it's based on a child's retelling of the classic Roald Dahl book, filled with outlandish adults, over-exaggerated conflicts, and cheeky magical flourishes.

You can see the roots of other classic kids' stories here. Matilda's home life and her discovery of magic are similar to Harry Potter's pre-Hogwarts days. The movie's garish and culturally disconnected characters would feel at home in an episode of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia." In fact, DeVito's character, Harry Wormwood, feels like an early Frank Reynolds, the greedy father he plays in "It's Always Sunny." None of these elements should work together, yet they do. "Matilda" is a sweet and fanciful family comedy that's unabashedly '90s.

• Starring: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman
• Director: Danny DeVito
• Runtime: 93 minutes

"Moana" follows the predictable Disney princess formula: A frustrated teenager who sets out to find her inner voice and save her kingdom. But Moana (Auli'l Cravalho) doesn't wear a satin dress, doesn't want to be called princess, has no love interest, and her parents are ... alive? Disney, what have you become?! "Moana" also throws a few wrenches into Disney's well-worn gears by including a diverse cast and attempting to be culturally accurate, though there are concerns about how realistic the film's depiction of Polynesian culture really is.

The songs, though, are thoughtful, narrative-driven earworms by a team that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer Mark Mancina, and songwriter Opetaia Foa'i. Dwayne Johnson delivers zingy one-liners and hammy show tunes in equal measure, and offers a steady voice to guide Moana. The ocean accompanies Moana on her journey and, miraculously, the animation team makes the blue mass empathetic . There's a lot of Disney magic on display here, though what really powers the sails of "Moana" is the lead character, voiced by Auli'l Cravalho. She's persistent and tough, but the movie doesn't treat her empowerment like a novelty. It's just Moana being Moana.

• Starring: Auli'l Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Temuera Morrison
• Directors: John Musker, Ron Clements
• Runtime:  113 minutes

The Muppet Movie

The Muppets are a miracle. How do they exist? They're basically Summer of Love hallucinations brought to life by once-in-a-generation artists who mastered vaudevillian showmanship and the polished timing of veteran stage comedians. "The Muppet Show" cleverly showcases that unusual artistry with a frenetic pace and energy. In "The Muppet Movie," the Muppets are more grounded than in "The Muppet Show," though they still deliver quotable one-liners and engage in the kind of campy hi-jinks that made them icons.

The story is about a small-pond frog who dreams of making it in Hollywood. Along the way, he becomes a little less green and makes rainbow connections, assembling a large crew of like-minded (and similarly-stitched) beings. At times, the film feels like a bunch of skits stitched together, but a dusting of Muppet magic brings everything together. The sing-a-long worthy soundtrack keeps your toes tapping, and the artistry that brings the Muppets into the real world is amazing. In his review, Roger Ebert said that, if you figure out how the crew filmed Kermit pedaling a bike, you're missing the point, adding "I prefer to believe he did it himself." "The Muppet Movie" will make your entire family believe.

• Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Charles Durning
• Director: James Frawley
• Runtime:  94 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

The Muppets

"The Muppets" is a clever, loving ode to the furry, fuzzy, monstrous, adorable characters who influenced a generation. It dusts off an old concept — bringing back the band for one last show — and adds some modern flair to the mix. The popularity of Jason Segel's musical performance in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" likely opened some eyes. He clearly has a passion for the Muppets, and it shines through in this 2011 movie, which he co-wrote. The film introduced Jim Henson's creations to a new generation, and they've remained in our collective consciousness since.

"The Muppets" is awash in positivity and joy, especially when the odds are against the titular performers. The sharp and witty jokes come flying at you, but before you have a chance to truly process the humor, the story has already moved on. As a result, you'll find yourself perma-smiling as you suppress a laugh so that you can hear the next joke. Segel and Amy Adams fully commit to the gags, too, keeping pace with their felt counterparts. The love shown to the Muppets will bring a tear to the eyes of anyone who grew up singing along to "It's time to get this started."

• Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Peter Linz
• Director: James Bobin

My Neighbor Totoro

"My Neighbor Totoro" excels at cinematic escapism. It's about a young family who move into a rural home to be near their hospitalized mother. The human neighbors are friendly, as are the spirit-kind, which includes the titular Totoro, a massive bear-like creature with a huggability rating that's off the charts. Totoro brings a little magic into the lives of 11-year-old Satsuki (Dakota Fanning) and her little sister, Mei (Elle Fanning), as they struggle with their mother's absence. Their magical adventures include whimsical musical moments, wondrous seed-planting rituals, and breezy countryside rides aboard a magical Catbus.

The post-war Japan setting is beautifully hand-painted, serene, comforting, and abuzz with life. Director Hayao Miyazaki breathes his signature airiness into the world, sweeping you through a story about a family's illness that, through his expert guidance, never feels overwhelming for young kids. There's no real conflict in the film, just moments of tension as the family navigates this difficult time. "My Neighbor Totoro" is a world you may find yourself escaping to again and again.

• Starring: Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Tim Daly (English Dub)

My Octopus Teacher

"My Octopus Teacher" latches on to your heart, and won't unstick for several days. The documentary follows an emotionally exhausted professional photographer who retreats to his childhood home along the coast of South Africa. While diving, he meets a curious and intelligent octopus who inspires him to document what becomes an unusually intimate cross-species friendship. The film portrays octopuses as playful, socially inquisitive, and brilliant survivalists.

The relationship between man and mollusk will leave your heart aflutter, but the most pulse-pounding moments don't feature photographer Craig Foster. In several scenes, a species of octopus-hunting shark arrives, leading to pursuits that play out like blockbuster car chases. You'll be amazed at the many ways an octopus can evade and survive an attack. Given the animals' short lifespans, you know this relationship will come to an end. However, this eventuality is not a downer, because the octopus has a lasting effect on Foster. This uncanny relationship sensitizes him to the needs of others, including his son, whom he reconnects with. The realism of "My Octopus Teacher" showcases the circle of life in a way even "The Lion King" cannot.

• Starring: Craig Foster
• Directors: Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed
• Rating: TV-G

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

What a coincidence that one of only two PG-13 movies on this list is a Christmas movie. "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" has a few choice words and a couple of references to panty lines, but watching this classic with your entire family will ensure your hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny Kaye. The story is relatable ... kind of. Upper-middle-class chemical engineer Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) can't afford a swimming pool because his even richer boss turned his Christmas bonus into a subscription to a jelly of the month club.

Watching "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is an annual event in my household. It was my grandmother's favorite Christmas movie, and is my five-year-old daughter's favorite Christmas movie. How does it bridge generations so effectively? By taking every bad holiday moment you've ever experienced and packing them into one joke-laden story, then topping them off with Chase's hilarious pratfalls. "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" is like watching an old film reel of your family's failures that somehow makes you sentimental ... until the attic door is pulled out from underneath you.

• Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid
• Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
• Runtime:  97 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 70%

The NeverEnding Story

There's a swamp full of kindertrauma in "The NeverEnding Story," but it's worth enduring the heavy moments for those when Falkor takes you soaring above the clouds. This movie introduced a generation of kids to the concept of the metaverse via a boy who saves the world he's reading about by believing in the power of imagination. Director Wolfgang Petersen deftly balances the story in both the real and the fantasy worlds — and yes, the guy best known for intense adult thrillers directed "The NeverEnding Story."

You never feel like you're trapped underwater as in "Das Boot," but Peterson doesn't shy from intense moments, like when the terrifying wolf-like Gmork attacks Atreyu (Noah Hathaway). If you're watching "The NeverEnding Story" with a young one, you'll need to offer a comforting hand now and again, but the spectacle justifies the extra work. Despite its high-fantasy setting, the film's young characters hold their own. The Empress (Tami Stronach) is an ageless wonder, powerful but vulnerable. Atreyu is a capable warrior, but isn't afraid of emotion. "The NeverEnding Story" will make you scream, cheer, cry, and bop along to the bubbly '80s techno theme that accompanies the credits.

• Starring: Barret Oliver, Noah Hathaway, Tami Stronach
• Director: Wolfgang Petersen
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 83%

The Nightmare Before Christmas

"What's this? I can't believe my eyes!" Seriously, how did Tim Burton get this greenlighted? And how did director Henry Selick pull it off? The answers are, well: He's Tim Burton, and he's Henry Selick. After the success of "Beetlejuice" and "Batman," Burton could make whatever he wanted, which at the time was actually "Batman Returns." So, Burton enlisted Selick, a capable animator who he met while working at Disney, to tell the story of the Halloween hero Jack Skellington, who falls in love with Christmas.

The movie has a dream-like feel, with malformed cityscapes colored and an otherworldly palette. Selick and his team utilized live-action camera techniques and lighting styles normally employed in black-and-white films to give the film a timeless vibe. The effect creates a holiday atmosphere; it's almost like the Rankin/Bass films, but the animation in "Nightmare" has a smoothness and polish that make its visuals pop. The songs are infectious and the voice acting is elite. Some scenes are too scary for young ones, but that's all the more reason to snuggle up to this holiday classic between Halloween and Christmastime. You may even want to spike some nog with Frog's Breath and try out the Disney+ Sing-Along version.

• Starring: Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey
• Runtime:  75 minutes

Paddington 2

Here's your new answer to the "are there any movie sequels better than the originals?" debate. The first "Paddington" is sweet as a marmalade sandwich, but "Paddington 2" is even better; both are wonderful films, but the sequel just lands like nothing you've seen before. Director Paul King captures the essence of Paddington's story, which is based on a book that brightened the day for countless kids stuck inside during downpours. Paddington's buoyant personality illuminates the lives of those around him, and that charm is on full display in "Paddington 2."

King shows a Wes Anderson-like flair for choosing colors, dictating pace, and employing humor, but never takes it too far. In one of the film's best scenes, Paddington imagines giving a special pop-up book to his aunt. The book's pages fill the screen, as Paddington thinks about sharing the places that make his new home special with his family. The animation is miraculous, and the moment makes you want nothing more than for Paddington to get his paws on the book. You absolutely understand why everyone he meets wants to help him on his journey.

• Starring: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins
• Director: Paul King

Pee-Wee's Big Adventure

"Pee-Wee's Big Adventure" has no contemporaries. Nearly four decades after its release, it remains unlike anything else ever put on celluloid. The movie starts with a dream sequence in which Pee-wee (Paul Reubens) wins the Tour de France on his custom bike. He wakes up, but the dreaminess never ends. Pee-wee lives a cartoonish, Rube Goldberg-esque existence until his beloved bike is stolen and he sets out into the real world to track it down. Anything can happen in this movie — it's all about gags, laughs, and fun.

Each viewing creates a new favorite moment. One day it may be, "Tell 'em Large Marge sent ya'." The next day, it may be James Brolin saying, "I'm a loner, a rebel." The next day, "Tequila!" Reubens, Phil Hartman, and Michael Varhol peppered the script with little jokes and throwaway lines that all hit, and director Tim Burton made all of them pop with his signature surrealism. There are a few scary moments involving clowns and an animated sequence from the Chiodo Bros that will make everyone jump. It's all part of the fun that makes "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" a family comedy classic.

• Starring: Paul Reubens, E.G. Daily, Mark Holton
• Runtime:  90 minutes

Historically, Disney has loved to embrace its dark side, especially during the studio's golden era — and "Pinocchio" may be the darkest Disney film of them all. This family classic features human trafficking, slavery, and a transformation scene that's one of the creepiest moments of body horror in all of film. Despite all this, "Pinocchio" is an incredible cinematic experience. There's a reason why the New York Times called it the "best cartoon ever made" when it first hit theaters, and why it's still considered a masterpiece today.

With each frame painstakingly drawn by hand, "Pinocchio" is stunning. Disney's unparalleled craftsmanship is on full display when Jiminy Cricket warms himself by Geppetto's glowing hearth; when ocean waves part for Monstroso the whale; and when Pinocchio takes his first jangly steps. The studio's multiplane camera technique allowed the animators to fill every still with depth, color, and texture. "Pinocchio" will take your family on an adventure filled with peril, but the film's brightest moments break through all that gloom.

• Starring: Dickie Jones, Cliff Edwards, Christian Rub
• Directors: Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske
• Runtime:  87 minutes

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

In 1987, Steve Martin couldn't miss. He was in the middle of an unprecedented streak of comedy films, and "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" may be the peak of the run. It's about two men struggling to return home in time for Thanksgiving, but even though the characters are lost, the audience is exactly where we're supposed to be: on a journey of discovery. Steve Martin is the compass that guides us, and John Candy is the cozy fire that keeps us warm.

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles" is director John Hughes' most heartfelt film. Yes, you will laugh, and laugh, and laugh, but mostly you will feel, because these grown men learn to love and be loved. This movie has become a Thanksgiving tradition for families who want to celebrate the shifting meaning of the holiday. It's about those of us who have enough to share, and who open our bounty to those who don't have enough — but in "Planes, Trains and Automobiles," that "have" isn't money. It's family.

• Starring: Steve Martin, John Candy
• Director: John Hughes
• Runtime:  92 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

The miracle of Hayao Miyazaki's films is that they feel like his imagination is spilling directly onto the screen. From the wave-walking storm scene to the near-infinite colors of the ocean kingdom, the attention to detail in "Ponyo" is amazing. Its story is a loose take on Hans Christian Anderson's "Little Mermaid," following a sea creature who falls in love with the surface world and nearly destroys her underwater village to pursue a new life.

There are moments here that will take your breath away, especially when you consider the entire film is hand-drawn; Miyazaki shut down Studio Ghibli's CGI department before filming began. But while the visuals grab you, it's the story that holds you. "Ponyo" has a buoyant innocence that keeps it floating along without bogging everything down with unnecessary conflict. It's an excellent Sunday morning watch, particularly snuggled under blankets. A tip: Pre-order ramen for lunch — you'll thank me after seeing the steaming bowls up on screen.

• Starring: Noah Cyrus, Frankie Jonas, Tina Fey (English dub)

The Princess Bride

"The Princess Bride" is one of the most quotable movies ever made. That's not because the lines are fantastically written — they are, but that's not the reason — but rather because they're treated with such reverence. It feels like director Rob Reiner and his incredible cast knew they were making a classic during filming. The story builds up to special moments, and the actors deliver the dialogue with such heart, sincerity, and enthusiasm that the lines nestle into your consciousness and change the way you speak. Anyone who has seen "The Princess Bride" has hollered out "Inconceivable!" or "As you wish!" or "My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die" at least once.

The story concerns a farm boy who leaves home and returns to find that the woman he loves is the target of a conniving prince. Technically, Cary Elwes is the star of the film, but it's really more of an ensemble piece. "The Princess Bride" is a fast-paced fantasy epic mixed with a high-polished love story. It'll bring a smile to everyone's face — even days (or years) after watching it.

• Starring: Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Mandy Patinkin
• Director: Rob Reiner

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Films in the Shrekiverse like to boast about having layers, but they've never been peeled back like they are in "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish." The Oscar-nominated film caught audiences by surprise thanks to several drastic changes to the franchise's typical output. The animators used a painterly art style to highlight emotional moments, and the film's theme focuses on a heavy subject. Puss suffers panic attacks while confronting the one thing he cannot outrun: death.

The crew took no shortcuts to depict Puss's intense moments of anxiety. The audio was recorded under the guidance of mental health experts . According to the Animation World Network , the animators made sure the stylized animation, which risked making the animation look cheap, maintained a "high level of detail and fidelity." Most of the story moves at a breakneck pace — it's like "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" on two cups of cappuccino. However, the moments when Puss feels fear bring everything screeching to a halt. It's a brilliant portrayal of a challenging mental state that's depicted with care and never used arbitrarily. And, after all this, if you're worried that the movie is too heavy, don't be. In spite of the topic, "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish" will leave your family in stitches.

• Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Florence Pugh
• Director: Joel Crawford

Queen of Katwe

You know the moves "Queen of Katwe" is going to make, but you can't stop them. The movie will win you over regardless. The film is based on an ESPN article about an underdog chess player who became a champion, and is told with a little Disney charm. Life is hard in the Ugandan slum called Katwe. There, 10-year-old Phiona (Madina Nalwanga) discovers chess thanks to Robert Katende (David Oyelowo), who tells Phiona his club is a "place for fighters." She becomes hooked, and begins to understand her purpose in life.

The chess tournament scenes are well-paced, bringing some tension as you root for Phiona and her fellow competitors. Of course, what really makes the movie pop is everything that happens away from the board. Katwe is filled with broken shanties and debris. It's bleak, but the people who live there are vivid; their clothes, personalities, and relationships all speak to their joy. The setting is an eye-opener for kids, but it teaches a good lesson. We all have the same needs: Food, water, shelter, love, and purpose.

• Starring: Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong'o, David Oyelowo
• Director: Mira Nair
• Runtime:  124 minutes

Ratatouille

Pixar movies will alter your perception of what's normal. After watching "Ratatouille," you may think, "I'm open-minded. I'd eat food prepared by a rat." There's not a chance you would, but the story makes you care enough that you'll at least entertain the thought. "Ratatouille" takes okace behind the scenes at a French restaurant that's lost its luster since its beloved chef passed away. Remy (Patton Oswalt), a rat with a nose for fine cuisine, wonders if there's more to food than a means to stay alive. He teams up with a young restaurant worker to explore his culinary passion.

There's nothing complicated about "Ratatouille," but it's prepared with a delightful combination of layered colors, seasoned characters, and organically-developed moments. The scene that brings this movie home is when the food critic tastes Remy's version of ratatouille for the first time. His reaction and the ensuing intersection of culminating character arcs make this film a chef's kiss. If you're a family of foodies or film lovers, your entire crew will want to indulge in this culinary cinema classic.

• Starring: Patton Oswalt, Lou Romano, Ian Holm
• Runtime:  111 minutes

The Red Turtle

It's hard to pinpoint exactly what "The Red Turtle" is about. A man, lost at sea, awakens on a tropical island. His attempts to leave the island are thwarted by a red turtle who — are you ready for it? — turns into a woman after the man kills the animal. They become a couple, have a son, and grow old together. There's little conflict and almost no dialogue, but the ebb and flow of life on this island creates enough tension to hold your attention.

As you ponder the film's deeper meanings, your eyes scan the screen, which contains a continuous stream of harmonious animation. The artists used charcoal to create the ocean , sun, forest, and beach. The characters move like actors, because artists used live performers as references for their drawings. The turtles and rafts were developed using CGI. Studio Ghibli collaborated with European director Michael Dudok de Wit to make "The Red Turtle," though it doesn't feel like other Studio Ghibli films. Instead of easy and breezy, this film is like the tsunami that crashes through the island. You're left pondering its purpose, but don't regret the journey.

• Starring: Tom Hudson, Barbara Beretta
• Director: Michael Dudok de Wit
• Runtime:  80 minutes

The Secret Garden

There are few joys in this world like bringing something back from the brink of death, whether it's a garden or a sickly boy who says, "Everybody thinks I'll die." In "The Secret Garden," both are rejuvenated by a stubborn girl. Mary Lennox (Kate Maberly) lost her parents during an earthquake in India. She's sent to her uncle's rural estate; he's in mourning and mostly absent, so she becomes the spark that brings everything back to life.

Mary discovers a hidden garden that she begins to nurture. That's where her cousin takes his first step. Once he's walking, the kids cast a spell to grab the attention of his absent father. There's no actual magic in this movie, but the way the incantation is shot will haunt you, while the garden's transformation of the garden will dazzle you. The reunion between uncle and cousin may summon a tear to the corner of your eye, too. The 1993 film is the best of six film adaptations of Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 novel because of its skillful photography, its world-class acting (hi, Dame Maggie!), and its gothic but cheerful atmosphere.

• Starring: Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Maggie Smith
• Director: Agnieszka Holland
• Runtime: 101 minutes

The Secret of Kells

"The Secret of Kells," an animated movie about using art to establish a lasting culture in the face of annihilation, is stunning. Vikings march toward the Abbey of Kells, where the abbot worries more about building walls than preserving the centuries-old Book of Kells. The book, the story, and the film's art direction are all based on a legendary medieval relic that features centuries of mystical Celtic art. You see its designs etched into the film's abbey, woven into its forest, and magically brought to life with each new drawing. The abbot is exasperated that his nephew Brendan (Evan McGuire) is adding to the Book of Kells. He doesn't see the point of making art when destruction is nigh.

The film features cartoonish violence, including allusions to stabbing, wolf attacks, and a scaffolding disaster. However, Brendan's positive spirit keeps things light. "The Secret of Kells" is about contributing to something bigger than yourself and connecting to future generations; watching this movie with kids and grandparents is an excellent way to make some connections of your own.

• Starring: Evan McGuire, Brendan Gleeson, Christen Mooney
• Directors: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
• Runtime:  78 minutes

The Secret of NIMH

Don Bluth spent years polishing the animation of Disney classics like "Robin Hood," "Pete's Dragon," and "The Rescuers." While filming "The Fox and the Hound," he and a group of talented animators left Disney to launch their own studio that focused on hand-drawn animation. They developed a 1980s classic that Disney wishes it had made — seriously . "The Secret of NIMH" is a dark fantasy about a mother mouse who seeks help from a mysterious group of rats to save her ill son and home.

I say dark because "The Secret of NIMH" is renowned nightmare fuel thanks to the imposing Great Owl and stalking farm cat. A few intense moments, though, come with a payoff. Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman) shows courage despite terrible odds that worsen at every turn. The images are impactful because of the artistry in each frame. That intensity is matched by Jerry Goldsmith's dramatic score that feels like it's composed for a live-action blockbuster. Some story arcs become convoluted but "The Secret of NIMH" has an uplifting energy that keeps you locked into Mrs. Brisby's heroic journey. It's dark but beautiful and makes for an exciting family film night.

• Starring: Elizabeth Hartman, Dom DeLuise, Shannen Doherty
• Director: Don Bluth

The Secret of Roan Inish

"The Secret of Roan Inish" is a pleasantly placid fairy tale that reels you in with its charm and sense of mystery. A young girl moves to her grandparents' fishing village after her mother passes, and starts to wonder if her baby brother, lost at sea long ago, may still live at the family's former island home, Roan Inish.

The film expertly creates a sense of place. The camerawork practically sprays you with seawater during the girl's daily chores, and peppers shots with sunlight that peeks through the foggy mornings. A traditional Irish score accompanies the many stories the quirky characters in "The Secret of Roan Inish" tell to the girl about her family and the local folklore. However, the film's most soul-lifting scene has nothing to do with magic; it's more about dedication to family. This multi-generational devotion makes "The Secret of Ronan Irish" a heartwarming change of pace in the "Encanto" and "Turning Red" era; at the very least, it's a film that grandma will appreciate a bit more.

• Starring: Jeni Courtney, Mick Lally, John Lynch
• Director: John Sayles

Singin' in the Rain

There aren't many mid-20th-century movies that inspire choruses of laughs, cheers, and wows from kindergarteners. "Singin' in the Rain" does, though. It's a movie about making movies during the transition from the silent era to sound, not to mention one of the most celebrated movies in film history.

That esteem is well-earned. The athleticism on display in every scene is stunning. Gene Kelly is an icon for a reason: His balanced strength and precise timing make him a generational talent. He apparently performed the title sequence with a 103-degree fever. Debbie Reynolds told NPR that she had never danced before filming, which is surprising. The movie's third wheel, Donald O'Connor, is brilliant as a dancer and comedian. I witnessed multiple guffaws from a five-year-old during O'Connor's "Make Them Laugh" sequence.

"Singin' in the Rain" is a movie you'll want to watch several times. You won't be bored, and you may be caught off guard by how funny it is. For the best viewing experience, find a theater that plays classic films, and have your family experience this one with a crowd. It was made for the big screen.

• Starring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor
• Directors: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" was a major flex for Disney in 1937, and remains one today. Disney's innovative multiplane camera technique gives "Snow White" a rich level of depth that animated films didn't have before, and that hasn't really been replicated since. When Snow White gets lost in the woods, the deep forest presses in. It feels suffocating, leading to relief when she spots a bright oasis in the distance: a cozy cottage. The seven dwarfs become improbable allies, each with their own quirks. "Snow White" is filled with Disney tropes for a good reason: It created them. A princess who talks to animals. A wicked stepmother. Dead parents. A magic kiss. Even a sneeze that won't come out.

Despite scenes full of singing, cleaning, and whistling, there's always a darkness looming. You know the Evil Queen is coming, though you and your young ones are probably not ready for her arrival. The hag is scary — not because she's old, but because she's off. She's an uncanny granny. "Snow White" established Disney as a cinematic powerhouse, and while other studios have tried to capture the film's combination of charm, horror, and artistry, "Snow White" remains the fairest of them all.

• Starring: Adriana Caselotti, Lucille La Verne, Moroni Olsen
• Director: David Hand

Song of the Sea

Cartoon Saloon can do no wrong. With "Song of the Sea," the Irish studio serves up another animated classic. Unlike the other two movies in the studio's "Irish Folklore Trilogy," which also includes "The Secret of Kells" and "Wolfwalkers," this film is set during modern times. Like the other two movies, though, it's packed with beautiful Irish folk imagery. The art is precisely incongruent and asymmetrical, and its colors come from across the spectrum. Its true strength, though, is its storytelling.

"Song of the Sea" is about a father, brother, and sister who struggle after the mother is lost at sea during the girl's birth. The brother blames his sibling, but learns that his mother's magic is still alive in her. When she disappears, he goes on a magical journey to save her. As a parent or grandparent, you love seeing children grow and develop. In "Song of the Sea," the children learn to care for each other by trusting one another and discovering that love is stronger than fear.

• Starring: David Rawle, Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan
• Director: Tomm Moore

The Sound of Music

Two hours and 54 minutes. That's a long time for some kids (and adults like me) to sit through a film without robots, witches, time travel, or anthropomorphic coffee pots. Somehow, though, "The Sound of Music" keeps you engaged. Julie Andrews is a singing, dancing marvel with a voice that's clearer than an Alps lake in the spring. Her character Maria is gently wild, like a '40s film heroine with a splash of '60s hippy flair.

Throughout the film, Maria and the kids treat you to a lineup of catchy classics. Even Baron von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) gets to show off his vocal range. The musical choreography is playful and the visuals brightly colored — except for the ominous mountains during the opening or Baron von Trapp's introduction, which frames and lights him like Bela Lugosi in "Dracula." These darker moments help key moments of tension, like when the Baron joins the kids in a rendition of "Sound of Music" or Maria returns to the family after her time away, stand out. After the nail-biting final act, you'll be stunned to find that nearly three hours have passed.

• Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr
• Director: Robert Wise
• Runtime:  174 minutes
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 84%

Real kids. Real pressure. Real emotions. "Spellbound" is a miraculous drama that exudes tension without introducing unnecessary conflict. It's about eight regional spelling bee champions who earn the chance to compete at the 1999 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The cast of kids is diverse in every conceivable way, from race and income level to their popularity (or lack thereof) among their peers. Many of the young contestants experience a sense of kinship for the first time with their fellow elite spellers.

The children make "Spellbound" captivating. They display commitment, persistence, pride, and poise, all with unfiltered sincerity. You feel the pressure of their tasks along with the disappointment when they lose, or relief when they do well. The filmmakers also cleverly highlight the spelling mistakes that adults make (I'm looking at you, Hooters) while demanding perfection from these kids. We also meet some past winners to get a sense of who these spelling champions could become. One tip: Turn off your captions, if you can. You'll want to experience this rollercoaster ride without any spoilers.

• Starring: Emily Stagg, Angela Arenivar, Ted Brigham,
• Director: Jeffrey Blitz

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" has few peers. It's like a DJ's set, with entrancing breakbeats spun simultaneously from dozens of genres in a constant, coherent rhythm. The movie is 140 minutes long, and you won't want to miss a single minute. In this sequel, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and Gwen Stacey (Hailee Steinfeld) want to escape their respective worlds to join a shared Spidey multiverse. The film jumps around from dimension to dimension and can be hard to follow because of the breakneck pace, but that's what makes it fun.

Writer-producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller continue to push animation in new, creative directions. This is the best comic book representation that's ever graced the big screen — and one of the best superhero films, period. The only pointing thing about "Across the Spider-Verse" is that it's only one half of the story; thankfully, though, that gives us a little time to catch our breaths before the next installment, "Beyond the Spider-Verse," comes out.

• Starring: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac
• Director: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is an amazing film regardless of genre. It brilliantly blends art styles, interweaves character arcs, and is perfectly cast. It's also an open-arm welcome to every iteration of Spidey, from the character's surprisingly dark roots to his goofiest forms. Somehow, director Peter Ramsey and his crew pace the action and set up conflicts and characters — so many characters — in a way that's never overwhelming.

Superhero fans say they're tired of origin stories. They're not. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" proves that viewers are just tired of seeing origin stories told the same way over and over. In most Spider-Man stories, Peter Parker is isolated and alone, struggling with his newfound powers. In this film, Miles Morales has a group of supportive people who know exactly what he's going through. Their camaraderie lifts the film, even as you watch Miles' life fall apart. "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" is best experienced in a theater, though the couch also works. The visuals and the story are just that strong.

• Starring: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld
• Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
• Runtime:  117 minutes

Spirited Away

"Spirited Away" is a cinematic feast of bizarre, weird, and magical moments. It's about a young girl whose family enters a fantasy world where she toils in a mythical bathhouse to save her parents. The story is riveting because you never know where it's going or what you'll see next — at various points, you'll meet a faceless river entity, an oozing stink spirit, and a giant, spoiled baby.

Critics say that "Spirited Away" is director Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece, though the film is much more approachable than that label suggests. The art is mostly hand-drawn, with computer-generated components that, according to Miyazaki , add depth to the animation. The combination creates an uncanny magic out of colors, shapes, and unnatural movements. Even if the fantasy world is messy and sometimes gross, it's beautifully crafted. Get ready for a sensory journey you won't forget.

• Starring: Daveigh Chase, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette (English dub)
• Runtime:  125 minutes

It takes adults a few scenes to realize that "Spy Kids" is not made for them. Once your expectations drop, however, the film becomes surreal and subversive fun. In it, two former spies who team up for one final job, but disappear, forcing their kids to step into their roles and save the day. It's all very Nickelodeon, including the special effects. However, "Spy Kids" delivers on its promise as a spy movie for kids with cool gadgets, exotic locales, big plot twists, and family-friendly action sequences. Director Robert Rodriguez is clearly having fun and the excellent actors are 100% onboard, no matter how weird it gets.

And "Spy Kids" is brazenly weird. Some characters are all thumbs (literally) while others appear to be melted. There are a few nonsensical moments that make it hard for adults to suspend their disbelief — why does every bystander refuse to acknowledge the craziness around them? But then you breathe, relax your shoulders, and remember that sometimes nonsense is okay — or, in this case, actively encouraged. Rodriguez manages to make the film both as exciting as a spy thriller and as light and imaginative as an after school cartoon.

• Starring: Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino
• Director: Robert Rodriguez

Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope

Thank you, stormtroopers. Your terrible aim and robot-like personalities allow me to show this sci-fi classic to my kindergartener guilt-free. Sure, Uncle Owen's body smolders out in the desert, but ... look over there — two suns?!

"Star Wars" will be your child's entry point to a beloved genre: the space opera spaghetti western buddy rom-com heist fantasy epic. The film is hard to define because it goes where it wants to go. George Lucas tells the story he wants to tell. Through his stunning attention to detail, you sense a tremor of magic that goes far beyond the Force.

"A New Hope" has no shortage of interesting, well-developed, and well-defined characters who fill the screen with witty banter and outer space charm. They're good. They're bad. They have death sentences on 12 systems. The space battles are amazing. Industrial Light & Magic created models, sets, and effects that still stand up today (minus the CG "improvements" added in the '90s). John Williams' score is soul-stirringly dynamic. In the MCU era, the original "Star Wars" trilogy may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid.

• Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford
• Director: George Lucas
• Runtime: 121 minutes

Director Makoto Shinkai is a cinematic force. He makes stunning anime films that are grounded by realistic people and their relationships. "Suzume" follows a teenage girl who helps a mysterious man close off portals around Japan to prevent an apocalypse. It's Shinkai's third disaster film, and the most accessible one to young audiences. "Suzume" feels like a nod to Disney with a talking cat, an inanimate object that speaks, a missing slipper, dead parents, and an awakening kiss, but it's nothing like modern Disney features.

For one, the animation doesn't take a break, ever. Between the action, we're treated to incredible glimpses of nature, cities, and people living their lives. Shinkai's films use a measured combination of hand-drawn and computer-generated animation, and it can be hard to tell which is which. "Suzume" has some heavy moments and intense action, but the movie never becomes unbearable. It's filled with magic, technology, and surprisingly mundane situations, like other people reacting on social media to that talking cat. There's nothing else like Shinkai's film out there — except, of course, Shinkai's other movies. See "Suzume" on the big screen if you get the chance.

• Starring: Nichole Sakura, Josh Keaton, Jennifer Sun Bell (English dub)
• Director: Makoto Shinkai
• Runtime:  122 minutes

Time Bandits

Director Terry Gilliam loves chaos, but thankfully his weird brand of mayhem is approachable to viewers of all ages. At one point, Gilliam spent years wrangling the members of Monty Python. In "Time Bandits," he's wrangling A-list actors and inserting them into historic and fairytale settings. This collection of people and places is tied together by a young historian and a band of misfit thieves who steal a map that allows them to travel through time. You'll need to suspend disbelief to go on this journey, but if you tag along willingly, you'll be pulled into a brilliant abstract adventure.

"Time Bandits" is Gilliam's most family-friendly film. It's a bit of a time capsule, depicting everyday life in '80s Britain. Then, it drags you along like a carnival ride packed with thrilling special effects that are (surprisingly) still effective. The trip is dark but funny, even if the film eventually goes off the rails and ends with a moment of existential dread. This is not your typical fantasy epic; it is, however, the best fantasy epic about a wardrobe with a portal to another world. "Time Bandits" is simply full of surprises. You don't know where (or when) it's going next, but you'll enjoy getting there, especially when the voyage feels out of control.

• Starring: Craig Warnock, David Rappaport, Kenny Baker
• Director: Terry Gilliam
• Runtime: 110 minutes

Toy Story (series)

"Toy Story" stars a bunch of toys and is mostly set in a bedroom, yet Pixar somehow made it an epic adventure that will make you cheer, laugh, and cry — often during the same scene. Tom Hanks leads a brilliant cast whose enthusiastic vocal performances give the characters a depth of personality that doesn't always come across in animation. Their motivations are all similar — they want what's best for their child, Andy — but their bravery, humility, shame, and empathy are uniquely their own.

This harmonic blend of story, conflict, and nostalgia endures through the entire series, creating a particularly potent blend for older viewers who want to revisit their childhoods. "Toy Story" has a timeless feel because its themes — growing up and growing old — are universal. The story is sophisticated, but never confusing. Each of the four "Toy Stories" movies could be considered the best in the series. You've likely seen them all before, but adults will appreciate how rewatchable they are; expect the kids to put this one on repeat.

• Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts
• Directors: John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich, Josh Cooley

"Up" is about the trauma of losing a loved one, and how recovery is not something you do alone. We see the root of Carl's (Ed Asner) agony in one of the most beautiful, heartwarming, and heartbreaking montages ever committed to film. The sequence starts by lovingly pulling you through the joys of love and life; by the end, it's dragging you through the pain of loss. You're now emotionally ready for the rest of the movie, because you fully understand why Carl won't budge from his home until he's finally soared into his new life.

Carl's balloons carry him toward the goal he thought he needed until he meets Russell, an accidental stowaway who sends Carl veering off course. It's a joyous ride that might make you realize how much your own trauma has informed the decisions you've made. After 96 minutes are up, you'll be transformed from a curmudgeonly pessimist into a hopeful optimist. But finishing "Up" doesn't mark the end of the journey. Disney+ has a delightful series of shorts about Carl and a friend he made along the way named Dug.

• Starring: Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer
• Directors: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
• Runtime:  96 minutes

What About Bob?

"What About Bob?" is Looney Tunes for adults who think they don't like cartoons. It's a slapstick comedy packed with one-liners, and features a protagonist who, in the act of trying to live his life, gently applies pressure to another character, making him snap. Their last names are even Wiley (as in "Coyote") and Marvin (as in "The Martian"). In "What About Bob?," the likable but fear-ridden Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) faces his fears in an attempt to visit his vacationing shrink, Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss), and upends both of their lives.

Murray is in his top form as a comedian here. Instead of snarky, Murray's usual mode, Bob is genuine and endearing. The other characters rally around his relentless positivity — except for Dr. Marvin. Dreyfuss is fantastic as the egotistical ticking time bomb. The small-town summer setting is nostalgically pleasing for anyone who loves vacation movies, and each scene with Bob is filled with quotables lines that aren't really funny until Murray delivers them (and Dreyfuss is tormented by them). Their incongruent chemistry makes "What About Bob?" a dark family classic.

• Starring: Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, Julie Hagerty
• Director: Frank Oz
• Rotten Tomatoes Score: 82%

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is the rare noir thriller that's fun for the whole family. That's because the genre's standard femme fatale, murder weapon, and disfigured villain are all cartoons. Roger Rabbit is about a famous "toon" who's on the run after he's framed for murder. Down-on-his-luck private eye Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) takes on his case despite its risks and his hatred for all things hand-drawn.

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit" features some adult themes and content, but it never goes too far. Its animated side is goofy and fun, while the noir half provides a surprisingly compelling murder mystery. The blend of animation and live-action will continually make you wonder how the effects were achieved. While your kids marvel at the concept of a cartoon world that coexists with ours, you may find yourself pondering the film's heavier themes. "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" recalls "Chinatown," but instead of water infrastructure, the plot concerns the decimation of a city center where minority groups thrive. It's heavy material made palatable by a cartoon palette.

• Starring: Bob Hoskins, Charles Fleischer, Christopher Lloyd

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Not many 50-year-old films feel fresher than their nearly-20-year-old remakes. "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" is the exception. It's charming, cheeky, and thoughtful. Broadway fans will be hooked by the musical numbers, "Simpsons" fans will love the cultural fervor around the hunt for the golden ticket, and every adult will recognize the wistful yet cheeky tone of Willy Wonka's one-liners. He's burned out, but still has a flickering flame of his old playfulness that he uses to entertain his guests.

With his deadpan delivery and that twinkle in his eye, Gene Wilder is brilliant as Willy Wonka. Once "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" reaches the candy factory, the pace picks up like the film is in a sugar-fueled fervor and doesn't stop. Each set piece is creative, colorful, psychedelic, wacky, and — usually — spectacularly dangerous, with every annoying character getting picked off (but not killed) like the victims in an Agatha Christie novel. The story builds until Wonka explains his motivation for the tour, but the ending doesn't really matter. "Willy Wonka" is all about the journey, which — sorry to say, Mr. Wonka — is more fun than pure imagination.

• Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson
• Director: Mel Stuart
• Runtime:  98 minutes

The Witches

"The Witches" is the stuff childhood nightmares are made of. The scene where all of the witches rip off their masks — you know the one — may be a little too much for sensitive (and sane) viewers. The rest of us, though, will marvel at the horror that unfolds before our eyes. That transformation might be the most memorable part of "The Witches," but the movie keeps you unsettled in other ways, too. The camera meanders and tilts at uncanny angles. The film is edited at an offbeat pace, with some shots lingering while others cut away quickly.

The witches are all horrifying, particularly Angelica Huston, whether she's in her scaled, wart-covered makeup or her pristine ivory skin. Jim Henson gave her and the other witches an outstanding makeover. He also worked his own form of magic by turning kids into mice and making them feel alive. Henson died a few weeks before the film's release, and not everyone appreciated his efforts. Author Roald Dahl, who wrote the book on which "The Witches" is based, called the film vulgar and decried the "actual terror" on screen. But that terror is why "The Witches" endures. It's entry-level horror for families who like to get their heart rates up while snuggling up on the couch.

• Starring: Jasen Fisher, Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling
• Director: Nicolas Roeg

The Wizard of Oz

Some movies are timeless for a reason. "The Wizard of Oz" endures because its fantasy story is relatable and its visuals are still stunning eight decades later. Dorothy's trek through Oz is a Technicolor wonder. The cameras used to film it required high levels of light to capture the incredible array of colors used on each set, making the characters and costumes pop on screen. Think about how the ruby slippers and the Wicked Witch's face stand out. The shadows in each shot create a depth that makes you feel just as lost as Dorothy.

When the Wicked Witch shows up, she's appropriately terrifying. Margaret Hamilton's screeching dialogue and jolting movements will send shivers up your spine. The special effects form another part of the movie's magic. The Wicked Witch's crystal ball, the Wizard of Oz's floating head, and the flying monkeys are impressive for 1939 and still pack a punch today. The best part about watching "The Wizard of Oz" with multiple generations of viewers, however, is that everyone remembers seeing the movie as a child. Not many films offer shared experiences like that.

• Starring: Judy Garland, Margaret Hamilton, Frank Morgan
• Director: Victor Fleming

Wolfwalkers

Cartoon Saloon cannot miss. "Wolfwalkers" is the Irish studio's fourth feature film and its fourth to astound audiences with breathtaking art and relevant narratives drawn from a space tucked between history and folklore. "Wolfwalkers" takes place in 1600s Ireland, during the English occupation. The Lord Commander wants to tame the wild. Robyn (Honor Kneafsey) and her hunter father feel caged inside the city that's quickly taking over the nearby forest. The oppressive city is filled with sharp images of chains, cages, and collars. The forest is bright and filled with non-conforming shapes.

The animation is digitally drawn and painted, though it looks hand-drawn and filled with watercolor. Animators based their designs on 17th-century woodcut art. The characters, weather, and scenery pop on screen — regardless if you're watching on a tablet, television, or in a theater. The concepts are just as big. "Wolfwalkers" is about embracing the wild magic left in our industrialized world. Robin and her father are forced to consider risking their unhappy but safe lives for happy but unpredictable freedom. Older viewers can relate to the parable about rebelling against conformity while children will relate to the girl who just wants to play outside.

• Starring: Honor Kneafsey, Sean Bean, Eva Whittaker
• Directors: Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart

There are few big cities in film like the titular metropolis of "Zootopia," where distinct cultures and their respective environments are connected by the hope of interspecies unity (and tunnels). Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) fulfills her dream and becomes a police officer in Zootopia, but discovers it's not the blissful paradise she thought it would be. Judy also learns that, at first, she's not the open-minded bunny she thought she was, but must evolve to become her ideal big-city self.

"Zootopia" tackles prejudice and racism with kid gloves. The magic of this movie is not the message, though — the magic lies in how it teaches its lesson. Judy and the sly fox Nick (Jason Bateman) have ongoing conversations about their struggles integrating with other species, but those discussions are peppered with jokes, reveal character growth, or unlock another clue in the film's neo-noir-esque mystery. It all unfolds against a cleverly designed backdrop that's full of interesting characters who have more than one side, be they the yoga-teaching yak, the sloth who works at the DMV, and the Arctic shrew who happens to be a mob boss. "Zootopia" is a fun movie that teaches young ones that there's always more to someone than what you see on the surface.

• Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba
• Director: Byron Howard and Rich Moore

...and the ones that didn't make the cut

When compiling this list, I wanted to make sure everyone in the family could enjoy every film, from kindergarten-age on up. However, young viewers, even those who can read, might struggle with captions. That means that incredible foreign films like "Summer 1993" and "Wadjda" won't work for most U.S. families, although animated films that are dubbed in English will be just fine.

Violence is another issue. I fell in love with "Raiders of the Lost Ark" after seeing it in the theater when I was four. That's two years after I saw my first horror movie (a miniseries, actually), "Salem's Lot." I could handle it. I know my five-year-old daughter cannot. Many parents don't want their children to see a Nazi's face melt or bald men get butchered by propeller blades — and that's okay. 

"Raiders" and other violent, scary classics I loved as a kid, like "Poltergeist," "Conan the Barbarian," and "Jurassic Park," can go on other family film lists, but not this one. With my picks, you may need to offer a few comforting snuggles or answer questions about violence and intolerance, but I want to make sure that everyone feels comfortable watching these films. That said, you know your kids best; if you think they're ready for slightly more mature fare, there's no better way to introduce it than by viewing the movies together.

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The 25 best family movies on Max in July 2024

These family-friendly films are available to stream now.

If your regular family movie night is getting stale, Max has a wide library of both tried-and-true classics ( The Wizard of Oz ; The Return of the Pink Panther ) and recent releases ( Wonka ; Blue Beetle ) that can bring the whole clan together. Whether you're looking for coming-of-age films, thrilling adventures, heartfelt character dramas, or laugh-out-loud comedies, the popular streamer has something family-friendly for every taste. Here are Entertainment Weekly ’s picks for the 25 best family movies on Max right now.

Spirited Away (2001)

If you've ever wondered why it's a bad idea to visit an abandoned roadside amusement park, Studio Ghibli has the answer: Your parents will turn into giant pigs and you'll be left on your own to deal with the resident ghosts, witches, and river sprites. Spirited Away creates a new, fascinating mythology with its own mysterious rules and customs, pitting 10-year-old Chihiro against dragons and demons with only her strength of will to guide her. The film can get a little scary at times for younger viewers, but both parents and kids will be captivated by its haunting beauty.

Where to watch Spirited Away : Max

EW grade: N/A ( read the review )

Director: Hayao Miyazaki

Cast: Daveigh Chase, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette, Michael Chiklis

Related content: Here's what Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away looks like as a play

Blue Beetle (2023)

Warner Bros

The first superhero movie with a Latino protagonist, Blue Beetle stars Xolo Maridueña as Jaime, a recent college grad who accidentally ends up bonding with an ancient alien relic that turns him into a high-flying vigilante. But Jaime isn't alone in fighting against evil corporate androids: When he needs help, his Mexican-American family works together to rescue him. EW’s writer appreciated how , " Blue Beetle is one of the rare opportunities to celebrate a specific part of the Latin community, and it revels in that specificity, only adding more heart to Jaime's journey to becoming a hero."

Where to watch Blue Beetle : Max

EW grade: B+ ( read the review )

Director: Ángel Manuel Soto

Cast: Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, George Lopez , Susan Sarandon , Harvey Guillén

Related content: Xolo Maridueña hopes to play Blue Beetle for a long time: "I want to do 12 more years"

The LEGO Batman Movie (2017)

A buzzy sugar rush of villains, explosions, and bat-guitar solos, The Lego Batman Movie sets out to be the ultimate kid-friendly superhero comedy, deftly skewering every pretentious, bloated summer blockbuster. The Joker ( Zach Galifianakis ) is crushed when Batman ( Will Arnett ) refuses to admit that he's the hero's "greatest enemy," so the offended clown prince of crime recruits every baddie in the multiverse, including velociraptors and Voldemort. EW’s critic predicted , "Seventy-five percent of the film’s carpet-­bomb campaign of pop culture meta punchlines will ricochet over the target audience’s head, but parents dragged along for the ride will no doubt be grateful for Arnett’s rat-a-tat send-ups of Adam West and superhero clichés."

Where to watch The LEGO Batman Movie : Max

Director: Chris McKay

Cast: Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera , Rosario Dawson , Ralph Fiennes

Related content: Batman Rewatch: The LEGO Batman Movie and The Batman bury the Dark Knight to heap on praise

Wonka (2023)

A sparkling Timothée Chalamet headlines this prequel to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory , embodying the whimsical candy maker at the start of his ambitious (and delicious) career. He's opposed by the establishment Chocolate Cartel and tricked by his devious landlady into indentured servitude, but you can't keep a born dreamer down. "In many ways, Wonka is far more delightful than it has any right to be," EW’s critic wrote while also praising Chalamet: "He's a warm and winning Wonka, infusing the character with a fanciful sense of humor and a guileless enthusiasm."

Where to watch Wonka : Max

EW grade: B ( read the review )

Director: Paul King

Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman, Keegan-Michael Key

Related content: Wonka director 'didn't want to reinvent' the Gene Wilder film

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

One of the most beloved films of all time, The Wizard of Oz delivers visual spectacle, winning characters, and an emotional sincerity that still retains its charm 85 years later. Judy Garland sparkles as a girl from Kansas who drops out of the sky into the magical land of Oz, where she teams up with a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion to fight a witch and find her way home. With unforgettable songs like "Over the Rainbow" and "If I Only Had a Brain," the film has delighted generations with its imagination and wit.

Where to watch The Wizard of Oz : Max

Director: Victor Fleming

Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Margaret Hamilton, Jack Haley

Related content: 19 rare behind-the-scenes photos from The Wizard of Oz

Time Bandits (1981)

A young boy is swept into a wild adventure when six squabbling dwarfs appear, looking for a magical portal on the other side of his bedroom wall. The intruders have swiped a map from the Supreme Being, which they're using to travel through space and time, stealing the treasures of history. Together, Kevin and the Bandits meet Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, and visit ancient Greece and the sinking of the Titanic. Directed by Monty Python alum Terry Gilliam , Time Bandits includes cameos from fellow Pythons John Cleese and Michael Palin as well as Sean Connery as King Agamemnon. 

Where to watch Time Bandits : Max

Director: Terry Gilliam

Cast: Craig Warnock, John Cleese, Sean Connery, Shelley Duvall, Katherine Helmond

Related content: Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement tease their Time Bandits TV show in exclusive first look

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

My Neighbor Totoro isn't the only Studio Ghibli film on this list, but it's arguably the sweetest. Two young girls move with their father to a house in the country while their mother is recovering in the hospital, and they discover a giant, furry wood spirit in the nearby forest. Totoro doesn't speak, but he's a gentle and reassuring presence who creates magical, dream-like experiences for the girls. It's not a fast-moving film, but EW’s critic asserts that " Totoro conjures up a whimsical, occasionally scary, and transcendent world of youthful imagination."

Where to watch My Neighbor Totoro : Max

EW grade: A ( read the review )

Cast: Tim Daly , Dakota Fanning , Elle Fanning , Lea Salonga

Related content: Watch Baby Yoda befriend some soot sprites in Studio Ghibli and Lucasfilm's outrageously cute Disney+ short

The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie (2004)

Nickelodeon star SpongeBob Squarepants catapults to the big screen with an epic story too deep for tiny TVs. Fiendish fast-food slinger Plankton frames his rival, Mr. Krabs, for stealing King Neptune's crown, and SpongeBob and Patrick are sent on a quest to retrieve the treasure and prove their friend is innocent. The movie features celebrity voice actors Jeffrey Tambor , Scarlett Johansson , and Alec Baldwin along with an unforgettable live-action David Hasselhoff cameo. But as EW’s critic asserted , "The best moments in his first movie outing are those that feel most TV-like, just another day in the eternally optimistic undersea society created with such contagious silliness by Stephen Hillenburg ."

Where to watch The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie : Max

Director: Stephen Hillenburg

Cast: Tom Kenny , Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown , David Hasselhoff

Related content: David Hasselhoff joins the SpongeBob SquarePants 20th anniversary special

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)

A warm-hearted anime from Studio Ghibli , Kiki's Delivery Service sees the titular 13-year-old witch ( Kirsten Dunst ) leave home with her black cat Jiji ( Phil Hartman ) and embark on a year-long journey of self-discovery in another village. Using her magic broom, Kiki opens a flying courier service and begins to experience both the satisfaction and the difficulties of independence and self-reliance. Kiki's struggles with self-consciousness and doubt will be familiar to any kid who's had to adjust to a new situation, and the exquisitely rendered character animation makes the film an enchanting trip. 

Where to watch Kiki's Delivery Service : Max

Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Janeane Garofalo , Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds

Related content: All of the Studio Ghibli movies, ranked

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

With all eight Harry Potter films streaming on Max, here's your opportunity to introduce your kids to the wizarding world. In the first installment, neglected orphan Harry ( Daniel Radcliffe ) is invited to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he begins his formal education as a spellcaster, along with new best friends Ron ( Rupert Grint ) and Hermione ( Emma Watson ). He also discovers that he has a powerful enemy: the defeated but still dangerous Voldemort, who tried to kill him as a child and is ready for a rematch. Exploring the halls of Hogwarts is a modern rite of passage for imaginative youngsters, as the film “translates places previously imagined by millions of readers into shiny images absorbable by millions more,” says EW’s critic .

Where to watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone : Max

Director: Chris Columbus

Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane , John Cleese

Related content: Harry Potter series aiming for 2026 premiere on Max after J.K. Rowling meeting

Ponyo (2008)

In another stunning Studio Ghibli anime, a little boy and a magical goldfish princess form an unlikely friendship. Ponyo's desire to become a human girl and join Sosuke on the land is so strong that it overpowers her wizard father's enchantments, leading to an explosion of aquatic energy that endangers Sosuke's seaside village. As the waters rise, the two children set out on a quest to save the town and restore the balance of nature. Director Hayao Miyazaki's lush, colorful backgrounds give the film a hand-crafted feel, blurring the distinction between land and sea. 

Where to watch Ponyo : Max

Cast: Cate Blanchett , Noah Cyrus, Matt Damon , Tina Fey , Frankie Jonas

Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018)

Warner Bros.

Boy wonder Robin and his team of Teen Titans are offended that nobody wants to make a hit movie about them, so they head to Hollywood to demand a Robin movie, taking swipes at numerous pop culture clichés along the way. Will Arnett plays the squad’s supervillain foil, while Kristen Bell is a blockbuster director who refuses to take them seriously. In an era when DC superhero films are struggling to feel grown-up and important, it's refreshing to see the Teen Titans Go! crew kick back and have a good time. To quote EW’s critic , "This is a rollicking, goofy superhero send-up that never overstays its welcome."

Where to watch Teen Titans Go! to the Movies : Max

Director: Peter Rida Michail, Aaron Horvath

Cast: Greg Cipes, Tara Strong , Will Arnett, Kristen Bell

Related content: Teen Titans Go! To the Movies : Will Arnett on his 'childish' take on Slade

Return of the Pink Panther (1975)

Almost every Pink Panther movie is streaming on Max, but Return of the Pink Panther might just be the funniest. The series is a showcase for the great Peter Sellers in his most iconic role: the clumsy, incompetent French detective, Inspector Clouseau. In this entry, Clouseau is on the trail of a jewel thief while being hunted by assassins who may be even more bumbling than he is. Sellers' legendary comic timing, outrageous accent, and gift for slapstick never fail to amuse, and will likely entice younger viewers despite being nearly 50 years old.  

Where to watch Return of the Pink Panther : Max

Director: Blake Edwards

Cast: Peter Sellers, Christopher Plummer , Catherine Schell, Herbert Lom

Related content: Blake Edwards: Friends remember the Pink Panther director

Because of Winn-Dixie (2005)

If the kids like dog movies, Because of Winn-Dixie offers undiluted canine appreciation. Opal ( AnnaSophia Robb ) moves to a new town in Florida with her preacher father ( Jeff Daniels ) and has trouble making friends — until she links up with a big, fuzzy stray dog that she dubs Winn-Dixie. The friendly, impulsive pooch wastes no time in melting hearts and bringing people together, as the town's residents share their stories, admit their mistakes, and offer each other empathy and forgiveness. Plus, there’s plenty of adorable shenanigans, of course.

Where to watch Because of Winn-Dixie : Max

Director: Wayne Wang

Cast: AnnaSophia Robb, Jeff Daniels, Cicely Tyson , Dave Matthews , Eva Marie Saint

Related content: Q&A with Winn-Dixie star Jeff Daniels

Daddy Day Care (2003)

When Charlie ( Eddie Murphy ) loses his job, his wife Kim ( Regina King ) has to be the breadwinner in the family, leaving Dad at home with a toddler. Recognizing a need for affordable child care, Charlie hooks up with his laid-off friend Phil ( Jeff Garlin ) to open a day care center in his house — and they quickly learn there's a lot they don't know about taking care of a dozen kids at once. Though understandably not a critical darling, Daddy Day Care gave Murphy another avenue to flex his comedic chops in a family-friendly and undeniably fun format.

Where to watch Daddy Day Care : Max

Director: Steve Carr

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin, Anjelica Huston , Regina King, Steve Zahn

DC League of Super-Pets (2022)

This brash, high-flying comedy adventure puts Superman's dog Krypto (Dwayne Johnson) in charge of a crew of super-powered shelter animals, including an indestructible hound ( Kevin Hart ) and a speedy turtle ( Natasha Lyonne ). When the actual Justice League is captured by an evil hairless guinea pig ( Kate McKinnon ) — it's a stretch, but go with it — it's up to the pets to take her down. It's a playful twist on the typical superhero fare, with an appealing ensemble cast that includes John Krasinski as the Man of Steel himself. 

Where to watch DC League of Super-Pets : Max

Director: Jared Stern

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Natasha Lyonne, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski

Related content: Dwayne Johnson's Krypto assembles a team in DC League of Super-Pets first look

The Peanuts Movie (2015)

Good grief! Fifty years after Charlie Brown and Snoopy made their 2-D animated debut in A Charlie Brown Christmas , Blue Sky Studios pulled off an amazing feat: putting the Peanuts characters into a more realistically rendered world while remaining faithful to the character designs and spirit of the original. In The Peanuts Movie , Charlie tries to shed his "loser" image to impress the Little Red-Haired Girl with the support of his faithful dog. All the comic-strip favorites get their chance to shine, including Linus, Lucy, and Peppermint Patty, making this a nostalgic trip for parents and a great introduction for new Peanuts fans.

Where to watch The Peanuts Movie : Max

Director: Steve Martino

Cast: Noah Schnapp , Hadley Belle Miller, Mariel Sheets, Alex Garfin

Related content: Meghan Trainor sings happy birthday to Snoopy for the Peanuts Movie

Ramona and Beezus (2010)

Beverly Cleary's Ramona novels inspired this endearing family film starring a 10-year-old Joey King as the irrepressible and accident-prone Ramona, and Selena Gomez as her older sister Beatrice (a.k.a. "Beezus"). Ramona, a 4-foot-tall force of nature, is always dreaming and scheming, and when Dad ( John Corbett ) loses his job, she tries to earn money with disastrous results. There are rom-com style subplots for Beezus and for their Aunt Bea ( Ginnifer Goodwin ), who reconnects with a hunky old flame played by Josh Duhamel . Meanwhile, Ramona's eccentric efforts lead to a happy ending in this sunny, funny sibling rivalry movie rooted in real heart.

Where to watch Ramona and Beezus : Max

Director: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum

Cast: Joey King, Selena Gomez, John Corbett, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Duhamel

Related content: Ramona Quimby's greatest mishaps, in honor of Beverly Cleary's birthday

Robots (2005)

In a world of living machines, young Rodney Copperbottom ( Ewan McGregor ) travels to the big city to follow his dream of becoming an inventor, but discovers an evil plot by corporate leader Phineas T. Ratchet ( Greg Kinnear ) to force robots to take expensive upgrades or be junked as "outmodes." The plot's a bit thin, but Robots is filled with ingenious mechanical gags and a bouncy soundtrack keeps things moving. What’s more, Robin Williams reliably steals the show as the scrap-happy Fender, Rodney's clanking, clattering sidekick. 

Where to watch Robots : Max

Director: Chris Wedge

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Robin Williams, Greg Kinnear, Halle Berry , Mel Brooks

Inkheart (2009)

Mo ( Brendan Fraser ) has the magical power of bringing fictional characters to life by reading books aloud to his daughter — which turns out not to be the delightful fantasy you'd imagine. Capricorn ( Andy Serkis ), the villain of a rare novel titled Inkheart, escapes into the real world, as does the fire-juggling hero Dustfinger ( Paul Bettany ), while Mo's wife Resa is accidentally trapped in the pages. To get her back, Mo, his daughter, Dustfinger, and great-aunt Elinor ( Helen Mirren ) must find the book's author and defeat Capricorn. What follows is an adventure that EW’s critic says inspires “the distinct sensation of being a young bookworm again, falling into a world as vividly real as it is impossible.”

Where to watch Inkheart : Max

Director: Iain Softley

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis

How to Eat Fried Worms (2006)

11-year-old Billy is having a tough time adjusting to his new school, especially when he's targeted by the resident bully, who puts worms in Billy's lunch. To prove his worth, Billy bets that he could eat 10 worms in a day — and then has to live up to that promise. Much of the film is concerned with the gross-out recipes the kids come up with, including "Le Big Porker," "The Burning Fireball," and "Barfmallo." Watching Billy chow down on these disgusting concoctions is a surprisingly thrilling experience, and the film offers some lessons on how to stand up to bullies.

Where to watch How to Eat Fried Worms : Max

Director: Bob Dolman

Cast: James Rebhorn, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Tom Cavanagh , Hallie Kate Eisenberg

Scoob! (2020)

There's a mystery afoot, but the Mystery Inc. crew can handle it — after all, Scooby, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have been running around after masked crooks for over five decades. This time, the plot involves Dick Dastardly manipulating Scooby to gain access to the mythological Underworld, while the good guys get an assist from the Hanna-Barbera heroes Dyno-Mutt and the Blue Falcon. It’s an airy storyline, but quippy voice acting makes this another demonstration of why the Mystery Machine teens are so endearing and enduring. 

Where to watch Scoob!: Max

Director: Tony Cervone

Cast: Will Forte , Mark Wahlberg , Jason Isaacs , Gina Rodriguez , Zac Efron , Amanda Seyfried

Related content: The Scoob! cast solves our silliest (and weirdest) Scooby-Doo mysteries

Free Birds (2013)

Reggie ( Owen Wilson ), a turkey who's been "pardoned" by the president, is leading a peaceful life ordering pizza and watching telenovelas. That is, until he's approached by Jake ( Woody Harrelson ), a member of the Turkey Freedom Front, who recruits him for a dangerous mission: steal an experimental time machine, travel back to the first Thanksgiving, and try to convince the early settlers to feast on something other than turkeys. It's a wild premise, but the buddy-comedy chemistry between the two vocal leads makes Free Birds a tasty treat for kiddos. 

Where to watch Free Birds : Max

Director: Jimmy Hayward

Cast: Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson, Amy Poehler , George Takei

Aliens in the Attic (2009)

A squadron of little green critters land on the roof of a family's vacation home in this silly sci-fi comedy from the "don't tell the parents" subgenre. The ETs want to take over the Earth, of course, starting with this specific house, because there's a dangerous weapon buried in the basement that they must not be allowed to reach. The movie has a lot of characters and subplots to keep straight — four aliens, seven kids, three parents, and a grandmother — but the little ones will enjoy the slapstick mind-control device that ends up in the hands of a pair of mischievous twins.

Where to watch Aliens in the Attic : Max

Director: John Schultz

Cast: Kevin Nealon , Robert Hoffman, Tim Meadows, Ashley Tisdale

Zookeeper (2011)

Kevin James plays Griffin, a zookeeper who's still broken up about his ex-girlfriend ( Leslie Bibb ) turning down his marriage proposal five years prior. He's considering leaving the zoo, so the animals reveal that they can speak English — apparently, every animal can — and they want to help him win Stephanie back. Fortunately for parents, the talking animals are often legitimately funny, especially Adam Sandler as the group's gravelly-voiced spokesmonkey. In the film's best sequence, Griffin takes a depressed gorilla out to TGI Fridays for his birthday, explaining to the waitress that his friend is in a very convincing costume. 

Where to watch Zookeeper : Max

Director: Frank Coraci

Cast: Kevin James, Leslie Bibb, Adam Sandler, Rosario Dawson

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Tv/streaming, collections, chaz's journal, great movies, contributors, the killer (2024).

Now streaming on:

John Woo ’s “ The Killer ” was a true gamechanger, at least for this critic. The one-two punch of Woo’s 1989 action masterpiece with his equally magnificent “Hard Boiled” changed the way I looked at the genre in my teens, and truly inspired hundreds of imitators. For anyone in my age range who can remember watching “The Killer” (likely on VHS) decades ago, the thought of remaking a flawless film feels cinematically heretical. And yet Hollywood has been circling such a project for decades with Richard Gere and Nicolas Cage once attached in the ‘90s. After years of false starts, a remake finally emerges, limping onto Peacock with almost no fanfare or promotion. Directed by Woo himself, the 2024 version of “The Killer” is obviously competently made–the Hong Kong director still knows how to stage an action sequence, well into his seventies—but the truth is that this version of the film does absolutely nothing better than the original. It’s a movie that’s generally watchable but almost instantly forgettable, which the best of Woo never is.

Nathalie Emmanuel (Ramsey from the later “Fast and the Furious” movies) plays the mysterious Zee, a stealthy assassin for a powerful organization run by the vicious Finn ( Sam Worthington ). The “ Avatar ” actor nails a certain kind of slimy power figure, the one who will pretend to have your best interests in mind but only as far as it suits him personally. When Zee gets a job that requires an assassination via samurai sword in a Parisian nightclub, the assignment goes sideways with the blinding of a singer named Jenn ( Diana Silvers ). Despite the fact that she can’t exactly point the finger at the killer, Finn insists that Zee take out the witness, leading to moral crisis for the murderer for hire. While Zee tries to keep Jenn alive, a Paris cop named Sey ( Omar Sy of “Lupin”) gets this incredible case and crosses paths with Zee, giving “The Killer” most of its narrative thrust in that it’s a story of a criminal and a cop who may not be as different as they first believe.

Clearly, a lot of the narrative beats of the original remain, although the gender swap naturally makes a pretty big difference both in the Zee/Jenn relationship and the dynamic between Zee & Sey. The sort of dance between a killer and a cop, which many over the years even read as homoerotic in the original, has been shifted by the change but hardly anything has been done with that shift. Changing race, gender, and location should give “The Killer” a different flavor, but the truth is that there’s just no seasoning. It’s as if the writers ( Brian Helgeland , Josh Campbell & Martin Stuecken) figured the swaps alone would be interesting enough that they didn’t have to do anything more. It also just reeks of a script that has been in development for so long that all of the passion has been drained from it with rewrites, producer’s notes, and focus groups. The original hums with energy in not just its ace filmmaking but its narrative structure, and there’s just nothing to care about here in terms of plotting, while additions, like a few flashbacks to Zee’s origin story, feel half-hearted and cheap.

Part of the problem here is that Emmanuel just isn’t an interesting enough performer to sell the strong, silent cipher that Zee needs to be. I’m not usually a critic who likes to judge the movie that isn’t there but knowing that Lupita Nyong’o was once attached to this before COVID shut down production reveals even more flaws in Emmanuel’s work. Nyong’o can do so much with body language and her amazing eyes that it feels “The Killer” needed to work, and Emmanuel simply doesn’t have the same skill set. Sy makes out much better, reminding viewers how charming he can be, but Silvers is a non-character, used almost entirely as a device.

Of course, most people aren’t here for performance, and they just want to know about the Woo of it all. He once again leans into his clichés—there will be churches, candles, birds, and slo-mo—but there are some undeniably nifty stunt sequences in the film, especially in the final act’s graveyard shootout. It’s nice to see real stuntpeople showing off what they do best under the direction of a genre master, even if it does feel like he’s lost a beat in terms of pacing, both in action scenes and overall. There’s huge mid-film sag in this too-long movie in which people banter about how to finish jobs during which it will be hard for Peacock viewers at home to put down their phones.

And that makes me a little sad. John Woo movies used to strap you into your seat, making the rest of the world fall away as you appreciated their action artistry. That’s just not the case here. And my biggest concern comes in the overall sunsetting of physical media and lack of curation on streaming. Want to watch the original “The Killer”? It’s not streaming for rental anywhere and costs about $50 on Blu-ray. And that means that this faded copy is now easily the most accessible, and there will certainly be people who don’t even know about the first film when they watch it. In that sense, it’s not just a remake but a replacement. And that kills me.

Brian Tallerico

Brian Tallerico is the Managing Editor of RogerEbert.com, and also covers television, film, Blu-ray, and video games. He is also a writer for Vulture, The Playlist, The New York Times, and GQ, and the President of the Chicago Film Critics Association.

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‘Tòkunbò’ Is An Amateurish Nigerian Thriller

There’s plenty on paper for Tòkunbò , but it’s poorly delivered, with plenty of recognizable shortcuts in the production and story.

The opening ten minutes of Tòkunbò told me everything I needed to know about the Nigerian movie. The presentation and promotion appear gritty and dark, but this action-thriller is not as serious as it claims.

Tòkunbò, an ex-car smuggler, is given three hours to deliver a government official’s daughter to her captor. He needs the money because his newborn child needs a hospital procedure as he is dying.

Circulating the plot is a conversation on politics. The government official is in the spotlight from her peers after promising vast, sweeping changes to the country’s monetary policies. Her changes involve cryptocurrency, and she insists she will implement them.

Following on from this, her daughter happens to be part of a kidnapping plot.

It does not take being a movie analyst to understand where the story is moving here.

On paper, Tòkunbò has everything: a Taken -inspired storyline, family on the line, and that Nigerian flare. However, it falls flat in its direction.

I’m unaware of Ramsey Nouah’s work, the director behind this feature, so maybe this is his style. The production has an edge of grittiness to it, but it feels cheap at the same time. Without spoiling, the final act assumes plenty of action and choreography, but it feels staggered and slow. 

It may be a budgetary issue, as I noticed throughout the movie that the editing took obvious shortcuts to make a moving development work. It did not feel as seamless as the delivery of the scenes suggested.

Another niggle is the lead character; I’m unsure if Tòkunbò is miscast or was instructed incorrectly. It’s difficult to assert whether he takes his life seriously. He is a taxi driver trying to make ends meet but has also planted himself in a life of crime. But as a family man, he’s far too disconnected from his family, and the entire point of the movie is that he’s supposed to be desperate to save them.

Maybe the comedy did not land, but a desperate man in an action-thriller requires a personality that sets the film’s tone. When amongst crime lords, a kidnapping plot, and a twisted political conspiracy, there has to be a character that merges with the theme. 

This character is void of any specific personality.

With B-movie practices straight out of film college, the Nigerian movie lulls into a sleepy experience. I had to earnestly stay alert despite the amateurishness and slow-moving pace of the plot. I wanted to like it. I love the African slate on offer on Netflix, but once I reached the final act, I knew that time had run out for it to be saved.

There’s a lesson here; your film may have the appearance of being dark and gritty. It may delve into a conspiratorial attitude. It may have the enhancement of action scenes. But, if they are not delivered, appearance means nothing. That’s all I can say about Tòkunbò.

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John Woo’s The Killer (2024) Is No John Woo’s The Killer (1989) But It’s Still a Lot of Fun

Well, he finally did it. John Woo finally released that American remake of The Killer that’s been in the works almost since the first one premiered back in 1989. Woo’s original, starring Chow Yun-fat and Danny Lee, was one of the key films that introduced Hong Kong genre cinema to western cinephiles. Today, it stands like an ancient cathedral, a monumental achievement that’s impossible to imagine being made in the year 2024. It’s a magnificent action melodrama overloaded with heated emotions and extravagant violence, over the top in every conceivable way. One of its poster taglines was “One Vicious Hitman. One Fierce Cop. Ten Thousand Bullets.” Frankly, that math seemed too conservative. To make the same movie today, you’d probably have to reengineer human civilization.

Which is all another way of saying that it would be crazy to expect the 77-year-old Woo (who recently returned to filmmaking after a long period away with last year’s Silent Night , a film I liked but most others didn’t) to try and make the same movie again. Luckily, he hasn’t. This new, half-gender-flipped version of The Killer , set in France and starring Nathalie Emmanuel as the expert assassin and Omar Sy as the cop obsessively pursuing her, has roughly the same plot outline as the original but a totally different mood. It skips the florid romanticism, the thick atmosphere, the grand mythmaking, opting instead for a breezy, silly modesty. It’s fun, ridiculous, and deliriously violent in its own right.

The Killer is being released direct-to-streaming on Peacock and — it feels like a betrayal to admit this — that might really be the place for it. The streamers have for years been trying to sell us bloated, try-hard action clones with zero imagination or invention. And while this new Killer doesn’t have the insane grandeur of the old one, Woo does still know how to be creative with his action scenes, even when he’s just playing the hits. Some of the moves in the new film are borrowed from the previous picture (including a couple of iconic ones), while some feel like they’ve been made up on the spot. But this time, the assassin in question, Zee (Emmanuel), is as deft with her hands and her thighs as she is with guns and rifles. When she offs an entire nightclub full of goons, she does so with a carbon-fiber samurai sword hidden in pieces inside her skin-tight black dress, which she assembles while gyrating seductively on the dance floor with a man she’s about to split open. There’s plenty of blood in The Killer , but Woo also slips in moments of his patented gruesome poetry. One man’s demise is accompanied not with geysers of gore but an explosion of red flower petals, another with the crystalline burst of a champagne bottle.

It’s those shards of glass that wind up accidentally blinding Jenn (Diana Silvers), a seemingly innocent singer who just happens to be in the room when Zee is carrying out one of her hits. We already know that Zee, despite her brutal profession, has a moral code: After every kill she lights a candle for the deceased, and her ritual question after getting an assignment from her boss Finn (Sam Worthington, sporting a charmingly goofy Irish accent and evidently having the time of his life) is, “Does this man deserve to die?” When Finn asks Zee to find Jenn in the hospital and finish the job, our hero has a crisis of conscience. That’s also how she meets Sey (Omar Sy), who immediately seems to sense that there’s more to this woman. Woo has taken a page or two from Luc Besson’s La Femme Nikita (1990) to flesh out Zee’s backstory. The great Tchéky Karyo, who played Anne Parillaud’s cool-as-ice handler Bob in that movie, even puts in an appearance here. ( La Femme Nikita got its own Hong Kong remake back in 1991; the give and take between Hong Kong action cinema and France’s “cinema du look” movement was quite pronounced back in the day.)

“My specialty is I know how to make my actors look great,” Woo told me when I interviewed him a couple of years ago. “I know how to find the proper angle to make them look beautiful.” It really is one of his great talents. It was that instinct that prompted him to turn Chow Yun-fat into a Hong Kong cross between Alain Delon and Ken Takakura with a bit of Clint Eastwood thrown in. He tries something different with Emanuel, first highlighting her reserve and, later, her physicality. (He doesn’t need to expend too much extra energy to make her look gorgeous.) He films Sy from low angles to maximize the six-foot-three actor’s size, but he also captures the slightly bemused expression on the performer’s face, as if Sey is enjoying Zee’s ability to constantly get away from him. He’s quickly drawn to her as an equal; that the other cops appear to be corrupt doesn’t hurt, either. The back and forth between this huge cop and this slinky, slippery criminal becomes a fun cat-and-mouse game. This is The Killer , after all, so we know that they will soon start working together to protect Jenn and, eventually, each other.

But back to the action. Any Woo film will live or die by how he’s engineered the slaughter. This new Killer is loaded with action scenes, and they never feel phoned in or generic. As with the John Wick films (though this movie is a lot sillier than the John Wick films), there’s a sense that each sequence has been designed to showcase different skills, objects, and settings. But it all feels intuitive, too, not programmed. In the “heroic bloodshed” era of Hong Kong cinema, Woo and his colleagues developed the mayhem as they filmed. There wasn’t always a set script; sometimes there was no script at all. They would think up one move, one shot, one angle, then think up another one, always using what had just transpired as inspiration for the next. That was the key to their art, and it’s also why Woo was one of the few to successfully make the transition to Hollywood; he was given the power (at least in some productions) to work in his own way. It feels like he’s managed to find a path back to that sense of freedom. By the time the climactic set piece arrives in The Killer (as with the original, it’s set in and around a church), we find ourselves wondering what new inventively loopy way of killing we’ll get to see this time. Woo doesn’t disappoint.

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It Ends With Us misses an important opportunity to shine a light on the dark reality of domestic violence

By Julia Baird

Topic: Film (Arts and Entertainment)

As a serious reflection of what domestic violence is really like, It Ends With Us falls short. ( Supplied: Sony Pictures, Everett Collection )

It was never going to be easy, marketing a film about domestic violence with flowers, glamour and alcohol. The launch party even featured a cocktail named after the abuser, called "Ryle You Wait".

I'm amazed they didn't call it "All Ryled Up" or "Ryle With an Iron Fist".

If you've missed all the palaver, there is a new movie out, sparkling with Hollywood stars, based on a best-selling book by publishing phenomenon Colleen Hoover called It Ends with Us.

At the heart of the story is a charming woman called Lily Blossom Bloom whose boyfriend — then husband — becomes increasingly jealous and controlling, then violent, forcing her to choose whether to stay or leave him. Bloom's own father abused and hurt her mother, hence the desire to smash the cycle: "It ends with us."

Producer Blake Lively plays the role of Bloom, who owns a flower shop, and smiles through almost anything, including giving birth. Her co-star — also the director — is Justin Baldoni, who brings brooding intensity to his role of an angry, anguished and violent neurosurgeon.

I've spent many years reporting on domestic violence, and when a debate about an alleged feud between Lively and Baldoni, and supposedly different approaches to the slant and promotion of the movie spread across social media, it piqued my interest.

The marketing choices seemed off and tone-deaf. I read how Lively told people to "grab their friends and wear their florals" to screenings as myriad images of her wearing a series of flower-bedecked frocks appeared. It looked very much like a rom-com, cute and sassy. It looked like efforts were being made to hide, or minimise, the violence Bloom suffers.

Why is it so hard to say what this film is about? It's dark — or mottled, rather, as there are so many light parts of the film — but aren't many movies?

The desperation is glossed over

I went to Lively's Instagram page and saw more of the same, with little mention of abuse at all. I noticed how people kept talking about the film, and the various dramas, without actually having seen it. So I decided to head to my local cinema and watch it.

It's actually oddly sunny, and seems uncertain about how to balance its super-hot stars with the darkness of the story it is telling. The desperation is glossed over. Everyone always looks immaculate, they all seem to be rich and flowers continually jostle for space.

There are some things that this film does very well: it illustrates some of the more telling red flags, like outbursts of uncontrolled rage, jealousy and control, it demonstrates how you can still love someone who hurts you, how abusers often initially present as protectors, and how important it can be to leave people who will not change. Also that people exposed to family violence as kids are more likely to enter abusive relationships as adults .

Any efforts to kickstart conversations about abuse should be applauded.

But if we are to take this as a serious reflection of what domestic violence is really like, it falls short. Most of all, how relatively simple and safe it was for Bloom to leave.

As I discussed with my Not Stupid podcast co-host Jeremy Fernandez this week , it's well established that women try to leave abusive relationships several times before they actually succeed in doing so, partly because leaving is the most dangerous time for women. 

Lily Bloom just moves to another apartment and sets herself up as another hot-but-nice bloke waits for her in the wings. When she asks her husband for a divorce, and explains why, he essentially agrees with her reasoning and walks away. No rage, threats, custody issues, stalking, financial fears, nothing.

What about the voices of survivors?

I'm not interested in adding to the at-times unfair pile-on on Lively, though the marketing decisions have definitely erred on the side of soft-sell. But I am interested in how this much-discussed film might impact our understanding of the pernicious and widely varied forms domestic abuse takes.

The greatest lost opportunity is that the producers have missed a chance to forefront survivors in the framing of the issue, to involve them in promotion, to ensure, for example, that conversations are had about the difficulties of leaving. It took far too long to see posts in which resources are referred to , potential places of safety highlighted .

It's impossible to overstate the importance of lived experience here. Abuse was part of Hoover's own story — It Ends With Us was inspired by the story of her parents' marriage — shouldn't she be talking about it?

Last year, Hoover said in an interview with Today that one of her earliest memories was her father throwing a television at her mother. In her book, she wanted to tell a story of endurance, like that of her mother who left her marriage when Hoover was only two, despite the fact that "there were no resources for women to leave situations like that".

After the divorce, Hoover said, "I just remember growing up with a mother who was so strong and independent".

It Ends With Us is actually oddly sunny, and seems uncertain about how to balance its super-hot stars with the darkness of the story it is telling. ( Supplied: Sony Pictures )

Though Hoover, too, was slammed last year for romanticising abuse when she and her publisher announced they had developed an "It Ends With Us Colouring Book". It was withdrawn in 24 hours.

She has also been criticised by domestic abuse survivors and advocates for glorifying troubled, charismatic, yet violent men. Some see her books as a form of trauma porn , but she has spoken of readers who say her books gave them courage to leave.

For an entire industry that has long profited from, romanticised and tolerated violence against women, it's a concern. It's not Hollywood's first shot at domestic abuse, after all: think of the wrenching, award-winning Once Were Warriors, Tina Turner's What's Love Got to Do With It, and Big Little Lies.

Northern American group DomesticShelters.Org compiled a list of the top films that accurately portray domestic abuse, which includes I Tonya, Sleeping with the Enemy, Fried Green Tomatoes and A Star is Born. It is important for survivors to see their own experiences depicted on screen, they write, because:

Since common tactics of abusers include isolation and gaslighting, survivors can end up feeling like they're the only one this is happening to and that they're crazy to think something is wrong. Films depicting domestic violence can validate that our gut instincts are right, that abusers are in the wrong, and that we're not the only ones being targeted.

Bringing light to dark corners

No single film can capture all the forms abuse takes, nor all the responses to it. The great shame here is that, as celebrities spar, observers and commentators alike seem to be too distracted by the florals and bright lights to turn their attention to a sobering statistic: in the US, where this film was made, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, four in every 10 women have experienced sexual or physical violence, or been stalked. Over 61 million women have experienced psychological aggression from a partner.

There are powerful, effective ways to bring light to dark corners of dark households. Trent Dalton, who grew up watching his mother defending herself from abuse and attack, has written a book, Lola in the Mirror, in which he describes the domestic terror of living with a monster, something he calls "the Tyrannosaurus waltz". In his work, there is survival without schmaltz, beauty without forced glamour, hope wrung from horror.

Trent Dalton, author of Boy Swallows Universe. ( ABC Radio Brisbane: Crispian Yeomans )

A couple of weekends ago, I interviewed him on stage at the Byron Bay Writer's Festival and watched women nodding and weeping in the audience when he spoke of what his mother had endured.

This week the series based on his first book, Boy Swallows Universe, was heavily awarded at the Logies. It draws on the story of his own life, and his mother's struggles to overcome addiction and violence. The trailer to the series is raw, real and honest.

The room seemed to still when Dalton, clutching an award, said: "I want to send a shout out to all the mums who are a bit like Frankie Bell [the mother in the book] — they are out in the suburbs tonight and they are feeling a bit lost in the darkness. I just want to say that … please believe me when I say that when your children look at you in the darkness, all they see is your light."

Stories like this do not need to avoid hope or sun or optimism; they just need to be rooted in real world experience. When promoters try to shove darkness in a cupboard in order to make it more palatable, and cover it in flowers to make it more pretty, then they, perhaps inadvertently, will only add to the idea that it is something to be ashamed of — something dirty and private, not something that should wilt under the spotlight of public exposure.

Julia Baird is co-host of the Not Stupid podcast with Jeremy Fernandez.

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Very nice movie

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&quot;A beautifully crafted story that explores the complexities of the human heart, leaving audiences spellbound and emotionally stirred.<br/>Vivek anchaliya brings a sensitive touch to the narrative, coaxing powerful performances and evoking an emotional response that lingers long after the credits roll.&quot;

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• Hell Hole offers the craziest body horror since John Carpenter's The Thing with uniquely themed storytelling.
• The practical effects in the horror film are gleefully disgusting, while CGI effects range from subtle to low-budget.
• The directorial style also proves to be both visually stunning yet tonally jumbled, creating a mix of tension and energy.

The body horror subgenre is one of the more fascinating and wide-ranging of the larger genre's history, with everything from alien doppelgängers in Invasion of the Body Snatchers to the slow transformation into an insect-human hybrid in The Fly . With Hell Hole (2024) , the creative team known as The Adams Family — comprised of directors/writers/stars John Adams, Terry Poser and writer Lulu Adams — look to recapture the same chills and thrills of John Carpenter's The Thing . Though this results in some gleefully shocking visuals and a fast-paced story, there are a few missteps along the way.

Hell Hole (2024)

Hell Hole centers on Emily, John and Teddy, an American fracking team trapped in the middle of the Serbian wilderness as the roads leading away from the site are deeply flooded. As they grapple with the isolation from the world and pressure from government-assigned environmental advisors, they are surprised by the discovery of a French soldier from the Napoleonic army buried deep in the Earth and harboring a dormant parasitic monster. While they try to determine the nature of the creature, they find themselves becoming its target as it searches for the perfect new host.

Hell Hole's Story Is A Fresh Approach To The Creature Body Horror Subgenre

Taking a page out of Carpenter's Thing playbook , the Adams Family take an initially basic approach to setting up Hell Hole 's story, albeit with a few unique twists. The focus on an American-led group of frackers in a foreign country invites some fitting discussions of its effect on the planet and environment, particularly as they're doing it in the middle of the Serbian wilderness, where the environmental advisors explain there to be a number of region-specific species. While some of these concerns are shaken off a little too easily by the characters, it establishes the tension to come between them.

This, in turn, also leads to one of Hell Hole 's more intriguing story aspects in that the creature will only target men rather than women in the hopes of reproducing.

Once the creature is discovered is where Hell Hole starts to nicely forge its own original path. Rarely has body horror seen those infected or possessed by the movie's entity still largely in control of their actions and behavior, and yet everyone from the unearthed French soldier to the creature's subsequent victims actually show a sense of agency in the hopes of keeping those around them safe, save for killing themselves, as the creature won't allow them to do so.

This, in turn, leads to one of Hell Hole 's more intriguing story aspects: The creature will only target men rather than women in the hopes of reproducing. Where many of the characters seek to take their lives to prevent the creature from spreading, the lead scientist does frequently argue for the creature to be protected by leaving whomever it inhabits alive and safe. Much of his argument for its preservation holds interesting thematic parallels with discussions surrounding abortion, making the flip to the men being the creature's host all the more of a fascinating exploration of the topic.

Hell Hole's Practical Effects Look Superb

Though the film's cgi is dodgy.

While it certainly gets some mileage with its themes and characters, Hell Hole also makes sure to stay true to delivering what we expect from its creature feature aesthetic with some gleefully disgusting practical effects. The creature's design is reminiscent of classic '50s and '60s sci-fi horror movies, including Phantasm director Don Coscarelli 's unique filmography, with an unsettling mashup of various real animals that creates a sense of shock. The Adams Family smartly never give a full-on look at the creature for most of the film, building a feeling of the unknown and unpredictability about how to defeat it.

Despite the great practical effects, Hell Hole begins to falter with the use of CGI for some sequences. There are instances where the digital effects look great, namely when the creature's tentacles emerge out of its hosts. But other moments make the movie's independent budget quite apparent, whether it's the CGI version of the creature running through an open field to chase down fleeing people, or certain hosts exploding as the creature escapes their body. There's no denying the level of ambition the Adams Family are striving for in these moments, but the actual execution is a bit underwhelming.

Hell Hole's Direction & Style Are A Bit Too Much Of A Tonal Jumble

One of the other elements I ultimately found myself mixed on was Adams and Poser's directorial style. The film's opening flashback to the Napoleonic era is one of the more visually stunning of the movie, rendered nearly entirely in black and white with only some elements, like the French soldiers' blue uniforms, colored in. The directorial duo also builds unique tension by leaving the camera situated at a distance from certain characters during seemingly innocuous discussions in unsettling locations.

However, where this begins to crack is in some of the editorial decisions with certain sequences. Ranging from scenes of the discovery of the buried French soldier to a character beating up another after being insulted, the use of quick zoom-ups to indicate the force of a hit and looping footage every three seconds is a bit forced. It makes it seem like the directors are attempting to create a music video within the film. This leads to many scenes being tonally out of place from the rest of the movie, creating an energetic atmosphere rather than one of tension.

Despite these missteps, Hell Hole is a really rewarding experience for horror genre fans who have longed to see a crazy body horror outing in the vein of The Thing . Between its interesting thematic layers melded with its thoroughly bloody set pieces and interesting characters, the movie offers plenty of compelling twists to its format, which helps set it apart and overcome its lackluster elements.

Hell Hole is now available to stream on Shudder.

In the Adams Family's celebration of the classic creature-feature, an American-led fracking crew working deep in the Serbian wilderness find themselves at odds with government assigned environmental advisors. When they get approval to drill, the workers uncover the unimaginable: a dormant parasitic monster entombed deep in the frozen rock. Now awakened, it tears through the mining facility in search of the perfect host.

• The movie's creature and action offer the craziest body horror since John Carpenter's The Thing.
• The story also offers a fresh twist on the genre with interesting thematic parallels to abortion and environmental concerns.
• The practical effects are gleefully disgusting.
• The use of CGI is a mixed bag between some subtly creepy imagery to obvious low-budget effects.
• The direction is both stylish and too over-the-top, feeling like a music video rather than horror film in parts.

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Common Sense Media Review

Poignant fantasy about loss and the power of imagination.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that IF is a live-action/animated fantasy starring Ryan Reynolds that explores the idea of what happens to our forgotten imaginary friends (IFs). That might sound a little sad, and it is: After losing their connection to children as they grow, the IFs end up living in a retirement home,…

Why Age 6+?

Depicted gently through a montage of Bea's moments with her loving parents, it's

Language includes "butt," "what the hell," "good God," "oh my God," "swear to Go

Any Positive Content?

All of the characters, both live and imaginary, show positive traits. Bea is a c

We all have a purpose, and when we're able to fulfill that, and help others, it

The story follows 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming), who's confident and independ

Imagination is presented as a coping mechanism. Distress-tolerance skills are de

Violence & Scariness

Depicted gently through a montage of Bea's moments with her loving parents, it's revealed that her mom has cancer (she's shown wearing headscarves and in hospital rooms)—and viewers will understand that she has died. Six years later, Bea's dad is having heart problems that require surgery. There are also a few "hop" scares (tamer than true jump scares), and the landlady appearing in the hallway at night is meant to be a little creepy but not truly frightening. Blue is a very large monster but also gentle and nonthreatening. One IF is a talking marshmallow over a flame who's melting while he's talking, which makes Calvin pretend to throw up. There are moments throughout that would be worrisome in real life but are positioned here in a way to remove concern, such as 12-year-old Bea going all over New York with a 45-year-old stranger, and the same man sneaking into a little girl's bedroom while she's sleeping.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Language includes "butt," "what the hell," "good God," "oh my God," "swear to God," "for God's sake," and one "damn." Fart joke.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Role Models

All of the characters, both live and imaginary, show positive traits. Bea is a curious, kind, artistic, well-intentioned 12-year-old who wants to help the IFs find happiness. Calvin is grumpy, and while he acts like he resents his job, he's clearly committed to helping forgotten IFs find new child companions. Elizabeth's dad is caring and funny, always striving to make a serious situation light. Benjamin is a 9-year-old who doesn't let his troubles get him down; he's upbeat and easygoing, even though he's in the hospital (and with no TV!). Louis, an elderly teddy bear who was once the leader of the IF program, teaches Bea how to access memories. IF assistant Blossom is calm, level-headed, hopeful, truthful, trying to help Bea realize her potential. Blue is sweet, perseverant, optimistic, always willing to try.

Positive Messages

We all have a purpose, and when we're able to fulfill that, and help others, it brings joy. Also, you're not alone—but parents and caregivers may want to discuss how that translates in their personal belief system. Most kids will likely see IFs as a fantasy creation and leave it at that, but others may see them as guardian angels or relatives who've passed and are watching over us.

Diverse Representations

The story follows 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming), who's confident and independent. Bea and her family, as well as other main human characters, are White; supporting character Benjamin is played by Korean American actor Alan Kim. Black women appear in somewhat clich éd supporting roles (kind hospital nurse, receptionist). Some of the IFs are voiced by actors of color, including Maya Rudolph as Alligator and Louis Gossett Jr. as wise teddy bear Lewis, who was once the leader of the IF program and now teaches Bea how to access memories.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Educational Value

Imagination is presented as a coping mechanism. Distress-tolerance skills are demonstrated, showing that the five senses can be used to bring someone to a comforting and familiar internal space to manage overwhelming emotions.

Parents need to know that IF is a live-action/animated fantasy starring Ryan Reynolds that explores the idea of what happens to our forgotten imaginary friends (IFs). That might sound a little sad, and it is: After losing their connection to children as they grow, the IFs end up living in a retirement home, listless and abandoned. Also sad—but handled gently through a montage (not unlike the one in Up )—is the fact that 12-year-old main character Bea's (Cailey Fleming) loving mother has died, and now her good-natured dad ( John Krasinski , who also writes and directs) is in the hospital. But Bea is distracted from her worry by busying herself with purposeful work (helping the IFs) and learns that accessing familiar music, smells, sights, and tastes can bring her back to a happy memory or feeling and help calm anxious or overwhelming emotions. Only very young or sensitive kids are likely to be distressed by the mild scares, like a character appearing out of nowhere or a creepyish neighbor who steps into the hallway at night. And while another key character, Blue (voiced by Steve Carell ) is a giant purple monster, viewers will quickly understand that he's as huggable and nonthreatening as a giant stuffed animal. Mild language includes "butt," "what the hell," "good God!," and one "damn." All of the characters, both live and imaginary, demonstrate positive traits, and there are clear themes of curiosity, compassion, and teamwork. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

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Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (74)
• Kids say (36)

Based on 74 parent reviews

Could have been 5 Star!

My family enjoyed this movie; however, it would have been great if the script didn’t call for the cast and characters to flippantly use God’s name. There was absolutely no need. I know in today’s world people don’t even realize they are saying His name. It didn’t add anything to the movie. I would appreciate His name only being used to honor Him.

Like ordering mac n’ cheese for your kid, but it ends up being a mature version, with bleu cheese, head-on shrimp, and veggies instead of macaroni.

What's the story.

In IF, 12-year-old Bea (Cailey Fleming) stays with her grandmother ( Fiona Shaw ) in her Brooklyn apartment while Bea's father ( John Krasinski ) undergoes heart surgery. Bea hasn't visited the apartment since her mother's death six years earlier. After spotting an unusual creature who lives with the upstairs neighbor, Calvin ( Ryan Reynolds ), Bea learns that imaginary friends (IFs, for short) are real. She ends up taking a job to help the IFs who've been left behind as their children have grown—but it turns out that they're really helping her, because imaginary friends are coping mechanisms.

Is It Any Good?

Writer-director and co-star Krasinski's imaginative fantasy is poignant and full of wonder. It's magical, giving off E.T. vibes, and Reynolds' Calvin is reminiscent of Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka , a quirky pessimist who's outwardly discouraging while secretly rooting for the kid to figure out the puzzle. And, like both E.T. and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory , the curiosity-meets-melancholy score in IF is central to understanding that while Bea is acting tough, she's also facing something terrifying: the potential death of her father, only a few years after the loss of her mother. It's a lot, but the movie artfully avoids overplaying viewers' emotions. It also serves an important purpose, demonstrating how imagination isn't just a creative outlet, but also a powerful coping mechanism.

Bea's journey with the IFs is ultimately rewarding, even though—it has to be said—the beginning does drag a bit. But when IF hits its stride, it becomes a mind-bending, eye-popping, musical extravaganza that's truly unforgettable. (The movie is worth seeing for that bit alone.) Teens may think the imaginary friend story will be too babyish for them, but even they may be swayed by its sweetness. And for families of elementary school-aged kids and tweens, IF makes for a simply enchanting movie night.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how imagination is made into a character in IF. Can you think of other examples of locations or nonliving things being made into characters? What does that mean, exactly?

How do you currently (or how did you used to) play out wild scenarios using your imagination? Did you have imaginary friends? Did that fade? How can we keep our imagination active, and how does that help us throughout life?

Discuss the technique used in the movie to access memories. How can accessing a happy, familiar feeling or space help us calm down?

What does it mean to have "purpose"? How do Bea's curiosity and compassion lead her to discover her purpose? Why does doing purpose-driven work bring fulfillment?

How is Calvin able to realize what isn't working with his IF program once he starts working with Bea as a team? Why is teamwork an important skill? Do you consider anyone in the film a role model? Why, or why not?

Movie Details

• In theaters : May 17, 2024
• On DVD or streaming : June 18, 2024
• Cast : Ryan Reynolds , John Krasinski , Cailey Fleming , Steve Carell
• Director : John Krasinski
• Inclusion Information : Female actors
• Studio : Paramount Pictures
• Genre : Family and Kids
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy
• Character Strengths : Compassion , Curiosity , Teamwork
• Run time : 104 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : thematic material, some suggestive material, brief strong language and smoking
• Award : Common Sense Selection
• Last updated : August 11, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

Monsters, Inc.

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The Forge Movie Review: Authentic Community And Prayer

The faith journey is not for the faint of heart, especially in relationships. Walking in faith requires community and Biblical wisdom in marriage, parenting, and establishing lasting relationships with your extended family or friendship. In this article, I will share my thoughts on The Forge, a movie review.

The Difficult Reality Of Being A Christian Parent

The Forge shows the ups and downs of a single mom trying to launch her young adult son into the world. It also shows the importance of mentorship, friendship, prayer, and discipleship.

You will leave this movie wanting more for your life, faith, marriage, church, and community.

The beginning of The Forge tugged at this mama’s heart. As a mom of three young adults, I could relate to the dialogue. Cynthia Wright is a single mom to 19-year-old Isaiah Wright. In one of the beginning scenes, Cynthia is talking to Isaiah, and her frustration is palpable. I think we can all relate to this when it comes to dealing with the stage of launching your young adult into the world.

Having faith and parenting young adults is a whole new ballgame. I have never prayed more in my life and I have entered a new level of surrender in my walk with Jesus. The Forge portrays the struggle of being a Christian mother to a young adult so well. There is also a lot of guidance on what to do when you don’t know what to do in this highly complex season of life.

It is evident that being a Christian parent to a young adult requires:

• Faith and trust that God has good plans for your child and your family.
• Surrendering your will and control over the life of your child who has the same free will you have.
• Lots of prayer and prayer support from those around you.

God Has Good Plans For You And Me

God is the perfect Father, and his plans might not be ours. In The Forge, Cynthia quickly learns that she doesn’t have to parent her son alone and calls on her prayer partners. Cynthia is surrounded by friends and believers who want what is best for her and her son.

Being surrounded by people who pray for and believe in the best for your family is a blessing.

The Forge shows the viewer that to be a good friend , you need to pray for your friends, believe in your friends, and bless your friends with your words. It is so easy to get lost in the pain of this world, your life, and what you don’t have. However, The Forge shows us the value of wanting more for your life.

Growing Up Is Hard To Do If You Don’t Have Someone To Invest In You

In The Forge, we can see how to make time for mentorship despite life’s demands.  Additionally, we see the fruit the investment of time into someone else’s life will bring—not only in the mentee’s life but also in the mentor’s life.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. – John 15:16 (ESV)

As a Christian, your most extraordinary mission is to share the gospel and be fruitful. Every action you take, and word you speak will bear fruit. Understanding the seeds you are planting and the fruit you will bear from them is essential in determining your next steps in life.

In The Forge , Isaiah has difficulty growing up because he does not have a male role model to whom he can look up. However, as the story unfolds, we can see God working in his life and helping him become the man God created him to be. This is not done through one person or one prayer but through many prayers and many people planting seeds in his life that will bear good fruit.

Overcoming Excuses

The Forge is a movie with many lessons told in a two-hour time frame. One of the biggest lessons that stood out to me was to overcome the excuses in your life.

Overcome the excuses that are:

• Holding you back from serving God with your whole heart.
• Keeping you in a place that you don’t want to be.
• Preventing you from finding the relationships that are good for you.
• Building relationships and authentic community.
• Investing in and serving other people.

Life is undoubtedly busy and difficult, and there are many obstacles and trials to overcome. But the key is to find the purpose in the journey. The Forge shows us Isaiah’s journey to overcoming his excuses. He makes the effort to get rid of all that is holding him back from God’s best for him.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. Everyone who watches The Forge will gain new insight and ideas on living a fruitful life and building an authentic community.

The story was relatable, although there were moments that seemed unrealistic. While I believe in the power of mentorship and the need for discipleship, the viewer needs to keep an open mind on how that may play out in real life. I loved the idea of everyone in The Forge getting a sword; however, I think we can all lower our expectations and realize discipleship can be done in a small group hosted by our church. However, I appreciate the symbolism and the honor the writers of The Forge gave to the beauty of being in an authentic community of believers.

Like most movies, The Forge had drama and action built into every scene, making some of the events unrelatable. However, that does not take away from the fact that discipleship is important and necessary and will help us all become who God created us to be. It is essential to believe in yourself and others. Overall, the story of The Forge encouraged my heart, which will determine the next steps in my faith walk.

Kingdom Builders is participating in the ticket gifting program through Fandango. Click here to redeem a free promo code or gift a movie ticket to someone else.

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