Let’s watch a favorite family movie tonight! Family movie night is such a fun and special tradition. And over the years so many really good family-friendly movies have been released. We have created a list of good family movies you do not want to miss and will be adding new kids movies to it with your help…
–>What movie titles are your family’s favorites? Please share your family’s favorite flicks: from classic cartoons to modern live action in the comments below so we can add them to our list.
Must-See Movies For Family Night
We have split this list of favorite kids movies into 2 lists – favorite animated films and favorite movies (non-animated) to make it easier to find the perfect movie for everyone. You may also want to check the comments of this article for 100s of suggestions of our readers’ favorite family movies too! Psssst…be sure to add your suggestions!
Please note that some of these selections are not intended for the very youngest family members, common sense media is a great resource for checking if a movie is age appropriate.
Here is the list that is family-approved movie night watching!
10 Animated Fun Family Movies
Let’s start with our favorite family animated movies! I am sure there are several on this list you have watched a few too many times…
1. The Lego Movie
An ordinary lego finds the extraordinary within himself and leads a quest that will have the whole family laughing.
2. How to Train Your Dragon
An uplifting tale of how one boy’s brains and bravery helps him make a very special friend.
3. Kung-Fu Panda
A hilarious and unlikely hero discovers self confidence and saves the day in this star packed movie that is at times zen like and others totally awesome.
4. Epic
A teenage girl finds her way back to a connection with her father through a most unusual and exhilarating stint helping tiny protectors of the forest.
5. Big Hero 6
Equal parts touching and action packed this film has something for everyone. Watch one boy discover the power of friendship and healing with the help of the lovable robot Baymax.
6. Frozen
A classic animated musical with a wonderfully modern twist, Frozen tells the story of the power of sibling love with plenty of singing and humor to keep everyone entertained.
7. The Incredibles
What better for family movie night than an entire family of super hero out to reconnect and save the world.
8. Rise Of The Guardians
A beautiful take on the magic of childhood beliefs. It makes such a compelling case for magic it may even leave the adults believing in the tooth fairy.
9. Wall-E
Serious topics presented with plenty of whimsy and the beauty of a classic love story, Wall-E will if nothing else, inspire better stewardship of our earth.
10. The Emperor’s New Groove
This lesser known Disney film is perfect for family movie night, loaded with humor and sprinkled with morals it’s sure to make it on your family’s list of favorites.
10 Best Family Movies to Watch: Non-Animated
OK, we are moving on to the best family non-animated movies. Several of these are my absolute favorite movies of all time…
1. The Princess Bride
This cult classic is an epic tale of love full of daring adventure complete with sword fights and the storming of castle walls.
2. The Goonies
Lovable misfits seek adventure and treasure and make unlikely friends whilst overcoming impossible odds and comedic villains.
3. Never Ending Story
This family friendly fantasy entertains while teaching the importance of imagination and friendship.
4. Mary Poppins
Everyone’s favorite nanny teaches much more that proper posture. Through fantastical adventures and catchy songs this classic musical tells the story of a family reunited.
5. Honey I Shrunk the Kids
When a scientist unwittingly shrinks his and his neighbor’s children a comical and touching adventure ensues.
6. Mrs. Doubtfire
A father’s love shines in this hilarious and heartwarming movie.
7. Alexander and the No Good Very Bad Day
Not every day can be a good one, this family learns what’s most important through a series of hilariously unfortunate events.
8. Big
A young boy gets the chance to experience the highs and lows of adulthood in this thoughtful and heartfelt family film.
9. Night At The Museum
Every child’s (young and old) dream come true, an adventure featuring dinosaurs, cowboys, and the very best history has to offer.
10. Captain Ron
A busy family reconnects under the zany influence of Captain Ron and many nights out to sea.
Best Family Movies on Netflix
Netflix is a great place to find family movies for even the pickiest family. 5 family movies on Netflix you don’t want to miss: Despicable Me & Despicable Me II, The Cat in the Hat,Inside the Mind of a Cat, Charlottes Web and The Sea Beast.
Best Movies for Family Movie Night: G Rated
There are so many G Rated movies that everyone can enjoy from old movies like The Wizard of Oz to newer movies like Encanto. 5 G rated movies not to miss are: The Parent Trap, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Mary Poppins and The LEGO Movie.
Movies to Watch with Family (Older Kids)
One thing I like to do with my older kids is revisit some of the movies I loved as a kid or teen. 5 movies you might try with older kids is Jumanji, Ferris Buellers Day Off, Harry Potter, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Babe.
Family Movie Night FAQ
Family movie night is less about the movie and snacks and more about spending time with those you love. It is a great excuse to sit down together! Don’t overthink the event and make it easy for everyone to participate. If you start a movie that everyone groans at, then start another!
Note: This best family movies list first appeared on Kids Activities Blog in 2015 and has been updated multiple times. Our next step is to make it a much bigger list in the near future, so please help by adding your favorite classic kids movies and funny family movies to the comments below!
More Family Movie Fun from Kids Activities Blog
- Where to find Paw Patrol Movie streaming…
- Movie night ideas that are so fun and doable!
- here are 22 free kids movies you can watch on youtube!
- Movie night takes on an elevated level with these movie night box costumes!
- DQ movies are the new thing…don’t miss out.
- Do you need an inflatable movie screen? I do.
- Best Halloween movies for kids…for your October family movie night list.
Our Favorite PopCorn REcipes for Your Family Movie Night
- Here are 5 great popcorn ideas for family movie night…yum!
- And 5 yummy movie night snacks you don’t want to miss.
- Make instant pot popcorn…it is easy! It is tasty!
- And I just want to make a shout out for my favorite family movie night popcorn…honey butter popcorn!
What is your favorite family movie? Please add it in the comments below!
Yes Day, Encanto, Inside Out, Soul, Vivo, Flora and Ulysses, and Sing are a few of our favorites. We have teens down to toddlers and baby so it’s definitely hard to make everyone happy, but these are usually winners for all ages. I also agree with your list especially Alexander and the Terrible, horrible, no Good very bad day.
All good choices! We still have to watch Yes Day! Thank you, Veronica!
Aladdin. My 4 yr old son loves that movie especially the genie.
Aw, I love Aladdin! Have you watched the live action version, Jena? It’s so well done!
We absolutely love Sing 2, all 10 of my children and me. I am a mother to 3 out of 10 special needs children.
Aw the Sing movies are so sweet! Thank you, Apolonia!
My kids love watching Aladdin! Both the animation and live version. Love them both.
Good choice, Frances! Thank you!
My son who is 4 1/2 had loved The Nightmare Before Christmas for over a year now. We saw a clip on tv and I had never seen it before. A bit much but he loves it and had a half bday celebration of it costumes and all. He has all the songs memorized. Loves reading the books.
That’s one of my favorite movies! Thank you, Jena! We have some Nightmare Before Christmas printables and craft ideas you might want to check out for him!
Inside out! A great animated kids movie with a really great message around feelings and emotions in the brain! 🙂
You know, my daughter and I STILL haven’t seen that one yet, Jordan! We have to check it out. Thank you!
We really enjoyed cheaper by the dozen 1 &2 great story of family bonding as well as Yours, mine,& ours and Parent trap
Yes! All of those movies are so good! Do you like the newer or older Parent Trap? Thank you, Judy!
well if it’s around christmas (guess it doesn’t have to be if you really like Christmas movies) I’ll be home for Christmas is a good one (1998 disney version)
Yes! That movie is the sweetest. I am up for a good Christmas movie any time of the year. Thank you, Michelle!
Our all time Favorite Family Friendly Movie is Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse.
We very much enjoy Rise of the Guardians as well as The Goonies.
Many of these movies are our top go to on a slow lazy weekend.
Love all of them, especially The Goonies! Thank you, Sarah!
Love watching E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial or Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Both are great classics!
Both are classics! Do you like the newer Charlie and The Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp? They had the original, with Gene Wilder, up at our drive in a few summers back and it was so cool to see it on the big screen. Thank you, Carie!