35 Best Family Movies of All Time

Best Animated Family Movie

35. The Lion King (1994)

Few animated movies are as powerful as The Lion King. The story follows Simba, a young lion who must learn to face his past and accept his role as king. The film balances humor, adventure, and heartbreak, while its songs and sweeping score make every moment feel larger than life. At its core, it’s a story about responsibility, courage, and finding your place in the world.

Best Family Movies of All Time

34. Back to the Future (1985)

Back to the Future turns time travel into a thrilling and hilarious adventure. When Marty McFly is accidentally sent back to the 1950s, he must make sure his parents fall in love or risk never being born. They just don't make love stories like this anymore. The film blends sci-fi, comedy, and heart in a way that keeps both kids and adults fully engaged. Its fast pace and clever humor make it endlessly rewatchable.

Not to mention, the film blocking in Back to the Future is one of the top filmmaking techniques that draws you in. Take a deep dive into our video essay on the movie below: 

Animated Movies for Family

33. Encanto (2021)

Disney’s Encanto tells the story of the magical Madrigal family, where everyone has a special gift — except Mirabel. As the family’s magic begins to fade, Mirabel discovers her own quiet strength. The colorful animation and catchy songs make it fun, but its message about family pressure and self-worth gives it emotional depth.

Classic Movies for Adults and Kids

32. The Sound of Music (1965)

Set against the backdrop of World War II, The Sound of Music follows Maria, a joyful governess who brings music and warmth into the lives of the Von Trapp children. The film blends history, romance, and unforgettable songs into one sweeping story. Its themes of bravery, love, and standing up for what’s right still resonate today.

Best Family Movies of All Time

31. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

This animated superhero film brings fresh energy to the Spider-Man story. Miles Morales learns what it truly means to be a hero while meeting alternate versions of Spider-Man from other worlds. The bold animation style and fast-paced action excite younger viewers, while its deeper message about identity and responsibility resonates with older audiences.

Best Animated Family Films

30. The Incredibles (2004)

What if superheroes had to live normal suburban lives? The Incredibles follows a family of heroes trying to balance everyday problems with saving the world. The action scenes are exciting, but the real strength of the film lies in its look at family teamwork and self-acceptance. It’s just as entertaining for adults as it is for kids.

Best Family Movie to Watch

29. Coco (2017)

Coco tells the story of Miguel, a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician despite his family’s ban on music. His journey into the Land of the Dead becomes a celebration of culture, memory, and family bonds. The vibrant animation and moving songs help deliver a story that is both joyful and emotional.

Top Family Movies 

27. Father of the Bride (1991) 

It’s easy to point to Steve Martin and Martin Short as the reasons for why Father of the Bride is one of the best family movies of all time, but the reasons go deeper than that. Of course, Martin and Short both deliver knockout comedic performances as the beleaguered father of a bride and her zany wedding planner, but what makes Charles Shyer’s film so timeless is its emotional core of a parent’s struggle with their little girl being “all grown up.” The palpable love that Martin brings to George Banks sells the premise, and keeps the movie from being cynical or overwrought. 

Family movie night ideas

26. National Velvet (1944)

National Velvet earns its place among great family movies as an entry that places its young protagonist squarely at the center of the action. The film follows Mickey Rooney’s faded jockey who helps a young girl, played by an already dynamite Elizabeth Taylor, to train a gifted but wild horse for the toughest race in England. It tenderly explores PTSD, grief, and our special connection with animals, all while providing edge-of-your-seat action that helped define the sports genre in film. 

Best Family Movies of All Time

25. Paddington 2 (2017)

Rarely does a sequel surpass a first film, but Paddington 2 achieves it. The film sees the lovable bear on an adventure across the United Kingdom, one that fully embraces humor and camp alongside some edge-of-your-seat action sequences. Hugh Grant’ as a villainous, eccentric actor is one of the best performances in his decades-long career, and it’s impossible not to catch some of Paddington’s contagious wholesomeness. 

What’s a Good Family Movie

23. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

A “slice of life” drama, It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us of the extraordinary in everyday life, and the importance we all play in other’s lives. The Christmas setting and vulnerable performance from Jimmy Stewart imbues the story with a specific poignance. The universality of the film makes it one viewers can appreciate and return to at any age, and takes on new meaning as they do. 

Best Family Movies of All Time

22. Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Kung Fu Panda makes the most of its unconventional hero and martial arts. The action is engaging and satisfying enough for any martial arts movie, let alone an animated one, and directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson find a fresh and inventive way to state its commonplace message to believe in oneself. The breathtaking portrayals of the Chinese landscape only makes the movie more delightful and impactful. 

Best Family Movies of All Time 

21. Home Alone (1990)

Why is Home Alone a top family film? Because it manages to perfectly encapsulate a parent’s worst nightmare and a kid’s wildest dream all at once. When young Kevin is left behind on his family’s Christmas trip, he makes the most of the free reign and empty house, until he discovers that a pair of thieves are trying to rob him.

The action and comedy in Home Alone works so well because Kevin’s methods for foiling his foes are both ingenious yet totally in line with how a kid would take down “the bad guys”. Furthermore, Kevin’s precociousness is a perfect foil to the oafish comedic genius from Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern as the thieves. 

Family Musical Movies 

20. Mary Poppins (1964)

There’s a reason that Julie Andrews won the Oscar playing the titular role of Mary Poppins. She managed to make the enigmatic nanny warm and nurturing to the Banks children, all while maintaining an air of mystique. Add an irresistible performance from Dick van Dyke and a ground-breaking fusion of animation and live-action that never fails to delight, and Mary Poppins is one of the most heart-warming, imaginative films Disney’s ever produced. 

Good Family Movies to Watch 

19. The Karate Kid (1984)

Good versus evil, the importance of courage and self-discipline, and the fallibility of our heroes all seem like heady topics for a family film, but The Karate Kid does an excellent job of making each and every one of them accessible. Ralph Macchio plays a teenager who’s moved to California from New Jersey and copes with the bullying he encountered in his new home by learning karate from the mysterious Mr. Miagi, the groundskeeper at his apartment building.

The classic coming-of-age tale endures largely due to its climatic karate fight scene, and the performances from its leading duo with Macchio and Pat Morita, who earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Professor Miagi. 

Best Family Movies of All Time

18. The Princess Bride (1987)

We all love a fairytale, but what makes The Princess Bride so special is its brilliant update of the classic hero’s journey. The postmodern framing of the Grandfather telling his bedridden Grandson a story adds a unique aspect to the swashbuckling comedy, and the hilarious antics of the supporting characters and undeniable chemistry between the lovers makes it all the more enjoyable. Clever without being snide, The Princess Bride embraces its heightened world while anchoring everything with palpable emotion. 

Great Family Movies 

17. School of Rock (2003)

Easily one of Jack Black’s best performances, School of Rock marries his two greatest strengths – comedy and music – when his character Dewey snags his friend’s substitute teacher gig at a fancy academy and proceeds to turn the class into a rock band. The film highlights one of the most important non-familial relationships in our lives, that of students and teachers. The charm of the film comes in Dewey’s growing investment and care for the quirky young ensemble, and the fact that the class does indeed learn to rock. 

Best Family Movies of All Time 

16. KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

KPop Demon Hunters is a masterclass in mashing two seemingly unrelated concepts into something completely unique and fresh. Yes, the film managed to deftly harness the zeitgeist’s love of Korean pop music to create the smash hit, but it's the film’s deeper message of overcoming shame and family trauma that spoke to so many generations of viewers. The film balances its darkness and danger with hope, girl power, and all-too-relatable humor. Pair that with elegant, vivid worldbuilding that pulls from Korean culture and a soundtrack full of bangers, and it’s no wonder that KPop Demon Hunters is such a sensation.

Best Family Movies of All Time

13. Finding Nemo (2003)

Though Finding Nemo is primarily about the search for a young clownfish, the film’s exploration of parent’s deepest fears is what allows the film to resonate with viewers, no matter their age or species. Marlin’s character is instantly touching and his arc totally satisfying, and is a prime example of PIXAR’s watertight storytelling. And it also helps that his journey is populated with instantly iconic sea creatures and his sidekick has one of the best, and most surprisingly zen mantras in cinema history “just keep swimming.” 

Best Family Movies of All Time

12. Jumanji (1995)

On its face, Jumanji could be a high-concept yet easily forgettable romp, yet what makes it one of the great family movies is the human story underpinning all of the jungle madness. The loss and grief both the “adults” and children experience throughout the film anchors the film’s wild premise, thanks to top tier performances by Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, and Bonnie Hunt. That being said, the action and thrills deliver, and much of the visual effects hold up to this day. 

Good Family Movies to Watch 

11. The Parent Trap (1998)

Nancy Meyers’ The Parent Trap may be a remake, but it also may be one of the rare instances where the redux surpasses the original. Meyers’ razor-sharp writing elevates the already rich premise of long-lost twins reuniting, and a young Lindsay Lohan is mind-blowing pulling double duty as both Hallie and Annie in the film. The Parent Trap speaks to the undeniable bond that makes a family family, and faithfully honors the switching places trope, while updating the tale for a contemporary audience. 

Best Family Movies of All Time

10. Shrek (2001)

One couldn’t find a more unlikely hero than in an antisocial ogre, yet Shrek did exactly that and launched one of the most successful animated franchises in history. The film’s genius subversion of classic fairytale tropes and deft use of references to other popular films is what makes the film completely original and a laugh-out-loud viewing experience for everyone. Plus, the CGI animation, revolutionary for the time, still holds up today. 

Family Friendly Movies

9. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Few adventure films have captured childlike wonder and the promise of adventure quite like Spielberg’s E.T. The movie’s alien and concept was inspired by a childhood imaginary friend of Spielberg’s. And while there’s no doubting that the animatronics and pitch-perfect performances from its young cast go a long way in making the movie memorable, it’s the thrill of making a new friend and bonding with someone, no matter how different they may seem, that sets it apart and makes it accessible, no matter how old you are.  

Good Family Movies

8. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

The prospect of being able to train and ride dragons is already seductive to audiences of all ages, but what sets How to Train Your Dragon apart is how the film also speaks to feeling out of place in your own family. Based on a book series, the filmmakers specifically labored to make the animated adaptation appealing to all demographics, beyond younger audiences. They succeeded, along with the stunning animation and unique characterization of the dragons, which makes it one of the best movies to watch with family.

Best Family Movies 

7. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

Comedic legend Rick Moranis is in top form as an odd but brilliant inventor who accidentally shrinks his and his neighbor’s children into the size of insects. The movie brilliantly reimagines the most mundane objects into perilous obstacles after a change in scale, and the special effects bringing them to life are executed flawlessly. 

Best Family Movies of All Time 

6. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

Few films excel at world building the way Monsters, Inc. does, all while turning the urban myth of “a monster in the closet” on its head. Not only do Mike and Sully are a duo made in buddy-comedy heaven, whose world is completely and hilariously rocked by the arrival of a young girl. Despite centering the film around a childhood fear, Monsters, Inc. has plenty of sly references and workplace humor to entertain adults too. 

What’s a Good Family Movie?

5. The Goonies (1985)

With visionary director Richard Donner at the helm, a story from Chris Columbus and Steven Spielberg. Plus, a cast full of future stars like Josh Brolin, Sean Austin, and Ke Huy Quan, it’s no wonder The Goonies is on our list of top family movies. The movie follows a group of friends who unearth an ancient map and then pursue its long-lost treasure on an epic adventure. Donner made a classic with Goonies by taking the danger kids encounter seriously, rather than talking down to younger audiences. 

Great Family Movies 

4. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

One of Miyazaki’s most beloved tales, Kiki’s Delivery Service chronicles a young, friendly witch’s adventures as she creates a courier service via broomstick. Miyazaki brings his unique sense of whimsicality and artistry to the film, whose lighthearted, earnest tone makes it one of his most accessible for all ages. Yet the breathtaking animation and “Ma” or quiet moments interspersed throughout the story makes it one of Studio Ghibli’s very best.  

Top Family Movies 

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

When a film adaptation of the sensational Harry Potter book series was announced, the pressure to properly capture the young wizard’s story couldn’t have been higher. Yet with Chris Columbus at the helm, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone isn’t just a faithful depiction of J.K. Rowling’s first novel, it’s a gripping adventure film that walks the tightrope of making its danger palpable without crossing into “too scary” territory. The fact that the best of the best of English character actors make up most of Hogwarts teaching staff doesn’t hurt either.  

Best Family Movies of All Time

2. Toy Story (1995)

Few movies deliver on youthful wish fulfillment than Toy Story, which posits that our toys do in fact come to life when we leave them alone. This title didn’t just become instant classic when it debuted in 1997, it also solidified Pixar as a forerunner of animated storytelling with Woody and Buzz’s unlikely friendship. 

Best Movies to Watch with Family 

1. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Perhaps the best family movie of all time, The Wizard of Oz dazzled when it premiered nearly a century ago due to its innovative use of color, sweeping production value, and iconic performances. The film continues to delight all these years later due as one of the most heartfelt and imaginative depictions of “be careful what you wish for.” Dorothy’s journey is one of discovering and appreciating her home and family, and no matter how many times, or one’s age when you watch, chances are you end the movie sharing her sentiment.