Just like choosing a restaurant for dinner or deciding who gets the passenger seat, the struggle to find a movie that will appease the whole family is a timeless conflict. (Shocking as it may be, your school-aged family members maybe aren’t keen to settle into that classic Scorsese flick on your must-watch list.)
While the more appropriate PG-rated sphere may seem tragically inundated with burp jokes and talking dogs, amid all the madness are a number of classic gems. So for your family-friendly viewing pleasure, we’ve compiled a list of 20 movies that never fail to have viewers of all ages invested start to finish. From the vintage classics that’ll trigger your nostalgia to the contemporary releases reshaping the category, here’s a roster of all-age-appropriate movies everybody will love.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
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When seventh-grader Akeelah Anderson (Keke Palmer) decides to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee, she’s sent on a whirlwind journey filled with dictionaries and suspense. Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne give moving performances as Akeelah’s mother and spelling coach, respectively, and the role of Akeelah led to Keke Palmer’s breakout stardom, deservedly. As an added bonus, your whole family will be well versed in spelling bee culture and terminology by the time the credits roll.
Back to the Future (1985)
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A cultural reset occurred when Marty McFly accidentally traveled back in time 30 years during this classic teen movie. The film is pure '80s nostalgia and also elicits a variety of questions about the right way to time travel. Is it wrong to warn people about impending threats? Would you really want to hang with your high school-aged parents? All inquiries that make great dinnertime topics.
Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)
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There is no role that allows Steve Martin to thrive more than as an overwhelmed father, so he’s really in his element playing the dad of 12. With a supporting cast that features early 2000s icons like Hilary Duff and Alyson Stoner, this flick playfully outlines the chaos and tough love that large family life entails.
Coco (2017)
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As Mexico celebrates the traditional Day of the Dead, a curious young boy unexpectedly comes face to face with his ancestry as he gets mysteriously stuck in the afterlife. For younger audiences, the fun music and exciting visuals are enough, but older viewers will love the message about tradition and honoring those that came before you. The story is a real tearjerker.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
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Before the Strangers Things kids were investigating their suburban extraterrestrial drama on bicycles, the kids in Steven Spielberg’s iconic movie had it down pat. If you’re already an established fan of this adored story, indoctrinating younger viewers is just as satisfying as watching the friendly alien find home for the first time.
Finding Nemo (2003)
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This underwater saga caused a significant surge in clown fish popularity after its release, and understandably so. The endearing story is about an overprotective fish named Marlin, whose son’s taste for freedom makes it hard for them to see eye to eye. The widely applicable message of this film really speaks to how, in familial relationships, learning to understand each other goes an incredibly long way. It also speaks to how an Australian vacation might be nice.
Night at the Museum (2006)
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Set in NYC’s American Museum of Natural History, a rookie overnight security guard (Ben Stiller) soon realizes his job entails way more than anticipated when the museum’s exhibits all come to life in the nighttime. The movie features Hollywood icons like Dick Van Dyke and Mickey Rooney, and also opens the door to great history lessons for the kids. Museum outings are far more thrilling post-screening.
Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
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After happy-go-lucky elephant Horton (Jim Carrey) discovers an entire society living on a speck of dust, he befriends the town’s mayor and makes it his mission to protect everyone in the minuscule universe. This is a great watch for Dr. Seuss fans and for those of us who like to get existential. This film puts it all into perspective.
Inside Out (2015)
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The question, “Why do we feel the way we do?” has largely motivated multiple fields of study. If only the top affective neuroscience researchers could pull from this Pixar film’s central theory: Each of our emotions is controlled by colorful tiny people in the brain, voiced by the likes of Amy Poehler and Mindy Kaling. That concept is far easier to process—and even more captivating to watch on-screen.
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
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This popular anime film follows a young girl who travels to a seaside town to study witchcraft. An English dub was released in 1997, but watching the original version with subtitles is just as entertaining. Both Studio Ghibli’s aesthetically pleasing animation and the story’s timeless nature have kept audiences across generations happy for decades.
Matilda (1996)
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The film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved novel has become a cultural institution in its own right, with the beyond-satisfying revenge plot and an outrageous roster of characters. Mara Wilson plays Matilda Wormwood, a bookish little girl stuck dealing with her obnoxiously incompetent parents, until she discovers she has special abilities. Childish mischief and telepathy make a great combination here.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
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Here, Robin Williams pulls double duty in one of his most dynamic performances. Daniel Hillard is a divorced father who disguises himself as a British housekeeper to spend more time with his kids. It’s an endearing tale about the importance of the family bond, while featuring some truly advanced '90s prosthetic work.
Paddington (2014)
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The journey of a displaced bear searching for a new home may not sound like the emotional roller coaster that the Paddington saga provides, but be prepared for just that. As Paddington the Bear (voiced by Ben Whishaw) tries to settle into his new life in London, he struggles to adapt, plus an evil taxidermist wants him for a museum. Nicole Kidman’s sinister performance as said taxidermist quite possibly gives her Big Little Lies work a run for its money. Paddington is truly a film you won’t expect to be obsessed with until you are, regardless of age.
School of Rock (2003)
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When professional musician/slacker Dewey Finn (Jack Black) lies his way into a substitute teaching job at a prestigious elementary school, a great fish-out-of-water tale ensues. Almost every student in the film has a funny quotable moment. (“You’re tacky and I hate you” ranks quite highly among them.)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
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Spider-Man movies and television shows are basically their own genre, so introducing a lesser-known iteration that’s significantly different from its predecessors is a feat. In this Academy Award–winning feature, the infamous radioactive spider bites a Brooklyn teen named Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) and bestows him with superhuman abilities. In a bizarre turn of events, however, Miles soon learns that there exists a multiverse with numerous other heroes who’ve not only acquired the same Spidey capabilities, but also are all fighting the same villain, Kingpin (voiced by Liev Schreiber).
The Jungle Book (2016)
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The classic story of Mowgli, a little boy raised by animals in the wild, is elevated to new levels in this “live-action” adaptation. An A-list cast and technologically impressive visuals help modernize the story without detracting from its original appeal. Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Ben Kingsley, and many other stars lend their voices to the jungle beasts, so do not be surprised if you think you recognize any given panther or cobra by their vocals.
The Lego Movie (2014)
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Even if films about toy brands don’t necessarily attract you, let it be known that this one stands apart from the rest. The team behind 21 Jump Street created a surprisingly insightful film about tyranny and the power of the “little guy.” For unassuming Lego figure Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt), his humdrum life working in construction is delightful. Suddenly, however, he finds his life turned upside down when he’s deemed the lucky fella who will take down the evil oppressor, President Business (voiced by Will Ferrell).
The Parent Trap (1998)
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Twin shenanigans on-screen are always entertaining (see: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s entire filmography), and when combined with Lindsay Lohan and her British accent, the results are fantastic. Long-lost twins Hallie and Annie (both played by Lohan) grew up on different sides of the Atlantic, but they come face to face for the first time at a summer camp. After all the questions and catching up, scheming ensues. Older viewers might question why the twins’ parents split custody so harshly, but seeing the separated family come together again is just so enjoyable to watch.
WALL-E (2008)
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Some family films are particularly notable for how they communicate the dangers of society’s weak points to audiences of all ages, and this release is a great example. WALL-E, the sole waste management robot left on an abandoned earth, leads quite a monotonous life tidying up the remnants of humans’ gradual ruin. One day, when he happens upon a scanning probe named EVE, they embark on an exciting galaxy-wide adventure that just so happens to expose the modern-day issues with humanity.
We Bought a Zoo (2011)
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Loosely based on a true story, this movie starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johansson is about a grieving widower who buys a California zoo to reconnect with his children (as one does). All the engaging subplots make this film a charming rom-com, a family drama, and a coming-of-age story bundled up into one, so there’s room for the whole family to enjoy it.
Annabel IwegbueAnnabel Iwegbue is an editorial assistant who covers entertainment, beauty, fashion & astrology.