It’s so hard as a parent to draw our kids into meaningful conversations, isn’t it?
Especially if the conversation is about something extremely important, but rather abstract in the minds of our kids, as the topic of building character?
Then again who says you have to sweat it out?
I’m a lazy parent – if there’s an easier way to do the job just as well without me having to do all the heavy lugging, I’ll take that option any day and twice on Sundays.
Which is why I love family movie nights.
Did you know that it’s been scientifically proven that movies have the ability to persuade and teach our children?
Really. It’s true. This article on the power of persuasion by Dr. Jeremy Dean discusses the psychological reasons behind why movies work so well to influence our thought process. One of the comments he makes is this “Stories work so well to persuade us because, if they’re well told, we get swept up in them, we are transported inside them.”
So, what if we secretly stacked the cards in our favor? What if we, as parents, were very strategic in the movies that we choose and then used that impressionable time right after the movie concluded to discuss and impress upon our child the favorable character traits we want them to glean from that show?
It’s amazing what kids will open up and say in this very vulnerable and open state. I am sharing this with you because I have personally found it to be so much more effective with my kids than just trying to talk about “doing the right thing”. At times when I’ve tried to discuss “doing the right thing” with my teenagers, all I ever received was the classic eyeroll.
Call me “sneaky” if you must. But hey, it works. And I’m all about doing things that work, especially if they are easy.
Therefore, let me equip you, my dear parent friend, with this list of 25 of the best family movies that I believe will help you in this venture. These movies will appeal to all age groups and engage the entire family, however for the purposes of this article, they are sorted by Rating.
[Update: We’re getting a lot of additional suggestions in the comments – both below this post and on various Facebook discussion threads. I’ve tried to consolidate them in the first comment below. Be sure to check it out as well since we have over 75 movies in the list now! And do share the favorites in your family in the comments below if we missed it.]
Rated PG
1. Cinderella (2015)
Good Character Traits: Kindness, Compassion, Courage
Based on the original story and put out by Disney, you know it’s going to be good. I don’t want to spoil the movie for anyone who hasn’t seen it yet but let me at least say this much. My favorite line from the show is “Take courage and be kind”. Those are words to live by if you ask me.
2. Frozen (2013)
Good Character Traits: Kindness, Sibling Love
What is lovable about this story is that it is not a traditional “man saves the day” movie (not that there is anything wrong with that). Two sisters display what love between family members is all about.
3. Grace Unplugged (2013)
Good Character Traits: Kindness, Love, Self-Worth
A young girl goes against her parent’s belief system and runs away to become a famous songwriter/singer. When she finds success, she becomes painfully aware that being true to your core values is more important than fame.
4. Brave (2012)
Good Character Traits: Self-Love, Bravery, Grit
A rebellious little girl who is betrothed to a prince wants to be anything but a “princess”. What she really longs to do is be free, climb her favorite mountain, and use her archery skills. She attempts to run away and be “herself” and learns some lessons along the way.
5. Soul Surfer (2011)
Good Character Traits: Grit, Bravery, Compassion
This is a documentary film based on teenager Bethany Wilson who loved surfing. She loses her arm to a shark attack, and then recovers. Talk about a display of grit! This girl goes back out on the water and continues surfing in order to keep the fear from overcoming her life.
6. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Good Character Traits: Courage, Grit, Tolerance
Hiccup doesn’t fit in with his family because they are all Vikings, and he is more of a thinker. His family wants to use strength, he wants to use his brain. When he finds a dragon and befriends it, his family doesn’t understand.
7. Free Willy: Escape from Pirate’s Cove (2010)
Good Character Traits: Grit, Compassion
Kirra is spending the summer with her grandfather. She discovers a baby orca stuck in her grandfather’s run-down seaside amusement park. She does everything in her power to see the orca reconciled with its pod. The movie teaches a good lesson about protecting wildlife.
8. Up (2009)
Good Character Traits: Tenacity, Healing, Friendship
A love story and a friendship story all rolled up into one. Sometimes people that are hurt tend to shut out others. This movie is an example of a child turning a grouchy, old person’s heart toward all things good – love and friendship being one of those things. The meaning behind this one? Don’t give up, you’re never too old to realize a dream.
9. Marley & Me (2008)
Good Character Traits: Love, Healing
A family adopts a puppy into their family. He quickly becomes a huge part of their life and a wonderful, though quite ornery, companion. The story has a beautiful and realistically done ending that portrays the value of life and just how deeply a pet can infiltrate our hearts.
10. Facing the Giants (2006)
Good Character Traits: Faith, Hope, Love
A dynamic story depicting the fight between fear and faith. A football coach instructs his kids to use their faith in God not only on the football field but off the field as well.
11. Nanny McPhee (2005)
Good Character Traits: Obedience, Kindness, Honesty
A wayward clan of seven kids has run off several nannies. In fact, they are so sure they can run off any nanny that their dad hires, that they secretly keep track of the number of nannies they have run off. When Nanny McPhee is hired for the job, she uses a little bit of magic and common sense to get these kids whipped into shape.
12. Shrek (2001)
Good Character Traits: Acceptance, Loyalty
Shrek is a story that could be best summed up as not judging a book by its cover. Shrek and Fiona are both Ogres. Fiona looks like a princess during the day, but her outer beauty fades at night. The moral of this story is that it is what’s inside that counts.
13. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
Good Character Traits: Self-Love, Friendship, Honesty
The Grinch felt so lonely and unworthy that he hid himself in a mountain and swore never to come out. Well, maybe he would come out once in a while if only to be ornery and mess up life for someone else… That’s how the Grinch lives, and he really thinks that he doesn’t need anyone else. That is, until he meets a very special little girl who teaches him about love, friendship, and the true spirit of Christmas.
14. The Sand Lot (1993)
Good Character Traits: Friendship, Sportsmanship, Loyalty
This is a fun film about boys. A new kid comes to town, and he makes friends with the locals and eventually proves himself as a baseball player. They play every day in their “Sand Lot” until one day, their ball goes under a fence. Then, the adventure really begins.
15. The Goonies (1985)
Good Character Traits: Friendship, Compassion, Inner Conviction
This is a wonderful story about a group of friends who go for an adventure searching for a hidden treasure. Along the way, they discover a “creature” who is not being cared for very well because he looks different. The kids choose to operate out of a position of love and not judge him by his appearance.
16. The Karate Kid (1984)
Good Character Traits: Resiliency, Grit, Balance, Patience
A kid is being bullied and wants to learn about martial arts in order to defend himself. The Master, Mr. Miyagi, teaches him that martial arts is about much more than “fighting”. Life happens and tough things happen sometimes. The lesson behind this movie is that when tough things happen, it’s how a person chooses to deal with those things that determines their destiny. Mr. Miyagi said it best “Lesson not just karate only. Lesson for whole life. Whole life have a balance, everything be better.”
Rated G
17. Monster’s University (2013)
Good Character Traits: Teamwork, Friendship
With Billy Crystal and John Goodman doing the talking, you know this one will be cute. The lesson behind this movie is that all the characters must learn to work together in order to win the competition.
18. Charlotte’s Web (2006)
Go
od Character Traits: Kindness, Love, Self-Worth
This is a story about an unlikely friendship between a pig and a spider. When the pig’s life becomes endangered, the spider has a brilliant plan to try to save his life. There are many wonderful quotes from this movie that display self-worth, including this one: “No, my webs were no miracle, Wilbur. I was only describing what I saw. The miracle is you.”
19. The Lion King (1994)
Good Character Traits: Grit, Healing, Honesty
A young lion gets tricked into believing that he causes his own father’s death. He learns to go back and face the truth and claim what was rightfully his all along – the Kingdom.
20. The Secret of Nimh (1982)
Good Character Traits: Courage, Grit, Tolerance
This movie is truly heartwarming. It’s the story of Mrs. Brigsby, a mild-mannered mother mouse who will move heaven and earth to save her family from the Farmer Fitzgibbon’s plow. She faces many obstacles including a ferocious cat and a mysterious rat, and through her sheer grit, conquers them all.
21. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Good Character Traits: Obedience, Trust, Honesty, Gratitude
There are so many life lessons in this movie. It would seem that each character has something to teach. There are characters ranging from a little girl who is spoiled and has everything, to a boy who runs his mother like a yo-yo. Then, there is Charley who seems to have absolutely nothing as far as material items. However, he is a very grateful child who chooses repeatedly to do the “right thing” even when all the kids around him do not.
22. Mary Poppins (1964)
Good Character Traits: Obedience, Kindness, Honesty
“Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down” and “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” are just two of the many fun sayings that our family has brought into our vocabulary after watching this movie. Mary Poppins, the Nanny in this movie teaches her kids all sorts of life lessons, the main one being that every action has a consequence. She is very practical and doesn’t let much slide by.
Rated PG-13
23. The Blind Side (2009)
Good Character Traits: Compassion, Grit, Teamwork, Empathy
Since this is a Biography, it opens the doors for real-life discussions, especially if you have older kids. A homeless and traumatized boy who becomes an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.
24. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Good Character Traits: Grit, Honesty, Integrity
Based on a true story. The movie would appeal to older kids. It’s the story of a single dad who becomes homeless and his struggle to make life normal again for his son. It gives an opportunity to discuss what it would really feel like to not have the comforts of everyday life and find oneself suddenly homeless.
25. Hope Floats (1998)
Good Character Traits: Grit, Compassion, Healing, Honesty, Loyalty
A child watches her parents go through a divorce. The film beautifully describes in an honest way what a divorce can feel like for a child. Watch this movie if you want to have discussion with your child about heartbreak and healing. But this not a “Debbie-Downer” by any means, the title has it right. Hope really does “float”. A real discussion opener.
[Editor’s Note: We’re getting a lot of additional suggestions in the comments – both below this post and on various Facebook discussion threads. I’ve tried to consolidate them in the first comment below. Be sure to check it out as well since we have over 75 movies in the list now! And do share the favorites in your family in the comments below if we missed it.]
Closing Credits
It seems in our family as if the “Family Movie Night” is one of the rare moments that all are enchanted and involved. It truly involves everyone in our family. From the tiniest to the oldest, a great movie can invite us all in. Whether we are watching in the comfort of our own home or at the local theatre, there will be plenty of things to discuss after the movie is over. My hope is that you will take heart and be encouraged by this.
The 2-Minute Action Plan for Fine Parents
- Take a look at your upcoming week. Carve out a two hour time slot to enjoy a family movie. Write it down and commit to it.
- Pick one of the above movies or another one that personally resonates with you (most can be rented or you may even have some of these in your own stash). Or, if it’s in your budget, set a date to go to the theater to catch one of the latest releases.
- Plant the idea in your child, and get them excited about the upcoming “Family Movie Date”.
The Ongoing Action Plan for Fine Parents
- Practice making movie time at home a recurring “special event”.
- Have younger children make “tickets to the show”.
- Make personalized popcorn holders for the next movie night.
- Practice using open-ended questions with your children after the movies you watch.
- Make a point to have a Family Movie on the schedule, not to add pressure, but to add a moment of peace to our sometimes hectic lives.
Excellent list, i think one more movie which shows self belief and trying hard is “Finding Nemo”, my daughter thoroughly enjoyed the movie and it did have an impact on her
Yes! “Finding Nemo” is an awesome movie and thank you for reminding us about it Srisudhir.
BTW, I’m going to hijack this comment thread a bit 🙂 There are so many great suggestions popping up below in the comments. Also, Dr. Laura and Rebecca Eanes shared this article on their FB pages and there are some great recommendations popping up there as well. So, for convenience, I’ll use this comment thread to consolidate all the reader suggestions and extend the list Tiffanie put together for us. Here we go –
26. Finding Nemo
27. My Neighbor Totoro
28. Meet The Robinsons (2007. Great for grit, family, showing kindness)
29. Kiki’s Delivery Service
30. Ponyo
31. The Buttercream Gang
32. Rigoletto
33. Life is Beautiful (for teens)
34. Secondhand Lions
35. I am Sam
36. Fly Away Home
37. Chicken Run
38. Inside Out
39. Matilda
40. The Page Master
41. Dennis the Menace
42. My Girl
43. Tarzan (Cartoon)
44. Because of Winn Dixie
45. The Croods
46. The Big Friendly Giant (The BFG) by Roald Dahl
47. Safety Last with Harold Lloyd
48. Charlie Chaplain Movies
49. Buster Keaton Films
50. Big Fish
51. Pollyanna
52. The Incredibles
53. Elf
54. Big
55. Joe Vs The Volcano
56. Edward Scissorhands
57. Rudy
58. Honey I Shrunk the Kids
59. Spirited Away
60. Howl’s Moving Castle
61. Princess Mononoke
62. The Cat Returns
63. Annie (the old version)
64. The Man From Snowy River
65. Babe
66. Akeela and the Bee
67. Radio
68. Rudy
69. Song of the Sea
70. Chicken Little
71. Iron Giant
72. It’s A Wonderful Life
73. Remember the Titans
74. Pay It Forward (for older kids)
75. I am David (for older kids)
76. August Rush
77. Wonder
Second Hand Lion is a great movie too!!
Fly Away Home opens up a lot of discussion, too. Bring your Kleenex.
I am looking forward to watching some of these great suggestions!
Thank you Tiffanie for sharing this! So true- movies with good stories are not only fun entertainment, but educational too!
And we can learn so much from our kids 🥰
can’t forget Babe!
Ah, thanks Karen. Added it to the list 🙂
Two of my favorites to show my high school students were Radio and Rudy. Top-notch character building inspiration:)
Thanks, Dana. I love these suggestions! Added 🙂
I practice move night EVERY week. Some major omissions on your list include I am David and August Rush. I have had major conversations about life with my kids after these two movies.
Thanks for taking the time to tell us about these movies, Chris. I was not familiar with either of them. I’ve added it to the list!
A great movie, probably more for 12 & up, is To Save A Life. This movie too is about looking out for those that are “different”, whether it’s physically or they are just looked down on because they aren’t in the “popular” group of kids at school.
It’s about 2 boys that were, different races, but best friends until 9th grade. One became a popular athlete & part of the “in” crowd, while the other was rejected. The rejected one commits suicide & his friend wants to know why & what could he have done to stop it. It REALLY opens up conversation
Can someone make this a printer friendly list? I would love to be able to check them off as we watch them.
We Bought A Zoo. Our family favorite. 🙂
I’d like to add my all-time favorite “The Ultimate Gift.”
Ratatouille
Big Hero 6.
Yes, I absolutely love Finding Nemo. It was hard to carve the list down to just 25. I am glad Sumitha is adding to the list at the bottom.
The brave little toaster is a nice classic 😉
Can’t believe My Neighbor Totoro wasn’t on that list! It’s a good story with brave girls. I loved that my son liked it; he was much less enthusiastic about other “girl’ movies like Frozen.
+1. Totoro is the best movie for small and older kids as well as adults. One of the best movies, period.
Frankly most of the movies I have seen from the above list are not suitable for young kids as most of them have very scary characters, dark, intense scenes etc. The lion king will give youngsters nightmares. But Totoro, with its ‘monsters’ has always been a favourite, even for a 3-year old.
Thanks, Kate and Harry. I hadn’t even heard of “My Neighbor Totoro”! I will add it to our personal list and have added to the consolidated list of additional movies in response to the first comment above.
Totoro is one of our favorites. We went on a whole Myazaki binge one summer, plus related things like The Cat Returns. They are all great. But you should be aware that when Disney bought the rights to those films they changed them a bit. My kids were really attached to the first version we saw of Kiki’s Delivery Service, and then when we bought a copy it was the second one, and some of the dialog was different as was some of the music, and they were unhappy about it.
Wow, I feel like we’ve come from a different planet. I hadn’t even heard of Totoro until this article and had to Google Miyazaki! So many people (both here and on FB threads) have recommended these movies, that watching these is on our Summer Must-Do list now 🙂 Thanks for the heads up about the old vs new, Korinthia… I’ll try to get my hands on the older versions.
Super list! My son is 4 and is getting more interested in movies. We don’t own a TV, and limit his screen time with the computer to a couple hours a week (which I often feel is still too much!). But we have started doing movie nights, and it’s sometimes hard to pick something to watch that seems appropriate for a 4 year old. This list will be revisited for sure!
Eric
We don’t use TV much and my daughter watches mostly on laptop as well, Eric. This is great for limiting the exposure to ads, which are relentless on TV! My daughter is 6 though, and home this summer. To limit screen time, I have an agreement with her — 15 minutes of reading/writing earns her a marble, which she can trade later for 15 minutes of electronics time (laptop/touchpad). She’s spending a little more time with electronics than I would have liked, but she earns it, so I’m not complaining. I do limit cashing out the marble to 2 at a time (ie., 30 minutes) unless is it predetermined movie time. So, it’s working out. Kinda. 🙂
That’s a neat idea, Sumitha.
Check out Meet The Robinsons. 2007. Great for grit, family, showing kindness.
Another one that we haven’t watched. Thanks for the suggestion, Emily!
This an absolutely valuable list. Thank you for putting this together, some of our family favorites are here and we will surely be using this list to add to our popcorn nights/days.
Thanks, Rhonda! I am very grateful to Tiffanie for putting this together for us. And the added bonus has been suggestions from readers in the comments here and on FB helping me discover even more new movies, and all of them with a positive message to boot. Can’t ask for more from our wonderful community 🙂
chicken run
I really enjoyed reading through the comments, and appreciate the wonderful suggestions added by the community. I will be checking them out soon.
Thank you Sumitha & Avid. Lovely article indeed. Learning & teaching character is much more enjoyable this way. My twin boys are 4. I’m not a TV fun but I’ll try watching movies together with them. One of them really enjoys TV & is always inviting me to watch with him. I like the term, lazy parenting 🙂
Anne,
We don’t watch a lot of TV in our house either. It’s definitely not the center of our home by any means. But, there is something to be said for settling down in your cozy home some evening and just relaxing together with a nice film. I hope you enjoy your time with the twin who loves TV and invites you to watch with him.
Tiffanie
Yaay, nice to meet another mom who likes the idea of lazy parenting 🙂 Have you checked out the article that Ashley Trexler wrote for us about this topic? It is a treat to read – How To Be a Good Parent Through Dedicated “Lazy Parenting”. I think you might like it…
MATILDA
The Page master
Dennis the Menace
My Girl
Tracy – Dennis the Menace is one of my favorites! Matilda, as well. I had such a hard time carving it down to just 25 movies. I still laugh sometimes thinking of scenes from Dennis the Menace – just a feel good movie all the way around.
I like many of the movies on your list…here is another personal favorite of mine…based on the book of the same title…actually the book is a great one to read aloud with kids… “Because of Winn Dixie”.
Thanks, Joan. We haven’t watched it yet, will add it to the list 🙂
The Croods! 😀
Yes! We love The Croods! Thanks for the reminder Jas – added it to the list above 🙂
The Big Friendly Giant (B.I.G) by Roald Dahl is truly beautiful too
Thanks, Jas. I added it to the list 🙂
This was cool
We’re always up for movie night suggestions, so thanks for the list!
I would add that we’ve really enjoyed a lot of silent movies. Safety Last with Harold Lloyd is great, and there are lots of Charlie Chaplain and Buster Keaton films, too, that not only are still funny but give us a chance to teach about history to put things in context.
My son is here next to me, and he suggests: Big Fish, Pollyanna, The Incredibles, Elf, Big, Joe Vs The Volcano, Edward Scissorhands, Rudy, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke.
Oh gosh, your mention of Charlie Chaplin takes me back to the good old days while we were growing up and we had just one channel to watch (just to clarify, I’m not that old… I just grew up in India where multiple TV channels became a norm a little later than here in the US ;)) Most of the time, they’d run regional programming. Every so often they’d get the rights to foreign films (or shows) and run them as a theme. So suddenly, we’d get 5 Charlie Chaplins on 5 consecutive nights and the whole family would crowd around to watch. Good times!
And thank your son for me for that wonderful list, will ya please? It almost doubled the size of our reader recommendation list in one shot 🙂
What about good old Annie, loved that movie as a kid, always gave me the warm fuzzies and great for kindness and compassion. The new version is def not as good tho
Thanks, Rachel! I’ve added it to the list 🙂
Thank you, Tiffanie!
We have watched many of these as a family; good movies all around.
I also have to second the belief that movies ease discussion. The movie sets the topic from specific family members, and somehow that is just enough distance to gently step around tough subjects without individuals getting too uncomfortable.
My all time favorite movie, The Man From Snowy River, released when I was 10. It’s set much like a Western, but I adored the main female role – strong, yet feminine.
There is plenty of grit in this show!
This from Common Sense Media:
There are several positive messages in the story: that girls can be as useful as men; that it’s not your birthright that determines who you are but your character and your choices; that family means unconditional love, not suspicion and doubt; and that love can bloom even among couples from vastly different upbringings.
In my opinion, the themes are best understood for tweens and up.
Oops…I left out a word.
“The movie sets the topic apart from specific family members…”
That’s a good point, Heather. You’re right – not only is the “story telling” aspect of movies a good springboard to kick off difficult discussions, but the distance it provides keeps things from getting too personal and helps the discussion keep going. Great observation.
I hadn’t heard of The Man From Snowy River either. I’ll add that to our list as well. There are so many movies for us to catch up – hopefully this will lead to more family time and less time my daughter spends watching junk television!
Some wonderful suggestions here – thanks for updating the list Sumitha.
Akeela and the Bee is another good one. It teaches kids to embrace being smart, not to be ashamed of having brains.
Thanks, Becca! Added it to the list 🙂
We as a family with a 20, 10 and 5 year old love Totoro as well as Kiki’s Delivery Service but LOVE Song of the Sea teaches about sibling love but very much like the others
Thanks, Melissa! With so many of you recommending Totoro, I’m surprised that neither I (nor the friends in our immediate circle) have heard of this movie! I appreciate the other suggestions too – Thanks 🙂
Hi Please give me a final list . Thank you !
Great list! I would like to add
– Chicken Little
– Iron Giant
– It’s A Wonderful Life
– Remember the Titans
– Pay It Forward (for older kids)
Awesome suggestions, Kristy! I’ve seen a few of these and love them. I really want to watch Pay it Forward with my daughter some day, but it is a bit dark, especially the way it ends… so I will likely wait for her to grow a little older. The number of discussions just that one movie can trigger… whoa! Thanks 🙂
Just watched “Paper Planes” last week. It was great for young kids and adults alike. https://youtu.be/h00GHmlFjCs
The Iron Giant, Hugo, The Point
Field of Dreams for teens
As an adolescent, ‘A Goofy Movie’ has always touched my heart. It just sturck me how ‘real’ that movie is. From how you try to stand out to get noticed by your y.crush, to Goofy’s pride for being Max’s father, to… understanding. My famiIy… I felt so cold and distant from my parents for so long, yet this movie taught me how to forgive, appreciate, and accept people for who they are. I strived to be a better person after that, and the world seemed to favor my change.
Character Traits: Courage, Honesty, Understanding, Acceptance
I have not seen this one yet – from your description, I now want to watch it! 🙂
We always had family film night. I had a great childhood. Don’t neglect the classics, such as Wizard of Oz, and an oft forgotten movie, The Court Jester. We used to show the Court Jester the week after we’d show the classic, Robin Hood. We still have our family film get-togethers, showing newer films as well, such as Home, and Big Hero Six and the Despicable Me movies. They all have good things to teach inspite of Dru trying to be a super villian.
Holes
Besides being funny, it is a good lesson on fairness, or that life is not always fair.
Thank you for this thought-provoking post and thorough list of movie suggestions. We agree, there are ways to start big-hearted conversations that don’t involve lectures or discomfort – instead, make such discussions a natural part of family time! Our website includes recommendations for both picture and chapter books that invoke conversation, we have a popular blog post with unique conversation starters too. The more we share our values and insight with our children, the better off we are in instilling kindness and caring in a new generation.
Disney’s “Spooner” is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen … and Disney has it locked up and will not show it any more. I don’t know why.
Queen of Katwe so good and there is another about a chess club in a poor NYC neighborhood Life of a King with Cuba Gooding Jr.
I also love Woodlawn. Fireproof. Mom’s Night Out. I Am Not Ashamed (about Columbine), Sabrina (new or old), Princess Bride, Princess Diaries (obvious). Anne of Green Gables.
I love the older movie Lady Jane. True story. Strong girl. May be my favorite movie of all.
Even Shawshank Redemption for older teens, and I love Under the Tuscan Sun. Both teach to live your life. Take the bad and see the good or make it happen.
Last Holiday is good for that too, although not really a kids’ movie.
Mc Farland, USA about an Hispanic track team of mostly migrant farm workers. Impossible dream stuff. Really shows the life of a kid in that situation, but encourages extreme commitment and hard work to improve one’s lot.
oh this reminds me of the Jamaican Bobsled Team in ‘Cool Runnings’. They didn’t win but they didn’t give in either.
The Boxcar Children is one of our favorites. It’s the story of orphan children who are reunited with a beloved relative. Through hard times the children are respectful, they care for each other and they have a positive outlook. It’s a compelling story for children and adults.
You really do a great job here
Thank you very much for the list. It’s interesting. I buy NetFlix and need these movies to see with my son.
and How to Train Your Dragon is my favorite.
What was the name of that chocolate factory movie starring Johnny Depp?
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Children of heaven (1997) – Oscar, Kina and Laser – Bashu – Au revoir les enfants – Ponette – Le Papillon – Sophie’s world (1999) – Where is the friend’s house —— I wish more foreign movies were suggested. Still thank you very much for the titles everyone suggested. They were a big help.
We bought a Zoo. Our family favorite 🙂
Has determination, grit. Also deals with loosing a parent. One of the best family movies ever!!!
‘The help’ is also a great film and bought about lots of discussions about racism with my two eldest children… I also stole the line ‘you are kind.. you are smart.. you are important’ and used to say it to them both every night when I put them to bed 🙂
To discuss racism… “Glory Road” and “Hidden Figures”. We had to set the tone of the 60s for our kids beforehand.
Also “Stand and Deliver”. It’s about a poor school and a newly hired computer teacher. The school doesn’t have computers so he ends up teaching math. A class of kids end up taking, and passing, the AP Calculus test.
Thanks for the family movie collection. Now I can watch these movies with my family ii already watch Frozen with family. and it is one of my favorite movies.
Which one is your favorite?
These are more for older teenagers I think
Walking across Egypt
The Winslow Boy
A walk to remember – lots of good things but does have a bit of a sad but good ending too
A walk in the clouds
Thanks for the set of family movies.
I will watch these movies with my family, watched Cinderella and Frozen with my family. Cinderella is one of my favorite films, too.
Oh, how about “End Game”? This movie teaches the Avengers to do the right thing even if it takes death.
Thank you for this family movies list I can watch comfortably together with my family…
Please, please, please keep in my mind films with people that are non-white and how detrimental it is to children’s psyche to see movies with mostly white characters.
Family movies can be a great way to bond with loved ones and build character through shared experiences. It’s always wonderful to see articles offering suggestions for quality family movies with positive messages and valuable life lessons. Whether it’s through humour, drama, or adventure, movies have the ability to bring families together and foster meaningful conversations. I appreciate the effort of the author of the article in providing a list of such movies that can be watched with the entire family.
This list is a fantastic resource for parents and educators looking to instill valuable life lessons through the power of storytelling. Each movie not only entertains but also provides rich opportunities for discussion about important values like honesty, grit, and courage. It’s wonderful to see how films can serve as a bridge to deeper conversations and learning moments with children. Thank you for curating such an insightful and diverse collection of family-friendly movies!