The 40 Best Family Movies Of All Time
Family movies have a special place in our hearts. They bring us together, make us laugh, cry, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re looking for a heartwarming tale, an adventure-packed journey, or a good old-fashioned comedy, there’s a family movie out there for everyone. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the 40 best family movies of all time that are sure to delight audiences of all ages.
What Makes a Great Family Movies?
Before we explore the list, let’s break down the ingredients of a perfect family film:
- Universal Appeal: Engages kids and adults with layered storytelling.
- Positive Messages: Teaches kindness, courage, or resilience.
- Age-Appropriate: Minimal scares, crude humor, or violence.
- Rewatchability: Stands up to repeated viewings (because kids will ask for it again).
Best family movies of all time
## 1. The Lion King (1994)
“The Lion King” is a timeless classic that has captivated audiences for decades. Making number one of The 40 Best Family Movies Of All Time on our list. With its stunning animation, unforgettable characters, and memorable soundtrack, this Disney masterpiece tells the story of Simba, a young lion prince who must reclaim his throne from his treacherous uncle, Scar. The film’s themes of courage, redemption, and the circle of life resonate with viewers of all ages.
## 2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Directed by Steven Spielberg, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” is a heartwarming tale of friendship between a young boy named Elliott and an alien stranded on Earth. This film is a beautiful reminder of the power of friendship and the importance of believing in the extraordinary. With its iconic score by John Williams and unforgettable moments, “E.T.” is a must-watch for families.
## 3. The Princess Bride (1987)
“The Princess Bride” is a beloved classic that combines adventure, romance, and humor in a delightful package. The story follows a young boy as his grandfather reads him a tale of true love and high adventure. With its memorable characters, witty dialogue, and quotable lines, this film is a timeless treasure that families can enjoy together.
## 4. Toy Story (1995)
Pixar’s groundbreaking animated film “Toy Story” introduced us to the world of toys that come to life when humans aren’t looking. The story of Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll, and Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger action figure, teaches valuable lessons about friendship, loyalty, and the power of imagination. With its innovative animation and heartwarming story, “Toy Story” is a classic that stands the test of time.
## 5. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
“The Wizard of Oz” is a cinematic masterpiece that has enchanted audiences for over eighty years. The story of Dorothy, a young girl from Kansas who is transported to the magical land of Oz, is filled with iconic characters, memorable songs, and timeless lessons about courage, heart, and brains. This film is a must-watch for families and a true classic of American cinema.
## 6. Finding Nemo (2003)
Pixar’s “Finding Nemo” is a heartwarming adventure about a clownfish named Marlin who embarks on a journey to find his missing son, Nemo. With its stunning underwater animation, lovable characters, and emotional storytelling, “Finding Nemo” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages. The film’s themes of family, perseverance, and the power of love make it a timeless classic.
## 7. The Sound of Music (1965)
“The Sound of Music” is a beloved musical that tells the story of Maria, a young nun who becomes the governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer. With its memorable songs, beautiful scenery, and heartwarming story, this film is a classic that families can enjoy together. The film’s themes of love, family, and the power of music make it a timeless treasure.
## 8. Home Alone (1990)
“Home Alone” is a holiday classic that follows the adventures of Kevin McCallister, a young boy who is accidentally left behind when his family goes on vacation. With its slapstick humor, clever traps, and heartwarming message about the importance of family, “Home Alone” is a film that has become a staple of the holiday season.
## 9. The Incredibles (2004)
Pixar’s “The Incredibles” is a thrilling adventure about a family of superheroes who must save the world from a dangerous new threat. With its stunning animation, exciting action sequences, and heartwarming story, “The Incredibles” is a film that appeals to viewers of all ages. The film’s themes of family, teamwork, and the power of individuality make it a classic.
## 10. Mary Poppins (1964)
“Mary Poppins” is a beloved musical that tells the story of a magical nanny who brings joy and adventure to the lives of the Banks children. With its memorable songs, charming performances, and enchanting story, “Mary Poppins” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations. The film’s themes of imagination, family, and the power of love make it a timeless classic.
## 11. The Iron Giant (1999)
“The Iron Giant” is a heartwarming tale of friendship between a young boy named Hogarth and a giant robot from outer space. With its beautiful animation, emotional storytelling, and powerful themes of acceptance, empathy, and the consequences of violence, “The Iron Giant” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 12. Spirited Away (2001)
“Spirited Away” is a mesmerizing animated film from Studio Ghibli that tells the story of a young girl named Chihiro who enters a magical world filled with spirits and witches. With its stunning animation, enchanting story, and powerful themes of courage, growth, and the importance of remembering one’s name, “Spirited Away” is a film that has captivated audiences around the world.
## 13. The Parent Trap (1961)
“The Parent Trap” is a classic comedy about identical twins who were separated at birth and reunite at a summer camp. With its charming performances, clever plot, and heartwarming message about the importance of family, “The Parent Trap” is a film that has delighted audiences for generations. The 1998 remake starring Lindsay Lohan is also a beloved family favorite.
## 14. Wall-E (2008)
Pixar’s “Wall-E” is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film about a small waste-collecting robot who falls in love with a sleek probe named EVE. With its powerful themes of environmentalism, consumerism, and the importance of human connection, “Wall-E” is a film that challenges viewers to think about the world around them.
## 15. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
“The NeverEnding Story” is a fantastical adventure about a young boy named Bastian who enters a magical world through the pages of a book. With its enchanting story, memorable characters, and powerful themes of imagination, courage, and the power of belief, “The NeverEnding Story” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 16. Inside Out (2015)
Pixar’s “Inside Out” is a heartwarming and insightful film that explores the emotions inside the mind of a young girl named Riley. With its clever storytelling, lovable characters, and powerful themes of emotional intelligence, empathy, and the importance of embracing all of our feelings, “Inside Out” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 17. The Goonies (1985)
“The Goonies” is a classic adventure film about a group of friends who embark on a treasure hunt to save their homes from foreclosure. With its exciting plot, memorable characters, and heartwarming message about the power of friendship, “The Goonies” is a film that has delighted audiences for generations.
## 18. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a beloved animated film that tells the story of a young woman named Belle who falls in love with a cursed prince. With its enchanting story, memorable songs, and powerful themes of love, redemption, and the importance of looking beyond appearances, “Beauty and the Beast” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 19. Elf (2003)
“Elf” is a hilarious and heartwarming holiday comedy about a human named Buddy who was raised as an elf at the North Pole. With its clever humor, charming performances, and heartwarming message about the importance of family and believing in the magic of Christmas, “Elf” is a film that has become a modern holiday classic.
## 20. The Land Before Time (1988)
“The Land Before Time” is a heartwarming animated film about a group of young dinosaurs who embark on a journey to find the legendary Great Valley. With its enchanting story, memorable characters, and powerful themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of working together, “The Land Before Time” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 21. Up (2009)
Pixar’s “Up” is a heartwarming and visually stunning film about an elderly widower named Carl who embarks on an adventure with a young Wilderness Explorer named Russell. With its powerful themes of love, loss, and the importance of embracing new experiences, “Up” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 22. The Sandlot (1993)
“The Sandlot” is a beloved coming-of-age film about a group of boys who spend their summer playing baseball and learning valuable life lessons. With its heartwarming story, memorable characters, and powerful themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of following your dreams, “The Sandlot” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 23. Aladdin (1992)
Disney’s “Aladdin” is a thrilling and enchanting animated film about a street-smart young man who falls in love with a princess and embarks on a magical adventure with the help of a genie. With its memorable songs, clever humor, and powerful themes of love, friendship, and the importance of being true to oneself, “Aladdin” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 24. The Muppet Movie (1979)
“The Muppet Movie” is a heartwarming and hilarious film that follows Kermit the Frog and his friends as they embark on a journey to Hollywood. With its clever humor, memorable songs, and powerful themes of friendship, perseverance, and the importance of following your dreams, “The Muppet Movie” is a film that has delighted audiences for generations.
## 25. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
“The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” is a thrilling and enchanting film based on the beloved novel by C.S. Lewis. The story follows four siblings who enter a magical world through a wardrobe and embark on an adventure to save Narnia from the evil White Witch. With its powerful themes of courage, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil, this film is a timeless classic.
## 26. The Little Mermaid (1989)
Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is a beloved animated film that tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid princess who falls in love with a human prince and makes a deal with a sea witch to become human. With its enchanting story, memorable songs, and powerful themes of love, sacrifice, and the importance of being true to oneself, “The Little Mermaid” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 27. The Karate Kid (1984)
“The Karate Kid” is a classic coming-of-age film about a young boy named Daniel who learns karate from a wise mentor named Mr. Miyagi. With its heartwarming story, memorable characters, and powerful themes of perseverance, self-discipline, and the importance of standing up for oneself, “The Karate Kid” is a film that has inspired audiences for generations.
## 28. The Polar Express (2004)
“The Polar Express” is a heartwarming and visually stunning animated film about a young boy who embarks on a magical journey to the North Pole on a mysterious train. With its enchanting story, memorable characters, and powerful themes of belief, imagination, and the magic of Christmas, “The Polar Express” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 29. The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
“The Secret Life of Pets” is a hilarious and heartwarming animated film that explores the lives of pets when their owners are away. With its clever humor, lovable characters, and powerful themes of friendship, loyalty, and the importance of embracing one’s unique qualities, “The Secret Life of Pets” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 30. The Greatest Showman (2017)
“The Greatest Showman” is a thrilling and inspiring musical that tells the story of P.T. Barnum, a visionary who created a spectacular circus that celebrated the unique and extraordinary. With its memorable songs, stunning performances, and powerful themes of acceptance, individuality, and the importance of following one’s dreams, “The Greatest Showman” is a film that has captivated audiences around the world.
## 31. The LEGO Movie (2014)
“The LEGO Movie” is a hilarious and visually stunning animated film that follows the adventures of an ordinary LEGO minifigure named Emmet who is mistaken for a hero and embarks on a quest to save the world. With its clever humor, lovable characters, and powerful themes of creativity, individuality, and the importance of embracing one’s unique qualities, “The LEGO Movie” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 32. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a visually stunning and enchanting stop-motion animated film that tells the story of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, who discovers Christmas Town and becomes obsessed with bringing Christmas to his own world. With its memorable songs, clever humor, and powerful themes of identity, acceptance, and the importance of embracing one’s true nature, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 33. The Jungle Book (1967)
Disney’s “The Jungle Book” is a beloved animated film that tells the story of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves in the jungle, and his adventures with a variety of animal friends. With its enchanting story, memorable songs, and powerful themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of embracing one’s true nature, “The Jungle Book” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 34. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
“The NeverEnding Story” is a fantastical adventure about a young boy named Bastian who enters a magical world through the pages of a book. With its enchanting story, memorable characters, and powerful themes of imagination, courage, and the power of belief, “The NeverEnding Story” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 35. The Iron Giant (1999)
“The Iron Giant” is a heartwarming tale of friendship between a young boy named Hogarth and a giant robot from outer space. With its beautiful animation, emotional storytelling, and powerful themes of acceptance, empathy, and the consequences of violence, “The Iron Giant” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 36. The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog” is a charming and enchanting animated film that tells the story of Tiana, a hardworking waitress who dreams of opening her own restaurant, and her adventures with a frog prince. With its memorable songs, clever humor, and powerful themes of perseverance, self-belief, and the importance of following one’s dreams, “The Princess and the Frog” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 37. The Peanuts Movie (2015)
“The Peanuts Movie” is a heartwarming and visually stunning animated film that brings the beloved characters of Charles Schulz’s comic strip to life. With its charming story, lovable characters, and powerful themes of friendship, perseverance, and the importance of embracing one’s unique qualities, “The Peanuts Movie” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 38. The BFG (2016)
“The BFG” is a heartwarming and enchanting film based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl. The story follows a young girl named Sophie who befriends a kind-hearted giant and embarks on an adventure to save the world from evil giants. With its beautiful animation, memorable characters, and powerful themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of believing in the extraordinary, “The BFG” is a film that has captivated audiences for generations.
## 39. The Croods (2013)
“The Croods” is a hilarious and heartwarming animated film that follows the adventures of a prehistoric family as they embark on a journey to find a new home. With its clever humor, lovable characters, and powerful themes of family, perseverance, and the importance of embracing new experiences, “The Croods” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
## 40. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
“The Mitchells vs. the Machines” is a thrilling and heartwarming animated film that follows the adventures of a dysfunctional family who must save the world from a robot uprising. With its stunning animation, clever humor, and powerful themes of family, acceptance, and the importance of embracing one’s unique qualities, “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” is a film that resonates with viewers of all ages.
How to Plan the Perfect Family Movie Night
- Take Turns: Let each family member pick a movie.
- Theme It Up: Pair movies with snacks (e.g., Ratatouille with French pastries).
- Discuss Afterwards: Ask, “What was your favorite part? What did you learn?”
## Conclusion
Family movies have the power to bring us together, create lasting memories, and teach us valuable lessons. From heartwarming tales of friendship and love to thrilling adventures and enchanting fantasies, these 40 best family movies of all time offer something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a classic to revisit or a new favorite to discover, these films are sure to delight and inspire audiences of all ages. So grab some popcorn, gather your loved ones, and enjoy a movie night filled with laughter, tears, and unforgettable moments.
FAQs
Q: What’s the best family movie for toddlers?
A: My Neighbor Totoro (1988)—gentle, whimsical, and soothing.
Q: Are superhero movies good for families?
A: Yes! Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Incredibles are fantastic.
Q: Where can I stream these movies?
A: Most are on Disney+, Netflix, or Amazon Prime. Use JustWatch.com to check availability.
Q: How do I handle movies with mild scares?
A: Preview films using CommonSenseMedia.org and watch together to reassure younger viewers.