But spending time together doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive. It could be as simple as watching a movie you know the whole family will enjoy. Over bowls of steaming homemade popcorn and overflowing cups of everyone’s favorite beverages, you can laugh and enjoy each other’s company without ever leaving the house. If you are looking for a great movie to watch at the next family movie night, here’s a list of 15 classic family movies that are always sure to please.
Toy Story
Movie Stats
This movie is 81 minutes long and has three sequels that make for a great watch during a movie marathon night. “Toy Story” was released in 1995 but remains a popular and classic movie choice. It stars big Hollywood names like Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Don Rickles.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
“Toy Story” is a classic movie about a kid named Andy and the lives of his living toys who pretend to be lifeless when humans are present. Andy has a sister named Molly and a single mother named Mrs. Davis, which is a great entry point to teach your kids that families come in all shapes, forms, and sizes. Plus, it’s fun for kids to imagine that their toys come to life and have adventures of their own. “Toy Story” is a beautifully animated and heartwarming watch for the whole family. The bond between Woody and Andy is touching to see and reminiscent of the kind of bond siblings share.
Where to Stream It
You can currently stream “Toy Story” on Disney+.
Tom & Jerry
Movie Stats
This movie is 101 minutes long. It was released internationally on February 10, 2021, and released in the United States on February 26, 2021.It stars the ever-lovable Chloe Grace Moretz, Ken Jeong, and Michael Pena.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
A legendary rivalry between your favorite cat and mouse, “Tom and Jerry,” is brought to life again in this 2021 animation. “Tom and Jerry” is a familiar name to kids of all ages, especially among young parents who grew up watching classic cartoons. In this most recent movie, Tom is hired to do what he knows best, chase Jerry around a hotel until he can manage to get him out in time for a big wedding. You and your family will laugh so hard you cry at all their silly antics.
Where to Stream It
You can stream “Tom and Jerry” on HBO Max.
The Mitchells vs The Machines
Movie Stats
This movie is 114 minutes long. It was released in April 2021.John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Olivia Colman, Danny McBride, and Abbi Jacobson are some of the Hollywood stars featured in this movie.
Why it’s a Winning Pick
A robot apocalypse interrupts a family road trip, and the dysfunctional family suddenly finds themselves in a position where they have to save the planet Earth. This hilarious, feel-good movie will leave the whole family with warm, fuzzy feelings in their bellies by the movie’s end. Everyone loves a movie with a great message and the message in “The Mitchells vs The Machines” is simple—family is always important. The movie also touches on the importance of parents giving their kids room to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes.
Where to Stream It
You can stream “The Mitchells vs The Machines” on Netflix.
Enola Holmes
Movie Stats
This movie is 123 minutes long. It was released in September 2020. This movie was produced by and features 17-year-old Millie Bobby Brown as Enola Holmes, the main character. It also stars Henry Cavill, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sam Claflin.
Why it’s a Winning Pick
Sharing television time with the kids typically involves an endless stream of animated movies. But, if you are looking for a break from animated movies that your kids also will enjoy, “Enola Holmes” is a great pick. You might be familiar with Sherlock Holmes but you might not be as familiar with his witty and smart as a whip sister, Enola. Enola discovers her mother is missing and sets off on a whirlwind adventure to find her, showing off her sleuthing prowess on the way and even outwitting her famous brother, Sherlock.
Where to Stream It
You can stream “Enola Holmes” on Netflix.
The Secret Life of Pets 2
Movie Stats
The movie is short and quick at just 86 minutes long. It was released in June 2019 in the United States. The “Secret Life of Pets 2” stars Patton Oswalt, Kevin Hart, Eric Stonestreet, Jenny Slate, Tiffany Haddish, and a host of other Hollywood names.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
You don’t have to have watched the first part of “The Secret Life of Pets” to enjoy this sequel. However, if you are looking to enjoy a nice, long movie night, watching both parts at the same time is a great idea. This movie follows the secret lives of Max, a lovable dog, and all of his pet friends as they go on adventures after their owners leave for work or school. This movie is even more enjoyable if you are a family who has pets. Your kids will be imagining all sorts of fun and crazy scenarios with your pets for weeks to come.
Where to Stream It
You can rent “The Secret Life of Pets 2” on Apple TV.
The Addams Family
Movie Stats
The run time for “The Addams Family” is 86 minutes. It was released in October 2019. “The Addams Family” stars Oscar Issac, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, and Snoop Dogg.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
Whether you are watching the classical 1991 version or the latest one released in 2019, “The Addams Family” is a hilarious and just slightly spooky pick for family movie time. As a familiar name among television enthusiasts, the 2019 iteration of “The Addams Family,” features the eccentric family moving into a quiet suburb neighborhood. In the movie, their daughter becomes friends with the daughter of a local reality television show host, which causes conflict between the families in the neighborhood. What’s most delightful about “The Addams Family” is that the movie demonstrates that it’s OK to be different and that it’s important for us to accept people in whatever shape, form, or size they come.
Where to Stream It
The Greatest Showman
Movie Stats
The run time for “The Greatest Showman” is 105 minutes. It was released in December 2017.The movie stars Zendaya, Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, and Rebecca Ferguson.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
“The Greatest Showman” is a musical drama the whole family will love to watch. The main character, PT Barnum, tries various jobs until he discovers he has a knack for show business. The show features fun dance numbers and spectacular characters and highlights the importance of strong family bonds. This highly entertaining movie is chock-full of catchy songs that will have the whole family singing along before the end of the movie. From start to finish, get ready to be spellbound by “The Greatest Showman.”
Where to Stream It
You can stream “The Greatest Showman” on Disney + or rent it on Apple TV.
Moana
Movie Stats
Moana is 107 minutes long. It was released in November 2016.It features Auliʻi Cravalho as Moana as well as Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison, Jemaine Clement, and Nicole Scherzinger.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
“Moana” follows a daring and adventurous teenage girl trying to save her people from the vengeful Te Fiti. She sails across the ocean with Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) and experiences several adventures along the way to find and appease Te Fiti. The strong female lead is inspiring to any young girl. The movie also gives you a bit of an insight into the culture of Polynesian people, because the plot, music, and dancing are inspired by Polynesia. You also can expect to find yourself and the whole family singing out the catchy soundtrack days after you’ve watched the movie.
Where to Stream It
Harry Potter
Movie Stats
The runtime for all seven “Harry Potter” movies comes to a whopping 1,179 minutes (nearly 20 hours). The first “Harry Potter” movie was released in 2001 and the last one in 2011. The show stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson along with a host of Hollywood stars as recurring characters.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
Leave behind the muggle world for a minute and get lost in a magical world filled with spells, potions, elves, and magicians while watching any of the seven “Harry Potter” movies. To ensure that you lose no part of the plot, you should start with the very first movie, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” and follow the rest chronologically until you get to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2.” “Harry Potter” follows the adventures of a young wizard and his friends and allies as he tries to fulfill his destiny and take down an evil wizard who threatens to destroy him and all he knows and loves. To induct your child properly into the “Potter Head” society, you also can introduce them to the books, which make for very engrossing reads.
Where to Stream It
You can watch all “Harry Potter” movies on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service.
The Lego Movie
Movie Stats
The Lego Movie is 100 minutes long. It was released in the United States in February 2014.It stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Alison Brie, Liam Neeson, and Morgan Freeman.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
At some point in your child’s life, you’ve probably given them a Lego set to play around with. In “The Lego Movie,” you get to watch these legos come alive in an entertaining and hilarious way. Even if your child is past the age of playing with Legos, “The Lego Movie” makes for a fun and nostalgic watch that might just have them reaching for their old Lego sets again. “The Lego Movie” follows Emmet, a Lego construction worker thought to be the chosen one as he tries to stop an evil tyrant from gluing their universe together. This movie is a fun watch with a valuable lesson on the importance of teamwork. As an added bonus, the kids get to enjoy seeing Batman and Superman, who are superheroes they might already be familiar with, in a whole new light.
Where to Stream It
Yes Day
Movie Stats
“Yes Day” is 86 minutes long. It was just released in March 2021.It stars Jennifer Garner, Edgar Ramirez, and Jenna Ortega.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
“Yes Day” is a comedy based on a children’s book by the same name. In the movie, two parents decide to grant their kids’ requests for an entire day. Throughout the day, they are not allowed to say no and can only say yes to all of their crazy suggestions and demands. What follows is a whirlwind of chaotic fun and adventure. “Yes Day” is a movie that your kids will be sure to love. Just remember to brace yourself in the weeks to come after the movie. You are sure to get many requests by your kids for a “yes day” of their own.
Where to Stream It
You can stream “Yes Day” on Netflix.
The Peanuts Movie
Movie Stats
“The Peanuts Movie” has a running time of 88 minutes. It was released in November 2015.It stars Noah Schnapp, Kristin Chenoweth, Alex Garfin, and Hadley Belle Miller.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
We all know and love Charlie Brown. He has been on our screens and in our hearts since the 1960s. Well, Charlie Brown is back and in this 2015 movie, we find him pursuing a crush on a neighbor while Snoopy pursues his arch-rival, the Red Baron. “The Peanuts Movie” is known in some countries as “Snoopy and Charlie Brown: A Peanut Movie.” At the end of the movie, the whole family will take away the key message of why it’s important to always be yourself. This movie also touches on the importance of hard work and accepting people for who they are.
Where to Stream It
You can stream “The Peanuts Movie” on Disney +.
Inside Out
Movie Stats
“Inside Out” is 95 minutes long.It was released in June 2015. It stars Amy Poehler, Richard Kind, Kyle MacLachlan, and Phyllis Smith.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
“Inside Out” is about an 11-year-old girl who suddenly has to move across the country. As she struggles to adjust to her new life, so do her emotions—joy, disgust, anger, fear, and sadness. They all come together to navigate how best to handle living in a new city and going to a new school. This tear-jerking movie has lessons for everyone in the family. It teaches you not to force happiness and why it’s important to embrace tough emotions and not suppress them. Watching “Inside Out” with your kids is a fun opportunity to teach them and help them understand some of their core emotions.
Where to Stream It
Coco
Movie Stats
Coco has a running time of 105 minutes. It was released in November 2017. It stars Renée Victor, Anthony Gonzalez, and Benjamin Bratt.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
“Coco” is about Miguel, a talented and inspiring musician whose dreams are threatened because of his family’s ancestral ban on music. In a bid to prove his musical prowess, he finds his way to the land of the dead with a trickster named Hector and two new friends. The rest of the movie unfurls in a colorful and exciting journey to understand the story behind the ban on music in Miguel’s family. “Coco” has several musical numbers, and you’ll find yourself adding most of the songs to the family playlist. “Coco” is a touching and emotional movie, so don’t be surprised if there are more than a few wet eyes in the room once the movie is done.
Where to Stream It
You can stream “Coco” on Disney+.
Shrek
Movie Stats
“Shrek” has a run time of 90 minutes. It was released in April 2001 in the United States.“Shrek” has a stellar cast that includes Mike Myers, John Lithgow, Cameron Diaz, and Eddie Murphy.
Why It’s a Winning Pick
“Shrek” is an ogre who loves his swamp and loves his solitude. Both of those things are threatened by banished fairytale creatures who find their way to his swamp. So, he makes a deal to rescue a princess, in order to get his swamp back. He sets off on the most hilarious and adventurous quest with a donkey in tow. Twenty years after it debuted, “Shrek” remains one of the most popular family movie classics around. “Shrek” is funny, witty, and has an important message for kids on self-love and self-acceptance as well as the importance of not judging a book by its cover.
Where to Stream It
You can stream “Shrek” on Hulu.
A Word From Verywell
Having a family movie night is a fun way to bond with your family. Just pick your favorites from the list above and set aside a family movie night for your crew. You’ll be glad you did. Movie nights are a wonderful excuse to cuddle on the couch and relax. Plus, they make for some interesting conversation starters when the movie comes to an end. It’s always fun to get everyone’s take on a movie and find out what they liked and didn’t like as well as discover the takeaways that they got from watching the movie.
