Grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and snuggle together because it’s family movie night! Finding the right movie for family night can be difficult, especially when you have a mix of young and older kids.
Thankfully, there are tons of movies that cater to the whole family. They feature action, comedy, and gripping plotlines that keep everyone engaged and entertained.
We curated this list of movies because they cater to a wide variety of audiences and are kid-friendly.
1. Finding Nemo (2003)
A heartwarming underwater adventure, Finding Nemo is the perfect feel-good movie for the entire family. Join the overprotective clownfish Marlin with his newfound friend, Dory, as he fights his fears to find his lost son, Nemo.
The film covers themes like the importance of family and finding the courage to face unexpected challenges.
2. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
What happens when you break long-standing family and cultural traditions? Young Hiccup, a scrawny Viking, befriends an injured dragon instead of killing him. Thus follows a story of courage, friendship, and the true meaning of family.
How to Train Your Dragon 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 3 are equally good suggestions for movie night.
3. Matilda (1996)
Based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda is a heartwarming story of a girl who yearns for a family that loves and appreciates her. Born with telekinetic powers, Matilda uses her magic to stand up to the cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, and save herself and her friends in the process.
This laugh-out-loud family comedy covers themes like accepting individuality and standing up for what’s right.
4. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Another movie that focuses on challenging preconceived notions, Monsters, Inc. is funny and heartwarming. In a world where monsters gain power by collecting the screams of the children they scare, Scully, a top scarer, befriends Boo, a child who accidentally steps into his world.
The movie explores themes like found family and changing how you see the world. Monsters University (2013) is also a great family movie set in the same world.
5. Stuart Little (1999)
This charming comedy adventure follows the life of Stuart, a tiny mouse adopted by the Little Family. His struggle to fit in and find his place in the world is endearing and inspiring.
With plenty of laugh-out-loud moments and scenes that melt your heart, Stuart Little is the perfect movie for kids and adults alike.
6. The Karate Kid (1984)
While there have been many remakes (both film and TV), the original Karate Kid remains a family favorite. Daniel LaRusso, a bullied teenager, finds the strength to fight back by learning karate from the seemingly aloof Mr. Miyagi.
The coming-of-age film teaches essential lessons about facing your challenges head-on and the importance of self-defense.
7. Inside Out (2015)
Navigating emotions can be tricky, even for adults. Inside Out is a Pixar gem that teaches us to embrace all our feelings instead of suppressing them. Take a peek inside 11-year-old Riley’s mind as her emotions—joy, Anger, Sadness, Fear, and Disgust—work together to guide her through life’s challenges.
Inside Out tackles a complex topic in a humorous and heartwarming way, making it more palatable for kids and adults.
8. Big Hero 6 (2014)
Set in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo, Big Hero 6 follows the adventures of Hiro Hamada, a robotics prodigy, and Baymax, his inflatable healthcare robot companion. When a devastating event hits the city, Hiro, his friends, and their robots are up to save the day.
This action-packed film is great for watching with young and older kids as it explores themes of friendship, family, and teamwork.
9. Ratatouille (2007)
Anyone can cook, even a determined little rat with a passion for flavor. Remy, the rat, knows he is destined for much more than stealing food from trash cans, so he collaborates with the culinarily challenged Linguini to achieve his dreams of becoming a chef.
This heartwarming film celebrates following your heart, perseverance, and friendship—the perfect movie for cozy family nights.
10. Wall-E (2008)
Wall-E is an incredibly relevant film that explores environmentalism and the importance of saving our planet. It follows Wall-E, a waste-collecting robot working alone on an Earth overrun with trash. When he encounters Eve, a probe sent to investigate the earth, a unique romance ensues that ultimately helps Wall-E save the planet.
A thought-provoking story paired with stunning visuals makes Wall-E a delightful film the whole family can enjoy.
11. Toy Story (1995)
When it comes to family movies, Toy Story is a classic. A heartwarming story of toys coming to life when humans are not around resonates with children and adults alike. Pair that with a fantastic soundtrack, and you’ll find yourself humming “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” all day long.
Make your movie nights all the more fun by binging the Toy Story franchise, as all of them are equally good.
12. Up (2009)
Up will make you laugh, cry, and hold your loved ones a little tighter. This emotional rollercoaster follows Carl Fredricksen, a grumpy widower who ties balloons to his house so he can fly away and fulfill a lifelong dream. His carefully laid out plans are thwarted when a young wilderness explorer named Russell inadvertently joins him on his adventure.
Up is a beautiful story about love, loss, and found family. It explores themes like unlikely friendship and the importance of following your dreams regardless of age.
13. Klaus (2019)
Holiday films are the best, and Klaus takes the cake as a family favorite. This hand-drawn Netflix original film follows Jesper, a spoiled postman sent to a remote, frozen island where a clan war has driven a wedge between the townspeople. Initially determined to leave, his unexpected friendship with the reclusive toymaker Klaus makes him stay and bring back the true spirit of Christmas.
The film is visually stunning and features strong messages of courage, hope, kindness, and generosity.
14. Mulan (1998)
Female empowerment and embracing individuality are the central themes of the timeless classic Mulan. A young, determined girl takes the place of her ailing father in the army and saves the entire country through her courage and perseverance.
The movie has a fantastic soundtrack that makes it all the more entertaining to watch with the whole family.
15. The Incredibles (2004)
What happens when a family of retired superheroes has to dust off their cloaks and return to crime fighting? Hilarity. The Incredibles is an action comedy that follows the Parr family as they re-don their superhero personas to fight the bad guys while trying to keep their family intact.
With plenty of humor and heart, this movie explores what it means to be a family and work together to stay together.
