44 great movies to watch as a family

We live in a highly demanding society, in which we spend a lot of time carrying out different obligations and activities that leave us little time for family leisure. And this is very necessary, since it allows us to share time and get involved in the lives of our loved ones.

A simple way to have a good time as a family can be to get together to watch a movie. But the seventh art has a large number of works to choose from, some of which are much more appropriate for family enjoyment (especially in the case of children). In this article we will see a small selection of movies to watch as a family, perfect to spend a pleasant time together and promote discussion at the end.

• Related article: "20 films about Psychology and mental disorders"

Movies to watch as a family

Below we present a series of movies and sagas that can be entertaining for everyone and at the same time show a positive message for the whole family. Many of the following are practically classic, while others are more modern.

1. Flubber and the Nutty Professor (1997)

Film in which a somewhat clueless university professor from an institution on the verge of bankruptcy discovers a very peculiar green energetic substance, Flubber, that defies gravity and even has a certain personality. Thanks to her, he will try to save the university from bankruptcy, will be able to fix different aspects of her life and will have to face a rival teacher who will try to get hold of her.

2. Jumanji (1995)

Although a new version has recently been made in theaters, in this list we refer mainly to the original from 1995. In it we first observe how Alan Parrish discovers and later is trapped in the jungle by a magical board game called Jumanji, which twenty-five years later is rediscovered by two brothers who start playing the game (freeing a now-adult Alan in the process) and having to finish the game despite the fact that the game causes them to come true and the consequences that the game dictates appear in each thrown.

3. Toy Story (1995)

All the films in this saga are highly recommended for the whole family and especially for children. These films convey values ​​and express the importance of friendship and loyalty, as well as showing us how time and the circumstances that surround us change (there are different problems as Andy grows up).

In the original Toy Story we see how Andy's toys have a life of their own when no one is looking, at first living a life peaceful until a new toy appears, the astronaut Buzz Lightyear, which becomes one of the little one's favorites Andy. The boy's hitherto favorite toy, Sheriff Woody, is envious and unsuccessfully tries to get rid of the astronaut. But due to a series of circumstances they both end up getting lost, having to join forces and form a solid friendship to return to their owner before he moves.

4. Darling, I shrunk the kids! (1989)

Another family classic, in it we see how four children are shrunk to the size of insects because of a reduction ray created by the father of two of them, and they will embark on a little adventure in order to return to their normal size.

5. Gremlins (1984)

Inventor Randall Peltzer shops for a mogwai creature named Gizzmo for his son, though he is warned not to get wet or be fed after midnight. However, due to a small incident, Gizzmo comes into contact with water, and new members of his species are born from him as a consequence. Unlike the peaceful Gizzmo, these are mischievous and evil, and manage to trick the young man into eating after deadline. After that, they transform into Gremlins.

Although it can be considered familiar, it also has a certain component that mixes humor with terror. In addition to the original there are several sequels.

6. Home Alone (1990)

Well-known comedy film with several sequels in which the character played by Macaulay Culkin becomes he is left alone at home (due to an oversight of his family), having to face the attempted robbery of two thieves. The boy will turn out to be much smarter than his adversaries, to which he will place various traps in order to defend his home.

7. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

The story of the alien lost on Earth and his friendship with young Elliot as they both try to find a way to that the first one goes unnoticed and can finally go home is one of the best-known family movies and valued.

8. Matilda (1996)

Matilda is a very intelligent young woman who is ignored and belittled by her family, which enrolls her in a school whose principal has abusive and twisted practices. Little Ella discovers that she possesses telekinetic powers, which she uses to teach those who treat her badly a lesson. She is only recognized by her teacher, to which she will entrust her secret.

9. The Princess Bride (1987)

This film begins with a grandfather who visits his sick grandson in order to read him a story. This story is about Lady Buttercup and her stable boy, Westley, who is in love with her and she ends up reciprocating.

However, the young man goes to seek his fortune to be able to marry her but he disappears and is considered dead, years later Buttercup accepting Prince Humperdinck's marriage request. However, before the wedding, she will be kidnapped by three outlaws, greatly complicating the story.

10. The Goonies (1985)

Cult film that narrates the adventures of a group of friends in a precarious socioeconomic situation (they are going to be repossessed in a few days) who discover a treasure map of a famous pirate, which they will try to find at the same time that they must avoid traps and the interference of a family of robbers who also intends to get hold of him.

11. The Neverending Story (1984)

A beautiful story that tells us how little Bastian, a victim of bullying, takes refuge one day in a book store where he will find the book that gives the film its name. In it, the story of the world of Fantasy is commissioned, a fantastic world full of magical creatures which will be consumed by Nothing unless the chosen one saves it. An allegory of the passage of time and the loss of the ability to fantasize as we get older and stop doing so.

12. Back to the Future (1985)

Another very enjoyable classic shows us the story of Marty McFly, who meets Dr. Emmet Brown who has created a machine to travel through time. Both will accidentally travel back in time, to the time when McFly's parents were still teenagers. There they will have to face various situations while discovering how to generate enough power to return to your time.

In addition to the original, its sequels are also recommended.

13. Free Willy (1993)

This film is especially valuable for teaching the little ones respect for animals and freedom. In it we are going to see the friendship story between Jesse (a twelve-year-old boy) and Willy, the orca from an aquarium that initially the young man will be forced to clean (after having painted his walls) and in which later he will work.

In addition, this movie has several sequels that can also be seen with the family.

14. Up (2009)

Although perhaps somewhat sad at the beginning, this Pixar film shows us the story of Carl, who after the death of his wife decides to fulfill her childhood dream of of him moving his house to Paradise Falls, something he does with the help of hundreds of balloons. Although inadvertently and accidentally he takes with him a young explorer named Russell, along with whom he will live a great adventure.

15. Coconut (2017)

Pixar film based on the Mexican Day of the Dead. He tells us about a young man with aspirations to become a musician named Miguel, born into a family that hates this profession for being the cause of the abandonment of the family's great-grandmother by her husband. However, trying to enter a contest during the festivities enters the World of the Dead, from which he must get out so as not to get trapped along with returning a photo of his great-grandmother to the family altar (which he had previously removed).

16. The Lion King (1994)

One of Disney's best-known and most popular classics. It tells us the story of Simba, a lion cub destined to become the king of the savannah which, however, is used by his uncle to seize power from his father. An animated version of Hamlet, which also hides some political criticism and works with themes such as duty, betrayal, facing the facts and enjoying life every day.

17. Harry Potter (saga)

The Harry Potter saga is known worldwide, with a total of seven films and the spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Probably the one with the most familiar and joyful aspect is that of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001), in which the wizard boy discovers his condition and begins to attend Hogwarts school of magic and sorcery.

18. Little Warriors (1998)

Science fiction film in which we see how the Heartland toy company commissions two collections of live action toys created by two designers. One of them creates the collection of the Gorgonites, for educational purposes, while the other creates the Elite Commando as a more military action figure.

It is decided that the latter will lead the project and the Gorgonites will act as their enemies. Both are installed with chips that have not yet passed the security filters, they acquire awareness and learning capacity after installing untested microchips. While the Gorgonites, initially designed as educational toys, only want to return to their supposed homeland, the Elite Commando will seek destroy his rivals, in a conflict that will also affect young Alan (who finds the leader of the Gorgonites in his backpack before the conflict) and his around.

19. Inside Out (2015)

Animated film that tells us the story of a girl named Riley and the emotions that live inside her: joy, sadness, anger, disgust and fear.

During the film We see how the little girl's life changes as she moves and grows, living their emotions great turmoil. Until now, her life has been marked by Joy, although events gradually make Sadness take over. And this triggers a brawl between the two, in which the memories and the emotional world of the girl are in danger and causes both emotions to be accidentally expelled.

Both will have to cooperate to avoid losing the main elements of Riley's personality, learning from Joy that Sadness and other emotions also play a role.

20. The Incredibles (2004)

With the sequel recently released in theaters and with quite good reviews, another movie to watch as a family is The Incredibles. In it we are introduced to the Parr family, formed by Bob, Helen (two former superheroes known as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl) and their children (with powers) who have to hide their powers after the first two retired due to a wave of lawsuits against the superhero collective during their youth.

However, Bob loses his job and must urgently find another, being contacted by a technology company that will service his abilities as Mr. Incredible. But things are not what they seem...

21. You to London and I to California (1998)

family movie that tells the story of two twins who meet in a camp at the age of eleven, discovering that their parents divorced in childhood and that case one stayed with one. Both girls decide to exchange in order to reunite their parents.

22. Babe the Brave Little Pig (1995)

Film starring credit Babe, which is won in a contest by a farmer who lets him live with his dogs. The little pig dreams of becoming a sheepdog, something that he will gradually achieve throughout this story.

23. spider-man

Superhero movies are also appropriate to watch with the family. Probably one of the most suitable for all audiences is Spiderman, which has different movies. One of the best known is the one from 2002, with Tobey Maguire as the wall climber. It tells us the story of Peter Parker and his conversion into Spider-Man, as well as the loss of the River Ben, Peter's infatuation with Mary Jane Watson and the subsequent conflict with Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin.

25. Raiders of the Lost Ark (Indiana Jones)

The Indiana Jones saga is an adventure saga perfectly enjoyable with the family, this being one of the best-known archaeologists of the seventh art. In Raiders of the Lost Ark we see how Indiana must search and find the well-known Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis get hold of it. Keep in mind that this film contains some violence, so it is not appropriate for younger children.

26. The Wizard of Oz (1939)

This old movie transports us to meet Dorothy Gale, who escapes with her dog to avoid being taken away after biting Miss Gulch. She however returns home and at that moment she is caught by a tornado, which transports her and her house to the world of Oz, crushing an evil witch in the process. There he will meet the Good Fairy of the North and the Wicked Witch of the West, the latter wanting the dead witch's shoes and swearing revenge on Dorothy.

To return home, Dorothy must ask the Wizard of Sickle for help, on a trip in which she will meet characters like the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, who will join her on her crossing.

27. Shrek (2001)

This film shows us the life of the other Shrek, who shortly after meeting Donkey sees his swamp invaded by the other non-human story characters, who take refuge and have been evicted from their homes by Lord Farquaad. He wants to marry Princess Fiona to be her king, but he is not willing to take the risk of rescuing her from the tower. protected by a dragon in which she is a prisoner. The villain decides to propose to the ogre that he rescue the princess, in exchange for recovering the swamp from her, something to which the ogre accepts.

In addition to the original, there are several pretty good sequels that can also be enjoyed with the family.

28. Hook (Captain Hook) (1991)

Film that gives a twist to the story of Peter Pan, presenting an adult Peter, married with children and without remembering his past. On a visit to Wendy, he sees how her enemy Captain Hook kidnaps his children. Peter will have to go back to Neverland to get them back, though he'll have to get his old and forgotten self back if he wants to.

29. Star Wars (saga)

Although they are not children's movies, those belonging to this science fiction saga are highly recommended and enjoyable with the family.

This story of Jedis, Siths, the Force and its balance, the Galactic Empire and Resistance are part of a cult work that continues to produce works today.

Possibly the most appropriate for children's audiences is the Phantom Menace, although the most beloved are those of the original trilogy. The spin-off Rogue One also enjoys a good reputation.

30. The Antics of Peter Rabbit (2018)

This movie tells us the story of Peter Rabbit and his family, who keep coming into Mr. McGregor's orchard. There is great animosity between the council and the farmer, which is complicated by the arrival of a neighbor, Bea, for whose affection they will compete.

31. Always by your side, Hachiko (2009)

This story may not be totally suitable for children, but it is highly recommended despite being sad, especially considering that it is based on a true story. She tells us about the story of the dog named Hachiko, who always accompanies her owner to the station and waits for her when she returns. Unfortunately his owner dies, the dog returning despite everything to the station to wait for him every day.

32. My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

This well-known animated story begins with a father and his two daughters being transferred to a rural residence near the hospital where their mother is being treated for tuberculosis. The little ones discover that the residence is not uninhabited, observing the presence of small spirits that end up leaving after a while. However, one of the girls, Mei, meets a spirit that guides her to a tree, where she lives with two older and larger versions of it. She befriends the creature, whom she will call Totoro

33. Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton's film that shows us how in Halloween City Jack Skeleton, or the Pumpkin King, is tired of always interpreting the same celebration. Curiously, one day he discovers a series of doors to other kingdoms, being amazed by that of the City of Christmas (ruled by Santa Claus) and the idea of ​​celebrating the same party was born in him.

However, her fellow citizens are not able to understand her, something that leads him to finally decide to kidnap "Santa Clavos" and take control of Christmas himself (something against which the young Sally, in love with Jack, will try to warn him.

34. Chicken Run: Farm Break (2000)

Film that tells us about life on the Tweedy Farm, where chickens that do not produce eggs end up being slaughtered. Ginger the hen realizes the situation, starting to generate new escape plans to escape the farm when a rooster named Rocky, with the ability to fly, comes to her.

35. Willow (1988)

A classic that in our country is usually broadcast during the Christmas season, tells us the story of Willow, a little Nelwyn who is a magician apprentice who he will embark on a dangerous adventure to protect a baby: the princess whom the current queen is trying to destroy to dominate the world.

36. Doctor Dolittle (1998)

Both this film and its sequels can be enjoyed as a family. The first one tells us the story of Doctor Dolittle, a surgeon who as a child had the power to talk to animals. and that many years later and already being a surgeon and being married with children, after almost running over a dog, he recovers said can. After that, various animals begin to look for him in his house to solve his problems, turning him into a veterinarian at the same time that thanks to this he manages to solve various personal problems.

37. A Christmas Carol (2009)

The story is based on the Dickens novel. It tells us about the greedy Mr. Scrooge, who has left family and friends behind and despises the Christmas holidays and their symbolism, and who will receive a visit from the ghosts of Christmas present, past and future in order to make him see how wrong his attitude was and where he could carry.

38. Wonder (2017)

A film that tells us about the life of Auggie, a ten-year-old boy who was born with a syndrome that has generated a facial deformity that has meant that until then he has been educated at home. However, he will have to face his first year of school, in which he will have to face the ridicule of his classmates.

39. Beethoven: One of the Family (1992)

Well-known film that shows us how a Saint Bernard, after being stolen from a pet store, manages to escape and ends up taking refuge in the house of a family. The father is initially against it but the insistence of the family, who ends up calling him Beethoven, will make the dog stay. Beethoven causes some small problems, but in turn will become a great help and source of joy for each of its members.

40. Jurassic Park (1993)

This movie is a classic that touches on the dream of seeing dinosaurs walk the earth again.

The story begins with the death of an employee of a company that has discovered how to do it on Isla Nublar, having created a park with live dinosaurs. Said death will cause the park to be evaluated for safety before it opens, something that will cause a search for paleontologist Alan Grant and the paleobotanist Ellie Sattler, mathematician Ian Malcolm and an investor representative named Donald Gennaro in order to participate in said assessment.

But a security system crash caused to steal embryos will cause many dinosaurs to break loose, causing great danger for the protagonists.

Although this first film is one of the most remembered, the rest of the saga and even the most current versions are also very enjoyable. Of course, it could also be somewhat scary.

41. Finding Nemo (2003)

Finding Nemo is the story of a clownfish named Martin, and his son Nemo's tireless search for him across the ocean. Along the way, Martin and Nemo will find, each one by his side, a great variety of fish and strange animals that will accompany them on their adventure.

It is one of the best films from the Pixar animation studios, not only because of the Oscar it won in 2003 for best animated film but also because of the great reception it received both among the general public and critics specialized.

As a curiosity of the film, it is worth noting the widespread purchase of clown fish as a companion animal throughout the world, a fact that went directly against the spirit of the film.

42. Boyhood (2014)

Boyhood is one of the most special movies to watch as a family, both for its message and for the way the director shot it for 12 years with the same actors.

In this film we will literally see the children of the Evans family grow up, and how both their 6-year-old son Mason and his older sister, Samantha; They go through all the stages of childhood and adolescence until they become adults.

43. Corpse Bride (2005)

Corpse Bride is another of the masterpieces of stop motion animation and in it its director Tim Burton makes use of all his imagination and creativity to present us with a truly moving and fun.

The action takes place in an inhospitable and gloomy small town during the Victorian era, where the protagonist of the story Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp), accidentally marries a returned bride from the world of the dead named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter).

44. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Beauty and the Beast is part of the universe of classics from the Disney factory and for more than 30 years it has continued to captivate and captivate children, young people and adults of all ages.

The story is based on a traditional 18th century French fairy tale and was a huge critical and box office success. around the world, to the point of being the first animated film in history to be nominated for an Oscar for Best movie.

many more

Obviously those shown here are only a small sample, there are many more exponents to assess. Examples of this range from most works by Disney (Mulan, Mary Poppins, Aladdin...) or Pixar (Bichos, Monsters SA, Cars...) to fantastic works that do well, possibly they do not fall into the category of family cinema but they are very enjoyable like The Lord of the Rings or the aforementioned Star Wars or Jurassic Park.