TL;DR: The Brendan Fraser Essentials If you’re looking for a quick pick for family movie night, here are the top recommendations based on age:
- Ages 5-8: George of the Jungle for slapstick laughs.
- Ages 9-12: The Mummy for "scary-lite" adventure and Journey to the Center of the Earth.
- The 2026 New Release: Rental Family (Ages 10+ for some emotional complexity).
- The Deep Cut: Encino Man (Ages 12+ for the 90s vibes).
Let’s be real for a second: most of us grew up with Brendan Fraser. He was the guy who could swing on a vine into a tree, fight ancient Egyptian priests, or play a frozen caveman without ever losing that "golden retriever" energy. After a long break from the spotlight, the "Brenaissance" is officially in full swing. With his new 2026 film Rental Family hitting theaters, it’s the perfect time to introduce your kids to the man, the myth, and the chin.
Brendan Fraser movies are a unique breed. They aren’t "brain rot" content—they usually have a surprising amount of heart, even when they’re objectively ridiculous. But as intentional parents, we know that 90s "family friendly" doesn’t always mean the same thing in 2026.
Here is how to navigate the Brenaissance with your kids, from the slapstick classics to his new, more nuanced work.
Age Recommendation: 10+
If you haven't heard the buzz at school pickup yet, Rental Family is Brendan’s big 2026 project. He plays a down-on-his-luck actor living in Tokyo who gets hired by a Japanese "rental family" company to play various roles in people’s lives.
Why it’s great: It’s a bit more "indie" than his 90s blockbusters, but it’s incredibly touching. It explores what family actually means—is it blood, or is it the people who show up? Parental Note: This isn't a cartoon. It’s a live-action dramedy. If your kids are only into Roblox or high-octane Marvel movies, they might find the pacing a bit slow. But for a "middle school and up" family night, it’s a fantastic conversation starter.
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This is the ultimate entry point. It’s basically a live-action cartoon. If your kid thinks "Ohio" is the peak of comedy, they will unironically love George hitting trees.
- The Vibe: Pure slapstick.
- The "No-BS" Review: It’s dumb. It’s really dumb. But it’s the good kind of dumb. It doesn’t take itself seriously, and Brendan Fraser’s commitment to the bit is 100%.
- Heads up: There’s some very mild "90s suggestive" humor, but it’ll go right over a 7-year-old’s head.
Before everything was a Fortnite crossover, we had this. It’s Brendan Fraser acting alongside Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck.
- Why kids love it: It’s chaotic.
- Why you might cringe: The CGI hasn't aged perfectly, and it’s a bit loud. But if you need 90 minutes of distraction while you fold laundry, this is a safe bet.
This is the crown jewel. If you haven't shown your kids The Mummy, are you even a millennial parent?
- The Vibe: Indiana Jones meets a horror movie, but with way more jokes.
- The "No-BS" Review: This movie is actually good. Not just "nostalgia good," but genuinely well-paced and fun.
- Safety Considerations: There are some "jump scares" and the scarab beetles burrowing under skin are still nightmare fuel for some kids. If your kid is sensitive to scary movies, maybe wait until they’re 10 or 11.
This was originally a 3D movie, so some of the "stuff flying at the camera" shots look a bit weird on a flat screen now.
- The Vibe: Classic adventure.
- The Screenwise Take: It’s a solid "B-movie." It’s a great way to get kids interested in classic adventure books like the original Jules Verne novel.
You might remember this as the peak of 90s cool. Watching it in 2026? It’s a time capsule.
- The Vibe: Pauly Shore and a caveman.
- The "No-BS" Review: It’s "cringe" in the modern sense of the word, but your teens might actually find the fashion and the slang hilarious in a "look how weird the 90s were" way.
If you want to go serious, this is the one. A young Brendan Fraser plays a Jewish quarterback at an elite prep school dealing with intense anti-semitism.
- Why it matters: It’s a heavy hitter. It features a very young Matt Damon and Ben Affleck being absolute jerks.
- The Conversation: This is a great movie for talking about prejudice, standing up for yourself, and the pressure of fitting in.
When you're picking a Brendan Fraser movie, keep these three things in mind:
- Slapstick vs. Scares: Brendan’s career is split between "I fell down" comedy and "I'm being chased by a corpse" action. Know which one your kid prefers. If they're still into Bluey, stick to George. If they're playing Minecraft in survival mode, they can handle The Mummy.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Some of the 90s films (looking at you, The Mummy and George of the Jungle) rely on some pretty dated tropes regarding indigenous people or Middle Eastern cultures. It’s not necessarily a reason to "cancel" the movie night, but it’s a good "hey, movies used to portray people this way, and here’s why we don’t do that anymore" moment.
- The Emotional Weight of the Brenaissance: His newer stuff, like Rental Family and his Oscar-winning role in The Whale (which is NOT for kids, by the way), deals with sadness and regret. If your kids are used to the "fun" Brendan, they might be confused by the "serious" Brendan.
In a world of hyper-edited YouTube stars and algorithmic content, there's something refreshing about Brendan Fraser. He represents a type of masculinity that is kind, vulnerable, and often the butt of the joke. He isn't a "Sigma" male or an "Alpha" influencer; he’s a guy who tries his best and usually wins because he’s a good person.
Introducing your kids to these movies isn't just about nostalgia—it's about sharing a specific kind of "wholesome hero" that is rare in 2026.
If you’re looking for a weekend marathon, start with George of the Jungle on Friday night and hit The Mummy on Saturday.
And if you're heading to the theater to see Rental Family, use it as an opportunity to talk to your kids about how people's careers and lives have "seasons." Sometimes you're the action star, sometimes you're away for a while, and sometimes you come back better than ever.
Learn more about navigating 90s nostalgia with your kids
Next Steps:
- Check out our guide to 90s movies that actually hold up.
- Take the Screenwise survey to see how your family's movie habits compare to other intentional parents in your community.
- If your kid becomes obsessed with ancient Egypt after The Mummy, check out National Geographic Kids for some real history to balance out the Hollywood magic.