These are the movies doing the heavy lifting in family comedy right now—sharp writing, jokes that land on multiple levels, and enough heart to justify the inevitable rewatch requests.

Ages 6+

Still the gold standard for "jokes for kids AND adults." The fairy tale parodies work for everyone, the pop culture references aged surprisingly well, and honestly? The whole "don't judge by appearances" thing hits different as an adult. Your 7-year-old laughs at the burping. You laugh at the Lord Farquaad jokes. Everyone wins.

Ages 8+

If your family has ever argued about screen time (so, your family), this one's for you. It's about a creative kid, a tech-skeptic dad, and a robot apocalypse, but it's really about family dynamics and accepting each other. The visual humor is chef's kiss, and the pug in a costume gag never gets old. Fair warning: it's loud and chaotic, which is either a feature or a bug depending on your household energy level.

Ages 5+

We don't talk about Bruno, but we DO talk about how this movie nails family dysfunction with actual nuance. It's funnier than you'd expect—Luisa's anxiety song is comedy gold, and the visual gags are everywhere. Plus, unlike some Disney movies, the humor doesn't rely on outdated stereotypes. Bonus: the songs are genuinely good, even after the 47th listen.

Ages 7+

A rat controlling a human like a marionette to cook French food shouldn't work, but Pixar makes it work. The physical comedy is top-tier (that kitchen chase scene!), and Peter O'Toole's food critic monologue at the end is legitimately moving. This one rewards rewatches—there are background gags you'll catch on round three that you totally missed before.

Ages 8+

Yes, it's a superhero movie, but it's also one of the funniest animated films in years. Spider-Ham. That's all I need to say. Okay fine, there's also the perfect comedic timing, the visual style that makes every frame look like a comic book, and Nicolas Cage voicing Spider-Man Noir. It's self-aware without being annoying about it.

Ages 6+

Jack Black doing Jack Black things, but make it a panda. The physical comedy is phenomenal (Po's training montage with Shifu is a masterclass), and the "there is no secret ingredient" message is actually profound? Also features one of the best villain backstories in animated film. Don't sleep on the sequels either—they're surprisingly solid.

Ages 6+

Everything is awesome, including the jokes-per-minute ratio in this movie. It moves FAST, the meta-humor about corporate creativity and conformity is genuinely clever, and the twist at the end makes you see the whole thing differently. Plus, Batman steals every scene he's in. "Darkness. No parents. Continued darkness."

Ages 6+

A buddy cop comedy that's also about systemic prejudice? Sure! The sloths at the DMV scene is one of the funniest sequences Disney's ever done, and the pop culture parodies (Godfather, Breaking Bad) are chef's kiss. It's smart without being preachy, which is a hard balance to strike.

Ages 5+

The Minions are everywhere now (sorry), but the original movie is actually really funny. Gru's deadpan villain energy, the adoption storyline that's genuinely sweet, and yes, the Minions before they became their own franchise. Skip the sequels unless you have very young kids who just want banana-speaking yellow chaos.

Ages 7+

You wouldn't think a movie about death and family memory would be hilarious, but Pixar pulls it off. The skeleton physical comedy is fantastic (bodies falling apart and reassembling), and the whole "talent show in the Land of the Dead" sequence is gold. Bring tissues though—this one earns its emotional moments.

These are the movies that defined family comedy for a generation, and guess what? They mostly hold up. Some dated jokes here and there, but the core humor is timeless.

Ages 7+

The booby trap sequence is still perfect. Kevin's grocery shopping adventure is still funny. The "this is my house, I have to defend it" logic is still absurd in the best way. Yes, there's some slapstick violence that might make you wince, but it's so cartoonish that most kids get it's not realistic. Also, where are this family's friends? Why is no one checking on this house?

Ages 8+

Robin Williams in a fat suit doing voices. That's the pitch, and it works because Williams was a genius. The restaurant scene where he's switching between characters is still impressive. Fair warning: this movie is about divorce, so if that's a fresh wound in your house, maybe save it for later. But the physical comedy and Williams' improv are unmatched.

Ages 8+

"Inconceivable!" If you haven't shown your kids this yet, what are you waiting for? It's funny, quotable, and somehow both a parody of fairy tales and a perfect fairy tale. The sword fighting, the battle of wits, the R.O.U.S.—it all works. Plus, it's a great way to teach kids about irony and wordplay without being a teacher about it.

Ages 5+

These movies have no business being as good as they are. A CGI bear in London should be a disaster, but instead it's charming, funny, and genuinely clever. The physical comedy is Buster Keaton-level good, and Hugh Grant in Paddington 2 is having the time of his life playing a washed-up actor. These are comfort food movies that also happen to be hilarious.

Ages 7+

Roald Dahl + Danny DeVito = dark humor that works for kids. The Trunchbull is terrifying and hilarious in equal measure (that hammer throw scene!), and Matilda's telekinetic revenge is deeply satisfying. It's got edge without being mean-spirited, which is the sweet spot for family comedy.

Ages 8+

Lindsay Lohan playing twins, a camp rivalry, elaborate schemes to reunite divorced parents—it's all very '90s and all very charming. The pranks are funny, the twin switch is well-executed, and Dennis Quaid's "we're getting rid of Meredith" subplot is chef's kiss. Plus, it's a great way to talk about divorce without being heavy about it.

Ages 10+

The Rock playing an awkward nerd trapped in a buff body is comedy gold. Jack Black playing a teenage girl is somehow not annoying. The video game logic (three lives, NPCs repeating dialogue) is used perfectly for humor. It's self-aware without being insufferable, and the action sequences are actually fun. Way better than it had any right to be.

Ages 7+

Ben Stiller vs. a T-Rex skeleton and tiny cowboys. The premise is silly, the execution is charming, and the museum coming to life is just inherently fun. Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt is delightful, and the "slapping mini-Romans" scene lives rent-free in my head. It's not trying to be more than it is, which is refreshing.

Ages 6+

Will Ferrell's childlike earnestness makes this work. Buddy the Elf in New York is fish-out-of-water comedy done right—the revolving door scene, the coffee shop, the mailroom dance. It's become a Christmas staple for good reason, though you can honestly watch it any time of year if you need a dose of pure joy.

Ages 9+

Jamie Lee Curtis playing a teenager in her mom's body is phenomenal. Lindsay Lohan playing a mom in her daughter's body is equally good. The body-swap premise has been done to death, but this version nails the comedy and the heart. Plus, the "mom trying to play guitar in a rock band" scene is hilarious.

These didn't get the marketing push of the big studio films, but they're just as funny—sometimes funnier. Don't sleep on these.

Ages 8+

Dark humor about neglectful parents and kids trying to become orphans. It's weird, it's funny, and it's got a surprising amount of heart. The animation style is unique (very storybook), and Ricky Gervais as the narrator cat is perfect. Not for everyone, but if your family likes their comedy with a side of absurdism, this is it.

Ages 7+

Aardman (the Wallace & Gromit folks) doing pirates. The stop-motion animation is gorgeous, the jokes are rapid-fire, and Hugh Grant as an incompetent pirate captain is inspired casting. It's very British in its humor, which means lots of wordplay and sight gags. Criminally underrated.

Ages 6+

Food falling from the sky is inherently funny, and this movie leans into the absurdity. The visual style is manic (very Looney Tunes energy), and the jokes come fast. It's about a nerdy inventor and his complicated relationship with his dad, but mostly it's about giant pancakes destroying a town. The sequel is also surprisingly good.

Ages 7+

A Santa origin story that's actually funny? Yes. The animation is stunning (hand-drawn but looks 3D), and the humor is character-driven rather than relying on pop culture references. It's got heart without being saccharine, and the "kids drawing terrible pictures" montage is comedy gold. Another great non-December Christmas movie option.

Ages 7+

A supervillain winning and then realizing he has no purpose is a great premise. Will Ferrell and Brad Pitt's voice work is excellent, and the movie subverts superhero tropes in clever ways. It came out the same year as Despicable Me (another villain-turned-good story) and got overshadowed, but it's the better movie. Fight me.

Ages 6+

Disney's weirdest movie is also one of its funniest. The "wrong lever" gag, Kronk's shoulder angel and devil, the entire "squeaky squeak" sequence—it's all perfect. It started as a serious epic and got retooled into a buddy comedy, and you can feel the "we're just having fun now" energy. Patrick Warburton as Kronk is iconic.

Ages 7+

The Great Escape but with chickens. It's a prison break movie for kids, and it's hilarious. The stop-motion animation is peak Aardman, and the British humor is everywhere. Mel Gibson's American rooster trying to teach British chickens to fly is a great fish-out-of-water setup. Also, it's genuinely tense? Like, you worry about these chickens.

Ages 7+

A movie about a malfunctioning robot friend that's actually about social media and connection. It's funnier than the trailers made it look, and the "what if your AI companion was broken and therefore actually interesting" premise is clever. Good for families navigating the "everyone has a phone but me" conversations.

Ages 8+

Disney's box office bomb that's actually... good? It's a pulp adventure story with a three-generation family dynamic, and the humor comes from character clashes rather than jokes. The grandpa (voiced by Dennis Quaid) is a scene-stealer, and the environmental message isn't heavy-handed. It flopped in theaters but found a second life on streaming.

Ages 9+

A girl turns into a giant red panda when she gets emotional, which is a perfect metaphor for puberty. The boy band obsession is relatable (if you were ever 13), and the mom-daughter dynamic is painfully accurate. It's funny and cringe in equal measure, which is appropriate for a movie about middle school. Some parents got weird about the period metaphors, but come on, it's 2025.

These skew younger but still have enough humor to keep parents from falling asleep.

Ages 5+

The Rock singing "You're Welcome" is peak comedy for 5-year-olds. Hei Hei the rooster is the dumbest character in any Disney movie, which makes him the funniest. The ocean as a character is clever, and the whole thing moves fast enough that you won't be checking your phone. Plus, the songs are bangers.

Ages 5+

Dory is one of the great comedic characters in animation. The "just keep swimming" optimism, the short-term memory gags, Ellen DeGeneres' delivery—it all works. The pelican, the sharks at their support group meeting, the "mine mine mine" seagulls—there's a reason this movie is a classic. Finding Dory is also solid if you need a sequel.

Ages 5+

All four movies are funny in different ways. The first is a buddy comedy, the second is about mortality, the third is about letting go, and the fourth is about finding purpose. But they're all hilarious—Mr. Potato Head's sass, Rex's anxiety, the aliens' devotion to The Claw. These movies work for every age, which is why they're Pixar's flagship franchise.

Ages 5+

Anthropomorphic animals singing pop songs. That's it, that's the pitch. The comedy comes from the character dynamics—the punk rock porcupine, the shy elephant with the big voice, the pig mom with 25 kids. It's not trying to be profound, and that's fine. The songs are fun, the animation is bright, and kids love it. Parents tolerate it, which is sometimes the best you can hope for.

Ages 7+

A superhero family dealing with suburban life is a great premise. The "mom thinks dad is having an affair but he's actually fighting robots" subplot is adult humor done right. Jack-Jack's powers reveal is one of the best sequences in any Pixar movie. And Edna Mode steals every scene. "No capes!"

Ages 5+

The premise (monsters scare kids for energy) is clever, and the execution is perfect. Billy Crystal and John Goodman have great chemistry, and Boo is adorable without being annoying. The door chase sequence at the end is a masterclass in visual comedy. Monsters University is also funny if you want the prequel.

Ages 7+

A Viking who doesn't want to kill dragons befriends one instead. The humor comes from the culture clash (Vikings vs. dragons) and Hiccup's sarcasm. Toothless is basically a cat, which makes all his behavior funny if you've ever owned a cat. The flying sequences are gorgeous, and the whole trilogy is solid.

Ages 7+

Video game characters after hours is a great concept, and the movie delivers on the promise. The cameos (Bowser, Zangief, Q*bert) are fun, and the Sugar Rush world is visually insane. Ralph's "I'm bad and that's good" arc is sweet, and the twist villain actually works. Ralph Breaks the Internet is more divisive but still has good jokes.

These have more sophisticated humor and can handle slightly edgier content.

Ages 12+

If your kid is into video games and music, this is their movie. The visual style is bonkers (video game logic applied to real life), and the humor is rapid-fire. Michael Cera's deadpan delivery, the evil exes, the bass battle—it's all perfectly executed. Fair warning: there's some language and adult themes, so maybe preview it first if you have a younger tween.

Ages 10+

A Star Trek parody that's also a love letter to fandom. The cast is perfect (Alan Rickman! Sigourney Weaver! Tim Allen!), and the "actors from a canceled sci-fi show get recruited by real aliens" premise is gold. It's funny if you know Trek, but it works even if you don't. Plus, it's got genuine heart about taking people seriously and finding meaning in what you do.

Ages 12+

A whodunit murder mystery that's hilarious and clever. Daniel Craig's Southern accent, the "I can't lie without vomiting" gag, the dysfunctional rich family—it's all perfect. It's technically PG-13 for language and thematic elements, but it's a great introduction to the mystery genre. Plus, it'll make your teen want to read Agatha Christie, which is a win.

Ages 11+

The ultimate "skip school and have an adventure" movie. Ferris breaking the fourth wall, the parade scene, the principal's escalating rage—it's all iconic. It's very '80s (the technology, the fashion), but the core humor holds up. Also a great way to talk about privilege and consequences, since Ferris basically gets away with everything.

Ages 12+

Wes Anderson's most accessible movie, which is saying something. The visual style is gorgeous (very symmetrical, very pastel), and the humor is dry and fast. Ralph Fiennes is hilarious as a very proper concierge caught up in murder and art theft. It's R-rated for language and some violence, but it's all very stylized. Good for teens who like quirky humor.

Not all family movies are created equal. Some are genuinely funny for everyone. Others are "funny for kids" which means adults are just enduring them. This list focuses on the former—movies where you'll actually laugh, not just smile politely while your kid giggles at fart jokes.

Age ratings are guidelines, not rules. You know your kid better than the MPAA. A mature 8-year-old might handle PG-13 humor fine, while a sensitive 11-year-old might find it overwhelming. Check out our media pages for more specific content breakdowns.

Humor is subjective. Some families love slapstick, others prefer wordplay. Some kids think potty humor is the height of comedy (it is, when you're 6), others find it gross. Use this list as a starting point, not a mandate.

Rewatchability matters. Kids will want to watch their favorites approximately 4,000 times. Pick movies that have enough layers that you'll notice new things on rewatch, or at least movies you won't actively hate by viewing #37.

Context helps. Some of these movies deal with divorce, death, bullying, or other heavy topics wrapped in comedy. That's not a bad thing—humor can be a great way to process difficult subjects—but it's worth knowing going in so you can have conversations afterward if needed.

Family movie night is one of those rare times everyone's actually together and (mostly) paying attention to the same thing. Picking a movie that works for everyone—that gets genuine laughs from your 6-year-old AND your 13-year-old AND you—is harder than it should be.

These 50 movies are the ones that thread that needle. They're funny without being mean-spirited (mostly), clever without being pretentious, and entertaining without being exhausting. They're the movies you'll actually want to rewatch, the ones you'll quote at dinner, the ones that become part of your family's shared language.

Start with whatever sounds good for tonight, and work your way through the list. Your family's comedy preferences will reveal themselves pretty quickly—lean into what works. And hey, if you pick a dud? That's what the 30-second skip button is for.

Need more recommendations? Check out our guides on cozy movies for family night, movies that teach emotional intelligence, or what to watch after you've seen everything on Disney+.