Before we dive in, let's be real about what we're looking for here:

Multiple layers of engagement - The 7-year-old laughs at the physical comedy while the 12-year-old catches the clever wordplay and you're appreciating the emotional depth. Everyone's watching the same movie but getting something different out of it.

Conversation starters - The best family movies leave you with something to discuss. Questions about choices characters made, themes worth exploring, or just "wait, did you catch that detail?"

Rewatchability - Because let's face it, kids want to watch things on repeat. These films actually get better with multiple viewings instead of making you want to throw the remote out the window.

Age-appropriate but not babyish - Nothing that talks down to kids or makes older siblings roll their eyes. We're looking for genuine quality here.

Inside Out (Ages 6+)
Honestly one of the smartest movies Pixar ever made. It gives kids (and adults) a vocabulary for talking about emotions that's actually useful. The scene where Riley needs to feel sad? Chef's kiss. Fair warning: parents often cry harder than kids at this one.

WALL-E (Ages 5+)
Barely any dialogue for the first half, yet it says everything about loneliness, environmental responsibility, and what it means to be human. Plus it's genuinely funny and the animation is gorgeous. Great for sparking conversations about taking care of our planet without being preachy.

Coco (Ages 7+)
If you want to talk about family, memory, and what we leave behind, this is your movie. Yes, everyone cries. Yes, even the kids who "never cry at movies." The way it handles death and remembrance is beautiful and actually helpful for kids processing those big concepts.

The Iron Giant (Ages 7+)
"You are who you choose to be." This Cold War-era story about a boy and a giant robot tackles fear, prejudice, and choosing to be better than what others expect of you. Criminally underrated when it came out, now rightfully considered a classic.

Paddington & Paddington 2 (Ages 5+)
Listen, Paddington 2 has a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes for a reason. These movies are just... delightful. Genuinely funny for all ages, surprisingly clever, and they'll make you believe in kindness without being saccharine about it. Hugh Grant as a washed-up actor in the sequel is everything.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines (Ages 8+)
A family road trip + robot apocalypse + actually insightful commentary on screen time and family connection. It's hilarious, the animation style is fresh, and it somehow manages to be about technology without being all "phones bad, family good." Plus the dog is perfect.

Ratatouille (Ages 6+)
A rat who wants to be a chef shouldn't work, but it absolutely does. Beyond the laughs, it's about following your passion, the meaning of art and criticism (that Anton Ego speech at the end!), and how anyone can be great regardless of where they come from.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Ages 8+)
Even if you think you're done with superhero movies, this one hits different. Stunning animation that literally changed the game, a genuinely compelling story about finding your own path, and representation that matters. The "leap of faith" scene gives me goosebumps every time.

The Princess Bride (Ages 8+)
The ultimate family movie. Sword fights, true love, humor that works on multiple levels, and endlessly quotable lines. ("Inconceivable!" "You keep using that word...") It's self-aware without being cynical, and it's been making families happy since 1987.

How to Train Your Dragon (Ages 6+)
A story about a kid who doesn't fit his warrior culture's expectations and finds his own way. The relationship between Hiccup and Toothless is genuinely moving, and the flying sequences are breathtaking. The whole trilogy is worth watching, honestly.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople (Ages 10+)
A New Zealand gem about a foster kid and his grumpy foster uncle on the run in the bush. It's funny, it's touching, and it deals with themes of belonging and family in unexpected ways. Fair warning: there's some mild language and mature themes, but it's handled beautifully.

Hugo (Ages 9+)
Martin Scorsese made a family movie and it's gorgeous. Set in 1930s Paris, it's a love letter to early cinema, a mystery story, and a meditation on finding your purpose. Slower paced than most kids' movies, but absolutely worth it for families with patient viewers.

Big Hero 6 (Ages 7+)
Grief, healing, and inflatable healthcare robots. This movie deals with loss in a way that's accessible for kids but doesn't shy away from real sadness. Plus it's funny, the action is great, and Baymax is one of the best characters Disney has ever created.

The Wizard of Oz (Ages 6+)
Still magical after all these years. The transition from black and white to color, the songs, the surprisingly dark moments (those flying monkeys!). It's a great introduction to classic Hollywood filmmaking, and younger kids genuinely love it.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Ages 7+)
Spielberg at his finest. Yes, it's from 1982, but the emotion is timeless. Kids connect with Elliott's loneliness and the magic of that friendship. Parents, bring tissues. Also a great conversation starter about what makes someone a friend and how we treat those who are different.

The Sound of Music (Ages 6+)
Three hours long and kids still love it. The songs are bangers, the story of the von Trapp family is genuinely compelling, and it introduces kids to a historical period (the rise of Nazism) in an age-appropriate way. Plus, who doesn't want to climb every mountain?

Not every beloved family movie deserves the hype. The Emoji Movie is as bad as you've heard—it's basically a 90-minute ad. Most of the direct-to-streaming sequels nobody asked for are skippable (looking at you, random Netflix animated movies with suspiciously big-name voice casts).

And here's a hot take: some Disney classics are... fine? Like, Dumbo has some seriously problematic scenes, Peter Pan hasn't aged well, and honestly, some of those older films just don't hold kids' attention the way we remember. That's okay! Nostalgia is powerful, but you don't have to force it.

Let kids help choose - Alternate who picks. Even if you end up watching something you've seen before, their investment in the choice matters.

Create the vibe - Dim lights, popcorn, phones in another room (yes, yours too). Make it an event, not just "screen time."

Pause for questions - Especially with younger kids. "Why did they do that?" "What do you think will happen?" It keeps them engaged and turns passive watching into active thinking.

Talk about it after - Even just at bedtime: "What was your favorite part?" "Which character would you want to be?" These conversations are where the real value lives.

Rewatch favorites - Kids learn through repetition. That movie you're sick of? They're probably getting more out of each viewing.

Ages 4-6: Stick with movies under 90 minutes, expect to pause for bathroom breaks and questions, and don't stress if they don't make it through. Paddington, WALL-E, and Moana are solid bets.

Ages 7-9: They can handle more complex plots and slightly scary moments (though know your kid's sensitivity level). Inside Out, Coco, and How to Train Your Dragon work great here.

Ages 10-12: Ready for more mature themes, some mild language, and complex storytelling. Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and even some PG-13 movies might work depending on your family's comfort level.

Mixed ages: This is the hardest! Go for movies with multiple layers—physical comedy for the little ones, clever dialogue for the older kids, emotional depth for everyone. The Mitchells vs. The Machines and Paddington 2 are perfect for this.

The best family movies aren't just entertainment—they're shared experiences that become part of your family's story. They give you a common language (how many times will you reference "We don't talk about Bruno" this year?), spark meaningful conversations, and create memories that outlast the runtime.

You don't need to work through this whole list in order. Pick one that sounds right for your family's current vibe. Maybe you need a laugh (Paddington 2), maybe you're ready for some tears (Coco), or maybe you just want to see some gorgeous animation (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse).

And hey, if you end up rewatching Encanto again instead? That's fine too. Sometimes the familiar is exactly what everyone needs.

Want more recommendations tailored to your kids' specific ages and interests? Screenwise can help you find the perfect movies for your family. Or if you're looking for other ways to make screen time more intentional, check out our guide to creating a family media plan.

Now go make some popcorn. 🍿