This is peak Will Smith. The original MiB holds up remarkably well—the practical effects and creature designs still look better than a lot of modern CGI, the humor lands, and the story moves. Yes, there's alien violence, but it's cartoonish (they literally explode into green goo). The real appeal here is the buddy-cop dynamic between Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, and the whole "secret organization protecting Earth" concept that kids eat up.

What to know: Some mild language (a few uses of "hell" and "damn"), and the scene where the alien wears a human suit like a costume might freak out younger kids. The sequel is fine but forgettable. Men in Black 3 is actually better than 2 if your kids want more after the original.

This is Will Smith's most emotionally heavy family film, co-starring his real-life son Jaden. It's based on the true story of Chris Gardner, who went from homeless to successful stockbroker while raising his young son. This movie will wreck you—there are scenes of them sleeping in a subway bathroom that are genuinely heartbreaking.

Why it matters: This is one of those rare movies that can spark real conversations about poverty, perseverance, and what "making it" actually means. It's also a good counter to the "just work hard and you'll succeed" narrative because it shows how much luck and timing matter too. Not a light Sunday afternoon watch, but meaningful.

Content heads-up: PG-13 for some language and the intense emotional content around homelessness. No violence or sexual content.

The live-action remake where Smith plays the Genie. Look, nobody was going to replace Robin Williams, but Smith brings his own energy to it and doesn't try to copy Williams beat-for-beat. The movie itself is... fine. It's Disney's live-action remake formula: take the animated classic, add 30 minutes of unnecessary backstory, update some problematic elements, and cash the check.

The verdict: Kids who haven't seen the original animated version will probably love this. Kids who have seen the original will find it interesting to compare. Parents will find it perfectly watchable background noise. The musical numbers are fun, and Naomi Scott as Jasmine gets an actual character arc this time.

Technically a rom-com, but actually a solid family watch for teens. Smith plays a "date doctor" who coaches guys on how to actually listen to and respect women—which is a surprisingly healthy message for this genre. The humor is mostly situational comedy rather than raunchy jokes, and the central message about being genuine versus playing games is solid.

Age note: PG-13 for some sexual references and innuendo, but nothing explicit. Better for teens who are starting to think about dating than younger kids.

Loosely based on Isaac Asimov's work, this is a perfectly serviceable action sci-fi movie about robots potentially turning on humanity. It's got some genuinely cool action sequences and raises interesting questions about AI and the Three Laws of Robotics. The problem? It's also kind of dumb and doesn't trust its audience to think too hard.

Worth it for: Kids interested in AI and robotics. It can spark good conversations about automation, job displacement, and whether we should fear or embrace AI advancement. Just don't expect philosophical depth.

This post-apocalyptic thriller is actually pretty intense—Smith plays the last man in New York after a virus wipes out humanity. The infected humans are legitimately scary, and there's a scene involving his dog that will destroy anyone who's ever loved a pet.

Real talk: This is PG-13 but feels more like an R. The violence is intense, the zombie-like creatures are nightmare fuel, and the overall tone is bleak. If you have a teen who's into dystopian fiction, this could work, but don't show this to your 11-year-old just because it's technically PG-13.

A superhero movie about an alcoholic, depressed hero who's terrible at his job. It's got an interesting premise and the first half is genuinely fresh. Then it takes a weird turn in the second half that doesn't quite work. Still, it's an interesting deconstruction of superhero tropes before that became every superhero movie's thing.

Content: Language, drinking, some violence. The tone is darker than typical superhero fare. Good for teens, not for younger kids.

Smith voices Oscar, a fish who pretends to be a shark slayer. This is DreamWorks doing their "Shrek but underwater" thing—lots of pop culture references, celebrity voices, and hip-hop soundtrack. It's... not great? But kids seem to enjoy it, and it's harmless.

Honest assessment: This is the movie you put on when you need 90 minutes of peace and you've already watched Finding Nemo 47 times. It won't win any awards, but it won't rot anyone's brain either.

Smith voices a super-spy who gets turned into a pigeon. It's way better than it has any right to be. The animation is gorgeous, the humor actually lands, and there's a genuine message about finding non-violent solutions to problems. This flew under the radar when it came out, but it's a solid family movie night pick.

Just... no. This is a vanity project that doesn't work on any level. Boring, preachy, and a waste of everyone's time. If your kids want sci-fi, show them literally anything else.

A steampunk Western that's somehow both boring and chaotic. The special effects look dated, the plot is nonsensical, and the giant mechanical spider is exactly as ridiculous as it sounds. Skip it.

Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) exists without Will Smith and proves why he was smart to skip it. Bad Boys for Life (2020) is actually decent but not really a family movie—stick with the original Bad Boys if your teens want to see peak '90s action, but know it's very much an R-rated experience.

Ages 6-9: Aladdin (2019), Spies in Disguise, Shark Tale

Ages 10-12: Men in Black, I, Robot (if they're into sci-fi)

Ages 13+: The Pursuit of Happyness, Hitch, Hancock, I Am Legend (for older teens who can handle intensity)

Will Smith's career has been remarkably consistent in terms of content—he's generally avoided ultra-violent or sexually explicit roles, which makes his filmography more family-accessible than most action stars. That said, "family-friendly" doesn't mean "for all ages." Many of his PG-13 movies earn that rating for good reason.

The other thing to consider: the Oscars slap incident is still fresh in many kids' minds if they're online at all. Depending on your family's values and your kids' ages, you might want to be prepared to discuss that if it comes up. It's a real-world example of how even successful, beloved people can make terrible decisions in moments of anger.

Will Smith's best family movies are the ones where he's not trying too hard—Men in Black works because it's fun and doesn't take itself seriously. The Pursuit of Happyness works because it's emotionally honest. Aladdin works because it's a proven formula with solid execution.

Start with those three based on your kids' ages, and you'll have a good sense of whether the rest of his catalog is worth exploring. And if your kids become fans, you can always dive into discussions about celebrity culture, what makes a good role model, and how people we admire can still make mistakes.

For more family movie recommendations, check out our guides on family movies that don't suck and movies that spark good conversations.