National Treasure is that rare thing: a genuinely fun family adventure that doesn't insult anyone's intelligence while also not taking itself too seriously. Yes, the plot is absurd. Yes, Nicolas Cage's hair is doing something weird. Yes, critics were snooty about it. But it works.
It sparks real curiosity about history and problem-solving without being educational in that cringey 'eat your vegetables' way. The action is exciting but never scary. The humor lands. And twenty years later, it's still watchable—which is more than you can say for most mid-2000s family films.
The biggest parenting challenge? Your kid might become insufferable at Colonial Williamsburg, inspecting every brick for secret Freemason codes. You've been warned.
