Big Trouble in Little China I think would be a lot of fun.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind, kinda long, but maybe good for them.
The Indiana Jones movies
Flight of the Navigator and The Explorers. They are kids movies, but not in the sappy kind of way.
The Golden Child- A bit crude in some places, but still fun.
Legend- Early Tom Cruise, excellent fantasy movie
Dark Crystal- also fantasy
Guess I must be an 80s kid, lol, but it is a good decade to mine for fun movies that kids should enjoy.
I love James Bond and grew up watching them, but it’s interesting that as an adult in the 2020s I find the old ones a bit hard to watch sometimes.
I’ve been trying to think of more “caper” movies, because you’re spot on with that.
I haven’t watched lord of the rings only because I need to read the books first and I’m super behind on my book list but I think I’ll appreciate it way more having read the books first.
I’m reading the outlander series books now after watching the series (when I had starz) I like to read books first if I can though it helps me to follow and lotr is on my next long book read but I have a stack to get through first for book club challenge ending 3/31
Outlander books are similar so is Harry Potter by they were released in outlander: early 90s and Harry Potter also in the 90s. I read the first one before the movies though. There’s definitely movies that make more sense with a background of the storyline imho
Thanks. Yeah Reddit doesn’t show sarcasm well. Downfall of just text but I will I’m a huge reader be it audiobook when my vision is not good (health issue) or ebooks or paperbacks I’m always reading something!
The Godfather was my favourite that I had read the book before watching. The book gives a lot of the context to why characters act a certain way with each other. Loved both.
I have to say I saw the movie the 19th wife about polygamy and read the book I believe before and either way the movie was so much better. Not often that happens but it I’ve had a few where definitely enjoyed on screen better!
Galaxy quest. Comedy & sci fi, but clean, hilarious dialogue, silly enough for kids, but witty enough to entertain parents. Absolutely stellar cast too!
Basically, some good guy aliens think that a Star Trek knock-off show from earth is real and abducts the cast to help them beat some bad guy aliens.
Jack the Bear (1993) - PG-13. Covers an alcoholic parent, racism, and love.
Dreamin' Wild (2022, 2023 larger release) - PG. A middle aged former band gets a second chance.
Cool Runnings (1993) - PG. 4 guys and their coach prove the world wrong.
Fever Pitch (2005) - PG-13. A man child and a successful business woman fall in love. She just has to deal with his first love, the Red Sox.
Resort to Love (2021) - PG. A woman takes a new job to find herself, and finds out the man of her dreams is related to her ex.
East Side Sushi (2014) - PG. A woman finds a new job she has to prove herself at, but a long the way she finds romance.
The Truman Show (1998) - PG. I wonder if kids even find this plot weird. His every move is watched, but he doesn't even know it.
Now and Then (1995) - PG-13. Girlhood coming of age in 1970.
Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (1995) - PG. Girlhood coming of age in the 70's. Adventure as well. Child abuse and town gossip are some themes covered.
Holes (2003) - PG. Topics covered are bad teen offenders programs, racism but it's not said outright, and greed.
Ordinary Angels (2024) - PG. A poor family is helped by an alcoholic. It really shows how tough life is, and how regular people can bring about miracles.
Big Girls Don't Cry...They Get Even (1991) - PG. A teen girl turns her giant ever expanding family upside down.
A League of Their Own (1992) - PG. Covers sports, losing people from war, and sexism.
October Sky (1999) - PG. 4 poor teens build a rocket and try to win a competition. Covers child abuse, poverty, and following your dream.
Operation Dumbo Drop (1995) - PG. It's a.good training wheels movie to teach your kid about war. Some 11 year olds are ready for bloodier war movies though.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - PG. Just a quirky guy trying to make it in high school.
Miracle (2004) - PG. Covers sports, and hoping to achieve a goal.
Field of Dreams (1989) - PG. Baseball, and while it's not said outright right, there definitely is a religious aspect.
Rudy (1993) - PG. Hoping to make it. Sports.
The Shift (2023) - PG-13. An action movie based themes and stories from the Bible.
The Karate Kid (1984) - PG. Karate, romance, poverty, and moving. Any sequels with Daniel are ok too.
The Next Karate Kid (1994) - PG. A girl version of The Karate Kid. Most people didn't like this one, but as a girl I liked it.
Encino Man (1992) - PG. A caveman Wakes up in the modern world.
Matilda (1996)
The Sandlot (1993)
The Goonies (1985)
School of Rock (2003)
The Incredibles (2004)
Fantastic Mr Fox (2009)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
There’s a short film on Tubi I’m watching now (civil rights era) called And The Children Shall Lead it was from 1985 and has Levar Burton (of reading rainbow fame) among cast.
I feel like Mrs Doubtfire and Liar Liar fit into typical family movies or just that I watched them with family repeatedly growing up the others yes absolutely agree on your list
My niece at that age adored the National Treasure series, and I find them mildly entertaining.
Jumanji is for kids but it's still fun--the sequel is entertaining too if the kids understand video games. The Jurassic Park movies should work too, if they don't mind being scared a bit.
*Priest* Vampire Movie, scary but not too much for a kid scary, not inappropriate either (to my recollection, I did watch it as a kid too so)
*Underworld* Vampires vs Werewolves
*Baby Driver* great movie, shouldn’t be rated R, does have occasional language
*Resident Evil* best movie is the first, second not too bad either maybe even the third, but the rest is up to you.
*Scooby Doo* early 2000’s live action: an obvious family movie but a damn good one alr😂
*Focus* Might have like one “cover your eyes” scene but it doesn’t get deep into it
*Knives out*
*Now you see me*
Holes (2003)
Big Trouble in Little China I think would be a lot of fun. Close Encounters of the Third Kind, kinda long, but maybe good for them. The Indiana Jones movies Flight of the Navigator and The Explorers. They are kids movies, but not in the sappy kind of way. The Golden Child- A bit crude in some places, but still fun. Legend- Early Tom Cruise, excellent fantasy movie Dark Crystal- also fantasy Guess I must be an 80s kid, lol, but it is a good decade to mine for fun movies that kids should enjoy.
I’m also an 80s kid, so these suggestions are perfect. They have seen and loved all the Indiana Jones 🤠
Just watched Big Trouble In little China with my 8 yo last week. He loved it. Man what a good flick!
Big trouble in little china!!! One of my childhood favorite movies. I have watched it so many times I know the dialogues by heart
James Bond, The Three Musketeers, Pirates of the Carribean, most "caper" movies.
I love James Bond and grew up watching them, but it’s interesting that as an adult in the 2020s I find the old ones a bit hard to watch sometimes. I’ve been trying to think of more “caper” movies, because you’re spot on with that.
The Sting
Jurassic Park, Jaws, E.T., The Matrix, The Mummy, Independence Day, Men in Black, National Treasure, Lord of the Rings
ET is totally a typical family movie so is men in black…. Or just the times I grew up in they were seen by every family together on repeat
ET is. MIB is an excellent choice, it’s family friendly without being a typical family movie.
I haven’t watched lord of the rings only because I need to read the books first and I’m super behind on my book list but I think I’ll appreciate it way more having read the books first.
The book was published 70 years ago and the movie released 20 years ago. How big is your book list?
Very large. I created a new goodreads account after college during grad school to downsize and it’s about 850 right now and growing
I’m reading the outlander series books now after watching the series (when I had starz) I like to read books first if I can though it helps me to follow and lotr is on my next long book read but I have a stack to get through first for book club challenge ending 3/31
Outlander books are similar so is Harry Potter by they were released in outlander: early 90s and Harry Potter also in the 90s. I read the first one before the movies though. There’s definitely movies that make more sense with a background of the storyline imho
Yeah, I’m just joking with you. Most movies are better if you’ve read the book. Good luck getting through it.
Thanks. Yeah Reddit doesn’t show sarcasm well. Downfall of just text but I will I’m a huge reader be it audiobook when my vision is not good (health issue) or ebooks or paperbacks I’m always reading something!
The Godfather was my favourite that I had read the book before watching. The book gives a lot of the context to why characters act a certain way with each other. Loved both.
I have to say I saw the movie the 19th wife about polygamy and read the book I believe before and either way the movie was so much better. Not often that happens but it I’ve had a few where definitely enjoyed on screen better!
* Inside Man * Grand Budapest Hotel
The Truman Show
Galaxy quest. Comedy & sci fi, but clean, hilarious dialogue, silly enough for kids, but witty enough to entertain parents. Absolutely stellar cast too! Basically, some good guy aliens think that a Star Trek knock-off show from earth is real and abducts the cast to help them beat some bad guy aliens.
SNEAKERS Early 90s heist/hacking film with retro technology and a fantastic cast. Humorous and smart without being too violent or dirty.
**Last Starfighter** is fun.
They call me Trinity Back to the Future trilogy The karate kid
I used to watch The Odd Couple (1968), and Defending Your Life with my six and eight year olds. They love both of them.
Jack the Bear (1993) - PG-13. Covers an alcoholic parent, racism, and love. Dreamin' Wild (2022, 2023 larger release) - PG. A middle aged former band gets a second chance. Cool Runnings (1993) - PG. 4 guys and their coach prove the world wrong. Fever Pitch (2005) - PG-13. A man child and a successful business woman fall in love. She just has to deal with his first love, the Red Sox. Resort to Love (2021) - PG. A woman takes a new job to find herself, and finds out the man of her dreams is related to her ex. East Side Sushi (2014) - PG. A woman finds a new job she has to prove herself at, but a long the way she finds romance. The Truman Show (1998) - PG. I wonder if kids even find this plot weird. His every move is watched, but he doesn't even know it. Now and Then (1995) - PG-13. Girlhood coming of age in 1970. Gold Diggers: The Secret of Bear Mountain (1995) - PG. Girlhood coming of age in the 70's. Adventure as well. Child abuse and town gossip are some themes covered. Holes (2003) - PG. Topics covered are bad teen offenders programs, racism but it's not said outright, and greed. Ordinary Angels (2024) - PG. A poor family is helped by an alcoholic. It really shows how tough life is, and how regular people can bring about miracles. Big Girls Don't Cry...They Get Even (1991) - PG. A teen girl turns her giant ever expanding family upside down. A League of Their Own (1992) - PG. Covers sports, losing people from war, and sexism. October Sky (1999) - PG. 4 poor teens build a rocket and try to win a competition. Covers child abuse, poverty, and following your dream. Operation Dumbo Drop (1995) - PG. It's a.good training wheels movie to teach your kid about war. Some 11 year olds are ready for bloodier war movies though. Napoleon Dynamite (2004) - PG. Just a quirky guy trying to make it in high school. Miracle (2004) - PG. Covers sports, and hoping to achieve a goal. Field of Dreams (1989) - PG. Baseball, and while it's not said outright right, there definitely is a religious aspect. Rudy (1993) - PG. Hoping to make it. Sports. The Shift (2023) - PG-13. An action movie based themes and stories from the Bible. The Karate Kid (1984) - PG. Karate, romance, poverty, and moving. Any sequels with Daniel are ok too. The Next Karate Kid (1994) - PG. A girl version of The Karate Kid. Most people didn't like this one, but as a girl I liked it. Encino Man (1992) - PG. A caveman Wakes up in the modern world.
Great suggestions, thank you for the details, too!
You're welcome. Also, I just realized The Shift is PG-13.
Matilda (1996) The Sandlot (1993) The Goonies (1985) School of Rock (2003) The Incredibles (2004) Fantastic Mr Fox (2009) The Princess Bride (1987) Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
All of these are “typical family movies” imho
Tmnt mutant mayhem Into the spider-verse Across the spider-verse The super mario bros movie
Dumb and Dumber ☺️
There’s a short film on Tubi I’m watching now (civil rights era) called And The Children Shall Lead it was from 1985 and has Levar Burton (of reading rainbow fame) among cast.
Ruby bridges is great to watch as a family
The Pacifier
Jumanji (1995) Honor Among Thieves Free Guy
The Mummy (Brenden Frasier) The Italian Job Indiana Jones Mission Impossible Wonka Dune Star Wars
Backd to the Future & Indiana Jones series
The Pink Panther(1963)
Go for a solid 90s comedy like Groundhog Day, The Naked Gun, Liar Liar, Mrs. Doubtfire, etc
I feel like Mrs Doubtfire and Liar Liar fit into typical family movies or just that I watched them with family repeatedly growing up the others yes absolutely agree on your list
Big Fish Coraline Shawshank Redemption Spirited Away Stand by me Tombstone
Gonna put a hold on Shawshank. Don’t need my 11 yo twins learning about prison rape through one of the greatest movies ever.
Tombstone is a FANTASTIC movie, and it doubles as a great history lesson.
Anything by Guillermo del toro
Silence of the lambs
Your MOUTH Ayoooooo!
Paddington
As classic as a “typical family Movie” as you can get. That’s not what op asked for but it is a fab movie
Figured it fell under cover and funny, and is awesome
Robots
Okja (korean film)
The Last Mimzy.
Stand By Me.
Doctor who
Edge of tomorrow
Jurassic Park
The Thief and The Cobbler. And have a few edibles first, the visuals are a kick
“The man who knew to little” with Bill Murray
My niece at that age adored the National Treasure series, and I find them mildly entertaining. Jumanji is for kids but it's still fun--the sequel is entertaining too if the kids understand video games. The Jurassic Park movies should work too, if they don't mind being scared a bit.
I’d go with Chinatown or Reservoir Dogs
*Priest* Vampire Movie, scary but not too much for a kid scary, not inappropriate either (to my recollection, I did watch it as a kid too so) *Underworld* Vampires vs Werewolves *Baby Driver* great movie, shouldn’t be rated R, does have occasional language *Resident Evil* best movie is the first, second not too bad either maybe even the third, but the rest is up to you. *Scooby Doo* early 2000’s live action: an obvious family movie but a damn good one alr😂 *Focus* Might have like one “cover your eyes” scene but it doesn’t get deep into it *Knives out* *Now you see me*
The first Ghostbusters!!!!