It’s no easy task agreeing on something to watch for family comedy movie night. Not only are there far too many streaming options to choose from, but it’s also difficult to track down titles that children of all ages will enjoy. (Particularly, finicky Pete, who is impossible to please.)
Assuming you’re hoping to shake up your next watch party, check out our list of flicks that will never get old… no matter how many times you’ve watched them. From The Incredibles to Matilda, keeping reading for the best family comedies.
Turning Red
Turning Red is certainly not the last Pixar movie you’ll encounter here. But we had to let Domee Shee’s instant classic lead off this list. Turning Red is a blisteringly entertaining, awkward, inventive story about growing up — which also happens to end with the most epic battle we’ve ever seen in trouble.
On the off chance that you know, you know.
The Wizard of Oz
Listen, at some point you have to traumatize your children with the flying monkeys. It’s been a rite of passage into elder youth since 1939.
The Princess and the Frog
Did you think we planned to get far without a Disney Princess Movie™ in here?
The Mighty Ducks
Listen, The Mighty Ducks might be a crap movie. Hell, its reboot, Game Changers, might even be better. But The Mighty Ducks has peak Scrappy Youngster Energy, which is the ultimate antidote to these jaded Zoomers, am I right?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Now that the Matthew Broderick classic will officially get a spinoff in Sam and Victor’s Day Off, it’s about time you introduce the kiddos to the lord of cool. Bonus points assuming Ferris Bueller’s Day Off makes your children actually want to visit an art museum.
Luca
For the inappropriate group, this is the Kidz Bop version of Call Me By Your Name. For the rest, it’s a sweet film about friendship between two kids who are different. Very different. When Luca the kid sea monster ventures out into the non-sea-life world, he finds that his body morphs into that of a human kid.
With the support of his new friend Alberto, who lives bravely above the water, Luca is able to see there’s a whole world waiting for him under the Tuscan sun.
How to Train Your Dragon Trilogy
How to Train Your Dragon and its two sequels are deeply underrated. The film series is the perfect story about growing up, following Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III as he transforms from misfit to eventual Viking chief of Berk.
Of course, none of his journey would be possible without the assist of his best friend and dragon, Toothless the Night Anger.
Finding Nemo
It’s the Disney movie which defined a generation…and a new way to travel to Sydney. Following an anxiety-ridden clownfish in search of his missing son, the film brings you along for a ride filled with lots of love, unique characters (hello, Dory!), and an overwhelming feeling of, well, I think I need to call my dad more.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
Are you ready to phone home while eating some Reese’s Pieces? That’s what the ever-adoring alien does in this 1982 Steven Spielberg classic. The movie about a friendship between human and stranded extra-terrestrial not only touched the hearts of moviegoers for generations, but it also was the recipient of four Oscars.
Goodness, and it also introduced the world to one special little actress, and you may have heard of her: Drew Barrymore.
The Parent Trap
It’s Lindsay Lohan’s movie debut, portraying long-lost twins who meet at summer camp and decide to unite the family back. Yes, it may have been a remake of the 1961 classic, but after watching this, you might just want to take up fencing…or maybe you’ll just perfect the ultimate camp prank introduced.
Spirited Away
There’s no age limit on experiencing the masterpiece of a Hayao Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli film. Spirited Away is the gorgeous animated story of a young lady who, upon finding herself in the spirit universe of Japanese folklore, embarks on her quest to return to the human realm.
(We really do recommend this one for age 10+, or whenever the kids are able process a protagonist’s parents being turned into pigs. Your call.)
Jumanji
Those thumping drums? That’s the game becoming fully awake after just reading this sentence. This classic hit about a gang of kids who end up inside the all-encompassing board game Jumanji has become a ’90s classic.
It’s a highlight, to say the least, that their newfound mentor in this story world is none other than the cross-generational Great Communicator: Robin Williams.
Mary Poppins
This one might be setting the bar high for the babysitter. The whimsical tale of a magical nanny who arrives via floating umbrella, Mary Poppins is a musical adventure that will satisfy everyone as easily as a spoonful of sugar.
Inside Out
Another Pixar hit perfect for pleasing the masses (and having the kids ask you why you’re crying). Inside Out is the introspective journey of a young lady’s inner emotions, personified into characters Euphoria, Sadness, Anger, and so on, as she navigates her family’s recent move.
Matilda
On the off chance that, in a parallel universe, Carrie got a happy-ending, it would be Matilda. Matilda Wormwood is an intellectually curious young lady, who is ostracized and pushed aside by her preoccupied parents and school authorities.
That is, until Matilda discovers she possesses telekinetic powers. It’s as much fun as a British children’s book adaptation directed by Danny Devito sounds like it would be.
School of Rock
For all his affection for slackers and stoners, Richard Linklater has no shortage of family-friendly vibes. This 2003 comedy stars Jack Black (okay, still sort of a slacker-stoner) and a lot of adorable kids. They play semi-decent songs and Black spouts off about 50 catchphrases. What’s not to love?
Ghostbusters
Greatest theme song? Yes. Greatest ensemble cast? Yes. Greatest movie ever set in New York City? Quite possibly.
Toy Story 3
The third chapter of the Toy Story franchise is a tear-jerker, but it’s a fantastic narrative about the nature of experiencing childhood with (both the youngster and adult side). Your kids are ready for it.
Conclusion
Family movie night can be a blessing or a curse. Some homes may very well be on their 74th viewing of Encanto — no one is supposed to talk about Bruno, which is fine with you because you’re at the point where you’d rather not hear the name again until the end of your life. (Sorry, Lin-Manuel.)
But we’re here to tell you a secret: It doesn’t have to be this way. There are too many other perfect family movies out there to live oppressed by la familia Madrigal.
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below and do not forget to visit trendingnewsbuzz for more mind-boggling updates.