The Ultimate Guide to Family Movie Night: Best Kids’ Movies

Best kids movies

Family movie nights are a cherished tradition in many households, and at The Kids Point, we understand the importance of providing your children with age-appropriate, educational, and entertaining content. These movie nights are not just a time to relax and bond with your family but also an opportunity to share values and create lasting memories. When it comes to choosing the perfect movies for these special evenings, there’s a wealth of options to consider. In this comprehensive guide, The Kids Point presents the best kids’ movies for family movie night. Whether you’re looking for timeless classics, animated adventures, or heartwarming stories, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled an extensive list of movies suitable for all ages, complete with descriptions, ratings, and the reasons why they’re perfect for your family’s viewing pleasure.

Classic Animated Films

  1. The Lion King (1994) – Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Follow the journey of Simba, a young lion cub, as he navigates the circle of life and learns valuable lessons about responsibility, identity, and bravery.
  2. Beauty and the Beast (1991) – Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Join Belle, an intelligent and kind young woman, as she befriends a cursed prince and discovers the importance of inner beauty.
  3. Aladdin (1992) – Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Embark on a magical carpet ride with Aladdin, a street-smart young man, and his charming Genie, as they try to win the heart of Princess Jasmine.
  4. Toy Story (1995) – Directed by John Lasseter
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Witness the adventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their toy companions in the first-ever feature-length computer-animated film.
  5. Finding Nemo (2003) – Directed by Andrew Stanton
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Join Marlin, a clownfish, and Dory, a forgetful but lovable blue tang fish, as they journey across the ocean to find Marlin’s son, Nemo.

Contemporary Animated Gems

  1. Frozen (2013) – Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Experience the enchanting journey of two sisters, Elsa and Anna, as they discover the true meaning of love and family amidst a wintry adventure.
  2. Zootopia (2016) – Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow Judy Hopps, a determined bunny police officer, and Nick Wilde, a cunning fox, as they uncover a mystery in the bustling city of Zootopia.
  3. Moana (2016) – Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Sail across the Pacific Ocean with Moana, a spirited Polynesian girl, as she embarks on a daring quest to save her people.
  4. Coco (2017) – Directed by Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Explore the vibrant world of the Land of the Dead with Miguel, a young musician, as he discovers his family’s hidden history and follows his passion for music.
  5. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Directed by Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman, and Bob Persichetti
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Enter the multiverse of Spider-People as Miles Morales takes on the role of Spider-Man and teams up with other Spider-Heroes to save the world.

Timeless Family Classics

  1. The Wizard of Oz (1939) – Directed by Victor Fleming
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Dorothy on her magical journey to the land of Oz, where she encounters new friends, faces challenges, and discovers the power of home.
  2. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) – Directed by Steven Spielberg
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow the heartwarming friendship between a young boy named Elliott and a stranded alien, E.T., as they attempt to reunite E.T. with his home planet.
  3. The Princess Bride (1987) – Directed by Rob Reiner
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Embark on a hilarious and romantic adventure with Westley, Buttercup, and a band of quirky characters in this timeless fairy tale.
  4. Home Alone (1990) – Directed by Chris Columbus
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Kevin McCallister, an inventive young boy, as he defends his home against burglars with a series of clever booby traps.
  5. The Goonies (1985) – Directed by Richard Donner
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Set out on a treasure hunt with a group of adventurous kids who stumble upon an old pirate map, leading them to unimaginable riches.

Heartwarming Family Adventures

  1. Paddington (2014) – Directed by Paul King
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow the endearing adventures of Paddington, a polite bear from Peru, as he navigates the streets of London and spreads kindness wherever he goes.
  2. Hugo (2011) – Directed by Martin Scorsese
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Hugo Cabret, a young orphan, as he uncovers the secrets of a broken automaton and the mysterious world of early cinema.
  3. The Incredibles (2004) – Directed by Brad Bird
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Meet the Parr family, a group of superheroes trying to live a normal life, and follow their thrilling journey to save the world.
  4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) – Directed by Andrew Adamson
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Step into the magical world of Narnia with the Pevensie siblings as they join forces with the noble lion Aslan to defeat the White Witch.
  5. The Jungle Book (1967) – Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Follow the adventures of Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves, as he befriends a lively cast of jungle animals, including the lovable bear Baloo.

Fun-Filled Comedies

  1. Shrek (2001) – Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Shrek, an ogre with a heart of gold, and his loyal sidekick Donkey as they embark on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona.
  2. Despicable Me (2010) – Directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Laugh along with the supervillain Gru and his army of minions as they attempt to steal the moon while unexpectedly finding love and family.
  3. The LEGO Movie (2014) – Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Enter a world where everything is awesome as Emmet, a construction worker, is mistakenly believed to be the Special and is thrust into a grand adventure.
  4. Night at the Museum (2006) – Directed by Shawn Levy
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Larry Daley as he becomes the night guard at a museum where the exhibits come to life, leading to hilarious and historical escapades.
  5. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) – Directed by Jake Kasdan
    • Rating: PG-13
    • Synopsis: Dive into the world of the Jumanji video game as four high school students are transformed into avatars and embark on a daring quest to escape.

Musical Extravaganzas

  1. Mary Poppins (1964) – Directed by Robert Stevenson
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Follow the whimsical Mary Poppins as she uses her magic and charm to teach the Banks family important life lessons.
  2. Sing (2016) – Directed by Garth Jennings
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Enter a world where animals participate in a singing competition, each with their own dreams, talents, and challenges to overcome.
  3. The Sound of Music (1965) – Directed by Robert Wise
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Join Maria, a spirited young woman, as she brings joy and music into the lives of the von Trapp family in pre-World War II Austria.
  4. The Greatest Showman (2017) – Directed by Michael Gracey
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Be inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum as he creates a mesmerizing circus and celebrates diversity and the power of imagination.
  5. Annie (1982) – Directed by John Huston
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow the adventures of Annie, a young orphan, as she brings warmth and love into the life of the wealthy industrialist Oliver Warbucks.

Educational and Inspirational Films

  1. March of the Penguins (2005) – Directed by Luc Jacquet
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Witness the incredible journey of Emperor penguins as they brave harsh conditions to raise their young in the Antarctic.
  2. The Incredibles 2 (2018) – Directed by Brad Bird
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Reunite with the superhero family, the Incredibles, as they face new challenges and work together to uphold justice.
  3. Wall-E (2008) – Directed by Andrew Stanton
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Explore a post-apocalyptic Earth with Wall-E, a lovable waste-collecting robot, as he discovers the importance of preserving the planet.
  4. Wonder (2017) – Directed by Stephen Chbosky
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow Auggie Pullman, a young boy with facial differences, as he attends public school for the first time and teaches others the power of kindness.
  5. A Wrinkle in Time (2018) – Directed by Ava DuVernay
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they journey through time and space to rescue Meg’s missing father.

Time-Tested Adventures

  1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001) – Directed by Chris Columbus
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Begin the magical journey with Harry Potter, a young wizard, as he discovers his true identity and attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
  2. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) – Directed by Steven Spielberg
    • Rating: PG-13
    • Synopsis: Join Indiana Jones and his father, Henry Jones Sr., as they search for the Holy Grail and outsmart the Nazis.
  3. Jurassic Park (1993) – Directed by Steven Spielberg
    • Rating: PG-13
    • Synopsis: Witness the awe and terror of dinosaurs brought back to life on a remote island, where a group of visitors must escape their prehistoric predators.
  4. Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Directed by George Lucas
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Begin an epic space adventure with Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo as they battle the evil Galactic Empire.
  5. The Karate Kid (1984) – Directed by John G. Avildsen
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow the journey of Daniel LaRusso as he learns martial arts from Mr. Miyagi and gains the confidence to stand up to bullies.

Animated for All Ages

  1. Up (2009) – Directed by Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Carl Fredricksen and Russell on their journey to Paradise Falls in a house lifted by thousands of balloons, encountering adventure and friendship along the way.
  2. How to Train Your Dragon (2010) – Directed by Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow the story of Hiccup, a young Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, as they form an unlikely and heartwarming friendship.
  3. Ratatouille (2007) – Directed by Brad Bird
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Join Remy, a rat with a passion for cooking, as he teams up with Linguini to create culinary masterpieces in a famous Parisian restaurant.
  4. The Croods (2013) – Directed by Kirk DeMicco and Chris Sanders
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow the prehistoric Crood family as they embark on a journey to find a new home, encountering the wonders and dangers of a changing world.
  5. Big Hero 6 (2014) – Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Hiro Hamada and Baymax, a healthcare companion robot, as they form a superhero team to combat a mysterious villain in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo.

Spooky But Kid-Friendly Films

  1. Monster’s Inc. (2001) – Directed by Pete Docter
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Discover the world of Monstropolis, where monsters generate energy by scaring children, and follow the adventures of Sulley and Mike.
  2. Coraline (2009) – Directed by Henry Selick
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Venture into the eerie and enchanting Other World with Coraline, a young girl who uncovers a dark secret and fights to save her family.
  3. Corpse Bride (2005) – Directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow Victor, a young man accidentally betrothed to a deceased bride, as he navigates the Land of the Dead in this macabre but heartwarming tale.
  4. ParaNorman (2012) – Directed by Chris Butler and Sam Fell
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Norman, a young boy with the ability to see and speak to ghosts, as he faces a supernatural threat in his small town.
  5. Hotel Transylvania (2012) – Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Enter the world of Dracula’s lavish resort for monsters, where things take a hilarious turn when a human stumbles upon the hotel.

Time Travel Adventures

  1. Back to the Future (1985) – Directed by Robert Zemeckis
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Marty McFly and Doc Brown as they use a time-traveling DeLorean to navigate through the past, present, and future in this iconic film.
  2. The Time Machine (1960) – Directed by George Pal
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Follow the adventures of George, an inventor, as he travels through time in a machine of his own creation and witnesses the evolution of humanity.
  3. A Wrinkle in Time (2018) – Directed by Ava DuVernay
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin as they journey through time and space to rescue Meg’s missing father.
  4. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) – Directed by Stephen Herek
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Follow Bill and Ted, two lovable slackers, as they travel through time to collect historical figures for a school project.
  5. Meet the Robinsons (2007) – Directed by Stephen J. Anderson
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Join Lewis, a young inventor, as he embarks on a time-travel adventure to discover the true meaning of family and find his way home.

Adventures Under the Sea

  1. The Little Mermaid (1989) – Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Dive into the enchanting world under the sea with Ariel, a young mermaid, as she dreams of life on land and falls in love with Prince Eric.
  2. Finding Dory (2016) – Directed by Andrew Stanton
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Join Dory, a forgetful blue tang fish, as she embarks on a journey to find her long-lost parents, accompanied by friends old and new.
  3. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) – Directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Venture deep below the ocean with Milo Thatch and a crew of explorers as they search for the lost city of Atlantis.
  4. Shark Tale (2004) – Directed by Bibo Bergeron, Vicky Jenson, and Rob Letterman
    • Rating: PG
    • Synopsis: Explore the colorful underwater world of Reef City with Oscar, a small fish who becomes an accidental hero in this oceanic adventure.
  5. Aquaman (2018) – Directed by James Wan
    • Rating: PG-13
    • Synopsis: Dive into the depths of the ocean with Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman, as he embarks on a quest to claim his birthright and protect the underwater kingdom of Atlantis (suitable for slightly older kids).

Inspiring Documentaries

  1. March of the Penguins (2005) – Directed by Luc Jacquet
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Witness the incredible journey of Emperor penguins as they brave harsh conditions to raise their young in the Antarctic.
  2. Chimpanzee (2012) – Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Mark Linfield
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Follow the remarkable story of Oscar, a young chimpanzee, and his adoption by an older male chimpanzee in the African rainforest.
  3. Born in China (2016) – Directed by Chuan Lu
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Explore the breathtaking landscapes of China and observe the lives of endangered animals, including pandas, snow leopards, and golden snub-nosed monkeys.
  4. Dolphin Reef (2018) – Directed by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Dive into the vibrant coral reefs of the South Pacific and follow Echo, a young bottlenose dolphin, as he learns important life skills from his mother.
  5. Beavers (2018) – Directed by Stephen Fung
    • Rating: G
    • Synopsis: Venture into the wilderness and discover the fascinating lives of beavers as they construct intricate dams and lodges to survive in their natural habitat.

At The Kids Point, we understand that family movie nights are more than just entertainment; they’re an opportunity to create lasting memories, share laughter, and spark meaningful discussions with your loved ones. Our curated list of the best kids’ movies is designed to enhance your family movie night experience. These films offer valuable life lessons, entertainment, and a chance to connect with your children on a deeper level.

Remember that the age recommendations provided are general guidelines, and you should consider your child’s individual maturity and sensibilities when selecting movies. Always check ratings and reviews to make informed choices that align with your family’s values and preferences.

So, gather your family, prepare some popcorn, and embark on a cinematic adventure filled with laughter, tears, and valuable life lessons. From timeless classics to modern gems, there’s a movie for every family and every occasion. Enjoy your family movie nights, and let the magic of storytelling, brought to you by The Kids Point, bring you closer together.