The best family movie night films for every age
The best family movie night films work for everyone on the sofa: young children, older kids and the adults who picked the film. This list brings together 13 titles that critics and film institutions keep recommending for families, from a 1939 classic to modern favourites.
They are listed in release order, so you can mix an older film with a newer one or work through the history of family cinema one weekend at a time.
How we chose the best family movie night films
Every film here appears on curated family lists from the British Film Institute, including its selection of great 21st-century family films and its recommendations of films children should see by age 14. We looked for films that hold up for adults, not just films aimed at children.
Timeless classics
These three have been introducing children to cinema for decades.
- The Wizard of Oz (1939). Dorothy's trip from black-and-white Kansas into colour is still a thrill. Its songs and villains have been frightening and delighting children for generations.
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982). Steven Spielberg's story of a boy and a stranded alien is about friendship and letting go. The bike flight across the moon is unforgettable.
- My Neighbour Totoro (1988). Hayao Miyazaki's gentle film follows two sisters who meet forest spirits. It has almost no villain, and is perfect for younger viewers.
Modern favourites
Five films from the 2000s that sit comfortably on the BFI's family recommendations.
- Spirited Away (2001). Miyazaki's bathhouse fantasy follows a girl trying to save her parents. Older children will be drawn in by its strange, detailed world.
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). Alfonso Cuaron's entry is often called the best of the series. It is darker, funnier and more stylish than the first two.
- Up (2009). Pixar's story of an old man and a boy scout starts with a famous tearjerker and turns into an adventure. Bring tissues for the adults.
- Where the Wild Things Are (2009). Spike Jonze adapts Maurice Sendak's book as a film about a boy's anger and loneliness. Best for older children and parents.
- How to Train Your Dragon (2010). A Viking boy befriends the dragon he was meant to kill. The flying scenes are among the best in animation.
Laughs and songs
Lighter picks for when the room wants comedy, music or both.
- The Muppets (2011). Jason Segel brings the Muppets back for one more show. It is funny for children and full of jokes for their parents.
- Ernest & Celestine (2012). A French hand-drawn film about a bear and a mouse who become friends against the rules. It looks like a watercolour storybook.
- Frozen (2013). Two sisters, a snowman and Let It Go. It turned a fairy tale into a story about sisterhood rather than romance.
- Paddington (2014). Paul King's film about the bear from Peru is warm, inventive and very British. It works on any age.
- Paddington 2 (2017). The sequel adds Hugh Grant as a vain actor and villain. It became famous as one of the best-reviewed films ever.
Tips for a good family movie night
Match the film to the youngest viewer. Totoro, Paddington and Frozen are gentle; Spirited Away, Where the Wild Things Are and Prisoner of Azkaban have scarier moments. Pairing an old film with a new one, such as The Wizard of Oz and Paddington, is a good way to introduce children to classics.
Questions people ask
What is a good family movie for young kids?
My Neighbour Totoro, Paddington and Frozen are gentle choices with few frightening moments.
What family film do adults enjoy too?
Paddington 2, Up and The Muppets are full of jokes and moments aimed at older viewers.
Is Spirited Away suitable for children?
Generally yes for older children, though some scenes are strange or scary for very young viewers.
What is the best classic family film?
The Wizard of Oz and E.T. are the most commonly recommended classics.