# Recommend a movie for family movie night **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [March 11, 2021, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725 "2021-03-11T18:01:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/81 "2021-03-12T14:57:48Z")
Oooh - one more just came to mind, though I don’t know how available it is via the various services: Tokyo Godfathers. Animated movie featuring 3 homeless people (one teenage runaway girl, one old alcoholic man, and one old drag queen) are all homeless, and have formed a small family of sorts. Then they find an abandoned baby. The movie follows all their efforts to find the baby’s mother and return it to her. It’s actually a Christmas movie -we watch it every year. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/82 "2021-03-12T15:33:25Z")
**MirrorMask** - A visual experience like no other. For an 8 year old the story might be kind of slow and there is a lot of talking, but the visuals are so stunning they just grab the audience right at the opening credits. [THIS SCENE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=re-6eOhrejE) is likely the most creepy part of the film, though without context it’s not that bad. **Labyrinth** **Dragonslayer** - A classic. **The Sword and the Stone** (1963) **Robin Hood** (1973) - Both still fun to watch for adults. ---
**Author:** ![journeyman\_southpaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5e9695/32.png) [@journeyman\_southpaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/journeyman_southpaw)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/83 "2021-03-12T15:52:26Z")
I think you’d all find _Shazam!_ to be fun, it’s a D.C. superhero film but it isn’t dark and gritty, instead it very much feels like a throwback to the zippy fantasy adventure comedies of the '80s. ---
**Author:** ![RadioWave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RadioWave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadioWave)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/84 "2021-03-12T16:10:56Z")
Doesn’t Galaxy Quest drop a few f-words and such (Sigourney in “the Chompers”)? Might not be appropriate for an eight year old. The Night at the Museum trilogy is family friendly and funny. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/85 "2021-03-12T16:17:07Z")
> [@RadioWave](#): > > Doesn’t Galaxy Quest drop a few f-words and such (Sigourney in “the Chompers”)? Just the one and it was dubbed over with “screw” during post-production. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/86 "2021-03-12T16:23:05Z")
> [@RadioWave](#): > > Doesn’t Galaxy Quest drop a few f-words and such (Sigourney in “the Chompers”)? Might not be appropriate for an eight year old. No. You can see Weaver saying, “Fuck this!” in the film, but for the sake of a PG rating they looped over with, “Screw this! Whoever wrote this episode should die!” instead. Aside from a few alien blood splatters, there is nothing particularly gory or profane, and the handful of more adult references such as Tim Allen’s character sleeping with extras on the show or Tony Shalhoub’s character being constantly stoned (no drug use shown, it’s just implied by his behavior and constant snacking) will pass right over the head of an eight year old. The film is middle-of-the-road PG with enough goofiness to keep younger kids entertained even if they can’t follow the plot or understand that the joke is actors actually having to live out their roles. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/87 "2021-03-12T16:37:48Z")
Actually, that Tech Sergeant Chen was stoned completely passed over _my_ head until a friend pointed it out and I was well into adulthood when I first saw the movie. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/88 "2021-03-12T16:42:19Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > Spirited Away Seconded. It’s surprising that no Miyazaki movies are on your family’s list. _Spirited Away_ is a great introduction to the genre. I guarantee you’ll all enjoy it! [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ANmXhfSVknc/maxresdefault.jpg "Spirited Away - Official Trailer") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANmXhfSVknc) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/89 "2021-03-12T16:44:30Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Actually, that Tech Sergeant Chen was stoned completely passed over _my_ head until a friend pointed it out and I was well into adulthood when I first saw the movie. I mean, maybe he’s just a really happy guy who always has the munchies. The only overt substance abuse in the film is Tim Allen’s character guzzling down some scotch after discovering that people think he’s a joke, and what I assume is a mai tai that Sigourney Weaver is drinking while phoning Allen Rickman. I’m not even sure that would break a G rating on its own, although some of the action and violence (like the ‘miners’ cannibalizing one of their own) is definitely in PG territory; still entirely acceptable for a reasonably mature eight year old, particularly given how obviously comedic it is presented. The squid-like Thermians are actually more horrifying. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Hermitian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hermitian/32/470_2.png) [@Hermitian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hermitian)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/90 "2021-03-12T16:48:09Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Lord of the Rings 1&2 (the kids lost interest halfway through Two Towers. Can you believe it?!?) Sounds like you need to return those kids for a refund! They are defective! ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/91 "2021-03-12T16:51:56Z")
It’s such an awesome film that it’s unfortunate the studio didn’t know how to make and market it. I read an [oral history](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dreamworks-screwed-up-why-galaxy-quest-wasnt-a-bigger-hit-1264866) of the movie that talked about this. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/92 "2021-03-12T16:52:34Z")
> [@Hermitian](#): > > Sounds like you need to return those kids for a refund! They are defective! Those are long movies, and _The Two Towers_ is particularly full of talk and travel. I can’t blame younger kids for losing interest; it’s a bit of a slog, even being condensed from the books. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![cormac262](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@cormac262](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cormac262)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/93 "2021-03-12T17:29:05Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > It’s such an awesome film that it’s unfortunate the studio didn’t know how to make and market it. I read an [oral history](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dreamworks-screwed-up-why-galaxy-quest-wasnt-a-bigger-hit-1264866) of the movie that talked about this. It turns out it was better that the studio at least stayed out of the “making” it part (but they could have helped with the marketing). Since we’re talking “Galaxy Quest”, there is a GREAT documentary about the making of, and continuing love of the movie, called “Never Surrender” available on Amazon. I would highly recommend it to all GQ fans. ---
**Author:** ![f.coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/94 "2021-03-12T17:50:59Z")
Space Jam. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/95 "2021-03-12T17:53:53Z")
We’ve seen Shazam. Most of us liked it. (Little guy was scared by the “Monsters” at the end, but otherwise it was a great choice). A few cusses here and there aren’t a problem. That ship sailed with the MCU. As long as it’s not the focus of a whole scene, or pervasive through the movie. > [@GreenWyvern](#): > > It’s surprising that no Miyazaki movies are on your family’s list. Guess you missed it upthread, but some are. We’re open to more of them, but Spirited Away I remember as having some situations that would be very scary for the little one so we’re holding off a bit on it. > [@Hermitian](#): > > Sounds like you need to return those kids for a refund! They are defective! I know, I know, but I lost the receipt. Guess we’re stuck with them. Well, I went to the library with the express goal of getting MIB, but they only had II, III, and International. Put in a hold request for the original for a future weekend, but I picked up the following to propose as options for tonight and tomorrow: _Howl’s moving castle_ _Megamind_ _Jumanji. Welcome to the jungle_ _The Lego movie_ (The older kids saw this one long ago but probably don’t remember it. I remember liking it enough that we might want to see the sequel, but need a refresher first) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/96 "2021-03-12T18:05:07Z")
[The Phantom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_(1996_film)) (PG, 1996) – available via Amazon Prime. [The Shadow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shadow_(1994_film)) (PG-13, 1994) – available via Amazon Prime. ---
**Author:** ![abcdefghij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/43a26b/32.png) [@abcdefghij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abcdefghij)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/97 "2021-03-12T18:05:52Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > > [@Hermitian](#): > > > > Sounds like you need to return those kids for a refund! They are defective! > > I know, I know, but I lost the receipt. Guess we’re stuck with them. Maybe EBay? Or freecycle? ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/98 "2021-03-12T19:58:14Z")
My children liked “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, but then again, they’re pretty much stereotypical boys and like that sort of thing. I’ll echo those who recommend the new Jumanji movies (the Dwayne Johnson/Kevin Hart ones) My children liked those as well. They also like the Wreck-it Ralph movies- there’s a lot of old and new tech and pop culture references in them. Not sure if your kids would like it, but they got a laugh out of Nacho Libre too. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/99 "2021-03-12T20:05:16Z")
> [@bump](#): > > My children liked “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, but then again, they’re pretty much stereotypical boys and like that sort of thing. I get the impression that the kids described in the OP would be completely freaked out by the melting faces scenes. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/100 "2021-03-12T20:09:58Z")
Perhaps end the movie _just_ before that scene? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725.md?page=6)