# 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:** 6
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/101 "2021-03-12T20:57:21Z")
When I was a kid, I loved Swiss Family Robinson. Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure. School of Rock. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/102 "2021-03-12T21:25:52Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Make an Executive Decision and lay some Kurosawa on their asses! 😄 _Kagemusha_ is something everyone should see. > > Or should I use this one? 👹 “Hmmm. Yoku nite oru.” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiVXUJjSveA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiVXUJjSveA) I agree, Kagemusha is fantastic. I think it was produced by George Lucas?! Great story, colorful, exciting, tragic. I think just right for teenagers. I’d see Kagemusha ahead of Princess Mononoke. PM is a great movie but I find it disturbing and exhausting to watch, even as an adult. Howl’s moving Castle, however, is much better for teens and maybe even OK for kids. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/103 "2021-03-12T23:09:56Z")
The live action version of Dora the Explorer is really fun with a good cast, and this comes from someone who cannot tolerate the cartoon. I might watch it again this weekend. Stuart Little is another one with a good cast - Hugh Laurie, Geena Davis, and the voice of Michael J. Fox. Earth to Echo reminds me of E.T. crossed with Goonies. I think that movie flew under the radar a bit. The Chipmunks movies are fun. McFarland, U.S.A. is a good underdog sports movie. Cool Runnings. Book of Life. Paranorman. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad Day. Ramona and Beezus. Goosebumps - Jack Black and a nice message about the power of writing. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/104 "2021-03-12T23:25:07Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > Phew… ok, any suggestions? Separate rooms with their own TVs? ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2021, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/105 "2021-03-12T23:49:03Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > School of Rock Good one! ---
**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, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/106 "2021-03-12T23:53:51Z")
[Angels in the Outfield](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_in_the_Outfield_(1994_film)) (PG, 1994) & [Rookie of the Year](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rookie_of_the_Year_(film)) (PG, 1993) are both goofy fun. RotY is available via Amazon Prime but I have no clue where you’d find AitO, maybe on Disney+. [The Rookie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rookie_(2002_film)) (G, 2002) is a great movie and surprisingly close to the true story of Jim Morris. The real Jim Morris has said that the only scene which absolutely did not happen is the one with the roadside radar gun. Definitely available via Disney+. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/107 "2021-03-13T00:06:03Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Yeah, if you’re open to series, there are some wonderful kid-friendly ones, and _Gravity Falls_ is near the top of the list. Great series. After that I’d try Phineas and Ferb. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > - Avatar. Very funny, tons of action, fantasy–should hit all the right buttons. > - The Legend of Korra: A sequel to Avatar, not quite as good but still very good. > - The Dragon Prince: Yet another excellent animation. Avatar is a classic at this point. But all good suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/108 "2021-03-13T00:09:50Z")
[Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095031/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2) I would have to think that the kids would love it - the comedy is broad, with just enough slap-stick to amuse the younger one. ---
**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 13, 2021, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/109 "2021-03-13T01:29:18Z")
[The North Avenue Irregulars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_North_Avenue_Irregulars) (G, 1979) – classic Disney screwball comedy which has precious little to do with the true story of Rev. Albert Fay Hill. Available via Amazon Prime. [What’s Up, Doc?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_Up,_Doc%3F_(1972_film)) (G, 1972) – _really_ classic screwball comedy featuring one of the funniest car chases ever put on film. Available via Amazon Prime. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/110 "2021-03-13T01:40:00Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > 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. I’m so glad you said this. I was getting embarrassed by everyone trying to “protect” your children from real life. We tried that, gave up when our youngest said “I hear worse than that in first grade. From the kids, and the teachers.” We told them we trusted them to not be traumatized, or to repeat bad words. Oh, a couple movies had more nudity or swearing than we remembered (the cast of Ferris Bueller all love the word “ass”), and as the Fun Dad, I really hammed it up, tackling the first grader to cover his ears, or jumping up to try and block the TV… and Strict Mom played up how _shocked!_ she was. Made a fun game out of it. ---
**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 13, 2021, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/111 "2021-03-13T01:55:22Z")
The three _Expendables_ movies are iffy. The first two are R for violence but it’s really cartoonish violence, at least in the second – I have yet to see the first. The third is even more cartoonish and received a PG-13. Maybe start with the third and wait a few years on the first two. ---
**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 13, 2021, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/112 "2021-03-13T02:03:20Z")
[Innerspace](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innerspace) (PG, 1987) – available via Amazon Prime. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/113 "2021-03-13T02:10:04Z")
_Tron_ and _Tron: Legacy._ ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/114 "2021-03-13T02:35:01Z")
> [@gonzoron](#): > > 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. Okay, so hold off on the Kevin Smith movies. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/115 "2021-03-13T04:54:02Z")
> [@Limmin](#): > > I agree, Kagemusha is fantastic. I think it was produced by George Lucas?! Great story, colorful, exciting, tragic. I think just right for teenagers. I haven’t seen it in a very long time, but the battle at the end and the subsequent ending, I’ll never forget. The color, the costumes, the … everything. Truly an Epic if the word was ever fit to use. The younger kids might not dig it, but I think it’s worth a look for everybody else as a Masterclass in film making. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/116 "2021-03-13T08:51:12Z")
I don’t think these have been mentioned. Probably considered old (newest was released five years ago), and there’s some violence and swearing in some of them, although nothing kids can’t handle, IMO. A Bronx Tale A Monster Calls Groundhog Day La La Land Legal Eagles The Client The Mask The Sting The Truman Show War of the Worlds (Spielberg version) ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2021, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/117 "2021-03-13T19:09:03Z")
One more recommendation for fans of Jumanji: Zathura is a fun companion movie from the same author that involves another charmed game. This one sends you to space. You can find it free on Tubi. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2021, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/118 "2021-03-15T16:59:32Z")
So this weekend went a bit sideways and we ended up watching “Garfield: The Movie” as an attempt at appeasement for someone who’s been suggesting it for several weeks, in hopes that this person (who shall remain nameless) might be more open to one of the four I got from the library the next night. But then due to a scheduling conflict for the Saturday, we ended up with just one kid and the parents watching, and ended up with “The Spy Next Door” at said kid’s request. It didn’t hold a candle to classic Jackie Chan, but it was still Jackie Chan, so it had some fun moments sprinkled between godawful acting and attempts to “hollywood mainstream”-ize an aging Jackie. Still, might serve as a foothold to introduce Drunken Master or something later, and at least I didn’t fall asleep like I did during Garfield. ---
**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 15, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/119 "2021-03-15T17:18:36Z")
I’m guessing the eight-year-old was responsible for the Garfield choice? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2021, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725/120 "2021-03-15T17:29:12Z")
I plan on reviewing this whole thread, because it sounds like we are looking for the same list! We successfully implemented a rotation system where everyone gets their turn to pick a movie. The rules: 1. Mom and/or dad can veto any choice for any reason. 2. No complaining, and everyone has to watch. You can scream into the screaming pillow one time if you choose upon being told of the weekly selection. 3. Repeats must have an adequate amount of time since the previous viewing as determined by rule number 1 (put in so that the six year old doesn’t make us watch Wall-E once a month. 4. You have to wear pajamas. I’ll say that quite a few movies that they initially complained about because they looked too old (90s, too old…) became favorites when we forced them to watch them. The big hits were School of Rock, Three Stooges movie (ugh, so stupid), Karate Kid (original), Top Gun (kissing scene was WAY longer than I remembered…), Independence Day (maybe a bit scary), Godzilla (2014 one, also maybe a bit scary), Planet of the Apes recent trillogy (also maybe a bit scary) Ferris Bueller, and surprisingly Edward Scissorhands. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-movie-for-family-movie-night/937725.md?page=7)