# Recommend wholesome family movies... that don't suck the big one. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 24, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345 "2008-11-24T22:40:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/1 "2008-11-24T22:40:39Z")
I’m going to my sister’s for Thanksgiving and wanted to get some Netflix movies (which means I have to put them in tonight as I just sent back the most recent batch). She doesn’t like movies with a lot of violence or sex or language (though she’s not a total prude- she liked _3:10 TO YUMA_ for example even though it had some violence). She also doesn’t like cartoons. I can’t stomach movies like _Tyler Perry’s MORALITY PLAY starring Tyler Perry as Tyler Perry’s M’dea_ or anything with Kirk Cameron or a “beat you over the head” religious agenda. So, can you recommend some movies that downplay the sex and violence and language but at the same time are decent to watch even if you’re not in need of a Family Values message? Things I know my sister likes in movies: WESTERNS- I think Lonesome Dove is her favorite miniseries of all time, though she’s seen it and owns it (I gave it to her one year) HUGH GRANT- I’ve put MUSIC & LYRICS on the list (there’s a sex scene but not at all graphic), she’s seen ABOUT A BOY FAMILY DRAMAS- stuff like \*Sarah Plain and Tall \*and movies about a little boy who raises a blind horse with 3 legs and wins the World Series or whatever… in fact, JOHNNY DEPP- _Pirates of the Carribean is among her favorites_ HORSES- she generally likes anything with a horse as the main character, including that Viggo Mortensen movie whose name eludes me (the Arabian 500) or SEA BISCUIT or MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER (also a favorite). Things she hates other than graphic sex/violence: Arthouse- I would never try to show her Merchant/Ivory or Pi (and frankly I’m not that crazy about them myself) Roseanne Barr (not that she’s made that many movies) Gays portrayed sympathetically (though I can override this one) # Sad endings. I think I’ll add CHOCOLAT to the list- nothing graphic and Johnny Depp (don’t know if there’s a horse). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/2 "2008-11-24T22:44:36Z")
I still like some of the old family films from the '60s. _Chitty Chitty Bang Bang_, _20,000 Leagues Under The Sea_, _The Love Bug_, _The Incredible Mr. Limpet_… But then, I’m a strange person. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/3 "2008-11-24T22:48:31Z")
The Devil Wears Prada…as I recall, no sex. Finding Neverland The Wizard of OZ What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? (oops…sorry. Sad ending) I Am Sam ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/4 "2008-11-24T22:54:38Z")
**Johnny** , of all people I’d think you would dismiss _Chitty Chitty Bang Bang_ as the affront to the memory of [Count Zborowski](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Zborowski) that it is. And a really crappy movie. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/5 "2008-11-24T22:55:51Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > And a really crappy movie. Happy childhood memories. Had the Matchbox car. What can I say? ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/6 "2008-11-24T22:57:26Z")
“The Princess Bride” (assuming that’s not a given) “Silverado” – it does depict prostitution and it has some violence, but less of both than “Lonesome Dove” While not featured as main characters, horses are featured in both options. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/7 "2008-11-24T22:57:49Z")
Thanksgiving might be a little too early for It’s a Wonderful Life but that’s my suggestion and I’m sticking to it! ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/8 "2008-11-24T23:05:55Z")
Secondhand Lions October Sky Bend it Like Beckham A Knight’s Tale A League of Their Own O Brother, Where Art Thou? Parenthood Waking Ned Devine ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/9 "2008-11-24T23:06:44Z")
I"ve had very good results showing _Big Fish_ to family and friends. There’s a heavy Tim Burton fantasy streak in it, but if that’s not a deal killer then it’s a great family movie…about family. There’s a current thread about T_hat Thing You Do_. It’s a wonderful movie for anyone that remembers the British Invasion. The Christopher Guest mockumentaries are fun. My favorites are _Best In Show_ and _Mighty Wind_. _Best in Show_ has a heavy gay element, tho. How about _The Gods Must Be Crazy_? ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/10 "2008-11-24T23:06:47Z")
Disclaimer: These two movies can be a little sappy at times and are not just rollicking good fun, if that’s what you’re looking for. But they’re both good. One that comes to mind from several years ago that I really enjoyed was **Fly Away Home** , with Anna Paquin and Jeff Daniels playing a daughter and father that raise a litter of orphaned Canada geese and teach them to migrate. It’s geared generally toward kids and is not normally my type of movie, but I thought it was really well made. I believe it was inspired by a true story, but is not an accurate portrayal of the actual people or events. If there aren’t any kids who’ll be watching, you might be better off with something else. Another (and even better) movie about daughter-father (and grandfather) relationships is **Whale Rider**. I can’t recommend this highly enough if you’re looking for family drama. The young lead actress was nominated for an Oscar and is just amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/11 "2008-11-24T23:11:53Z")
There are a lot of good suggestions in this thread already, but I’d add one more: **Sky High**. Family-friendly superheroes, in the traditional Walt Disney vein. One of my favorite movies. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/12 "2008-11-24T23:20:21Z")
**Stardust** Fantasy adventure, similar sort of feel to **The Princess Bride** - heaps of romance, feelgood ending - no Johnny Depp but the lead male actor is a dish of similar caliber. And it’s really funny. I will confess - it _does_ have a cross-dressing Robert De Niro in it, but he hams it up sufficiently that I think you could get away with it. ETA: _The Gods must be Crazy_ is the only film I ever attempted to walk out of (at age fifteen) due to being bored to absolute tears with the first half hour of it (I’ll agree it did get better. But I have a suspicion that if I were to try to watch it now I’d find it kinda racist in a paternalistic way). You might need your fast-forward finger for that one… ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/13 "2008-11-24T23:42:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Happy childhood memories. Had the Matchbox car. What can I say? First, you can cancel your subscriptions to _Autocar_ and _Practical Classics_. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/14 "2008-11-24T23:44:37Z")
_Planes, Trains and Automobiles_! How about a couple of David Spade/Chris Farley movies? No sex or violence and plenty funny. _Tommy Boy_ and _Black Sheep_. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/15 "2008-11-24T23:50:45Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > _Planes, Trains and Automobiles_! Except the scene with Edie McClurg with about 45 “fucks.” ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/16 "2008-11-24T23:53:03Z")
Whale Rider The Iron Giant Lilo & Stitch Zathura The only one on my very short list that might be hard to find is [Whale Rider](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298228/), a New Zealand film about a young girl who overcomes sexism and tradition to help her village, her father and herself. It’s worth the effort to find this one. :smack: I see that this film was mentioned already by Tangent. Isn’t that enough of a recommendation? Go get this film now! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/17 "2008-11-24T23:58:04Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > The Devil Wears Prada…as I recall, no sex. There’s sex, implied, the morning after, in Paris with the Mentalist. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/18 "2008-11-24T23:59:07Z")
_The Apple Dumpling Gang_. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/19 "2008-11-25T00:05:07Z")
> [@tr0psn4j](#): > > Thanksgiving might be a little too early for It’s a Wonderful Life but that’s my suggestion and I’m sticking to it! Thanksgiving is perfect for “A Miracle on 34th Street” (which begins with the Macy’s Parade). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2008, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/20 "2008-11-25T00:10:41Z")
I really liked Secondhand Lions. I’d also recommend the first Adams Family movie. She might like Maverick, even tho’ it’s got Mel Gibson in it. It’s a nearly bloodless western, IIRC. She might also like a chick-flick called Year of the Comet. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345.md?page=2)