# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/61 "2008-11-26T13:07:34Z")
I second The Secret Garden & A Little Princess (the recent ones, especially but the old ones aren’t bad). Bridge to Terabithia Speed Racer The old Universal Monster films (Bride of Frankenstein most of all) The Elephant Man The listing of Year of the Comet reminds me of a fun, cheesy & I think pretty clean flick Night of the Comet. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/62 "2008-11-26T13:27:29Z")
Lots of my favorites have already been mentioned. How about Errol Flynn’s _Robin Hood_? And that most classic of Westerns: _Stagecoach_. (The John Wayne original; I think there was a remake.) A bit of violence, but the Cavalry arrives on time! How about some romance? _Philadelphia Story_ (with Katherine Hepburn having to decide between Cary Grant & Jimmy Stewart. Back when “adult” meant “with grownup dialog.” More in that vein (grownup, not so romantic): _The Women_ & _All About Eve_. _Sullivan’s Travels_ would make a great double feature with _O Brother Where Art Thou._ Oh, and _The Secret of Roan Inish_–for the Irish in you. (Even if you don’t really have any.) ---
**Author:** ![Aghris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@Aghris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aghris)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/63 "2008-11-26T14:01:27Z")
I wholeheartedly recommend (although maybe not for everyone): [Mr. mangorium’s Wonder Emporium](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457419/) (Family film, but any film that has a character titled 'Mr. Mangorium, Wonder Afficionado and Avid Shoe-wearer is worth watching) [Pan’s Labyrinth](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457430/) (Spanish, but oh so beautiful, and a very strong story). [Panic Room](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0258000/) (Very little actual violence, lot’s of suspense. Amazing how much of it you can fit into just one room) I also must agree with the recommendations for **Big Fish** and **O Brother Where Art Thou** ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/64 "2008-11-26T14:54:51Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Young Frankenstein > … > Blazing Saddles Given the nature of the humor in these films, I don’t think I’d consider them to be quite family-friendly. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/65 "2008-11-26T14:55:47Z")
> [@Sleel](#): > > [Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103262/) cute girl, horsies, female empowerment, G-rating. I’m actually in this movie as a featured extra (I was, what, 12?) Two more and I can get a SAG card! No love for _Enchanted_? It does have about five minutes of animation at the beginning, but it’s absolutely hilarious and cute and sweet and even my dad liked it. My dad! ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/66 "2008-11-26T15:18:32Z")
I’d just like to add my votes for Holes The Sandlot ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/67 "2008-11-26T15:22:13Z")
The Little Vampire. Best movie ever. > **[The Little Vampire (2000) ⭐ 5.7 | Adventure, Comedy, Family](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192255/)** > > 1h 35m | PG ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/68 "2008-11-26T15:50:23Z")
Another favorite movie…_ **The Legend of 1900** _. I know it sort of has a sad ending, but it’s not like they throw a bag of puppies in front of a speeding train. This movie is Tim Roth’s greatest film to date. ---
**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:** [November 26, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/69 "2008-11-26T16:03:59Z")
[The Man with One Red Shoe](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089543/): Tom Hanks in a case of mistaken identity. [The Money Pit](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091541/): Mr. Hanks and Ms. Long (re)build their dream house. [Cloak & Dagger](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087065/): Henry Thomas as a boy with a very active imagination who gets caught up in international intrigue. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/70 "2008-11-26T16:53:14Z")
> [@discodancer](#): > > Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit Seconded. Or try “Chicken Run”. ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/71 "2008-11-26T17:05:44Z")
> [@Aghris](#): > > [Pan’s Labyrinth](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457430/) (Spanish, but oh so beautiful, and a very strong story). Don’t get me wrong, I love the movie, but it had graphic violence that I had to close my eyes for. It’s not fun for the whole family. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/72 "2008-11-26T17:13:35Z")
Hidalgo Santa Clause E.T. Auntie Mame ---
**Author:** ![Aghris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecccb3/32.png) [@Aghris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aghris)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/73 "2008-11-26T17:32:10Z")
> [@Ludy](#): > > Don’t get me wrong, I love the movie, but it had graphic violence that I had to close my eyes for. It’s not fun for the whole family. Come to think of it, you’re right. Forgot about the whole Nazi thing. Easy to overlook because of all the sensory overload of the fantasy scenes. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/74 "2008-11-26T20:30:19Z")
Groundhog Day ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/75 "2008-11-27T01:18:57Z")
Just about everyone has already seen it, but one of the just plain most entertaining movies ever made is **Back to the Future**. What about **Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon**? **The Fellowship of the Ring**? **Forrest Gump**? The Burton/Nicholson/Keaton **Batman**? **Stand By Me**? ---
**Author:** ![vison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/e47774/32.png) [@vison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vison)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/76 "2008-11-27T02:04:29Z")
Bernard and the Genie, starring Lenny Henry as the Genie and Rowan Atkinson as the Evil Boss. I had to order it from Amazon. Super movie. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/77 "2008-11-27T02:09:02Z")
Various Studio Ghibli movies, but I’d like to mention one that I don’t see mentioned too often: _The Cat Returns_. Sweet, very funny - good movie all round. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/78 "2008-11-27T02:19:27Z")
One of the great family/horse movies, [National Velvet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037120/). ---
**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 27, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/79 "2008-11-27T03:03:27Z")
> [@abbeytxs](#): > > [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060921/](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060921/) > > The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming. > > An old movie, 1966, but really quite funny. Absolutely nothing objectionable at all. > > I saw this with my family when I was a kid and thought it was funny. I saw it again many years later as an adult and still liked it. Well since I’m an Alan Arkin fan, I should mention the original The In-Laws. I never saw the remake ( I generally don’t watch remakes) but the original is still funny as all get out 30 years later. Rated PG. Also My Favorite Year. No cursing, no nudity, a couple of innuendos that would have been acceptable as normal conversation even if it were the early 50s that the movie is set in. Plus, Peter O’Toole! ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2008, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345/80 "2008-11-27T03:27:10Z")
“Anne of Green Gables” I’ve never been a fan of period pieces, but I love this series. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-wholesome-family-movies-that-dont-suck-the-big-one/474345.md?page=5)