Summer break is here! That means longer days, warmer temperatures and, in many cases, more time for family activities. For some, that may include a summer getaway, swimming lessons or even a simple trip to the local ice cream shop.
But if you’re looking for an activity to do with your kids that’s easy, fun and won’t cost you an arm and a leg, why not try a family movie night?
While we at Plugged In often caution against an overabundance of screen time, a family movie night can be wonderful way to spend time together. Movies can bring us together and can even prime the pump for meaningful conversations with our kids. The key here is that a family movie night is a shared experience, where we gather as a family, pop some popcorn and put the phones aside.
To help get you started, we at Plugged In have curated a list of five fun, mostly family-friendly films that you and your kids can enjoy. Each member of our team submitted a film based on their own family movie experiences. So check them out, and let us know your family favorites in the comments below!
Napoleon Dynamite (PG, 2004)
First up, we’ve got a film that’s jam-packed with skills: You know, like nunchuck skills, bow-hunting skills, computer-hacking skills … It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but 2004’s Napoleon Dynamite is a cult comedy classic for a reason. Those who get it really get it. If that’s your family, you’ll have a blast with the film’s uber-quirky characters and memorable lines. Plus, there’s a nice message here about being comfortable in your own skin.
“Napoleon Dynamite was a staple for my family growing up,” says Kennedy Unthank. “We lived in a small town, and I don’t think any film quite displays the awkward charm of small-town daily life than this American slice-of-life comedy. It’s a sweet little movie, and as a bonus, it’s got more quotable moments than perhaps any other family film you could see.”
Mary Poppins (G, 1964)
Next, we go from a cult hit to a more mainstream one: Mary Poppins. The Disney classic from 1964 tells its charming tale with memorable music and a talented cast at the peak of their powers. The film is so well regarded that it was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress.
Paul Asay, too, found the film to be practically perfect in every way, saying, “Mary Poppins has always been a family favorite in our home. My kids loved the color and music and just sheer fun of the film. It’s incredibly whimsical. And yet, at its core, it has a deeply resonant message about remembering what’s truly important in your lives. It’s about showing parents grace and giving your kids a very precious gift: Your time, your attention, yourselves.”
Lilo & Stitch (PG, 2002)
The original animated Lilo & Stitch may have been a bit overlooked when it was released in 2002, but it succeeded in connecting with its young audience. For proof, look no further than last year’s live action remake of the film, which raked in over a billion dollars at the worldwide box office. Part of that success no doubt banking with fans of the original who wanted to share the story with their own kids.
“This movie came out in the summer of 2002 when I was just 10 years old,” Emily Tsiao recounts. “It immediately became an obsession, with me and my friends constantly talking in our best Stitch impressions—which, of course, drove our parents nuts. But the sweet story resonated with us. Having sisters that I frequently fought with but also deeply loved, I related to Lilo and Nani. And let’s face it, ‘Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride’ was such a bop.”
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
Sometimes, you don’t need deep or meaningful messages to plumb in a family movie night flick. Sometimes, it’s just fun to laugh at a silly movie together. Such is the case with our next pick, the 1948 film Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.
As Bob Hoose puts it, “The film is riotously funny in a very slapstick, Abbott and Costello way (probably the comedy team’s best film). It incorporates several classic Universal monsters—all played intensely straight in contrast to the comic duo’s goofiness. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is one of those fun, content-free films that justifies gathering the family for a carefree hour and a half together.”
The Rookie (G, 2002)
In the late 1990s and early aughts, Disney had quite the run of inspirational sports films. Remember the Titans, Cool Runnings, Miracle … the list goes on. But the one I want to highlight as my pick for family movie night is 2002’s The Rookie, which tells the story of Jim Morris—a family man and past-his-prime baseball talent who, incredibly, gets a second chance to chase his big league dream.
The movie, based on a true story, is inspirational and heartwarming. And the best part? The Rookie is as much about family as it is about baseball. We see several examples of familial unity, forgiveness and sacrificial love. For my own sports-loving family growing up, The Rookie was a no-doubt, out-of-the-park homerun.
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