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Episode 283: What Makes a Good Family Movie? Plus, ‘Andor’

family movie

LISTEN TO THE PLUGGED IN SHOW, EPISODE 283

Family-friendly films are doing very well at the box office. Four of the five highest grossing films in 2024 could have been considered family movies. And a similar situation is shaping up in 2025, with A Minecraft Movie and Captain America: Brave New World hanging out around the top of the charts.

Clearly, family-friendly films have proven to be big earners for Hollywood. But what makes for a good family movie? The messages? The characters? The absence of content issues?

On the latest episode of The Plugged In Show, I’m joined by Emily Tsiao and Paul Asay to decide what, exactly, makes a film good for families.

After that, Paul and I welcome fellow Star Wars nerd Adam Holz to the show to discuss the latest season of Andor. How does the gritty drama set in a galaxy far, far away hold up to its critically acclaimed first season? And is the show safe for family viewing?

You can chime into the conversation as well! What are some of your preferred family movies and why? Are you planning to see Andor? Where does it rank for you in the vast universe of Star Wars entertainment?

Let us know through our Plugged In social channels—YouTube, Instagram and Facebook—or send us an email at [email protected]. You can also leave us a voice message on The Plugged In Show homepage or simply drop a comment below.

And be sure to return for next week’s show when we’ll talk about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Join us then!

Bret Eckelberry

Bret loves a good story—be it a movie, show, or video game—and enjoys geeking out about things like plot and story structure. He has a blast reading and writing fiction and has penned several short stories and screenplays. He and his wife love to kayak the many beautiful Colorado lakes with their dog.