Are you having trouble finding good movies to watch on family movie night? Finding that not everyone in the family can agree on what to watch? Choosing a good movie that everybody will enjoy can be difficult, especially if the people in the group are of varied ages.
Fortunately, there are many films out there that are appropriate for younger audiences without sacrificing plot, writing, or character development. The trick is to look for a story that works on multiple levels, making it something everyone will enjoy. Here are some great options the whole family will enjoy that won’t make you want to sell DVDs to get rid of all your films.
Shrek
This story is about the adventures of a grouchy ogre named Shrek and his sidekick, a talking donkey voiced by Eddie Murphy. It features a typical fantasy adventure tale, laced with satire to appeal to older audiences. There is also Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After.
Toy Story
This story shows the secret life of toys after their owners are out of the room. The anthropomorphized cowboy doll Woody feels threatened when his owner Andy receives a new toy astronaut named Buzz Lightyear. When Buzz ends up in the hands of Sid, the young wannabe terrorist next door, Woody must go on a mission to rescue Buzz and make his friend Andy happy again. If you like Toy Story, there is also Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
A cinematic rendition of C.S. Lewis’ classic adventure story, four children arrive at a mysterious country house in which they find a magic wardrobe that lead to the magical world of Narnia. The film appeals to a wide age-group because of the varied ages of the four children. There is also a sequel titled Prince Caspian.
Ratatouille
Another Pixar favorite, Ratatouille is the tale of Remy, a rat who lives in a restaurant in France and has dreams of becoming a famous chef. Along the way, he befriends Linguini, a dishwasher who works in the restaurant and the two of them team up to take over the world of French cuisine.
Finding Nemo
Set under the sea on the Great Barrier Reef, curmudgeonly clownfish Marlin races against time to find his son Nemo, who has been captured by an aquarium owner. It is light, fun, and emphasises the importance of family.
The Princess Bride
This romantic comedy fantasy-adventure feature recently made the news as it reached its 25th anniversary. With its combination of elements of a classic medieval romance and adventure, along with memorable quotes and a fast-paced plot, The Princess Bride never gets old.
Of course, these films are just a small sampling of the wonderful, family-friendly options out there. There are many choices that will delight the whole family and make your family-movie night something everyone will look forward to.
