Don’t get me wrong — I love Disney • Pixar movies, but sometimes, it’s nice to watch a family movie that’s not animated, one with real, live actors in it. But it can be difficult to find family films that aren’t animated, especially if you’re not sure where to start. I can help! Here’s my list of 10 classic heart-warming family movies… that even the teenagers will like!
1 The Princess Bride
This movie has a little bit of everything — romance, a princess, sword fighting, revenge, true love, magic, and a young, adorable Fred Savage. What more could you ask for? There are a few scary parts (the RATS in the Fire Swamp and the torture of poor Wesley, and of course, the revenge of Inigo Montoya) but even my sweet delicate 6-year-old girl loved it!
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2 The Wizard of Oz
Possibly the best moment in this entire movie is the breath-taking visual transformation from black and white to vivid color when Dorothy leaves Kansas and arrives in Oz. The movie follows Dorothy and her friends as they journey to Oz to find a way to get Dorothy back home, without meeting an end at the hands of the vile green Wicked Witch of the West!
3 E.T
Even just typing the title of this movie made me crave Reese’s Pieces candy and get a little misty-eyed. The plot, acting, and direction of this family classic are spot-on… Spielberg captures exactly what a single mom and her family would be like… and the alien himself is innocent, sweet, and charming.
4 A Christmas Story
There’s a cable channel that airs this movie for 24 hours straight on Christmas Day, and I watch it (not all day!) every time. We all have a mother and father and brother, best friends and bully like Ralphie, so we can relate. And when he wishes his heart out for that air BB gun, we secretly hope he’ll get it… even though he’ll shoot his eye out…
5 Enchanted
I love this movie! It’s a hilarious but perfectly sweet take on the typical Disney Princess movie, with a twist — the damsel in distress is sent to the human world and must fend for herself until she’s rescued by her Prince Charming… will it be Prince Edward from her own animated world, or the jaded single father and divorce attorney, Robert?
6 Rudy
This movie teaches such a valuable lesson — that even if no-one else believes in you or your dream, stick to it, and you can make it happen. Rudy wants to play football for Notre Dame, but everyone thinks he’s too small and not bright enough. Can he do it? You’ll see!
7 The Sound of Music
I’m not normally one for musicals, but this is a family movie classic! It tells the true story of a musical family and their perky, perfect nun-turned-nanny, Maria, during the start of World War II. It’s a must-see!
8 Night at the Museum
Ben Stiller plays a father who works as a guard at a museum at night… and much to his shock, then delight, the museum comes to life! This movie is so funny, the kids and adults will laugh throughout!
9 Holes
Stanley and his family are unlucky, cursed. He’s wrongly convicted and sent to a remote desert work camp where he’s made to dig… holes… but why? Watch the movie and find out!
10 The Black Stallion
This was my favorite movie when I was a child. A young boy and a beautiful horse are shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island, and slowly they become friends. The scenery is gorgeous, and the storyline is fascinating.
11 Alvin and the Chipmunks
Whether you want to watch the original movie or the Squeakquel, you and your family will love Alvin and the Chipmunks! The three chipmunk brothers have their moments, but this is a movie your kids will love, and you might like, too!
I love every one of these movies, don’t you? But which do you like best? Or is there another family movie you like better? Please let me know!
