Top Three-Family Friendly Movies

Happy Tuesday!

Today, I’m talking family movie nights and I’ve gotta be honest.  I need your help.  My big kids are at that age where they don’t want to just watch an animated Disney movie when we’re all piled on the couch.  They’re six and seven and want to watch a movie with “real people”-their words, not mine.  But, I’m having the hardest time finding movies with real people that are safe to show to my kids.  

Where do I go when I need help with things like this?  

YOU!!!


I’m not saying I’m the perfect parent and my kids have never seen anything that has a naughty word.  I’m just trying to prevent more stories like this…the other day, I saw Camp Nowhere (do you guys remember that??) at the store for $3.00!  So I grabbed it.  Was pumped to watch it with my kids and then shocked when there were three curse words within the first thirty minutes!

I thought I’d share our Top Three Safe for All the People Family Movies and then I REALLY want you to share your favorites as well.


I’ve gotta be honest.  I’m not sure I’ve ever seen the end of this movie.  All the singing tends to put me right to sleep, but my kids love this movie.  I love that it’s safe for them to watch!




Oldie but goodie!!  My kiddos all love this movie.  And I do too.  🙂




Our family loves both versions of this movie!  Do you have a favorite?

Apparently, we’re into a musical.  ha!

A few others that didn’t make the list…
The Parent Trap (I LOVED this movie growing up!  Hayley Mills version, I should add.)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
E.T. (Ebby Lee isn’t into this one.)
Old Yeller

This is where I want to hear from YOU!  Please share your favorite family-friendly movies.

Thank YOU!  I’m looking forward to getting some new options for movie night!  XOXO

Leave a Comment

88 Comments

  1. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Of course I'm thinking of things from my childhood because we are not out of the cartoon phase yet, but It Takes Two, Hook, and the new Parent Trap were some of my family's favorites that we would watch every Sunday morning before church (we had a late service!)

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      It Takes Two! My kids would love that! Thank you for sharing!!

  2. 5.17.16
    Mix and Match Mama said:

    All winners!! You know the Shulls love them a good musical. I would like to add Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to your list :).

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      I did not realize the Slaughters enjoy a musical as well until I made this list! I'm adding this one to our list. Thank you!

  3. 5.17.16
    Full Time Wife Life said:

    Same predicament! Honey I shrunk the kids, air bud haha, Disney is apparently doing a three day marathon of all of their original 90s movies memorial weekend that I plan to record, dolphin tale movies…

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      Thanks for letting me know! I'll be recording too!

  4. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Hook, the little rascals, free willy, Beethoven, air buddy, hmm…. That's all I've got for now! Good luck! And enjoy!

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      We haven't watched Hook but we need to! Thank you!

    • 5.17.16
      Darcy said:

      Little Rascals for the win!!! 🙂 And I'd add The Sand Lot, Remember the Titans, and Troop Beverly Hills.

  5. 5.17.16
    Kimm said:

    I love the parent trap. The wizard of oz is a family favorite over here. And I'm pretty sure Olivia can recite Annie verbatim. We have seen both and we all agree we like the original Annie !

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      We should vote. I'm not sure which my kids would say. 🙂

  6. 5.17.16
    Anonymous said:

    The girls love the latest Annie! However, now they walk around singing and acting it out. Which is all fine until Paysli says things like "Don't touch my medicine cabinet!" That has gotten us some interesting looks! I need to introduce them to The Sound of Music!

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      I bet Paysli is a CUTE Annie!!! 🙂

  7. 5.17.16
    Meagan @ The Clanahan Fam said:

    Mary Poppins! A fave from childhoood. Also maybe The Sandlot, Little Rascals, Mighty Ducks, Matilda, Cool Runnings, Karate Kid

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      Matilda is one of our go-tos! They like that one but we need to try more from your list! Thanks girl!

  8. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    My kids are 9, 8, and 5 year old twins. They love: Free Willy, Dolphin Tale, Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Also, Descendants, Home Alne, I would suggest checking out your library. We've tried a ton of movies from there. And free!!! Good luck!!!

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      Thank you!!

  9. 5.17.16
    Aja said:

    My 6 and 7 year old boys won't watch any of those movies that you listed. 🙁 "Too girly." They like Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Beethoven, and lots of the movies of Netflix kids. They want to watch ET next but I am not emotionally prepared for that one yet. I also let them watch the TV edits of my favorite movies from when I was a kid, like Goonies when it's on cable and the bad words are edited out.

    • 5.17.16
      Erika Slaughter said:

      My family likes Beethoven too. I don't think I've ever watched The Goonies myself.

  10. 5.17.16
    Kim said:

    Princess Diaries is a huge hit, Rookie of the Year, Sandlot, my 9 year old loved the Babysitter's Club movie from our childhood. Other faves Ramona & Beezus, Air Bud (My 6 year old loves sports & puppies so it's the perfect combo!), Sandlot, A League of their Own….we are huge into the sports movies! Ha!

  11. 5.17.16
    Dana said:

    My Girl, Angels in the Outfield, Rookie of the Year, Sandlot, The Neverending Story, Toby Tyler, Pollyanna

  12. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Pollyanna, Mrs doubtfire, Ella enchanted, homeward bound, flipped is super cute too

  13. 5.17.16
    marielazs said:

    My daughter loves Free WIlly and the new Cinderella movie. Also, Padington was cute!

  14. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Pollyanna, homeward bound, Mrs doubtfire, flipped

  15. 5.17.16
    Johannah Sirois said:

    Parent Trap definitely! The original will always be my favorite. And also we love the Father of the Bride movies! =)

  16. 5.17.16
    Liz F. said:

    Dr Dooluttle was a big hit in our house. Oh and Mr Mom brought the laughs 🙂

    Liz @ familyoffoley@wordpress.com

  17. 5.17.16
    Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} said:

    There are curse words, and it might be too scary for some kids, but Carter absolutely LOVES Goonies! I can't decide if that makes me a terrible parent or an awesome one. 🙂

  18. 5.17.16
    Memphis Bridges said:

    Hi. My two family recommendations are Ramona and Beezus and Parental Guidance. These are movies the adults will enjoy and laugh with too!

  19. 5.17.16
    Angela said:

    My kids always loved the Free Willy movies.

  20. 5.17.16
    Angela said:

    My kids always loved the Free Willy movies. Also Facing The Giants, Radio, and Remember the Titans if you like football movies. Also, I appreciate the fact that you try to find clean things for your kids to watch. My boys are 14 and 15 and I still will turn it off if the bad language starts. I just don't understand why they can't make movies without it.

  21. 5.17.16
    Manda J said:

    Here's a few goodies!!
    Troop Beverly Hills
    Pippy Longstocking
    Little Rascals
    The Sandlot
    Little Giants
    My Girl (might need a couple years?)
    Free Willy
    Earnest Goes to Camp

  22. 5.17.16
    Boymom said:

    My boys ages 8 and 6 love the movie Max… They watch it all the time. It's rated PG but is a little suspenseful and has a great ending! I loved it!

  23. 5.17.16
    CGM said:

    We enjoyed Bedtime Stories, Ramona and Beezus and the American Gril movies such as Kitt Kittredge and Felicity. Enjoy!

  24. 5.17.16
    Amy J said:

    Hook, the Sandlot, Goonies, the Pacifier, Rookie of the Year, Pan, Cheaper by the Dozen, Big, Uncle Buck, Cool Runnings, Summer Rental(?)

  25. 5.17.16
    Becky said:

    Mighty Ducks 2 & 3 (the original has a surprising amount of swearing), Enchanted, Ella Enchanted, Mirror Mirror.

  26. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    The Princess Bride, Spy Kids, A League of their Own, The Witches (might be a little too scary…), The Addams Family, Ghostbusters.

  27. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Ramona and Beezus is super cute! Mrs. Doubt fire and Jumanji.

  28. 5.17.16
    Anonymous said:

    We are a big fans of all of the Air Bud movies and Dolphin Tale. I can't remember anything inappropriate in either one, but I always google it before I show the kids to see what other parents said about it. 🙂

  29. 5.17.16
    Elaine Welte said:

    My girls love Annie!!!

  30. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Homeward Bound (the movie with the two dogs and cat). That was always a favorite of mine. And my 3 year old LOVES any kind of live action animal move; The Last Lion, African Cats, Monkey Kingdom, and then there's a Bear one too…but I forgot the title. They're all made by Disney.

    • 5.18.16
      Erin said:

      I was also going to say Homeward Bound!

  31. 5.17.16
    Mother Henn said:

    My kids watch Dolphin Tale on repeat. Also, Princess Diaries, Matilda, and for some reason they love Pixels. It's PG-13 though.

  32. 5.17.16
    Leigh (Balancing By Faith) said:

    My son LOVES Sandlot – but there are a few inappropriate words/situations that you have to be aware of.

  33. 5.17.16
    Sarah said:

    I agree with what others have said, we also like Jumanji, The Spy Kids movies and all 3 Night at the Museums are good.

  34. 5.17.16
    dresselfamily.blogspot.com said:

    Enchanted…all my kids loved it
    Cheaper by the dozen
    Airbud was always a hit too

  35. 5.17.16
    Laci said:

    My kids are older than yours but they LOVE Dennis the Menace….and The Sandlot! Those are two movies we quote often!

  36. 5.17.16
    Ashley Hogeland said:

    Love this! Im always looking for good kid movies!! We love the night at the museum ones and national treasure! And all the old Disney movies-Adventures of the Wilderness Family, Across the Great Divide, Swiss Family Robinson, Mary Poppins, Herbie the Love Bug!

  37. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Adventures of Huck Finn, Black Beauty (1994), Swiss Family Robinson, Polyanna, The Secret Garden (1993), Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Chity Chity Bang Bang, Petes Dragon, Freaky Friday(both!), Lassie(90s), Homeward Bound, Labrynith, Honey I Shrunk the kids, Adventures of Milo and Otis, Dennis the Menace (1993), Rookie of the Year, Hocus Pocus, Harry and the Hendrsons, Angels in the Outfeild, Enchanted, Night at the Museum, We bought a Zoo, Casper, Junanji, Feild of Dreams….

  38. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Swiss Family Robinson, Pollyanna, Homeward Bound, Milo and Otis, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Chity Chity Bang Bang, Petes Dragon, The Secret Garden (90s), Lassie(90s), Dennis the Menace (90s), Black Beauty (90s), Adventures of Huck Finn, Hocus Pocus, Labrynith, The Princess Bride, Enchanted, Big, Harry and the Hendersons, Casper, Freaky Friday (both!), Angels in the Outfeild, Rookie of the year, Honey I shrunk the kids

  39. 5.17.16
    Jennifer said:

    My kids love watching The Sandlot right now. Could be that we are in the midst of baseball at our house too

  40. 5.17.16
    Lisa said:

    A family favorite for us is Cheaper by the Dozen, my kids love it and it is funny and entertaining for adults!
    Daddy Daycare was also on repeat when my kids were young, that is a funny movie too!
    Cool Runnings is also a great family movie…it is so nice when kids grow out of the animated movies!

  41. 5.17.16
    Lisa said:

    Oh, and your daughter might really enjoy the Lindsay Lohan version of The Parent Trap!

  42. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    My kids absolutely love all Alvin and the chipmunks movies! Lots of fun songs!
    Also we live American girl movies- even my 8 year old son!!

  43. 5.17.16
    Lauren Boswell said:

    We just finished watch the little rascals this morning, they have a remake on Netflix too but we enjoy the original way better!

  44. 5.17.16
    Kelsey @ The Peacock Roost said:

    Have you all watched the new Cinderella? So good! Beethoven, Jumanji, Cheaper by the Dozen, Swiss Family Robinson, I think older movies are so much more family friendly than the newer ones it seems!

  45. 5.17.16
    Jenna said:

    My kids love Little Rascals

  46. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    It is funny watching older movies again as a parent because you don't realize the somewhat "bad" things that you never remembered from your childhood! One of my coworkers told me about a great feature on the IMDB.com website called "Parents Guide". When you look up a movie, click on Parents Guide section and it gives you all the details about Sex & Nudity, Violence & Gore, Profanity, Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking, and Frightening or Intense scenes. Here is the link to it for Camp Nowhere: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109369/parentalguide?ref_=tt_ql_stry_5 I never knew about this and now I look it up for almost all movies that I watch with my daughter and my nieces/nephews!

  47. 5.17.16
    cherrietopdworld said:

    I don't have kids, and am no kid myself, but these are movies I remember loving back in the day!
    – High School Musical 1, 2, 3
    – The Lizzie McGuire Movie
    – Hannah Montana Movie
    – Cadet Kelly
    – Camp Rock
    – The Cheetah Girls

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Disney_Channel_Original_Movies

    Although most of these have kissing in them!

  48. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    I used to call them "real people" movies too- I remember thinking it was a new thing since I didn't know real people movies existed and then I was obsessed! I used to rent all the Ramona movies from the library and all the mary Kate and Ashley ones are great too (I grew up with 2 sisters so no boys) …my most memorable recommendations would have to be George of the Jungle, the Indian in the Cupboard and my dog skip. We loved those and I think the boys would enjoy them just as much.

  49. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    The Parent Trap, I can still recite every word to every line :). Ebby Lee will LOVE that movie!

  50. 5.17.16
    lifeaccordingtolaurentruman said:

    *Homeward Bound – Nixon would love the dogs!

    *Mary Poppins

    *Soul Surfer – religious component (!)

    *Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

    *Radio – good movie about being kind!!!

    *Remeber the Titans

  51. 5.17.16
    Memphis Bridges said:

    My recommendations are Ramona and Beezus and Parental Guidance. These are some the adults will all enjoy too!

  52. 5.17.16
    Kelsey said:

    The Goonies
    Troop Beverly Hills
    The Princess Bride
    Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
    Labyrinth (my all-time fav growing up, although might be a little scary for the little kids)
    Polyanna
    Anne of Green Gables
    The (original) Parent Trap

  53. 5.17.16
    Kelsey said:

    The Goonies
    The (original) Parent Trap
    Princess Bride
    Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
    Anne of Green Gables
    Polyanna

  54. 5.17.16
    Courtney Spencer said:

    Indian in the Cupboard, The Sandlot, Little Giants.

  55. 5.17.16
    Alana H said:

    All the 90s classics:
    Casper, Princess Bride, Homeward Bound, Little Giants , Harriet the Spy, Jumanji, Honey I Shrunk/ Blew Up the Kids.
    They don't make movies like they used to!

  56. 5.17.16
    Lindsay's Sweet World said:

    You MUST have them watch The Sandlot… it was one of my faves growing up and I can't wait to show our kiddos when they get a little older!

  57. 5.17.16
    Valerie Cox said:

    Ramona and Beezus is really cute!

  58. 5.17.16
    Shelly @ The Queen in Between said:

    My kids loved the Beethoven movies, Homeward Bound, Bedtime Stories….and personally I could watch all the High School Musical movies 1000 times!

    Shelly||The Queen in Between

  59. 5.17.16
    Casey said:

    The Sandlot is great! My kids love it (they are 6 and 9). There are a few cuss words but that is about it.

  60. 5.17.16
    Casey said:

    Also, both Dolphin Tale movies

  61. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    Definitely the Sandlot! Classic movie!

  62. 5.17.16
    Unknown said:

    The Sandlot and Harry and the Hendersons (I don't think there are any bad words in it)

  63. 5.18.16
    Caroline Domogala said:

    -Homeward Bound
    -Little Giants-So good!
    -Pollyanna
    -Air Bud
    -Beethoven
    -Zeus and Roxanne
    -Little Rascals
    -Angels in the Outfield—maybe in a few years. Don't know the rating, but a great movie!
    -And not to be a complete goober, but I loved these growing up! I also teach 4th grade at a Christian school and show these during rainy day recess. My kids love them. It's called McGee and Me, and it's a real life situation mirrored with a biblical message. They are short though…20 minutes I think, so they are good for quick movie nights. I find full episodes on YouTube when I show my class.

  64. 5.18.16
    Katie H said:

    Common Sense Media (website) is a great tool for reviews on kid-friendly movies!

  65. 5.18.16
    Deena said:

    Be sure to check out the 1999 Annie. It stars Kathy Bates, Victor Garber, Alan Cumming, Audra McDonald and Kristin Chenoweth. It's our favorite version.

  66. 5.18.16
    Unknown said:

    It takes two, Mrs. Doubtfire, Rookie of the year, and Homeward Bound were always favorites in our house!

  67. 5.18.16
    kendra said:

    My 6 year old twins LOVE "Cheaper By the Dozen" and "Cheaper By the Dozen 2", and "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"…and I don't mind those either 😉

  68. 5.18.16
    Unknown said:

    Focus on the Family's Plugged in is an excellent resource for evaluating content of movies. I use it a lot.

    That being said, my 2 boys LOVE Earth to Echo. Your oldest 2 might be a touch young for it. But put it on the list, because even the grown ups in this house don't mind watching it over and over. Adventurous and funny!

  69. 5.18.16
    Kim in RI said:

    My kids spent alot of time when they were little with my grandmother and every afternoon they watched a movie until I picked them up. Their favorites were Homeward Bound (all of them, but the first is the best) and Home Alone – just the first one. We also love most of the Disney/Pixar movies – A Bug's life, Lion King, Finding Nemo. Cheaper by the Dozen is a great movie! there are so many good ones out there!

  70. 5.18.16
    Jen Arthur said:

    It's so hard finding kid appropriate "real" movies! My kids like Ella Enchanted. But I'm having a hard time coming up with any others off the top of my head. I like the list you have going here though! Lots of great suggestions.
    Xo, Jen @ bellenbrooks

  71. 5.18.16
    Amanda @ That Inspired Chick said:

    Matthew would cry his little eyes out if he saw Old Yeller!! I seriously am going to want to borrow your copy of Camp Nowhere though if I can't find it.

  72. 5.19.16
    KristenD said:

    Secondhand Lions!!! OH how we all love this movie! Family friendly and one of my all time favorites!!! Everyone should check it out in my opinion! So, so heartwarming! 🙂

  73. 5.19.16
    Lyndsey said:

    I love this list! Also my mom had a rule when we were growing up, if there were 3 curse words, we had to turn it off, I always dreaded when we hit that limit in the 1st 30 minutes or silently pray she didn't happen to hear one that was said. Ha! If they don't mind older movies, the original Yours, Mine and Ours with Lucille Ball is cute and The Trouble with Angels. Disney's Summer Magic is one I still watch every year. I also loved Faerie Tale Theatre with Shelly Duvall. The episodes are about an hour long and celebrities star in them. Cinderella was my favorite but all of them are great!

  74. 5.20.16
    Unknown said:

    Check out Paper Planes. It's this really sweet movie about a boy from Australia who works hard to be able to compete in the World Paper Planes Championships. My 8 year old daughter and 5 year old son love it. It's about not giving up on your dreams and afterwards we wanted to build awesome paper planes!

  75. 5.20.16
    Rebecca W said:

    I love Babe, The Boy Who Could Fly and Flight of the Navigator. If my memory is correct, Flight of the Navigator has one curse word, but I loved the movie.

  76. 5.22.16
    Love on the Lake said:

    Erika!! I know you don't know me but I'm shouting, ERIKA!!!!! Hiiiiiiii (waving, jumping, hoping you'll read this.) Okay, ready? Three words. SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. This is THE best "all the people" family movie ever in my opinion. A godly family, an island, adventure, animals, Pirates, leaning on each other and surviving off of the island's gifts, love (!), and did I mention animals and pirates?! My mom and I watched this for the first time together when I was in Kindergarten and was really sad that my brother and Dad were away for a Little Indians Guides weekend in Texas and j had to stay home. (Do they still have Indian Guides in Texas? We moved away. It's like Boy Scouts but…Indian, like bows and arrows etc?) Anyways, my Mom cooked my favorite meal and we snuggled up to watch Swiss Family Robinson and I've been in love ever since!! It has something for everyone!!
    ~ LOTL
    loveonthelakeblog.blogspot.com

  77. 7.25.16
    brendan Steve said:

    The Sound of Music was amazing and i am happy that i get to watch this and many other Full movie online . you are searching for the same then you should head on the website linked and watch it online there.